Kroger: Double Coupons Replaced With Lower Prices + Better Weekly Specials (Columbus, OH Region)
Calling all you Kroger shoppers in Columbus, Ohio! Beginning on May 1st, stores in the Columbus/Great Lakes region will now be discontinuing the practice of doubling coupons. In place of double coupons, Kroger has promised lower prices and more aggressive weekly specials.
If you live in this area, what are your thoughts about these changes?!
(Thanks Kroger Krazy & Whitney!)
“Double” coupons are disappearing at Kroger because the majority of customers (86%) DON’T use coupons. In an effort to extend savings to ALL of the customers, they will now have lower prices, in addition to 2x fuel points on (most) gift card purchases, fuel rewards, prescription savings, etc… that 100% of the customers share. Plus we live in a DIGITAL SOCIETY. Electronic coupons are the wave of the future.
I absolutely do not believe for a second that 86 % of Kroger customers do not use coupons. While I understand the popularity of the digital coupons I do not agree with their claims. They are trying to justify their decision.
I’m in Nashville, and my Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50. I think we’re next on the “no more doubling coupons train”. Recently, Kroger in my area states that there’s a limit of 4 like coupons per day (store in my honest opinion); yet, they continue to run mega events like “buy 5, save $5”. I’m not into using coupons on the first four like items and the fifth like item gets cheated-WTF!?
During a mega sale you can mix and match. So if you have 4 coupons but have to buy 5 items, just pick up a 5th item that is part of the mega sale, and hopefully you’ll have a coupon for that too.
I think its awful and I will not shop there anymore! They are doing this because to many people are using coupons. Anytime someone can get ahead and save money for their family they try to stop it! This world wants to see you struggle! I don’t believe for a minute they will Lower prices and better sales. It sucks! 🙁
I agree with you 110% It is absolutely ridiculous that they are saying this. Earlier today I was at my local Grand Blanc Kroger and more then 50% of the people there were couponing. I know for a hard fact that they will not lower their price’s. Our closest Meijer use to double coupons last year, then they said the same thing and I have yet to see these so called “lower prices.” If these companies keep it up they’ll completely lose their business to Walmart.
They stop doubling coupons because too few people use them?! So honestly what difference does it make? Then they are supposedly cutting prices across the board? Prices that fluctuation on a week-to-week basis anyway. This is Kroger trying to stick it to people who conscientiously shop. They want zombies who come in, pay full price and leave. Like I needed another reason to quit shopping at Kroger.
Having worked for Kroger for nearly 30 years, we get abused DAILY by couponers. We get cussed at, screamed at, disrespected. I cut my coupons every week, but NEVER go toe to toe with an employee that is simply following policy. Stores (drug stores, retail grocery, etc…) have different policies. I think that is where all the confusion comes from with extreme couponers. It’s just like everything else, a few bad apples ruin it for everybody else. The company wants to reward ALL customers instead of just the 14% that use coupons.
What you’re saying makes sense. I’m sure the gas program is extremely popular across the board, while there are lots of people that won’t bother with coupons. It is unfortunate when folks are nasty to cashiers, it just isn’t necessary or effective. I make a point of being super-nice about coupons – and always say thank-you when they call someone to do an override when the coupon won’t scan (as when I’m using a coupon for something already on clearance.)
I think that most people don’t even realize this but it’s not that prices go down as much as packaging gets smaller (anyone remember the 6-pk cups of Trix yogurt about 5 years ago). Now it’s a 4 pk for the same price (it may have gone down $.10 or $.20 but now it’s right back up there to the same price. This is just one example but find it interesting that manufacturers are also playing these mind games on us!
I’m sorry but I do not think this is for any effort to reward all customers. From a business perspective, that makes no sense. If they lower prices and it helps everyone, they will lose more money in the end. All businesses are out to make the most money possible. Don’t let the gimmicky sales pitch fool you.
is it ALL Kroger or just in this area?
Our Giant Eagle is leaving the area. They were the only store that doubled here besides Kroger after Meijer quit doubling. Now that they’re leaving, there’s no competition to keep doubling. It’s purely greed on Kroger’s part…plain and simple. We were one of the last areas that Kroger continued to double in. I knew it was just a matter of time anyway, but still it’s going to make it harder to save the money I used to, and I’m not an “extreme” couponer.
SuzyQ I would like to see those lower prices….Kroger quit doubling in my area a few months ago and prices remain the same. I only shop at Kroger now when I know what I am purchasing is a very good deal even without the double coupons. Bilo now gets the majority of my business because they are very coupon friendly.