When I teach coupon classes, one of the questions that invariably comes up is “what do you do when a cashier won’t take your coupons?” The usual answer to that question is to familiarize yourself with the store’s coupon policy, which will specify exactly what kind of coupons the store will accept and how they can be used.
Coupon policies are great tools for couponers to know exactly what kinds of coupons they can use at each store. (Want to see an example of one? Here’s Wal-Mart’s.) In preparation for today’s Deals of the Week, I went shopping to verify that all the sales and deals were working as advertised.
This week, Dominick’s is having a big “$5 off when you purchase 5” sale, which combined with coupons, can really work well in a bargain hunter’s favor. I had a nice cartload of groceries loaded up ($94 worth, before coupons) when I headed to the checkout.
At the checkout lane, the cashier examined my coupons, then called an employee over from the service counter, who promptly announced “We don’t take internet coupons.”
What? I try to stay on top of the coupon policies of all of our local stores, and the only store in our area that I knew expressly doesn’t accept internet coupons is Woodman’s. But I honestly don’t shop at Dominick’s much, and I supposed their policy could have changed.
But then I thought — this doesn’t make sense. Dominicks.com has printable internet coupons right on their own website. Go to www.dominicks.com, click “Save,” and “Print Coupons.”
Why would they have printable coupons on their own website if they won’t accept them?
Because I have another coupon class coming up in a few days, I wanted to get my facts straight. I asked to speak with a manager. The manager came over and said yes, Dominick’s doesn’t accept internet coupons.
I pointed out that there were internet coupons ON the store’s site. He told me “I can’t take those because the store doesn’t get any money back for internet coupons.” Now, as anyone who’s ever read the fine print at the bottom of a coupon knows, not only does the store get all of the money for the coupon’s face value back, they also get 8-12 cents over and above the value as well.
It amazed me that a store manager would not know this. I pointed out the fine print on the coupon to him, which details how the store will be reimbursed. The manager thought about it and said “Well, I can accept one internet coupon.”
One? I had at least $70 worth of coupons to use in this trip, most of which were internet coupons. So, I left without buying anything. Which may seem extreme, but I think you know by now that I avoid paying full price as often as possible :)
I then called Dominick’s corporate office, Safeway, to ask about the chain’s coupon policy. I explained what had happened, and the representative told me “Oh, I don’t think we take internet coupons.” (???) Again, I pointed out that there are internet coupons on Dominick’s own site. She talked to someone else and came back and said “Oh yeah… we just pulled the website up. I don’t know then.”
Very helpful. I asked if I could get a copy of Dominick’s coupon policy, and after conferring again, the representative came back and said “We don’t have one. It’s up to each individual store, manager and cashier to decide how many and what kind of coupons they will take.”
Wow.
Well, guess what, Dominick’s. Without a standardized coupon policy, shoppers’ experiences are going to be very hit-or-miss, especially when a cashier decides on a whim that perhaps you have too many coupons, or they don’t like your printable coupons, or they just don’t like to see you getting things for free or very cheap — which I’m sure was the case today, as I would have cut my bill by 75% with the coupons I was holding.
As great as the Dominick’s $5 off 5 sale is, it is nowhere near worth shopping if you can’t use coupons with it. And after hearing from two other people today who were told they couldn’t use internet coupons at two additional, different Dominick’s locations than the one I visited — and a third who was also turned down at the same Dominick’s location I was at … I find it hard to recommend couponers continue to shop at Dominick’s, at least if they intend to use internet coupons. I wasted most of my afternoon planning my shopping trip, printing and cutting coupons, going to the store and shopping, and then being told the store essentially didn’t want my money.
Dominick’s big “draw” used to be that they accepted expired coupons, while most of their competitors have phased that out. But if it’s completely up to the individual store and cashier, that unwritten “policy” may become very hit-or-miss as well.
Now, Jewel… you’re still my favorite place to shop.
dancingwolves says
I refuse to shop at Dominicks myself. After the way they advertised two weeks ago about Quaker Oats granola bars being $1.49 (along with other items) I had internet and mfg coupons along with their instant $5 back thought I would be paying about $.25 a box if that….the price of the bars were actually $2.49 (1.49 after taking rebate into account). But that wasn’t what the ad said. After the desk clerk called two others stores, it became apparent all three managers were confused and didn’t know their own store policies and it was really frustrating. Wasted an hour of my time and late for another appointment. It won’t happen again. Dawn
armymom says
i ALSO will hardly EVER shop at Dominiks. The check out women are very, very rude. I work hard at clipping coupons and combining them with in-store sales. It does not matter what time of day or the day of the week, when i hand over my coupons to the “ladies” at check-out, there is ALWAYS problems. Either the “ladies” at check-out, question me on EVERY single coupon or they call a Manager, give me dirty looks and one time they even over looked my coupon and told me that it EXPIRES today, as so i cannot use it TODAY!..The check out “ladies” are rude and the store itself does NOT care if i shop there or not. The ONLY time i ever go to Dom iniks is if i truly need something right at the moment…Dominiks stores really need to learn “customer service” skills and also show shoppers that the “Customer is always Right”. it is like they are jealous that there are coupon “moms” out there that know how to be smart shoppers.
Remember there ARE other grocery stores…Dominiks need atitude adjustments!!!!
julie0331 says
We’ve got your back on this one Jill. With so many of us checking your website throughout the day, the word is sure to get out. I experienced the same issues in the past and gave up shopping there long ago. Jewel and Meijer are my favs. I’m sure the local Dominicks will feel the impact your site has on many shoppers and regret their wishy washy ways.
Dirk Deal Diggler says
This store is horrible. I went to Domincks last week because I thought I saw a deal on apple juice. It said buy 5, $1.49 each and I had some 50 cent off so I thought, $1 is cheap for that. But when it rang up it came up $2.49 even though the ad said $1.49. They said the ad shows the price “after” buying 5 and not regular price. The cashier was confused, I was mad and they would not fix it to match the ad, so I left.
wanna know what else? the store was really dirty. All the juice bottles had dust on the top like they had been there for years.
blackvanilla says
They’re awful. I have heard the we-don’t-take-internet-coupon enough times that I quit going too. How funny is it that they have them on their own website, I never knew that. It just makes them seem stupider when they say that. How are you supposed to use those coupons then.
That store is dead too. There are hardly any cars in the parking lot at our Dominicks ever. And this is so not the time to turn coupon shoppers away, there are plenty of other places to go.
candyo383 says
Is it any wonder that so many Dominick’s stores have closed? I live out by Midway airport and a lot of our Dominick’s stores have shut their doors. The one store on Archer and Central used to do a lot of business but near the end you could hear a pin drop in that place. Gee, wonder why that could be?
Just wanted to say thanks for the comments guys and gals. I was actually going to make a special trip because of this week’s sales. Glad I didn’t do that.
Lastly, I worked for Dominick’s in the 80’s. I never met a group of people who despised their jobs as much as the employees of Dominick’s. There used to be a joke about what they printed on the paychecks – Dominick’s: A great place to work. A lot of the employees were even mean to each other!!!!
grandma says
I agree with Dirk. While shopping at the Dominicks at Randall Rd. & Huntley Blacktop in Carpentersville, we commented on how dirty that store is. You could write your name in the dust on the top of the canned goods. The only reason we TRIED to shop there was for the deals. I said TRIED because we got to the register and mean old Fran said no internet coupons. Then changed her story that they would accept ONE for the whole order, which was a full shopping cart.
Left that fully loaded cart in the shopping lane and walked out of that store forever. Dominicks has lost my business. Jewel , I am back.
heybets30 says
I’ll start by saying I do NOT work for Dominick’s … I still shop there – the Palatine Dundee Rd being my “home” grocery store and the Northfield (FANTASTICALLY REMODELED with self-checkout now too!!!!!) Dominick’s near my office for quick errands – neither have EVER denied a coupon. I used Internet coupons AND expired coupons at both just this week. No problem. Both are also clean & the staff is friendly and quite helpful when I’ve had questions. I shop periodically at the Arlington Heights Dominick’s on Palatine Rd (while the Northfield one was closed from the ceiling cave-in), and they were also very liberal with the expired coupons and the internet coupons. I’m still a Dominick’s shopper as I’ve never run into ANY problems at the Dominick’s I shop at. These Dominick’s are also the only stores around me that still use their child car-carts and with a 21-month old, they are a lifesaver.
CAT123789 says
I hear you. I ave been shopping for years 10 to be exact at the schaumburg Dominick’s on higgins. I am friend (or at least on first name basis with most :) because it is right by my house. …however about three months no I started coupons. Thanks so much to Jill :) at her site. I have been able to save great. Well anyway. The first day I used the coupons at Dominick’s ( and I did not even have that many about 8 or nine and spent over a 100 dollars. I know not big savings but it was my first time) well the cashiers face instantly changed when I handed over the coupons and I got a sigh…… I went back about 5 or so times at different times because this was my store. I have shopped at least a Dominick’s all my life….well now when I go to the store no one talks to me like they did and I got the eye rolls and such when I went to use the coupons still. I also have a friend that the same thing happened to and guess what …Now because of there actions on coupons. They just lost long time shoppers. Neither one of us go there any more. And I will not go back. Pretty sad that something so simple on their part, makes them loose long time customers…..Its like someone else said here. their attitude is clearly like they are mad that you are using coupons and they do nothing to hide it. …..Very sad on their part. Maybe Dominick’s will read these and finally get a clue. I doubt it however :)
Coupon Maven says
This Dominick’s discussion has been fascinating. After I emailed the store about my experience there, this is what I received:
_____
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:59:06
From: “web.comments”
Dear Ms. Cataldo:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your local Dominick’s store.
You expressed your concern regarding the acceptance of Internet coupons at the store. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you may have experienced. At Dominick’s, we strive for excellence. Communication with our customers like you enables our continued improvement. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we can better serve you.
Upon receiving your email, we contacted the store and spoke with our Manager, John. He advised that they accept only one Internet coupon per order.
Your comments are important to us and have been forwarded to the Store Manager, Marketing Department as well as the other appropriate parties for further review. We appreciate your patience in this matter.
If you would like to discuss this further please reply to this email or call our toll free number at 1-877-723-3929 and reference contact I.D. XXXXXXXX. One of our associates will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for shopping at Dominick’s.
Sincerely,
Michelle Babel
Customer Service Center
_____
Okay, so this location (which is on the corner of Randall and Huntley Roads in Carpentersville) evidently takes one internet coupon per transaction. Or so they say. The same day, I also got this:
_____
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:53 -0500
From: “web.comments”
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your local Dominick’s store.
You expressed your concern regarding the acceptance of Internet coupons at the store. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you may have experienced. We continually strive for the highest quality customer service and weigh options to provide the best shopping experience for our customers. Further, we request that you respond with the exact location of the store that you are referring to, so that we can research and assist you in the best possible way.
Additionally, in order to insure that we accept only legitimate printable Internet coupons, Dominick’s has adopted the following store policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines are company wide.
1. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that do not have a manufacturer’s bar code or manufacturer’s redemption instructions.
2. We will accept any printable Internet coupons only if they scan properly at checkout.
3. We will not accept more than one “copy” of the same printable Internet coupon per customer.
4. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons for a Free Product (other than a “Buy One Get One Free Offer” that requires a purchase of the like item)
5. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons for more than a $5.00 value or for more than 50% of a product’s retail price, whichever of the two is lower.
6. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that do not have an easy to read expiration date or that extend more than 12 weeks. (Most printable Internet coupons may expire 30-45 days after you print them)
7. We will not accept any printable Internet coupons that appear out of proportion, appear blurry, or are obvious duplicates.
8. Any printable Internet coupons that appear to have been altered in any way may be rejected. (Printable Internet coupons are nearly always printed using the same technology and therefore have a standard format, with very specific security features, including a unique serial code.
If you would like to discuss this further, please reply to this email or call our toll free number at 1-877-723-3929 and reference contact I.D. XXXXXXXX. One of our associates will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for shopping at Dominick’s.
Sincerely,
Michelle Babel
Customer Service Center
_____________________
So, in the same day, the same person sent out two different responses. One, that this store will ONLY accept one internet coupon per transaction, and two, that the store will take one of “the same” internet coupon per item per transaction, provided the other characteristics are followed as well. But when you print two copies of most coupons online, while they are technically “the same” in that they both might be 50 cents off Cheerios, they do have unique bar code identifiers in the upper right corner, technically making them “different.” So can I use two of those? One?
Dominick’s, honestly… does this make ANY sense?
mocars2 says
Target has put up signs at each register and pictures of internet coupons like the pop tarts a couple of weeks ago saying they no longer can take them.
elginbiz says
I was at Dominick’s last night for the 5 for $5. I was going to buy the cereal and the Manager was bagging for the two girls at the registers. He told me he would only take one coupon per transaction. I not only had an internet coupon but two regular coupons and he was only going to allow the cashier to take one regular coupon per transaction. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I told him I didn’t want the items and would not be back. When I returned home, I called Safeway Customer Service. I spoke with Judy and she was very nice and as confused as I. She called the manager at Dominick’s and spoke with him. She called me back to tell me that the Manager states that since Safeway has a flexible coupon policy that the district manager and his managers decided they would only take one coupon per transaction not per purchase. Judy was confused and aksed if I was trying to double and I told her we don’t have doubling in these stores. I guess their other chains do double and some triple. If they double or triple the store eats that cost. She said she was going to write a complaint to the district manager because she had no idea why they had institued this policy since they would be reimbursed by the manufacturer. I personally will not go back to Dominick’s since there are so many other stores out there that will take my money and coupons.
newbie2couponing says
I called Dominick’s (Wolf Rd. & 31st.) on Saturday night to find out if they accepted internet coupons. The lady on the phone hemmed and hawed before finally saying that they would have to see the coupons before they could answer my question because a lot of internet coupons are fraudulent. Great answer. So, I went to this Dominick’s on Sunday to pick up a few things and I had 2 internet coupons. I was completely prepared for a fight! Went to the cashier, gave her my coupons (they were the only coupons I was using), and she scanned both of them. I honestly don’t think that she even looked at them! But she didn’t question me about it or give me a hard time so MAYBE you can use internet coupons here!
mom of 4 says
I totally agree with you. Last night I went to the Crystal Lake Dominick’s. The staff was friendly enough and the store was clean, but they didn’t even stock the items they put out coupons for! I specifically went there for the 25.5 oz box of Kellogg’s Raisin Bran for .99 and I had a .70 coupon making it .29 I was sooooo excited. I got to the shelf and there was not even a space for that size box, just their store brand in that size. I also loaded a $2 coupon onto my FV card for Gillette Shampoo and again had a manf coupon for $2 off – THEY DON’T EVEN CARRY THAT SHAMPOO AT THIS STORE. I left so disappointed, I felt scammed that they put a coupon in their ad flyer and on the FV card for products that weren’t even in the store. I’ll never waste my time there again, don’t care how good a deal might be. The Jewel is closer to my house anyway and I’ve always liked them better. Now I can afford to shop there instead of only at Aldi and Walmart thanks to Jill’s amazing lessons. Too bad for Dominick’s they are missing out on a whole new customer base. After people take this class I’m sure the local Jewel’s see a bunch of new business coming in. Thanks again Jill you are amazing!
clakins says
I go to Safeway all the time – in Hawaii we don’t have Jewel or any of the other nat’l chain stores, and I’ve never had a problem getting them to take my printed coupons. And the cashiers usually laugh and chat with me when they see my coupons – last time the cashier pointed me out to another customer and said, “You should watch her – she knows how to get the best deal.” I guess folks are just nicer in HI. And when you live somewhere so expensive everyone appreciates good deals.
Anyway, sounds like the local stores are rotten there, but not all Safeway stores reject printed coupons.
Catfishes24 says
I live in Florida and generally shop at Publix, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. I am new to the “super-coupon” experience, although I have used coupons for years. Before I took internet coupons to my favorite stores, I went to the stores’ websites to look for coupon policies which were not always readily available. If I could not find the policy, I sent an email to customer service, and I have to say that Publix was the only company where my local store’s manager called me personally to explain their policy. I took a couple of internet coupons with me on my first trip to Publix after the phone call, and had no problems with using them.
angela8161 says
if you have a buy 2 save $1, how many do you buy and how may coupons can you use? also I shop at jewel.
hburke1 says
I went to Jewel ready to buy Clorox wipes today before the sale ended. They are buy 4 and get the $3 automatic savings at Jewel until 10/14. I rang them up and got my discount, and proceeded to apply my printable coupons for Buy 2 get 1 Free. In the self checkout lanes Jewel requires a clerk to put them through. She was about to scan them and then told me that any printable coupon with the word Free on them or anything over $4 will not be accepted. Why were they no longer accepted? She stated it was store policy and that it has been this way. I asked her when this went in to affect because I saw someone using the exact coupons the night before. She told me the clerk must not have know what to do. She asked if I wanted to talk to the manager, but I figured it was useless since she asked me and must have known the policy. I left the items there. Then when I got home, I was so irked, I emailed the company. I’m waiting for a response…of which I won’t get until the sale is over. I did some searching on the web and found some blogs about how stores are being scammed with copied coupons and dummied coupons and that they won’t accept those types of coupons any longer and that they might not take printables overall. Who’s ruining it for the rest of us? In any case, if this is their policy, they should be posting it so the public can read it!
mimmama says
WoW!!! You are my kind of girl!!!! I am always fightin’ with cashirs and store managers—-and it is interesting that you mention Walmart—one day they will take internet coupons and one day they won’t—-but HEY! This is Alabama!!!! I often leave my full grocery
buggy at the store if they won’t accept my coupons. My children have
stopped going to the store with me because they get so embarrassed
but they for get that it all adds up to the food on the table and the makeup on their face and the videos we buy, etc., etc. I like you go to the store manager , to the regional manager, to the CEO until I get an answer. If they print out coupons for us, I guess they want us to use them. If they don’t, start lowering food prices!!!! Thanks for what you are doing. Sincerely, Miriam Armbrester
Robbin Lang says
I found once a site that would have a list of items at a certain store and match them to a coupon. On the right side of the column it told how much of a discount that would be. you could click on the items you wanted and then print the list with the coupon look up info. I can’t find that site now. Does anyone know which one it is? it is not coupongame as I never signed up for that and the list was not in colors.
Thanks,
Robbin
couponcluless says
I have to admit jewel used to be my favorite store to shop at too, but i learned recently that they can be as fickel as dominick’s was, but they redeem themselves if you go the right route! after an REALLY REALLY bad experiance at jewel My girlfriends and I called corprate and we were all given $25 gift cards for our trouble! I thought that’s gonna be a lot of free stuff after coupons! And that sour taste in my mouth after that visit started to taste a little sweet, so if you have a bad experience, maybe report it, you never know how the store will react.
mz says
I’ve read all your comments on negative experiences using coupons at Dominicks. I’m not sure what is going on over at Dominicks but I stopped shopping there years ago. I noticed years ago that they overcharged me for some item nearly every time I shopped. If I didn’t notice the overcharge as the cashier was ringing it up then they would tell me I had to go the service desk to get a refund- which to say the least is annoying and a waste of time. I got tired of their nonsense and wrote the store off completely. Jewel rarely rings up items incorrectly and if they overcharge you they automatically give you the item free. (I have not been overcharged for anything at Jewel for some time now so I’m not sure if they still have the same policy in place) So bottom line- if you choose to shop at Dominicks despite their ridiculous and apparently nonexistant coupon policy make sure you check your receipt for overcharges every time.
sunflowers1402 says
I find myself when shopping the few times I have at Dominicks that the lady at the register seems to not scan all of my coupons…then I end up going over to the customer service desk and trying to prove what coupons I had after they were already put in the cashiers register drawer. A couple of weeks ago I did get a good deal on diapers but that was it.
Gal516 says
Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else on the site, I’ve searched around on this scenario couldn’t find it.
To my incident today:
Walgreens manager said he would not accept my .75 off catalina which clearly stated “manufacturer’s coupon” at the top w/the UPC code b/c the Jewel logo is on it.
Is this correct or do I need to contact Walgreens corp?
Thank you for all the $ I’ve saved already Jill!
Jovandi21 says
I say this every time I go “I will not go back” and I do it again and again…
This time my just for “U” free eggs did not come off and the Customer Service was no help.
Thanks Dominick’s but I will now shop at Jewel for now on.
JENNILARA says
Ok I am a new Super Couponing Junkie *giggle* and i have read Dominick’s new coupon policy which does not say they still take expired coupons. I am running on faith that they do, but I am wondering if it is only exp. manufacture’s coupons OR if they take their own exp. coupons too? Anyone?
mrswoman says
the dominicks i got o tell me they don’t take internet coupons, they take mine all the time…the only time i have had trouble is when i tried to use a coupon for money off a bogo product and tried to use the bogo coupon at the same time..they told me only one coupon per product , and that they will not take catalinas that had someone else logo on it like jewel…but they told me that before the new coupon policy came out a few days ago…does this mean you will not be writing about dominicks anymore?
sana2008 says
I stopped shopping at DOminicks years ago, too much of a hassel with all the reasons I could list for being frustrated shopping there, but the final straw was when I was a vendor for Sony and I called on several DOminicks locations, the employees, not all but more then any other accounts I called on, were nasty, mean and rude. I thought wow, they think they can treat me like this because I am a vendor and I am supposed to “suck up” to them. But I did not I held my ground and actually decided not to deal with some of the management and other employees. I then called DOminicks to complain about it and to say Im not just a vendor I am a customer too, and wanted to be treated with respect. needless to say I have not walked into a Dominicks since, it was very inticing with the Digornos pizza and ice cream deal yesterday, but deep in my heart i new I would get there, and it would be some kind of hassel, my prediction for the last few years has been Dominicks will go out of business at some point unless they “get with the program”…..