Ok…..I have heard from a couple readers that Kroger will no longer accept coupons on items that are reduced “Managers special”, so I decided to go today and test this out for myself!
I bought the Voskos Greek Yogurt, that is pictured above, on manager’s special for $.93. The coupon was for $.75 off. The register beeped when the cashier tried to scan the coupon. She told me that the coupon wouldn’t work because the item would end up being below what Kroger paid for the item! What???!!!! Are you kidding me???!!!! Ok, I told her that I have never heard of that policy and she said it was because “new cashiers” don’t know that!! Well, I realized that I was dealing with a cashier that had no idea what she was talking about, so I politely paid, (yet fuming on the inside), and then proceeded over to customer service. I asked the lady at customer service if there policy is not to allow coupons on Manager’s specials and she said that they are not allowed to take coupons on manager’s specials!!!!
This makes absolutely no sense to me! Isn’t the reason behind items going on “manager’s special”, is so that they can get rid of it before it expires??
Well after I got home, I decided to call corporate at (513)762-4000. I spoke with a lady named Ellen. She confirmed what the cashier and customer service manager told me earlier! Their policy is to not allow coupons on Manager specials! Now she said the reason is because the item is already greatly reduced! And???!!!!! My point to her was that they would get reimbursed for the manufacturers coupon. She tried to tell me that, they do not always get reimbursed for the coupon or the full value of the coupon. Well then how come on the back of the coupon it says: “Retailer: Sun Valley Dairy will reimburse you the face value of the coupon plus 8 cents handling for coupons redeemed in accordance with this offer.” Wow!! They are actually paying Kroger for the face value PLUS 8 cents!!!!
I went back and forth with Ellen, and she just kept saying that it was there policy and that they are “cracking down” on coupon fraud. I have no idea what my complaint and this coupon policy had to do with fraud but I definately will be taking my business elsewhere. I told her that I got the same Greek Yogurt a couple weeks ago at Publix for FREE and she told me ” yes, Publix is much more lenient with their coupon policy”…..hmmmm, don’t know why I have been spending my money at Kroger when even the people at Kroger Corporate are telling me that Publix is much more lenient with coupons. I won’t make that mistake again!
I even tried to get her to explain to me why I could come in and buy something on sale and use a coupon and get it the product for FREE but couldn’t use a coupon on a product that was marked “manager’s special” and pay $.18???
With the coupon changes at Kroger, I am finding I can get things cheaper or equal price at Publix, Bi-Lo, or Food Lion without the hassle of digital coupons and all the other coupon rules. Are you finding deals other places than Kroger? Are you having the same problems as me? Let me know!!!
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