Safeway

Some of you that are just joining me have commented that I don’t post Safeway deals each week. You’re right, I don’t. Here’s why.

1. I am only one person. Truth be told, there are lots of stores in my area: Fred Meyer, Albertsons, QFC, Safeway, Top Food… but each store takes considerable time to do matchups for each week. I realized early on that two stores was my limit. I wanted to be deliberate about which stores I wanted to follow. For grocery stores, I think Albertsons offers consistently better stockup promotions. And for great deals on healthful, everyday groceries, I like Fred Meyer. I feel these stores complement one another in what they have to offer.

2. Safeway gave me headaches. It seems that if deals don’t work…they are Safeway deals. I’ve had more readers leave comments and email me about their Safeway trips gone awry than any other grocery store. There seems to be little to no consistency in how they handle coupons from store to store, and even within stores. On a personal note, the very first time I tried to use coupons at a Safeway, I was belittled by a cashier who told me to “read the coupon!” Guess what? She was wrong, but since I was new, I ended up leaving discouraged and frustrated. A few months later, I had an equally frustrating encounter with a cashier who rolled her eyes at me at another Safeway store. Not good.

3. Safeway has a wacky, ever-changing coupon policy. Did you know technically you’re not supposed to use a printable coupon if it exceeds 50% of the item’s value? Don’t believe me? Read this. I’ve also heard of cashiers randomly telling customers that they will only accept ONE kind of a coupon per shopping trip (so if you want to buy 2 cereals with 2 coupons…you wouldn’t be able to do so). Their “Super Coupons” frustrate me since they require a minimum purchase, and I recently heard of how a local Safeway harrassed a couponer – pulling her aside simply for using printable coupons and questioned her if she was practicing coupon fraud. When I tried emailing Safeway awhile back about their policy, they were evasive. While I understand not all Safeway stores are like this, I tire of hearing these stories. Bottom line? Safeway is not reliable for being coupon friendly. And personally, I’m not a huge fan. Since this is my experience and my blog, this is what I’ve decided to do.

4. Our Safeway stores don’t double coupons. Many other Safeway stores do, ours don’t.

5. Safeway’s prices are high. In general, I feel your coupons can be better matched up at other area stores.

I completely understand and fully expect that not everyone reading this will agree with me. And that’s OK! There are many wonderful local blogs that regularly cover Safeway matchups. I’m just not one of them. That being said, I am known the feature the occasional Safeway deal – such as the Ziploc one currently running. The same way I’ll occasionally mention a Top Foods, QFC, or Summit Trading deal.

What about you? Do you like Safeway or not? Have you had issues with their coupon policy, or is your store coupon friendly?

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