A couple evenings ago, I posted the following on The Coupon Project Facebook page:
I sometimes have readers warn me of upcoming “policy changes,” but I hesitate to share anything until I’ve heard it myself or seen something in writing. I know that stores often reserve the right to process coupons as they see fit, and may impose limits. So my initial reaction is always to suppose the reader heard something their personal store may have chosen to institute. But when I heard from multiple readers that Twice the Value coupons would soon no longer be offered at Customer Service, I wondered if a corporate-wide change was in fact coming.
Early this morning, I received an email from Albertsons’ PR. Here are some of the highlights from that email.
- There has been a significant increase in the number of customers using Twice the Value coupons. However, many people have taken advantage of the offer, redeeming more than three sets of doublers in a single shopping trip. Albertsons wishes to curb this activity.
- Effective July 17th, Albertsons stores will no longer be offering the Twice the Value coupons in their stores at Customer Service. The only way you will be able to obtain the coupons will be through the Sunday papers. (Another reason to get your subscription.)
- Albertsons will be still be accepting up to three sets of Twice the Value coupons per shopping trip. You just won’t be able to get the coupons in the stores.
- Twice the Value coupons will be discontinued for Montana and Wyoming stores. Albertsons has seen a historically low level of redemption in these states, and has decided to drop the offering there.
PS regarding the other rumor I shared – seems that we won’t be getting the doubles in the Sunday paper this weekend. It sounds like the store was initially planning on it, but made a last minute decision to pull them. Perhaps as a result of this change being imposed. If someone knows differently, speak up. (Thanks, Erica, for the information.)
My Response to this Change
You probably already know that I advocate courteous shopping, and am a fan of stores imposing limits so everyone can get a slice of the deal. With the exception of the discontinuation of the program in Montana and Wyoming (my condolences!), I see this as a positive change – similar to the limits Rite Aid imposed a month ago.
For quite some time, I’ve had this not-so-great feeling about hearing how people were using many, many sets in a single shopping trip (even if just by running out to their car and back). I have a hard time getting my mind around the idea that this is something Albertsons would want their shoppers to be doing. Of course, I know some of you that have done this have pre-ordered/pre-bought quantity with your stores (thank you!), but not all have. If this change is how Albertsons wants to protect their interests in managing stock, and protect customers’ interests by ensuring more people can get the deal, I for one am in favor. If policies such as this one haults the Extreme Couponing movement and prevents the TLC show from airing more over-the-top episodes, I’m even more in favor.
Remember, building a stockpile can be done over time, in a gradual process. I think even with 9 total doublers (acquired from your paper), you should be able to get several items to grow your stash. I also believe that Albertsons double coupons should only ever be one part of the equation in how you get deals. Consider some of the other savings opportunities that are available to you. Flex your couponing muscles. You’re a creative bunch, and I believe in your savvy shopping powers.
Speak your Mind
There was a wonderful invitation at the bottom of the email I received today. I wanted to share it with you:
Since you’re so familiar with our stores—and clearly your readers are as well—I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you what you think would make couponing with Albertsons a better experience. We’re already investing a lot of resources into our email savings program by offering exclusive offers, but what other ways would you like to save at Albertsons? Are you finding a lot of savings in our holiday coupon booklets? Do you think that our shoppers would like to receive special offers on Facebook? Obviously we can’t honor everyone’s requests, but I’d love to hear from you and your readers as to how you want to see couponing at Albertsons evolve.
I shared my responses in an email reply, but I think it would be even better if some of you took a minute to answer this question too. Your voice does make a difference. I will make sure to share this post with Albertsons so they can read your comments. Here’s your chance: what could they do different or better to improve couponing at their stores? And, what do you feel about the change, good or bad? Do you agree with me in thinking Albertsons has made a wise move here? Or, do you disagree?
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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
The only big concern I have with this is what if they get left out of your paper. I’ve read about (and personally experienced) situations where a doubler was missing from a paper.
If you have an issue ever with your subscription paper missing a coupon, you can call them. BTW, I’ve never had an issue with my subscription missing doublers – only the papers you might buy in stores.
Who do you call? Albertsons or your newspaper? I have had mine missing from my Oregonian on two occasions and I get them delivered. The paper in its bag didn’t appear to be messed with, but twice there have been no TTV in my paper. I didn’t know what to do and I could get a copy of the TTV at my customer service, so I just let it go.
I didn’t get a doubler or albertsons ad last weekend and you all were talking about them and I get mine delivered (The Everett Herald) – it was in a bag and everything. . .
The newspaper companies generally won’t do anything about missing coupons. I have had it happen where I had nothing in my newspaper. They apologized and that was that. I have The Everett Herald as well.
I also didn’t get my grocery store ads this week in the mail. Not much I can do about that either other than talk to the mail lady. Doubt I will get them.
I am getting 8 Tacoma News Tribune every sunday and had it happened that the inserts were missing. I called and they delivered another paper, if the call is early enough, if not, I get it the next day. I am sorry that the Everett Herald doesnt do that, they should, sounds like bad customer service.
Yes, I was going to say the same thing – the TNT would be great in this scenario (otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested you go that route)
I have a home subscription to both the Seattle Times and the TNT (I’m in Gig Harbor); the Times always has the doubles and my TNT consistently does NOT have them. I just figured it was a weird distribution thing but if I can’t pick them up at customer service I’d like to find out more about why the TNT comes to my house without them.
I think they should be more like Price Chopper on the East Coast and just double coupons up to 99 cents without having to even have the 1, 2, 3 paper accompanied by the manufacturer coupons. For one, it would save paper, for two it would sell more merchandise as the store gets reimbursed and the customers would love it. It would also move the economy a little more forward. My 02 cents ok 04 cents cause I will double it.
LOL! I think this is a fantasic suggestion, Lisa!
If they want a limit, could they attach the number of coupons redeemed in a day and doubled to your Albertsons card? I don’t know how Price Chopper works, but if Albertsons was looking to limit to 9 TTV, that would be the only way I could think of to do that. I agree a paperless way would be much better!
The only thing which would make it better for me would be to just allow all three sets to be redeemed in one transaction. I feel it would be just as easy to monitor for them and would cut down on transaction time (thus avoiding the “dart-like” stares I sometimes get from impatient people behind me.
Also, although I coupon shop with cash, I have some friends who use their debit cards for very small purchases. Having one transaction would cut down on the visa/mastercard charges for the store.
Just a thought
Oh yes, I’m right there with you and have suggested this before…
http://thecouponproject.com/2011/05/i-heart-facebook.html
Thanks for the link – I agree with you that Facebook is really assisting the communication process with companies. I’ve only been couponing for a little over a year and, within that time, have seen major changes with the number of people couponing and the store policies.
I really wish that the Extreme Couponing show would go off the air. I feel it’s just created an incredible influx of ignorant couponers who haven’t started slowly, learning techniques, instead just diving in and thinking they can pull off $1000+ shopping trips with the change in their pocket. It must be so incredibly frustrating for the stores and I don’t blame them one bit for putting the brakes on the whole thing.
I guess only time will tell. Thanks for having such a great, informative blog. You are truly a cut above!
I do not like this at all. that mean people will be stealing them out of the paper. where i live. i can’t afford to buy 50 paper just to to get the flyer. I don’t know what to do. this happenig in all state. I live in Washington…
I Do Not Like This At All Either!!!!!!
I live in WA too (kitsap county) Whenever I have bought papers…I have NEVER gotten TTV coupons!!!!!!! I think people steal them from the papers!! I hardly Ever find any papers here on the stands. People are absolutly RUDE here!!! I have been meaning to check into having papers delivered but I currently live in an apartment…I don’t think The tacoma paper or seattle would deliver over where I live!
Will they inform managers again that the limit is 3 transactions even if we are buying multiple papers to get their TTV coupons? Almost every Tuesday night that we have TTV my very nice Albertsons store gets bogged down by a few ladies who have a cartload of groceries and multiple, multiple transactions… and my wonderful Albertsons store (they are just super nice to everyone – at least at night) shuts a lane down to just do their transactions, while the rest of us with 1-3 transactions have to wait in the other line or two that ends up getting long to do our transactions.
I agree with you. Setting a limit will hopefully let everyone get a good deal. It is always a bummer to go and find the shelf empty. I guess that’s why I always have back up coupons ready.
I love the emails from Albertons with coupons, being able to get them on facebook would be great as well. All of their ways of giving out coupons is appreciated. However, and it just might be my store, I seem to have a hard time locating the savings books. I wonder if there is any way to change that?
The Oregonian rarely and the Columbian does not… do deals on subscriptions. And the only Oregonian deal was on a solo newspaper delivered each week, not multiple newspapers. So, I’d have to go buy a $2 paper to get the $3 TTV. If the rest of the coupons that week are worth it, then I am slightly okay with that. If not, it just seems like a waste… of my money and of newspapers that I will just recycle. I seriously think a paperless way would be better… (sorry, restating what was said above).
I would love to see some way to add the TTV doublers to our Albertsons’ card, like an e-coupon. It would give everyone the same opportunity to use the appropriate number of TTV and would cut down on paper processing on Albertsons’ end. I also second the comment about being able to use all three sets in a single transaction to cut down on transaction times and even the debit card fees that Albertson’s is incurring by having to do multiple transactions.
If that isn’t an option, I would like to see some TTV that we can print out ourselves, either from Albertsons’ website, FB, or in emails.
Great idea!
I third that idea!
Attaching it to the Albertsons card wouldn’t be a bad idea. I don’t think printing them off would be good. Because you can print off many coupons with different computers and internet browsers. Which could in turn become a disaster for the store.
I agree…make in an e-coupon…But if we are allowed to do up to three transactions…why not just make it up to 9 doublers in one transaction…much easier for the customer and the checker, too…
I also think store training for their employees is a huge part in all of this. I cannot tell you how many rude clerks I have come across while shopping at Albertsons. I’m a new customer to Albertsons since my husband is active duty military and I usually only shop the commissary. So I can tell you that the rudeness I’ve seem to come across in the employees has been shocking. Many of them do not know the store policy and seem to make it up as they go along. They give incorrect information and act really irritated over customers, like me, using coupons. And I can assure you, I’m no ORGANIZED HOARDER using coupons. Just the items I need.
I also have had very rude cashiers at Albertsons! I’ve left survey comments and they contacted me and asked what they could do to make it better. That was November 2010. I’ve been back 2-3 times since then, and the cashiers were not any better about having to do my 3 transactions with my coupons & ttv. In fact, Tuesday, the cashier was so rude that EVERY item of mine that she scanned, she threw at the bagger! He even said ‘ouch’ one time because she was tossing them that hard at him!
I think I’m done with them and their rude cashiers for a while! If they allowed all 9 ttv in 1 transaction, I will try a different Albertsons store.
Okay, so this took me over the fence! I took the plunge & called to order my 5 Tribune’s to be delivered to me using your promo info and I used your name as a reference…so hopefull that will get you an extra, free paper or something!
I know, I am *weird* in that I like buying them (control thing probably-a head shrinks wonder for sure…) and actually having them in my hand vs. delivery, so this is a big thing for me! 
I am sure I will thank you again when on Sunday I can sleep in a little bit without having to run out to my local conv. store…they are going to miss me! HAHA!
Well since I rarely shop there it won’t bother me that much.
But if I did I wouldn’t get the doublers in my paper. I guess since I live more than 10 miles from the nearest Albertsons they think I dont need them.
I think the best way to go about this (as others have already said) is to make it paperless, whether it be a system like Ralphs and Vons have or an e-coupon. Then everyone could take advantage.
If the options were A) cancel the doublers program altogether, or B) limit them, I choose limit them! Other than that it just kind of stinks.
Then again, I still miss when Albies would accept competitors coupons. I had some serious luck back then. Although overall I get cheaper products now than I used to with their old policy (when I could buy a whole cart and use $10 off $50 etc), their general prices are way too high to justify ever doing a full shopping trip there.
so just buy the paper!
I buy our local paper already along with a Sunday Oregonian. TTV coupons are not in them.
I vote for opening a day of the week to doubling coupons. Allow anyone and everyone on that day to double up to “x” amount of coupons and have it attached to your Albertson’s card.
I didn’t even know they handed out the doubles at CS until last week! I’ve been couponing for a few years, but just started going more extreme lately. I buy 4-5 papers when there are TTV’s for Albertsons, so I don’t think it’s fair to eliminate them completely. I don’t think it was fair to get them for free at CS when I had to pay for mine. My change/suggestion would be to allow all TTV’s in one transaction. I’ve even had one cashier tell me he only does it that way. He admitted he hates the rule & that it’s a waste of time for everyone. I Love Albertsons’s deals to stockpile off of, but it’s really hard to work the 3 TTV’s into a sale such as 10/$10. I can only use 3 TTV’s and hate to waste my Q’s when I can’t double them. Just my 2 cents! Hope Albertson’s listens to their customers. Most of us are pretty loyal because they have such great prices & deals.
I am glad, someone in my area has been taking all the coupons from customer service and buying out the Dollar Tree and the newspapers at the store itself to wipe out the store of the really good deals. It has been over a month since my Albersons has had any Fructis shampoo or conditioner in… Also, I like the idea of getting coupons off facebook. My only printer is on a virtual machine, because it is too old for Windows 7, and bricks won’t print on it, so any other source of coupons would be welcome.
Our group has been talking and we wish that instead of doublers that they would again take competitor coupons or price match like WalMart does and the other thing is pick a slow day of the week say Tues (day before new ads start) between 10am – 3pm and double 20 coupons up to $1.00 – or some other number/day/time that works for them. Saves on paper, moves product out before new ad goes into effect makes it more of a one stop shopping to get all the store deals in one place!
Is anyone really surprised??? This is becoming all to common as a result of ‘extreme couponing’… I could see this coming a mile away…
I am very upset at this change. I am one of the unlucky shoppers in Montana. I love TTV coupons, they really help me save money. I would like special offers on Facebook.
Echk…. You know what I would like? For the entire world to go back in time and destory TLC so ‘Extreme Couponing’ would never have been created. It’s a terrible monster that has created a whole bunch of mini-monster couponers. My Sundays used to consist of me happily clipping coupons in bed while sipping coffee until noon and then a leisurely trip to Albies with my doublers. I never encountered cleared shelves way back then. Now if I want a deal I have to prepare the night before and get my butt up early just to fight other binder toting ladies for the last bottle of Kens Dressing! And although I never got my TTV’s from customer service, I believe that this is just the first move in a series of crackdowns.
I hate to be negative, and I’m glad that people want to save money, but the new coupon fad has really chapped my hide. TV has glamorized this way of life and I just can’t wait for the newness to wear off so we can all get back to normal. :/
This change doesn’t really effect me. I don’t use my TTV’s anymore. By the time I make it to Albertson’s all the deals I’m looking for are sold out. The only time I go to Albertson’s is when they have the Mix and Match 10 sales and instantly save $5. I like being able to buy everything in one transaction. I just don’t have the time two buy everything I need in sets of 3. I don’t think it’s fair to put them only in the newspaper because the inserts are missing so often these days. They should connect it to the shopper card or give everyone a dollar amount on their shopper card. Or put the TTV coupon’s in the holiday coupon books that they send in the mail. I think a paperless system would be the best bet.
I usually buy 5 papers at the Dollar Tree…now they have a limit of 3 papers. I had a soccer game to get to early last Sunday so we stopped by Safeway for donuts and cash. Safeway sells the Sunday TNT for $1.00 too. I bought 5 without checking for inserts and TTV and… alas…no TTV. I always check at the Dollar Tree and have had only one missing insert in 7 months. I was totally bummed and don’t know if they were taken out by the store, another customer, or were never in there in the first place.
By the time I get to my Albertsons, customer service has been out of TTV (at least the last two TTV weekends anyway). So, this change doesn’t seem all that different than my experience the last two TTV weekends.
I’d like to see TTV coupons attached to the Preferred card, but people would just sign up for multiple cards. Tough situation for Albertsons marketing group…I don’t envy the job.
I’ve missed out on several deals, like the Nature Valley Thins, but I was able to get the Danon deal once. I am tending to go early in the week and NOT use TTV and get an okay deal rather than no deal because of ‘out of stock’ issues.
Trying to hang in there, but I’m getting discouraged about couponing lately. Sorry, a bit wordy.
I am NOT a fan of this change! I do understand their reasoning for it, but I only get one paper a week delivered-on Sundays and so I ONLY have the three TTV coupons. I then go into the store and get a couple more. I have NEVER used over nine!!! I understand the importance of buying the paper to get coupons, I just think this is another way people are being pressured into buying way more papers than we need! My other option would be to sign up for the couponers special which is five weekly Sunday papers-it is more expensive and I don’t think I’d use all of the coupons! We always talk about building up our stock pile little by little so I have been doing just that and doing it pretty well (I think so at least) with just one paper a week (and friends and family giving me a couple extra coupons here and there)…I just feel like it would be wasteful for me and my family to have five papers a week, but I would still like access to the TTV coupons from Albertsons.
Jaimee, I see this less as a tactic of the store pressuring folks into buying papers, and more of a tactic of them curbing abuse. It is clear you are playing by the rules, so I am sorry this will negatively impact you.
If you have friends and family giving you coupons here and there, is it possible some of them would be able to get you the TTV coupons you need?
I can’t decide how I feel. I have access to 3 sets of Doublers every week (my 2 and my mother-in-law’s) and some weeks I’m hard pressed to use all three. Not because of cleared shelves but because I’m not going to buy what I don’t need. There is the occasional weekend that I do need another set of 3 from customer service and those are the weekends I’m just going to have to be pickier about which deals I’m going to do. I’m also going to miss my favorite grocery manager, Nathan asking me how many sets I need when he sees me Sunday mornings. I was so spoiled!
I like buying the papers at the Dollar Tree on Saturday so that I can look through them to make sure all of the coupons that are supposed to be in there are indeed there. I do it in front of the cashier so that I don’t turn into a coupon-swiping suspect. I would so so very angry if my paper came to the door and there were no coupons in it.
I have been thinking about this some more, and this may not be the spot for this discussion, but I wish there was a way to sign up to get coupon inserts by themselves without having to get a paper. I know circulations are down and this is a way for the newspaper companies to get revenue, but frankly, I don’t READ the newspaper. I get my news online. I would gladly pay $1/week for a set of inserts, no paper, if there was a way to do it. Suppose Red Plum, SmartSource, and P&G are reading these?
I have to say I’m not really a fan of this change either. I typically only buy one or two papers a week and get a few extra sets of TTV from Customer Service. I am in Spokane and we are unable to get any kind of a newspaper deal here and the Dollar Tree doesn’t sell the paper here either.
I think couponing has gone bad ever since the show “Extreme couponing” aired. The shelves are empty all the time now.
This makes me disappointed, but I understand why Albertsons has to make some changes. Making them available only in the newspaper will be a real challenge for me as the newspapers in my area do not offer any subscription deals and I already have been struggling to find newspapers in the stores, but I’d rather have limited use of TTV coupons than no Alberstons at all.
Slightly off the topic, but…
While I share similar opinions with many of you about TLC’s Extreme Couponing show, I think that the stores that have participated in it are partially responsible for encouraging over-the-top couponing. Did Albertsons really think there would be no response from other couponers after the airing of the episode they were featured on? Did they not think ahead about allowing someone to use 90 TTV coupons in one transaction? (I am in no way blaming the shopper that was featured on this episode, I feel that she was following their direction on her transaction.)
Coupon policies do go through regular changes and I am fairly confident that while it might be a mess for awhile, Alberstons will make these changes to better serve both their needs and ours. I find it very promising that they encourage people to submit their ideas and opinions to help them through these changes. (they better hire some extra help, because I have a feeling they are going to be swapped with emails and letters!)
Brenda….I completely agree. I wish stores would’ve thought through what participating on this show would look like and how it would’ve possibly impacted how other shoppers would shop at their store.
Gosh, this is so tough. I know companies like Albertsons and Rite Aid want to provide us good deals to keep us coming back, but they need to get something out of it too. Otherwise it makes no financial sense for them. And just as customers are able to voice their complaints and concerns, I am sure Albertsons heard an earful from their employees who did not sign up for super long checkouts because of TTV transactions.
My 2 cents would be to request they stop distributing TTV inserts altogether and just make sure each cashier has a copy. Then everyone benefits, not just folks that can afford to buy the Sunday paper. And of course, they need to impose limits to keep it fair. I think at least 3 per day for EACH day they have TTV would be fair and I would love for my receipt to show tracking (“You have used 3 of 3 available TTVs today.”). So that’s 9 total TTVs per account. I also think this gives people a chance to get in on the good deals because hoarders can’t do back-to-back transactions.
If Albertsons is feeling generous, maybe we can request 6 or 9 TTVs per day. I think that would prevent people from creating additional Albertsons card just for the savings. Even so, how many phone numbers/addresses can one person own?
I rarelly shop at Albertsons any more because of empty shelves. It’s not worth saving a few bucks to be frustrated and ultimately end up at another store for the products I am needing. I don’t have cable (a money saver!), so don’t watch the extreme couponing show you’re talking about. Thanks for the clarification as to why there are so often empty shelves.
Please suggest to Albertsons that they go back to accepting competitor coupons…those were far more rewarding to me than the doublers!
Paperless is the obvious way to go, limiting to 9 total TTV’s per day on our Albies card! Let’s save our trees.
While in Yuma, AZ, a grocery store offered to make absolutely ANY manufacturer Q less than $1 in value, (.25 or .50 Q) automatically become worth $1. Though there was no doubling at that store, this was easily as much fun. What a fun treat to stumble upon while on vacation!
I am definitely in favor of going paperless and having them attached to our Preferred Cards. I’ve actually thought this for awhile and wondered why they had not thought of it…?
Does anyone know if they do it in az??
I live in Wyoming
I’m really going to miss these as they had some good deals… Hopefully they will decide against this as I know quite a few friends here in Wyoming whose LOVE these…. ANOTHER hit at couponing in wyoming… We already have very few CVS (I hear they have good deals) along with great deals at Target… I’ve seen about 5 targets in ALL of wyoming and don’t remember seeing any CVS although I bet cheyenne has them… Plus our inserts are mainly ads and when other states have an item they say is $2.00 it is more like $3.00 here 
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