Kroger

New Policy to take effect 9/17/2011:
KROGER SOUTHWEST COUPON GUIDELINES
This policy is intended as a general guide to using coupons at Kroger Southwest stores located in Texas and Louisiana.
1. Coupons are redeemed for face value unless otherwise advertised at your local Kroger store.
2. Coupons must be presented at the time of transaction.
3. Coupons may only be redeemed for items, brands and sizes as specified by the verbiage requirements of the coupon.
4. We accept all valid, current manufacturer coupons. We do not accept expired coupons.
5. We accept valid, current online, internet and print-at-home coupons.
5.1 Online and other Printable coupons should be valid, legible and have a bar code that scans.
5.2 Printable Coupons having value more than 75% of the item price are not accepted.
5.3 Free product printable coupons are not accepted.
5.4 Buy-one-get-one-free coupons are accepted.
5.5 Printable coupons will not be accepted if they appear copied or altered in any way.
5.6 The printable coupons should be printed directly from the website or email in which they were offered.
5.7 Printable coupons have unique serial numbers and follow an industry standard format; they are non-transferable and should not be copied, scanned, sold, traded or otherwise distributed.
6. We accept all valid, current Catalina Manufacturer coupons and Kroger Catalina Coupons.
6.1 Kroger Catalina coupons printed at the check lane may be used on your next shopping trip.
6.2 Catalina messages are not redeemable coupons.
6.3 Kroger and Competitor Catalina Manufacturer coupons may be accepted.
6.4 Competitor Catalina Store Coupons may not be accepted.
7. Competitor Manufacturer and Store Coupons
7.1 Pharmacy competitor coupons and Competitor Catalina Manufacturer Coupons are accepted.
7.2 All other competitor’s coupons are not accepted. Competitor Catalina Store Coupons are not accepted.
8. Coupon Stacking: A manufacturer coupon and a Kroger Store Coupon may be use on the same item. Two or more of any other type of coupons may not be used on the same item.
9. If a Manufacturer coupon exceeds the price of the item, the excess will be applied to the basket purchase. If the excess is greater than amount due on the total order after the coupons are redeemed, the excess will be given in cash. WIC or SNAP items in a WIC or SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
10. Coupons may not be combined with certain special pricing programs, including $4 and $10 generic prescription pricing.
11. The Coupon may not be applied to any free item received in any offer.
12. The Coupon must have a scan bar that scans and applicable “bill to” information. 13. Items returned will be refunded at the after coupon price. The coupon will not be returned to the customer. 14. Sales taxes will be applied in accordance with the law of the applicable state, regardless of any coupon or other discount that may apply to the purchase transaction.
15. Coupons may not be applied to items restricted by law. Coupons may not be applied to services such as but not limited to Gift Cards, Money Orders, Utility Payments, Postage Stamps, Event Tickets, Lottery or Phone Cards.
16. Kroger Store Management reserves the right to accept, decline or limit any coupon.
17. A Kroger coupon policy retrieved from any other source does not reflect the coupon policy at Kroger Southwest stores.
18. Our Coupon policy is subject to change without notice at any time.



























{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I just wanted to say, I live in a small town & our only local grocer is a Kroger store (which overtook the previous Farmer Jack store). I went in with about 10 printed coupons (from Coupons.com) & maybe 4 or 5 coupons from the Sunday paper, and was turned away. The cashier would not even begin my order. The highest coupon was for 75 cents off a box of Kellogg’s All-Bran, which on sale was $3.49 that week.
When I asked what exactly is the store policy on coupons – as I could not see it posted anywhere within the store, nor was it posted in their weekly ad – the cashier left her station to find a manager. She returned and stated they would not accept print-at-home coupons, period.
I called 1-800-KROGER on my way out the door. After several “press 1 for __, press 2 for __” I got a recording that told me all operators were busy, try my call again later, and it hung up on me! When I got home, I went online, found a different toll-free number. I spoke with a very polite woman who said there is no chain-wide policy on coupons. It is left up to the individual store manager to decide what they feel is acceptable. She asked how much money I would have saved with my printed coupons, I estimated the amount to be around $5.00 total. She put a $5 credit on my Kroger card, as this was the best she could do for me.
Eventually a store manager did call me, and stated I could bring in my printed coupons, she would personally initial & “ok” them, and I would be allowed to use as many print-at-home coupons as I’d like. But the hassle of having to go in while she’s on shift instead of whenever I want, then have her initial every single coupon, just so I do my grocery shopping, is very tedious. However, since we have no other grocers unless I’m willing to drive a fair distance, its my only option at the moment.
I just wanted to warn others, please call your Kroger first, before just showing up with a stack of printed coupons. In my opinion, this would be a good idea for any store really. Call first, be sure they’ll accept your coupons. Dont be left standing in the check out lane, having to leave your full cart of groceries behind as you walk out in utter embarrassment.
~Barbara~
@Barbara: It sounds like your manager should really not inconvenience you by having to only shop when he is there. He should train his cashiers. It also sounds like they are new in your town and it may take working out some of the kinks to actually be doing things right.
But, definitely thanks for the warning. I also suggest everyone print a copy of the store’s coupon policy before they go shopping, just in case there are any questions.
Kroger DOES DEFINITELY take printed coupons. IN FACT, they have links to print coupons from on their site: http://www.kroger.com/in_store/Pages/coupon_landing.aspx And HERE: http://www.kroger.com/in_store/Pages/default.aspx
So, whoever you spoke to on the phone was correct and incorrect. They can choose to limit the number of coupons you use, however they DO take printables because their site offers them in more than one place.
You can read more about their coupon policy here: http://www.groceryshopforfree.com/store-coupon-policies/kroger/
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I would print their policy and a screen shot of the links on their site I gave you and carry them with you, in case there were ever any more question.
Thanks,
Dian
Hello, I still don’t understand the b1g1 free deal. Can you use 2 b1g1 free coupons on an item that is not on sale to get them both free? Can you use a b1g1 free coupon on an item that is not for sale and use another $1 off coupon for the item that you are actually purchasing? Can you use a b1g1 free coupon on a b1g1 free sale to get both items for free? I keep reading different things. Can you help me understand this please? Thank you.
@princess: It depends on the store and sometimes the manager or cashier. At CVS, absolutely you can use a B1G1 FREE Coupon on a B1G1 FREE Sale and get both FREE. Some employees don’t know it, but you can call customer service from the store and they will tell them. I had that happen to me the other day at A CVS. Basically if it doesn’t beep they will do it.
Walgreens will sometimes and not others.
Grocery Stores are all different on that, you need to ask your store what their policy is. I have several policies in the menu bar at the top of the page, but of course not for all stores, I am adding them as I get them. I hope that helps, but ultimately it’s up to the store and Like at my Kroger, corporate says some things are up to the manager… Makes life hard there. I had a talk with corporate and the manager of my local Kroger yesterday about that very thing.
I wish I could give you a more hard and fast answer, but most stores don’t have a printed policy on that.
I do STRONGLY suggest you print out your store’s policy, and take it with you EVERY time you go to the store in case there are questions.
Were you asking specifically about Kroger, or another store. I might could help more if I knew what store and what area.
Thanks,
Dian
Sorry, I was asking specifically about Kroger. I read the policy you posted and it was still a bit confusing to me. Do you find that most managers are honest or they will just say no because they don’t want their store losing money?
@princess: The Manager’s are honest, but they are given pretty much free reign to make “policy” for their own stores when it comes to coupons.
The policy I have here shows that they will not take B1G1 for a Buy 1 Get 1 Sale.
Kroger doesn’t have a policy across the board written out for coupons. That causes alot of confusion. I think they think it makes it easier for the stores… I called corporate a while back and asked for a coupon policy, they said they would send it, I didn’t get it I kept calling they finally said they were sorry I was told that, but they don’t give those out.
Honestly my Kroger has told me 4 different things in the last few weeks regarding coupons and they were all from people in management and none of them were correct. I had to call corporate yesterdaya dn then had a phone conversation with the store manager about some stuff I was told that i knew was not right.
This is my frustration,
1. If it’s up to the manager – the rules can change daily
2. If I have a supervisor tell me something and then I call back and corporate and the manager say that’s wrong
3. You mentioned the store losing $ in your question – that’s another one the store doesn’t lose money and some cashiers think they are! The store gets the amount on the coupon PLUS an additional $.08 for each coupon redeemed!
So, Kroger is a hard one, you have to know your manager and know what they say their policy is, and then work within it.
Hope that helps, let me know if there is anything else, I can answer for you.
Thanks,
Dian
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. No wonder I was confused. Everyone has a different interpretation. I will make contact with the manager at my local Kroger. By the way, I love your site!
You’re a real deep tihkenr. Thanks for sharing.
Area Cincinnati, OH
Dian do you know if all Kroger stores triple coupons? I didn’t know if this was up to the store or if it is a corp issue. Thanks
@MandyQ: Not all Kroger Stores double and triple – different Regions do different things. You will need to check with your local Kroger or the one you’re going to be going to about their policy.
Hope that helps!
Thanks!
Dian
Does this policy apply to all Krogers because mine won’t take a coupon even if it’s a penny over the amount!!! Please let me know..thanks!
Julie Boyd » What area are you in?
Dian
I am in Columbus,Ohio…I never had trouble until here recently
Dian,
I was just wondering at krogers do you need to give them coupons before you scan your card? I had better printed coupons than the ones I had saved on my card…they scanned my card and it wouldnt let me use the printed coupons! I am slowly learning this couponing stuff…But I now I could have got out cheaper than I did with the printed coupons!
vicki » You can’t stack ecoupons with paper coupons at Kroger. The ecoupons are deducted as soon as you scan your card and then when you try to use your paper coupons they won’t scan – as you found out. Some people have had success when they use their paper coupons, then scan their card, but some cashiers don’t want you to do that. You can try that and see how it works for you!
Hope that helps!
Dian
I am SOOO sad!!! Our Kroger (Rosenberg, TX – 35 SW of Houston) recently stopped doubling and tripling coupons! They are positioning the new, “easier” gas points as big savings – as if it’s an equal tradeoff. I used to get my 10 cent discount on gas just by using my Kroger card. Now, I get 100 gas points (equals 10 cent discount) for every $100 I spend. $200 gets me 200 points, or a 20 cent/gallon discount. Granted, it’s nice when I have that much, but really – we barely get by and my coupons used to net me MUCH better savings than the gas discounts do now. We have six in our family and I try to keep our monthly budget to $350-$400. Hard to do that without coupons. I guess I need to find out if other stores around here double and triple coupons. They’re the closest, but we do have a WalMart in town, and then H-E-B and Randall’s are about a 10-15 minute drive. SAD! Has anyone else experienced this?
Can you use a catalina and a manufactures coupon on the same item at kroger?
Heather » Unfortunately, no, they are both manufacturer coupons. You can only stack a manufacturer’s coupon with a store coupon!
Hope that helps!
Dian
Yea thanks! Where can you get the kroger store coupons?
Heather » Well, IF they had any they would be in their sale paper, and sometimes they send booklets full of them in the mail. They also have eCoupons on their website that you can load to your rewards card.
Dian
@princess: Thanks so much! I LOVE doing it!
Thanks again and feel free to ask if you have any questions!
Dian