Kroger: Double Coupons Replaced With Lower Prices + Better Weekly Specials (GA, AL, & SC)
Calling all you Georgia, Alabama, & South Carolina Kroger shoppers! Rumor has it that beginning on September 21st, stores in these states will be discontinuing the practice of doubling coupons. In place of double coupons, Kroger has promised lower prices and more aggressive weekly specials.
What are your thoughts about these changes?! Do you think the lower prices and more aggressive weekly specials will make up for the end of double coupons?!
(Thanks, Latressa!)
kroger stores in TX. haven’t doubled coupons for at least the last 3 years..prices still the same 🙁
Meijer just did the same and it’s a mess. You have to earn your store coupons.
Tennessee stopped doubling coupons. I have yet to see the lower prices they are talking about. 🙁
I agree
My Nashville TN store still doubles coupons.
They stopped doubling coupons in West Tennessee earlier this year. The most recent area that they will stop doubling on 9/21 is in East Tennessee (along with SC, AL and GA). They are still however doubling in the Nashville area and surrounding areas which includes most of Middle TN. I have heard that Middle TN and Kentucky is coming next possibly early next year. I agree with you in that they don’t seem to be offering lower prices from what I have heard others say. I know that here in Smyrna (just outside of Nashville) that they recently expanded/re-modeled our store and it seems that the prices of many items has actually increased.
They stopped doubling coupons in West TN earlier this year. They are now discontinuing doubling in East TN (along with GA, AL and SC) effective 9/21. They do still, however, double coupons in the Nashville area (and surrounding areas which includes most of Middle TN). I have heard that we will be next possibly early next year. I hope they don’t stop doubling them here, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I do agree with you that they don’t seem to be offering lowering prices as I have heard others say as well. I know that here in Smyrna (right outside of Nashville), they recently expanded/re-modeled our store and it seems that the prices on many items has actually increased.
I have split my shopping between Kroger & Publix for many years. Both stores double. . . until now.
With this change, I will ONLY shop at Publix, who not only appreciates coupon users, but they also air commercials stating they are “coupon friendly”.
As for lowering prices on 3,000 items . . . that is a bunch of bull. The last few weeks they have raised the prices on over 1,500 items from a few cents to fifty cents per item so they can prepare for the big “reveal” that they are lowering prices instead of doubling coupons. . . in short bringing prices right back to where they were.
How do I know all of this? My BIL is an Exec with Kroger. Although he would never risk his job and speak out, you can imagine the family dinner conversations!
My son works at a Dillons. He also said they raised the prices prior to “lowering” their prices. It’s insulting to think their customers won’t notice.
I recently read something about JC Penney’s doing the same thing.
Peggy, my daughter works at Dillons too, she said the same thing……as a shopper I noticed that a lot of prices rose also.
I also live in Texas and ours also stopped doubling a couple years ago. Now mine has also stopped accepting Internet coupons also. I contacted Kroger corporate and they said it is up to store manager. I found out the Kroger in the next town still will take them so now I shop there.
Publix in Atlanta still doubles. I’ll be shopping more there…without sales and coupons, Kroger’s prices are just too high. I’m over them and their terrible customer service, too!
You are right… the Kroger managers could give a flip about customer service. They strut around the store like they own the place and can’t be bothered with a question.
I’m agreeing with you! I’m completely jumping ship. They stopped sending me home coupon mailers over a year and a half ago, I’ve talked to customer service, called corporate, even had our store manager personally stick a note in his shirt pocket about it, guess what, no coupons!
Publix is the same distance from my house, so, look out Publix, here I come!!!
You are lucky your Publix still doubles. I live in FL where corporate exists and they don’t double coupons in FL and we don’t get the penny items other states do….which I have never understood!
OH well! I’m so glad I have Bi-Lo and Publix. They both offer an easier shopping experience and usually better prices. I don’t foresee a drop in prices at Kroger with this change. Every single comment I’ve read (save one, I think), including the comment from Texas above, reflect that prices won’t drop. I hope that other stores in the area don’t follow suit, but I’m starting to wonder!
My Kroger in VA stopped doubling coupons in May, no changes in prices.
Very sorry to hear this bad news from Kroger. I don’t expect to do too much future shopping there. We all know the trick about lower prices – after they jack them up!
Food Lion has said that their prices are lower since they don’t double and that is a just not true. Most of the stores have closed because they cannot compete. I expect Kroger will be no different.
They stopped doubling here in Southern California ages ago- we’re all still saving a ton of money and Kroger is still one of the easiest places to get things completely free. I have noticed lower prices on produce and there are a lot more loss leaders every week.
Isn’t it Ralph’s in California, not Kroger?
Ralphs is still a Kroger store, it still follows Kroger policies, etc.
Ralph’s may have lowered their prices, but Kroger hasn’t.
Uh we don’t have Kroger here in California, we have Food 4 Less and Ralphs.
Currently, I shop at Kroger when they have 2x and 4x fuel point offers. If it weren’t for these offers, groceries and gas are often cheaper elsewhere. Publix gets most of my business due to the fact the employees are very friendly, they have awesome BOGO deals, they accept competitor coupons, they double coupons and they give rain checks. I LOVE my local Publix store and I hope they never change.
Unless they make drastic price changes I will no longer be shopping with them….looks like I’ll do most of my shopping at Publix since they still double coupons.
Is the free Friday digital coupon deals over, too?
Looks like it. I knew that would happen.
They just had one last week. It’s comes and goes.
I think their site said there would be another next week. I haven’t found the past few to be all that enticing.. though my college aged brother liked the energy drink and gaterade protein thing. Not very useful to the average person, though.
I agree-the last couple of freebies have not been good enough to get me into the store. I have been taking advantage of this week’s sale buy 5 get $5 off though as it is making cereal and granola bars cheap.
Since Meijer stopped doubling on 8/25 I have drastically cut down how often/how much I go/buy there. Its mostly been milk, bread, eggs and only select few items with a coupon. Mostly $1 coupons that wouldn’t have been doubled anyway paired with a sale item. My Kroger still doubles. If and when(I know its coming) they stop doubling, then I will probably shop more at Target or Walmart than I currently do. And I will probably be ranting and raving all the way to the car since I always have issues using coupons at both locations.
Our Dillons (Kroger) store in Kansas stopped doubling coupons on August 20. I have seen a few $0.10 drop in prices on a few items. They also have started posting alot more eCoupons on there website. But overall I am still paying more. I used to save 40-50% every week, now its 30-40%.
I agree. The Kroger in my area (Raleigh NC) stopped doubling a little while ago as well. While I do notice lower prices on produce and slightly lower prices on other items, the prices are still higher than I would like to pay.
When Target (and not a Super Target) has better prices on food than Kroger-come on! I needed Velveeta for a recipe this week and should have bought it at Target because it was over $1 cheaper than Kroger! I shop Kroger for their clearance sections-which is by far the best in my area-and I like their meat but other than that…..
What I’m not fan of is the fact that Kroger will not accept a competitors coupon. Now that they have stopped doubling, I’m not sure it will be worth it to shop there. I might as well to to Publix for the BOGO or just shop at Target where I can mix/match store and cartwheel coupons, plus my 5% off due to the target red card. I doubt that Kroger will lower their prices by the 30-50 cents per item to make up for this change.
I just got back from my Atlanta area Kroger and they only doubled the first 4 identical coupons! I bought 5 Mojo bars for $1 each and I had 5 $0.50/1 coupons, 4 of which doubled, and the 5th one did not double. Last week, I had 5 printed coupons and the register wouldn’t accept the 5th coupon, the cashier had to override.
Your lucky. My Kroger will only accept 3 identical coupons per transaction. They started this sometime over the summer.
Even worse it was for central Indiana.. I live in Chicago now but am from Indianapolis where most of my family still lives. I loved visiting so I could shop Kroger & Meijer for double coupons which has NEVER been a practice for any retailers in Chicago… last time I went to Kroger with Yakisoba coupons, they told me TWO like per transaction however they let me do as many transactions as I wanted, so I guess there’s that. Moot point, now, as they quit doubling end of July.
I only have two choices in my town, Kroger or Walmart. The only reason I shopped at Kroger was because they doubled coupons so it was a better deal. Now that they do not double and Walmart will price match, I don’t see any reason to drive across town to Kroger.
growing up My family would only have to stores to shop at Walmart or Kroger. We would shop both stores because of their deals. I move now we have more grocery stores to shop at and they double up to $0.99 everyday.
For me in VA price of the items that I buy regularly went up – a bunch of cilantro used to cost me .69 – now it is .99 that is a big jump
Same here in the Richmond VA area, prices on my staples went way up. There is no point in shopping at Kroger unless there is a drastic sale like buy 5 items get $5 off deal where I can add coupons. Then the cashier looks at me like I have 3 heads.
That sale is the only reason Kroger has seen me this week! A box of Quaker Dipps granola bars for under $.40 each with coupon!
The Kroger stores in my area is in the Louisville, KY region, which hasn’t been affected yet. If that happens, Publix needs to add gas stations to every store and add a fuel program. If not, then shopping at Wal-Mart and/or Target for groceries is not a bad idea…
I live in a small town in Arkansas. My store stopped doing double coupons, but I do see tons of really low prices throughout the store and significantly more clearance items. There used to be only a few items that I needed on sale. Now, I can buy more than a dozen items in one trip. But they only take up to two similar coupons, and they are watching. Experienced cashiers even teach younger ones very loud so customers can hear and learn at the same time. I have to watch my spending now because I don’t want to get used to buying so much in a trip when they stop doing “low prices”.
I use to live in Arkansas
Im I missing something or they just didn’t offer any FREE items to be uploaded today (eCoupon) 🙁 Dillons (Kroger) used to be my store of choice but its been a while since they took the double coupon offer over here (KS) and I just feel like I cant get the good deals that I used to be able to get. In this economy they need to do more to keep their costumers happy.
There was no free item today but their site said there would be a free item to be uploaded again next week. HTH.
Kansas just stopped doubling too! It is sad I really think this is going to hurt them most of the dillions stores are really close to military posts and i think everyone is just going to switch to using the commissary.
Prices still high. I’m switching to Wal-Mart. Their prices are lower, I’ll switch back to Kroger if they begin doubling coupons again. That made them a bit more competitive.
I really hope this doesn’t happen in Harris Teeter store next year when the merger is complete.
I had always wondered what a Kroger store was like and wished I had one in my area, not anymore! I’m happy with my Wegmans and Tops supermarkerts that still double and you also get points towards gas at Tops. I sure hope this won’t be common practice and other stores follow suite and not double anymore. I better keep quiet so I don’t jinx my double coupon bliss… 😉
Love Wegmans! Its such a fun store to shop at:)
I received a coupon for $5 off $20 diaper purchase . It says “store coupon”. Does that mean I can still use manufacturer coupons along with this? I know target does this, but wasn’t sure about Kroger.
yes you can combine a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon…
thank you!
Those of you that have ever had/have still a store that doubled are/have been lucky. It’s ONLY Walmart in my area.
The Springfield, MO store stopped doubling coupons and put a 5 like-coupon limit in place August 20. I am on the email list, but never heard a word about it until I checked out. It totally blew my budget, costing much more than it would have if I had shopped elsewhere, but I had spent my “allotted shopping time.” The cashier was rude about it. I will not be going back.
Kroger in Oxford, MS quit doubling back in July.
I’m in VA. Doubling coupons stopped Mother’s Day Weekend (how appropriate). But I have noticed more ecoupons, and more weekly sales. No one in my town doubles, so I’ve still be going there (when I swore I wouldn’t after no doubling). Free items are few and far between anymore, but the weekly sales and Mega Events still beat Wal-marts every day prices. And I feel more comfortable with Kroger’s meat and produce. Our store will accept 5 like coupons, but only 2 internet coupons. Wish we had a Publix nearby. Sounds like that’s the place to be 🙂
Kroger stopped doubling for NC in May and I find plenty of great sales and freebies there still. They also mark down/close out lots of items which make for good deals. Even without doubling, I’m still able to find ‘stock up’ prices on many items.
Since I have other stores in my area that double coupons, this is a no brainer. I will definitely shop elsewhere from now on. They just lost a customer.
Texas has been out for a while now. Now no digital coupons come on Kroger. I guess as long as they keep taking coupons we are good.
From my experience, the customer service is awful. Contacting customer service is more of a disaster. I don’t buy much of my perishable items from Kroger’s. During each visit I can count a minimum of six carts full of go backs that includes perishable items. Just a few of my items will be affected by no more double coupons. Their awful customer service is the main reason why I will not shop at Kroger’s. They are now in the category with Wal-Mart. As long as I have great customer service at Publix, Amazon, Staples and the Farmer’s market I will continue to save.
I’m a cashier at Kroger and I can assure you that the carts full of “go backs” (shop-back) that have perishable items in them only have said items because the items are already considered damaged. If a perishable item isn’t damaged, and the customer for whatever reason doesn’t want it, it goes back immediately after the transaction is complete. The only perishable items that you will see in shop-back carts will be reported damaged and then disposed of accordingly. I can promise you that nothing perishable that you would be buying in the store has been left out for a matter of more than a few minutes.
Somebody once said that because of all the “extreme couponers” that soon we would no longer see stores double. It was only a matter of time, I guess. sigh
I will miss those double coupons. Hope Publix doesn’t get any ideas!
The way I see it….It is what it is. I am sure all companies in the future will no longer double.
I am here in CA and yes it is harder to coupon but is still manageable.
The grocery companies just want their monies now rather than later. Plus they all have to deal with there biggest competitor Walmart.
Our Kroger stores have continued to raise prices since they discontinued double coupons. I’m shopping at a Walmart Super Center MUCH more than I did in the past.
I was updating my price list that I haven’t done in a year. My Kroger has had these “new lower prices” since January. It’s a total joke. The “sale prices” were still a few cents higher than the old prices. They raised prices first, then lowered them. And the new lower price is still higher than the old price.
Whatever. I think the crazy problem is that anyone thinks that these stores offered double coupons for our benefit to begin with. It’s a marketing ploy. And evidently a marketing ploy. And they’re obviously under the assumption that it no longer makes them as much money. So there will be a new marketing ploy to watch out for. Personally, if I don’t find the coupon deal, then I buy from a wholesale club or farm co-op. which makes me really happy because not only am I getting the best deal available, I’m also getting better product and refusing to be manipulated by the marketing. But coupons and double coupons and points and whatever. None of it is about giving the customer a deal. It’s about making us spend more money. But keep whining and complaining about how extreme couponing ruined the whole thing and stop doing it. As soon as the rules change enough to get rid of enough people not willing to do the work to keep up with the changes, then super deals will start coming back. They do serve a purpose for the manufacturers and retailers. But it certainly isn’t out of the goodness of their hearts to give us good deals. Lol.
Does anyone know if Illinois Krogers have stopped doubling had not been there in awhile went today and after I got home I realized none of my coupons had doubled.
Illinois Kroger stores stopped doubling along with all of them in Indiana on July 27th I believe.
I am very fortunate, not only does my Kroger store in mid Michigan still double up to and including $1 coupons but so does another local grocery store, VGs. I expect Kroger to stop in the near future and then I will do my primary shopping at VGs. I hope VGs doesn’t follow suit. If they’re smart, they won’t. They will get A TON of couponers flocking over to them.
If anyone is in the Lexington, KY area, I’d appreciate some help! My brother’s family just moved to Lexington (near UK), and his wife is attempting couponing at Kroger for the first time (she’s never had a Kroger before). She doesn’t understand coupon jargon, or know how the sales and mega events work, or when the ad changes (much less catalinas, etc.) . She goes to the one on Leestown Rd. If anyone is in that area and knows some details about that store (coupon limits, ad changes, etc.), I’d really appreciate the help (or a good match-up site). I’m trying to help her from VA but it’s hard lol. You can e-mail me at wah00153@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!
Walmart does the same thing rollback prices on some things then they roll up prices on other things. That way they are not losing any money. I got a friendly by the end of the year all krogers will stop doubling. I will miss a little most of the coupons any more are more then a dollar.
Thank goodness my states not on the list
Kroger is very pricey on almost every single item they sell. The only reason I shop there is because I can sometimes get a good deal on a mega sale item coupled with a coupon. However if/when they stop doubling coupons, I will not shop there. They have not and are not lowering their prices. That’s a bunch of bunk and my dollars are too important to me to not get the most bang for my buck. I love Publix!!! Yes, they’re pricey too BUT their customer service is the bomb.com and they are very coupon friendly. They accept a manufacturer’s coupon with a store or competitor’s coupon. Many times I get items for pennies and because I do, it makes it a little easier to bare when I might need to pay a little more for an item that’s not on sale. Kroger better wise up. They will lose my business if they stop doubling coupons.
Agree completely!! Love Publix, you can get awesome deals on their BOGO sales especially when you add coupons. I track ads at iheartpublix.com and get awesome deals!
My local store in GA confirmed this today, but added that tomorrow will be the last day they will double. 🙁 Said it was up to the district manager on a specific date, just had to be before Sep. 21st. It is just forcing me to do most of my weekly grocery shopping at Publix now, which doubles up to .50.
My state hasn’t seen doubled coupons in decades.. probably the reason why we’re not exactly filled with couponers. I wonder what its like to be able to use coupons that actually make things.. cheap?
They are stopping in KY as well — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5w92fkfuYs
Ooops!! — https://www.lex18.com/news/kroger-to-end-double-coupons-in-lexington-stores/