Safeway came out with a new and more specific coupon policy on Monday (6/7). Here are the significant points to note:
:: Coupons cannot be applied against the free item received in any offer where a customer buys one or more items to get one or more items free (#4).
No more manufacturer’s coupon on the free item in a store BOGO sale. Bummer.
:: Coupon amount may be reduced so that any combined discounts and coupons do not exceed the value of the item (#5).
Fairly standard — you’re not supposed to get overage when using a manufacturer’s coupon.
:: Safeway will accept valid manufacturer’s coupons that display another retailer’s logo or name (#8)
As long as the coupon states “MANUFACTURER’S COUPON” to the left of the expiration date, Safeway will accept it.
:: Safeway will accept valid Catalina manufacturer coupons that are issued to a customer by another retailer (#9).
Again, as long as the cat states ‘MANUFACTURER’S COUPON” to the left of the expiration date, it will be accepted, including Walgreen’s Register Rewards.
:: The transaction amount may not fall below zero value, or go negative, meaning we will not give the customer money back (#12).
No overage. Wonder if this rule applies to doubles too.
:: We gladly accept internet printed coupons. The same manufacturer and store coupon rules above apply to all internet printed coupons (#16).
Note the word “gladly.” No more 50% of the value business. Cashiers must be dancin’ for joy over this change.
:: We will not accept “free product” internet printed manufacturer coupons (#20).
This isn’t a change, but worth noting again. If you have an IP coupon that is for a straignt-up FREE product, they will not accept it (and it’s probably fraudulent anyway). I don’t think this applies to BOGO internet coupons, but we’ll see how each store interprets this policy.
But, of course, they’ve included #15: Safeway reserves the right to refuse any coupons at its discretion.
You can still be shut down at any given time without recourse from Safeway corporate.
I strongly suggest you print off the official coupon policy and stick it in your coupon organizer to politely use if you run into a problem. Since this policy is new, please cut your cashier some slack if they aren’t up to date with the new rules.
Now, if they could just clarify the $10/$50 and Super Coupon wording, we’d all be good!
Thanks, Laurie!
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I actually had one Safeway refuse the Oreo internet coupon for BOGO when you buy milk. It seems that they are getting worse and worse when it comes to coupons. I was in the Safeway at SE 122nd & Powell yesterday and one of my favorite clerks told me they had to refuse a customer’s order because she was scaming the Ziplock deal. I was told that she found coupons in some of the ziplock packages and was opening them taking the coupon and they putting them back and purchasing a different package to get the CAT. She had done it several times before they figured it out. Just makes the rest of us couponers look bad. I love the “Uscan” because I avoid a lot of issue with cashiers but I am betting they will revamp this or change it because of this issue with the customer (she used the uscan).
I had bought a few ziploc containers, and didn’t even know there were coupons inside because I haven’t opened them. I am so glad I read your post. Now I can go get a few more; but really….how much does one person need? I am using mine to send leftovers home with friends/family after get togethers…but even at that, I don’t need so many that I will even use all the coupons to get that many more.
Thanks for the update. I have actually avoided Safeway for quite some time because the one that is local for me (Aloha on TV Hwy) always found a reason to not accept my coupons. This policy seems a little more clear, although it’s the “right to refuse any coupons” that they like to trot out. I may give them another try & have my policy on hand … we’ll see how it goes.
I had trouble there too & heard from other people the same thing. The one just down the road in Hillsboro at the Sunset Esplanade is much better. I hear the 185th one is good too, although I don’t go there.
Yes, Aloha is awful. The esplanade is a little touchy on internet coupons but 185th is worth driving the extra mile for. I also do multiple transactions. Walk in and then walk out if there’s a good sale going on. They are very helpful and customer service is great. Highly recommend it.
So as far as the “as many items as RRs” rule, it’s because of the way Wags registers are programmed, correct? Does that mean that if we buy 5 items at Safeway, we can use 10 RRs on them?
Terrific news, Angela, thanks! Now if only my store doesn’t decide to drag out rule#15 every time… They couldn’t care less what their website says unless, of course, it’s something restrictive.
The RR rule only applies to Walgreens. Use Register Rewards at Safeway as you would any catalina.
Thank you so much for this. I am fortunate that my Safeway in Central Oregon is very coupon friendly, but it’s always nice to have a policy on hand. It also helps me review so I can make sure I am following the policies for each store, since they all have their own variations.
Also, just read the part for Hawaii only about coupon stacking. That one says you can’t combine eqs with paper MQs. So, presumably, the fact that that rule applies to Hawaii stores only means that we are okay? And that would be consistent with the CouponLink policy about combining coupons (even though that one doesn’t specifically say that you can combine eqs with paper qs; it could be interpreted to mean that you can just use multiple eqs on the same item). Seriously, who writes that stuff? Are they being intentionally opaque?
Has anyone tried redeeming a Walgreen’s Register Reward at a local Safeway yet (preferably in Salem or Dallas)? If Safeway would accept them, that would be HUGE!
SERIOUSLY! I stopped shopping at Walgreens so long ago cause I hate RR’s so much! but I would definitely start shopping there again if I can use them at safeway
I went tonight and redeemed one without problem, not even a question! Sweet~
I’m with you, Elle: I’ve found myself wandering Walgreens with an about-to-expire RR in hand, wondering what I should buy and why I even bother! Knowing I could redeem them at Safeway would a tremendous relief.
And thank you, Tiffany, for letting us know it works! If you don’t mind sharing, would you please tell us which Safeway was so accommodating (you know; just in case)?
I would love to hear from someone relatively local to the Portland Metro area who has tried using a Wags RR!! Please report! I wish I had one to try it out.
I used a Walgreen RR at my Molalla Safeway last night! The cashier and assistant manager had never heard of the new policy, but I had brought a copy with me, and the manager read it and ok’d it! Went through without beeping or anything! I’m so excited!
I have never had a problem with couponing at Safeway (the 185th store and TV/Aloha store), including yesterday when the 185th store broke at least 1 or 2 of their new “rules”. I got 4cents back when I paid $0 for my ZipLocks. And, I missed 2 coupons on another transaction and didn’t realize it until I had already paid. The checker sent me to the customer service desk and the lady there gave me my 3 bucks back!
This is all good information!!! i just had a horrible experience with the $10/$50 coupon on Monday. Not really the store staff’s fault, but there wasn’t any real and specific guidelines on how the combination of coupons should work. I hope that get’s addressed soon! Thanks for passing the information along Angela!
I used a $10/$50 a few weeks ago and the cashier ran it right after scanning my club card and said it was easier. Two days ago at the same Safeway I shopped the sales and figured my $10/$50 after sale price but before coupons. I planned to spend about $32.00. The cashier ran all my coupons first and said it was after sale and coupon price. I had to hold up the line and deviate from my shopping list to make my $50.00 mark. I paid $42.00 and still got a great deal but it left me wondering what the actual policy is. So frustrating. I got my items at about .53 cents a piece. That includes two 18lb bags of charcoal briquettes, not half bad for the trouble.
I tried to use the Nabisco coupon at the Safeway on 122nd and Glisan and the cashier called the managewr over who then proceeded to make a big deal about it saying that it was probably a fraudulent coupon since it did not come from the Safeway website. I told him that I knew it was not fraudulent so I would take it and use it elsewhere.
I was told at a Gresham safeway recently that I couldn’t use a couple of my coupons ($1/1 Lunchables, I think) because……. get this….. “you would be saving too much money.” I just told them that they could put ALL my items back. Nicely, of course.
Keizer Safeway wouldn’t take my BBQ sauce coupon because it exceeded 50% of the sale price. I showed them the policy I printed out. The response of the customer service clerk was “just because it’s not printed in the policy, doesn’t mean it’s still not a policy”. She says that not all the policy’s are listed on the corporate site. She says they send memos to the store managers with “other policies” not listed on the corporate site. I called corporate and she did some checking with her supervisor and said that it IS a policy, but they didn’t write it into the new policy until they can figure some things out about the e-coupons. ????? I was also told by the corporate rep that it is a policy that they do not allow you to use coupons to get and item for free. Doesn’t that contradict the line about adjusting the coupon down? I am so upset with this store and their ever changing and unpublished secret policies.
Your clerk was wrong on this one. Cashiers do have a little clip chart of so-called “rules” at their register (this is before this new policy came out). However, the …”coupon cannot exceed 50% of prodcut price” does not apply to sale price. It’s the retail price or shelf price—if it goes on sale that’s Safeway’s issue.
I was told today at the Albany store that you cannot use a mani and an ecoupon together for the same item. Anyone know a good response to that?
I used to RR’s at Safeway today without any problems! Awesome!
I used (3) $5 RR yesterday at the Salem Center Street Safeway. My cashier was HORRIBLE but I was very sweet. Killem with kindness right!? Pulled my printed policy out she wouldn’t even look at it. I asked her to call the manager as they probably hadn’t informed everyone of the new policy. She did but it made her even madder. When he arrived he was very nice and professional hadn’t heard of any policy change and looked at my print out and said he’d look into it. I then said I would be happy to wait for them to call and confirm with corporate. He then tried scanning my RR. It went through without a hitch so he scanned the other two. Low and behold no beeps. I know I’m venting and you all really don’t need to hear my whole story but the point is I stood my ground politely and was victorious. The checker however is one of the meanest ones I have come across. She is continually rude to me. I know I know go to a different line. I do when I can however the times that I shop must be her regular shift and yesterday she was the only one open. So after checking out I complained to the manager about her. I probably would have let it go but her departing remark was “we don’t take those coupons” in a nasty voice as I was walking away. REALLY lady are you the coupon police? Cuz you aren’t doing a very good job keeping up on the laws if you are! ( I didn’t say that out loud) The manager at that point asked to make a copy my print out and thanked me for informing him so that he could better serve people at his store. Also he said he’d talk to the cashier about her attitude. I worked in with the public for many years and I know first hand how draining it can be but good grief when someone is being nice to you don’t kick them in the face.
Ooops that was long :~)
I just got back from safeway and also had a not so nice time with the cashier accepting my RR from Walgreens. I also brought the new policy, but she kept saying that they just had new training and so she knew that I was wrong. The manager came over and accepted it, but he was also arguing with me about why he shouldn’t. I think he just wanted to get me out of there cuz the line was getting pretty long. I hardly ever stand my ground because I get to embarrassed by the other people waiting behind me, but this time I had the policy and so I knew I was right! I have started not shopping at safeway ( which used to be my main store) because so many of the cashiers are rude if you try and use coupons. This is in Wenatchee. I have had a much more pleasant experience at the safeway in East Wenatchee. I am going to call the Safeway Manager tomorrow so myself and others don’t have to go through this again.
Kim,
Does the Safeway in East Wenatchee double coupons?
I just used $22 in Register Rewards at Safeway in Lakewood. The manager confirmed they do take them.
I went to safeway last night in Canby, they had a sale of Best Foods Mayo limit 2 per coupon @ $1.39 and I had Manufacturers coupons for $.75 off each. When I gave the cashier my coupons he told me I could NOT buy 4 mayo’s at that price. I said No problem I would do a second transaction and would gladely get back in line to buy the other 2 as they had a few people behind me at this point. He told me I could NOT go through line to get the same deal even though I had more coupons. I then asked him what he ment and he said he would refuse my purchase if I went through line again and that I would not get the mayo for the same price! Having these guidelines help me as I will be calling to speak with the manager today to state my case.
- so how does a store prevent a customer from going back to buy more products?
Safeway treats customers who use coupons as “the enemy”. They will refuse your coupons if they think that it is, “Too good a deal” even though Safeway gets reimbursed the full coupon amount PLUS a handling fee. Safeway LOSES NO MONEY by accepting manufacturer’s coupons but will lose the sale if they refuse to accept them! The checkers at Safeway are the coupon Nazi’s. Safeway will not get another penny of my grocery dollars ever again. I wrote directly to Steven Burd, the Safeway CEO complaining about their inconsistent and contradictory coupon policy and how I was treated at two different Safeway stores when I attempted to use manufacturer’s coupons. I never received any acknowledgement or reply. Screw Safeway!
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