Today 12/17/20011 Albertsons put a new coupon policy for stores in ID, OR, WA, MT, UT, WY, and Elko NV !  They did a great job of clearing up a few grey areas, and unanswered questions.  Few hot topics are Overages and Buy 1 Get 1 Free!

These are the two biggest changes I noticed…. (love that we get overage now, and BOGO coupon with BOGO sale = free)

•  Coupons that exceed the retail value of an item will have the remaining amount applied to the balance of the transaction. In the event a transaction balance results in a “credit”, additional items WILL be added/suggested to the order to utilize the remaining value of the coupon. We will not provide any “cash back” on coupons; however we will provide full redemption value.
• Albertsons offers of Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) promotions in their weekly advertisement can be combined with Buy One, Get One Free manufacturer coupons to result in BOTH items being Free. The items in the manufacturer coupon must exactly match our weekly advertisement offers and meet the redemption criteria.

Albertsons Official Coupon Policy

To view it on their site click here 

Albertsons promotes a coupon friendly shopping experience and encourages customers to participate in store, manufacturer and internet coupon use. The following policy guidelines are current, but Albertsons may change this policy at any time and policy changes may not be advertised. Coupon redemptions are subject to the policy in effect at time of redemption. The current policy information can be discussed with individual store management but is not posted in each store.

Coupons – Definition: Coupons are a form of tender to reduce an order total based on merchandise purchased. Retailers are not required by law to accept manufacturers’ coupon. Coupons can be in print and/or in electronic form, and may be integrated into the register systems where they are deducted automatically when all purchase requirements are met.

General Coupon Acceptance Guidelines

·         Coupons are accepted in accordance to the stated requirements on the coupon at the time of purchase. These requirements include, but are not limited to: product type, flavor(s), size(s), quantities and minimum/maximum dollar purchase limits.

·         Coupons are intended for one time use and cannot be redeemed more than once.

·         Coupons have no cash value.

·         Albertsons only accepts original coupons and does not accept photocopied or reproduced coupons (including multiple prints of same series internet coupons).

·         Albertsons does not accept expired coupons. Printed expiration dates are verified in addition to scanning the coupon for validity.

·         Coupons stating “on next/future purchase or visit” cannot be used in the transaction in which they are generated. Next purchase is defined as a separate transaction.

·         The coupon redemption value on ‘Free’ coupons may not exceed the value of the item.

·         Albertsons will accept ONE manufacturer coupon and ONE store coupon on the same qualifying item. (Twice the Value coupons are considered a store coupon.)

·         Albertsons does not accept competitor coupons. (Coupons generated by any competitor with competitor logo are considered competitor coupons.)

·         All applicable sales taxes are paid by the customer at the full value of the item.

·         Albertsons reserves the right to refuse any coupons at its discretion.

Manufacturer Coupons

·         Coupons issued by manufacturers contain redemption guidelines including, but not limited to: “terms of agreement”, “face value”, “expiration date” and the verbiage “manufacturer coupon”. Albertsons adheres to all manufacturer redemption guidelines.

·         Albertsons may issue private promotion “manufacturer coupons” in advertisements that state “redeemable only at Albertsons” in which Albertsons is the only retailer that will accept.

·         Coupons that exceed the retail value of an item will have the remaining amount applied to the balance of the transaction. In the event a transaction balance results in a “credit”, additional items WILL be added/suggested to the order to utilize the remaining value of the coupon. We will not provide any “cash back” on coupons; however we will provide full redemption value.

·         Albertsons accepts internet generated manufacturer coupons that have the following conditions:

o   Coupons must scan at checkout.

o   Coupons must have serial numbers and follow an industry-standard format.

o   Coupons must clearly indicate that they are a manufacturer coupon and have a valid manufacture address on the printed coupon.

·         Albertsons does not accept internet generated manufacturer coupons that have the following conditions:

o   FREE product without a required purchase.

o   A redemption value that exceeds $5.00.

o   The absence of a clear and scannable UPC bar code.

o   Same serial numbers (internet sites print time & date stamps on coupons and limit the number of coupons that can be printed from same computer).

o   The absence of a valid manufacturer address on the printed coupon.

·         Albertsons offers of Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) promotions in their weekly advertisement can be combined with Buy One, Get One Free manufacturer coupons to result in BOTH items being Free. The items in the manufacturer coupon must exactly match our weekly advertisement offers and meet the redemption criteria.

Store Coupons & Promotions

·         Rain checks for store coupons will be given out as long as the store coupon does not state on it “while supplies last”.

·         Coupons issued by Albertsons contain redemption guidelines including, but not limited to: “terms of agreement”, “face value”, “expiration date” and the verbiage “store coupon”.

·         Albertsons offers store coupons in various forms of media including, but not limited to, print, electronic, newspaper, direct mailers, kiosks and Company websites.

·         Albertsons may issue “store coupons” in advertisements that state “redeemable only at Albertsons” in which Albertsons is the only retailer that will accept.

·         Store coupons may require that the discount applies only with Preferred/Loyalty/Rewards Card use.

·         Twice the Value store coupons can only be used in combination with a $1.00 or less manufacturer coupon (a printed face value of $1.01 or greater cannot be combined with Twice the Value store coupons).

o   Albertsons DOES allow manufacturer coupons that state they cannot be ‘doubled’ to be used in conjunction with a Twice the Value store coupon.

·         Market Basket coupons can be provided via US mail or email for loyalty, special events, or local relevance. Can be used in transactions where all/many items have manufacturer coupon since it is for total purchase. These may be “stackable” according to guidance in ad/redemption guidelines. Must meet minimum purchase requirement after all other valid coupon redemptions and customer card discounts. The store Point Of Sale system is programmed to limit or restrict coupons in accordance with the redemption guidelines.

Catalina Checkout Coupons/Rebates

·         Catalina is a third party vendor that partners with vendors and Albertsons to offer both manufacturer coupons and Albertsons in-store coupons. The coupons are triggered by purchasing qualified items at checkout which generate a coupon to print on the Catalina printer.

·         Albertsons delivers 3 types of coupons via Catalina:

1.       Manufacturer “cents off” – common type frequently distributed

2.       Store Coupon – clearly states “store coupon” in title (cannot be combined with Twice The Value)

3.       Market Basket – earned from prior purchase and not associated with an item, but rather the purchase. Can be used in transactions where all/many items have manufacturer coupon since it is for total purchase. These may be “stackable” according to guidance in ad/redemption guidelines. Minimum purchase requirements must be met after all other valid coupon redemptions and customer card discounts. The store Point Of Sale system is programmed to limit or restrict coupons in accordance with the redemption guidelines.

·         It is Albertsons’ policy that these coupons are to be used in a future purchase, not within the purchase in which they are generated. (“next purchase” is defined as a separate transaction)

·         Catalina coupons are provided to the intended customer based on that particular customers shopping experience or purchase, therefore, such coupons are non-transferable. If a customer does not want the issued Catalina coupons, it is Albertsons’ policy that the cashier or store associate destroys them immediately, including any Catalina coupons delivered at the Self Check Out lanes.

The Total Shopping Experience

·         In an effort to serve our all customers better than our competitors, and provide a timely checkout, Albertsons requests that customers do not exceed three (3) consecutive transactions.

·         Additional lanes will be opened to serve all customers in a timely manner if the current business and staffing level permits.

·         If you have questions or comments about your overall experience, please ask for the Store Director or Customer Satisfaction Manager. Customer’s having a highly satisfied experience is our priority!

One thing you will learn about couponing is the rules are always changing.  We try hard on A Thrifty Mom to keep you up to date on any policy changes.  In an effort to help make you a better informed shopper.  Alberterson added this note on their facebook page last night.

They will no longer be handing out Twice the Value coupons in their stores.  They will still have them in select papers (hope that means my local papers)  but will NO LONGER have them in stores.  The change does not really effect me as I buy my papers with the A Thrifty Mom paper deal and get them for only $.28 each.  I bring them to the store with me, and plan my trips accordingly.   I understand that they have to limit TTV coupons for those who choose to “extreme coupon” and clear the store of deals.  But in trying to stop the extreme I worry they may be hurting the “everyday shopper” or “everyday couponer”.   As you know A Thrifty Mom has always taught you to be thrifty, but never extreme.  I guess time will tell how it will all work out, your opinions are valued and I encourage you to share them with Albertsons.  One thing is true Albertsons has always been a wonderful place for me to shop, and I do not see that changing any time soon

Hi Albertsons Fans!

Thank you for your feedback surrounding the recent changes to the availability of our Twice the Value coupons in our Intermountain West stores. To be clear, we are not eliminating the coupons, but we are making a necessary change to the program. Let us emphasize that we will continue to offer and accept our Twice the Value coupons and they will continue to be available in select Sunday newspapers. But, unfortunately we have seen such a large number of customers using these coupons in excess, and because of this we can no longer provide extra coupon copies at our store locations. It has been a challenge to keep select sales stocked, so we needed to reconsider offering these additional savings in such large quantities.

Please know that we are always open to hearing ideas and suggestions on ways that Albertsons can help you stretch your dollars. We’re excited to see that a number of our fans are interested in seeing us expand on our Preferred Savings card. We also continue to offer coupons in our in-store booklets, as well as in our exclusive email savings programs. This change allows us the opportunity to expand our savings into new programs, rather than just discontinue our Twice the Value coupon program entirely.

We welcome your feedback, so please feel free to share your thoughts with us as we continue to reevaluate how to make shopping and saving at Albertsons a great experience. Most importantly, please know that we do appreciate your business. Thank you!