I am literally getting inundated with emails and comments from you guys wondering what the heck is going on at Safeway stores. The major issue seems to be various problems with e-coupons.
The short answer is that I don’t know.
The long answer is that I should have more of a grasp about what the heck is going on in the next 2 weeks. In the meantime, I will warn you there is all sorts of wonky business going on with e-coupons and manufacturer coupons.
I am hearing that e-coupons are being added back onto bills, that the Shortcuts coupons now have a limit as to how many you can save on your card, that some registers are refusing manufacturer coupons if an e-coupon has been redeemed.. seems like one thing after another really.
So I have decided to just keep posting deals as usual until I have a clear picture about what Safeway has up its sleeve. They are rolling out some new programs nationwide and I am hoping this all works out better for us.
In the meantime, I would suggest being extra cautious about those e-coupons and also be aware that you might need to really check those receipts for any funny business for the next few weeks.
I have a very bad feeling this might be the end of the road for the e-coupon stacking party we have all enjoyed, but I have to wait and see before I have any solid answers for you.
Stephanie H. says
The other day I went to safeway and even though I clearly had two e-coupons for the pillsbury sweet moments, only one came off at check-out. Also, their in-ad coupons have often not been ringing through at all. You have to watch the screen and have many of them manually entered. Many times when the in ad coupon is scanned, it is showing up at -.01, which is obviously not correct. It has made checking out at safeway onerous for both myself, the checker, and the poor people behind me in line. Still great deals, but starting to have “target-like” register issues.
Judith says
So far, the only problem I encountered last weeks on EDH Safeway was that they would NOT take a printed coupon if it didn’t beep, no matter how perfectly printed or how perfectly the coupon matches the product. No BEEP, no DEAL.
So basically, what I have been having to do is if the coupon doesn’t beep, i return the product.
Off topic: I wish you would have the option to notify followup comments via e-mail…:)
Silvia says
Hi! I am in IL. They started a new program at Dominicks (SAFEWAY OWNED). It’s called Just for U. It has replaced the e-coupons. And it will beep if you present a manufactur coupon and already have an e-coupon loaded. I am hearing here that it will go nationwide.
Cheryl says
I have had lots of problems with ecoupons that do not come off of my order. I have contacted Cellfire and Shortcut and they said they will consider sending me a credit but you have to get the UPC codes off of every product that you have purchased, scan in the receipt and fill out a complaint form. I did this over two weeks ago and have not gotten a credit yet or a response. Also at my Safeway (Balfour and Fairview, Brentwood-SF Bay Area), the cashiers are making me feel very uncomfortable using my coupons (internet AND manufacturer coupons). I have been told if they do not scan I will not be able to use them. I know this has been the case with internet coupons BUT manufacturer’s coupons too?! Safeway was once my most coupon friendly store, but now I am not sure if I will continue shopping their as much.
Charlene says
Yeah Silvia that is exactly right. I don’t have all the details yet but I have something scheduled with Safeway the week after next to learn more.
Charlene says
Judith I have been looking into those plug ins and haven’t found one I liked yet. It is on my very, very long list of things to do.
sarah mcreynolds says
I went to Safeway yesterday in the Elk Grove area and they would not let me use an Ivory’s soap manufacture coupon since the e-coupon already came off. I was very disappointed! They told me it was a new policy.
Charlene says
Sarah it can be frustrating. The “policies” seem to be pulled out of thin air because when I have been told that same line and ask for a printed copy of said policy they can never produce it. Online it says nothing of the sort and they have tinkered with that coupon policy a bunch of times. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
michelle says
I had the same experience as Cheryl. Cellfire gave me a $1 credit on my account and Shortcuts sent me a Safeway giftcard. Just be patient with Shortcuts, they take a little while.
Christy says
More on the new program at Dominick’s (within the Safeway family). If you have an e-coupon and a paper coupon, the machine will beep and will take the highest value coupon. Only 1 mfg coupon per item. As of now, Dominick’s has discontinued cellfire e-coupons in our state (I’m also in IL). Their new program, called Just for U, does offer some decent prices and super coupons, but it doesn’t look like it will ever be the same (and certainly not as good). Fortunately we have a wide variety of stores to choose from, and Dominick’s was never one of the best. Hope you have some other great stores near you, too!
Lisa says
I live in Hawaii, Safeway Hawaii stores were the first to get the Just For U program. Registers here will beep if you use an ecoupon with a paper coupon for the same item. I don’t have any trouble though using double ecoupons for the same product, coupons from Cellfire and Shortcuts will both come off for the same product. Plus, thru Just for U there are about 15 pages of coupons available to load on your club card…I’ve been happy with the program:))
Charlene says
Yup- you guys have the same hunch I do! I was thinking it would be a regional roll out but it looks like it will be nationwide. I don’t see that you can register for Just for You quite yet so we are in limbo for the time being.
Ash says
I also had problems with Safeway this weekend. They refused to take a b1g1 free coupon saying that they didn’t accept free coupons anymore or any coupon that is more than 50% of the price of the item.
Jessica says
Well, I don’t have a Safeway but I’ve been thinking that there just don’t seem to be the good deals lately(I have a regular Target and a Walgreens) and the coupon inserts seem pretty lousy, too.
Kim says
My son is an employee at Safeway. They received a flyer for the Just For U program that is rolling out in Nor CA for employees only from 10/18-10/26 and for everyone on 10/27. It specifically says that it will work with manufacturer/store coupons. That you CAN combine the two. However this is a digital program, so it may be what is causing all the ruckus.
Patricia says
While shopping at Safeway earlier today for the Pillsbury Sweet Moments, I had cellfire coupons loaded but when I presented the $1.50 off one coupon the ecoupon automatically was put back – I saw it on the screen. What a bummer. For the person who commented earlier I believe the .01 you see on the screen is a price adjustment. Check your receipt and you will see the coupon price on the item not an amount off.
Charlene says
Kim did you see the new comment follow up feature on MFA? I finally found the right plug in that didn’t mess stuff up. I get to go to Safeway in Pleasanton with some other blogs on the 26th and apparently they will give us the scoop.
Sherry says
Just an FYI, I received at check out a print saying between 10-20-10 and 11-4-10 if you by any 10 participating SoBe 20oz beverages you will get a $5.00 off coupon on your next shopping visit. Where can we find Sobe coupons again?
Kim says
Yup, I saw it. I love it. It’s nice to you when you there is a follow up comment to yours. I’m headed to Safeway later today. The manager here is a GOOD friend. I wonder if I’ll run into any probs. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Melissa says
We live in Huntsville, Alabama and the same issue is happening with Kroger. They are working on the e-coupon issue and are not allowing the stacking of manufacturer and e-coupons. They said that the e-coupons come from the manufacturer, not the store.
Mona says
I live in Norcal, went to two Safeway stores today and here is my experience with the Quaker Oats manufacturer’s coupon:
-the first store flat out refused the coupon. The lady cashier asked me, where did you get the coupon . “I said, it is a manufacturers coupon, of which she added, we don’t accept those… Only if their is a Safeway logo then we accept.
-Second Safeway store: The cashier looked at my coupon in detail and then asked a coworker, Do we accept this? Only then the coupon was honored.
Hopefully, we would have the answers soon about using coupons at Safeway.
Shelly says
I don’t have issues with coupons at Safeway as long as I do self-checkout
Courtney says
Safeway used to be my favorite… after this weekend, I may be shopping other places. I tried to do the cononelle deal and the pop tarts that were on sale… I was told a few things in a rude fashion:
1. If I used more than one flyer, I was “using and abusing” the system.
2. If I don’t pay for the items with at least $10 CASH our of my own pocket, after all coupons, they would not scan an ad coupon to reduce the price on any items.
3. The cashier mentioned they were all being made to take a coupon seminar in Sacramento Saturday.
Should be interesting!
Charlene says
Nice Courtney. I would have had a hard time not giving them a piece of my mind 🙂 I will share this in my meeting with them- although I have many times before and it is like talking to a wall. Let’s all start a petition begging Publix to come to the West Coast.
Barbie says
I too have run into the same issues in the Concord (Nor.CA) stores…just today all my printable coupons did not scan but my cashier was nice enough to try them on another machine which was accepting them so she forced mine through–I have a feeling I was lucky today. So sad…Safeway is my main shopping spot. I understand that they want to change their policy but perhaps they could have worked out the kinks first, published their new policy and trained their staff appropriately?
Courtney says
I was too shocked to speak beyond telling them I no longer wished to purchase the items.
The sad thing was that I not only felt singled out, as they couldn’t help but mention that I’d been there the previous day doing the exact deal on TP, but these comments came from the Manager of the Store!
I was also trying to teach a friend how to coupon, and had told her how great shopping at Safeway was, even though she’d always believed it cost too much! So… how do you think my friend feels about shopping Safeway now?!
mandy says
I know what’s going on. I was at a safeway in Longview, WA last week and I had the shift lead cashier ringing my order. I had ecoupons, mq’s and store q’s. She told me that they had just received a memo that day stating the e coupons could no longer be stacked with mq’s. She thought the reason was because manufacturers have been losing money. I think the policy is changing for us just as it did for hawaii. I think since sooo many people are couponing now the manufacturers are feeling it.
The sad part for me thus week was there was NO doubler coupons in our ad this week. I’m hoping that changes next week, or Safeway is going to loose a lot of couponers’ business.
Charlene says
Yes Mandy that is probably exactly what it is. Such a bummer.
Ronni says
I’m with you Charlene….I’d love to see Publix here!
I have not had an issue with the e-coupons in my area (yet).
I purchased 3 can of Campbell’s soup today…they were not on sale. I used a $1/3 Internet printed Coupon and about $6.00 in e-coupons showed up on my receipt. I honestly felt a little guilty about that. I felt as though it was a bit excessive, but it was not intentional, I honestly did not realize the e-coupons were there. So I can see why they are placing some restrictions.
Megan says
Here in South Dakota, we’ve had the Just 4 U program since last January, so we’re a pilot state, and I can’t even guess how it will work when they get done tweaking it. But, I can tell you that it has been pretty dissapointing so far for me. The premise is that there are special prices loaded to your card based on your purchase history. My sample complaint; I buy most of my produce there, but only have one produce item in my current list of offers, and it’s not a good deal. My mom, who rarely shops at Safeway, has a great list of produce deals.
Initially it was set up to actually show you the Safeway Just 4 U price and the Walmart price, but they’ve stopped doing that now. So I’m thinking their focus is on luring people away from Walmart. Interestingly, I’ve never had an issue with e-coupons and paper coupons, other than the occasional e-coupon that fails to trigger. All good things must come to an end in the coupon world though!
Lori says
I’m in Maryland, and a few weeks ago, for just a few days, the normal coupon links on safewaydotcom were replaced with the Just for U signup form. It has since reverted back to the normal coupon links, but now I find Shortcuts has a limit as to how many coupons you can load.
Was at Safeway today, and I didn’t seem to have any issues with using ecoupons, manq’s, and the scannable q’s from the safeway paper. Though I hardly bother checking the Safeway loadable q’s – they have been working since I started couponing in May.
It will be interesting to see how Just for U changes the dynamics at Safeway. I have definite customer loyalty there, and I’d hate to move on.
Sel says
i literally hate safeway (Vons)! I am so frustrated and angry every time i leave from a trip there. i always get mistold from one associate to another what is the policy and what is not. i am always so friendly and respectful to the workers but once they see that the “coupon gal” is there they immediately put up there guard and treat me differently. it goes so bad sometimes that at the registers they sort each item 1 by 1 to calculate the total and make sure i am not using both an e-coup and a reg coupon for that 1 item and it doesnt go on overage (which i dont want). listen, i dont want to do anything fraudulant, i just want to leave with a bundle of good products with a good savings that i pay for. i have moved from vons to vons to vons and each time i get the same old bad treatment and self-anxiety attacks walking in!
Amanda says
I am so bummed. The past three times I’ve shopped at Safeway, they’ve all left me frustrated because of weird stuff going on that I notice later on my receipts. In ad coupons haven’t worked if there is an ecoupon that comes off, and other items that I’ve been overcharged. I feel like I’m mourning the old Safeway!!! I have a feeling I won’t be shopping at Safeway as much anymore wih this new Just 4 U program, and it’s back to the grocery outlet store I go.
Jen T says
I had to stop shopping at my favorite Safeway of almost 2 years, because as of last month the cashiers (not the managers) have become EXTREMELY nasty about coupons. So much that I had to actually tell a cashier, “You know what.. I need someone else to ring me up.” And so I started to move my items over to the manager’s checkout, and the cashier physically stopped me because she had bagged the items. She said she didn’t want me to walk out of the store with the items so an employee would have to move the cart over for me. This was after explaining to her their coupon policy, telling her that she didn’t scan half my coupons, then her telling me you can’t use a Safeway coupon and manu.. oh, and then when I asked for my coupons and held out my hand, she yanked her hand away with them and was almost not going to let me have them back! Omg.. so bad. After that, I went one more time and stood in line for 10 minutes (waiting for a manager who never came – someone had to run outside to stop the store manager who was leaving) over a $0.55 IP coupon for coffee cream – the cashier was insisting they don’t take IP coupons. I was like, dude.. I’ve been shopping here for awhile. You take them. I haven’t been back since. I’m going to another Safeway a little bit further with the self-checkout, and going during the day so I can use it rather than deal with the cashiers. The funny thing is, the self-checkout cashiers so far have been extremely nice and know their stuff!
Mona says
@Shelly, the Safeway stores I go to don’t have
self-checkout.
Kim says
It is so weird that everyone gets a different story at their local store. When I had problems with my e-coupons and emailed the corporate office they were very nice and directed me to the store manager to have the situation corrected. T
They also emailed me a copy of their coupon policy, which spells out in no uncertain terms that many of the problems people are having with their local store should not be occuring. I do not see any of this mentioned specifically in the coupon policy that is posted to their website.
from the email I received,
“COUPON STACKING:
Please remember: A customer cannot use more than 1 type of paper manufacturer coupon on the same item, but if a customer purchases multiple like items and has just 1 type of paper manufacturer coupon for each like item, Safeway will take them all because it is only 1 coupon per item.
For example, Customer purchases 6 cans of canned peas. Customer has 6 like paper manufacturer coupons for canned peas. (Buy one can of canned peas and receive 50 cents off) The coupons will be honored for all 6 cans of peas, because 1 type of paper manufacturer coupon can be used for each same item.
23. Safeway does not allow a customer to redeem two or more manufacturer coupons against the same item in a single transaction.
PLEASE NOTE: This is referring to paper manufacturer item coupons only. We do not accept multiple manufacturer paper coupons for the same item. However, we will accept 1 electronic coupon and 1 manufacturer paper coupon for the same item. The exception to this rule belongs to our Hawaii stores. In Hawaii, if a customer presents 1 manufacturer paper coupon and 1 electronic coupon for the same item, only the first coupon (paper or electronic) that the customer presents to the cashier will be accepted.
24. Coupon stacking policies for manufacturer coupons apply to paper and electronic coupons that have been loaded to a club card.
PLEASE NOTE: We will accept 1 electronic coupon and 1 manufacturer paper coupon for the same item. The exception to this rule belongs to our Hawaii stores. In Hawaii, if a customer presents 1 manufacturer paper coupon and 1 electronic coupon for the same item, only the first coupon (paper or electronic) that the customer presents to the cashier will be accepted.
25. If a customer presents two coupons for the same item in a single transaction, Safeway will only accept the first coupon to be applied in the system.
Additionally, in order to use store coupons, a minimum purchase is required in a shopping trip. The minimum purchase is based upon total sale prior to the club card discount. The total sale will include the coupon item regular price in the minimum purchase calculation. For example, the regular retail price of a box of Cheerios (before coupon and before club card discount) will count toward the minimum purchase required in order to use the Cheerios coupon.
If using more than one coupon in a shopping trip, you will need to meet one minimum purchase requirement. For example, if, within one shopping order, a customer uses 3 different coupons, each requiring a minimum $20 purchase, the minimum purchase for the total shopping trip is $20, rather than $60.”
I realize that changes are afoot and this will not likely be the policy for much longer, but for the time being, I don’t think it is asking too much for them to follow their own policy.
Wendy says
I was able to register online today for the Just 4 U program. Tons of digital coupons.
Jennifer Young says
@Patricia
You are right on both items. I saw my e-coupons come off, but went back on because they were a lower value than my paper coupons. I’m almost certain that’s what’s happening–the register is only taking the highest value coupon. At least with Cellfire and Shortcuts. I haven’t tried stacking with P&G lately.
The super coupons are not coming up as coupons anymore. They just adjust the actual price of the item and that’s what shows up on your receipt. If you want to check your receipt before you cash out, you can just ask the cashier to print out a receipt for you to review. I’ve done this before. Saves a trip to CS sometimes.
I can see Acme and Genuardi’s dying in our town. A Bottom Dollar just opened up literally right across the parking lot from Genuardi’s. And, Super Walmart moved in last year. They are also building a new Wegmans, which has low prices too.
Amy says
I just got back from Vons and am happy to report that in Central California, (I’m in Fresno) the registers are still accepting both electronic and paper coupons. I didn’t have any problems, it was couponing business as usual for me. Relieved for now.
christine says
wow! so glad i read this post. i thought something was wrong the last time i tried to do a deal involving e-coupons. something happened where it didn’t take off the full amount for my mfg q, and then it only took a penny off my safeway store q. i was so frustrated trying to get it worked out w/the cashier i finally just said forget about it, and left without completing the transaction. i was polite to the cashier, and let him know i was on a time frame, and just didn’t have time to figure it all out. now i just don’t count on my e coupons to work, and i really watch the screen to make sure the other qs are taking off the full amount.
Courtney says
Hey Charlene,
When you meet with Safeway next week… perhaps ask why our area doesn’t get to double or triple coupons, as most other areas and Safeway affiliates do? If we are limited with the new process and the “Just-for-U” is also a nationwide deal… just seems fair.
Good luck and can’t wait to hear how it goes!
sharon says
I had problems this weekend with paper qs and loadables. I called Randalls’ corporate office and they told me that they no longer take both. It is one or the other. She said most of time it will take the highest dollar coupon first.
Kristin says
I had different experiences at two of the Randalls stores here in Houston. One, all of my e coupons and store coupons rang up perfectly. One, none worked right. Guess which one I’ll be shopping at? 🙂
kathy says
Question to ask::: If u have 2 cellfire coupons and 2 shortcut coupons all for the same item, will all 4 come off or will only one come off??? and how is it determined from which site it comes off? Add to that an additional ecoupon from the safeway site–same question, how many will come off and how is it determined which site??? From the land of doubles, can u double an ecoupon??? I am eager to hear what you learn from the meeting with safeway. Thanks for all you do, we do really appreciate it.
Charlene says
Kathy you can watch the vlog on e-coupons here:
http://myfrugaladventures.com/2009/11/ecoupon-vlog/
The short answer is all coupons on your card will come off regardless of where they were saved from per item. If you have a total of 8 e-coupons from 3 different sites for .10 off a can of soup and you buy 1 single can of soup each and every coupon comes off. The don’t double. As I said and the other readers have commented only a very small minority are still able to use e-coupons. They have changed the registers to only accept one coupon per item period. So you may still get lucky or you may not.
Kathy says
I understand how ecoupons worked before the changes taking place. My questions are regarding after the changes are in effect. Are you saing cellfire and shortcuts and P&G will not work when everything is in place. I am confused on that. I consider safeway coupons ecoupons–I assume they will work.
Kathy says
I understand how ecoupons worked before the changes taking place. My questions are regarding after the changes are in effect. Are you saying cellfire and shortcuts and P&G will not work when everything is in place. I am confused on that. I consider safeway coupons ecoupons–I assume they will work.
Charlene says
Kathy there is no clear answer on that. As of this time, you can still use the e-coupons and the coupon that is the greatest in value will prevail for a grand total of 1 coupon per item. If you have one can of soup priced at .50 and 12 e-coupons loaded from various sites for .10 and then one paper coupon for .25- the only coupon that will be applied to your item is the paper coupon because it is the highest value. If you have 12 e-coupons for .25 and a paper coupon for .10 than the paper coupon will be rejected and one of your 12 e-coupons will apply the item. That is what seems to be happening for most right now. Some are still business as usual. For the future, I would say the days of stacking multiple coupons are gone. There is a chance we will not be able to load e-coupons at all once this process is done. Dominick’s shoppers have already transitioned into this program and they can not even load coupons from Cellfire anymore. There used to be loadable Safeway e-coupons but they have taken those away.
Kim says
I am going to Safeway tomorrow. And since I am already a Just for U program member (family member of employee) I’ll let you know how the coupons work out. I’m going to try some different items and scenarios to see how the coupons work out. From what I’ve heard you will NOT be able to use more than one manufacturer coupon any longer. What is confusing is that there are three parts to the Just For U program, the prices that are just for you (personalized deals), the coupon center, and the club sales. The club sales are what confuses me. Are they Just For U? or are they the same prices for everyone. I have to ask my son. Now one thing to remember about this program that will be hard for us couponers is that you are NOT suppose to save EVERYTHING. The purpose of Just For U is for them to base deals for you based on what you use. So if you save everything it defeats that purpose. However I suppose they could still form it off what you actually use.