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!)
That stinks! D:
I live in columbus ohio and kroger is my go to store 🙁 I will now be driving 5 mins further to giant eagle or walmart..not cool.. I do think GE has better selection and salad bar anyways
Those were my thoughts exactly! I wonder how long until Giant Eagle stops it too?
I will start shopping at Target. They still accept double coupons.
My Target stores never doubled – that’s awesome yours does!
Which target doubles the cpn?
Maybe she means stacks, not doubles?
I”m in Atlanta, and they took away double coupons a few months ago. I hated that, but some of the new low prices are pretty good. But regular price is still too high, so…
I’m with you, D! Not feeling the new savings — I’ll take back doubling coupons any day.
Also live in Atlanta area. Have seen no difference (lower) in prices and advertised specials don’t look any different than before.
I completely agree! Prices did not come down at all. No doubles at Kroger sent me across the street to Publix!
I miss publix. Do they still stack coupons like target?
yes Publix store and manf coupons are stacked
I agree I gave up on Kroger in Atlanta, Georgia. I now stick to Publix even Walmart looks better than Kroger on prices.
Ditto! South ATL area here. Kroger near me has the worst customer service too. Too many young chatty cashiers that can’t be bothered to greet you because they are too busy talking among themselves, sometimes even calling out to each other across the aisles. Publix gets my business.
Those everyday low prices are higher than they were when they were still doubling. They just keep changing stickers as if no one remembered what they used to pay for a product. I go back for awesome deals and cherrypick loss leaders but that’s it. I do the majority of my shopping elsewhere now.
We lost doubles in cinti awhile ago. Totally off topic I am dropping off several bags of donations to the senior center. Ive never asked for a receipt for taxes feel like it would undo my good deed. What do others usually do when they donate??
I donate all my free stuff as well. The food bank is going to be very disappointed when I don’t show up with my monthly truck load.
Do you think that Bill Gates and other philanthropists don’t claim their donations on their taxes? Get that receipt and don’t feel guilty!
Thanks!!
Yes, get a receipt!
I always get a receipt
I donate directly to my local food pantry so that I can get a receipt. I use the retail price as the value. My acct said I don’t have to use price after qs. I donated $1700 worth of food and toiletries last year. Win-win.
Doesn’t surprise me in the least. With Meijer doing this already, they had someone else take the initial heat. I gave up on Kroger when they told me they wouldn’t take a coupon that represented more than 75% of the price of the item and then began complaining to me that people are buying their food and selling it elsewhere. I still go for the freebies, but that is the extent of it.
I had a Kroger tell me the same thing about not taking a coupon because it was over 75%. I had never heard that before. They get their money for it do what do they care. I found a different Kroger.
I’ve had that issue too, but only on Internet printed coupons. The day that happens on a clipped coupon will be the last time I shop there.
This was a clipped coupon. I could not believe it. They also told me that they would not take a printed coupon over $1. I don’t shop there anymore. The woman was rude about it too. I think that us what made it worse.
why would anyone do that? more importantly, why would anyone BUY it?
Hey Karey…I know you =) I feel your pain, we knew it was coming though since Meijer dropped last year. And yes, the Maxtown Kroger is bogus. The other day they told me now that I can only use two printable coupons per day/order and of course I had a raincheck that allowed me up to five. They gave me the raincheck back and I went elsewhere but I so remembered your run in with them too. Stop selling all your freebies stuff for profit…totally kidding!
Live in GA and they stop doubling coupons awhile back; however, I do see the lower prices on some items just a few plus there buy 5 save 5 promotion you can still save even it they don’t double…just my take Collin..
This is true, I do find that I’ll put some items off until Publix, Target or Ingles has them on sale. Kroger is known for their their mad promo sales + I’ve received about five of their home mailers which brings smiles to my face.
But they always did the buy 5 save 5. Are those prices really lower than what they were before? Id rather go and price match.
It was bad enough when meijers stopped doubling now a legend has to follow. The two stores I always shopped because of coupons and low prices. I will now take my coupons and my business to Giant Eagle, they care about their customers. Let’s see how long they last meijers will be the last one standing between these teo
Giant Eagle has tightened their coupon policy though in the recent months. It makes it difficult whereas I could get all my shopping done once a week, now in order to maximize and abide to their new policy, sometimes have to go upwards of three times a week. My kiddos don’t complain, as they belong to their cookie club =)
I knew it was coming soon. All the other Kroger regions have already stopped doubling coupons. My local Kroger doubles coupons up to .99 cents so I am definitely bummed that they are going to quit doubling. 🙁
New it was coming eventually, but just sad it came so soon. We still have a local store (Buehlers) here in Delaware that doubles and Giant Eagle still also doubles for now. I don’t believe for a second that their “low”prices will be better than going to walmart with face value coupons. Which stinks because I would rather not shop at walmart, but I have to go where the best prices are.
I live in Delaware, OH too! 🙂 Very bummed that Kroger will no longer be doubling. I’ll definitely have to check into Buehlers. Thanks for the tip!
I’m in Delaware too! Do you ever treat yourself to the online shopping and pick up at Buehlers? With 3 small kids it’s totally worth $7.95 occasionally! And they still take coupons 🙂
They did this in Indiana a while ago. NOT impressed with the lower prices, when I can find any. And VERY frustrated with just regular coupon use. Store employees never seem to know what Kroger is offering online, and that includes the managers. You don’t seem to be able to stack Kroger coupons with manufacturer’s coupons. Just too many hassles involved so now we avoid Krogers if we can. 🙁
You can’t stack “Kroger coupons” because the online one are manufacturer coupons.
Sometimes I get mailers that have “Store” coupons. Those we CAN stack with Man q’s. I’m in the Central division and I agree with MJ. Kroger (at least mine) has become one, if not THE one, most UNFRIENDLY coupon store out there. I haven’t noticed a BIT of change in prices, except for going up. You can still get a “deal” but boy, it takes a lot of work and prayer that your cashier is in a good mood. It frustrates me to NO end that Kroger does not have a corporate coupon policy! My store has a printed policy behind the customer service desk, but they will NOT give me a copy. I feel they do this so they can change the coupon policy at whim. I’m an ethical couponer and only have to provide for myself and my 13 year old son so I don’t have to shelf clear to have a stockpile and I for one, am tired of feeling like a criminal because I coupon. Not ALL the employees are like this, but enough to make it miserable to shop at my store. I try to price match as much as possible just to avoid the hassle.
No Kroger I have ever shopped at allows stacking. It is one coupon and you choose, digital or paper. Plus the Kroger coupons I get in the mail state that on them. Your lucky if they let you do that.
It’s very rare to get a store coupon that isn’t for store brand products so there wouldn’t be a man q for it anyway. The last mailer I got was Kroger plus coupons. For instance, $2 off cereal purchase of $10 or more. You can use coupons on the cereals you buy and the $2 off $10 cereal purchase if you buy $10 worth. Hope that makes sense. I always give them the $2/$10 first and then they scan the cheerios, chex, whatever q’s next.
Yes Robin, this is what I think MJ was referring to in using store coupons in conjunction with manufacturer. It took me awhile to get the hang of all these different types of savings. I would prefer rather than doing away with things if they would just update their systems. GE has such a better system, when a coupon scans, it links it to an item and states the coupon on the receipt. This helps if there is ever a discrepency. Thankfully, I have a very friendly Kroger that I rarely have a bad run in (except where a raincheck is needed due to out of stock). I am never quick to write off a company just because they change but it does play a factor into my decision whether to shop there on a REGULAR basis.
They did this in VA last year. I haven’t noticed lower prices and would only shop really good sale. Now they changed the sales starting on Sunday to Wednesday. The flyer is no longer in the Sunday paper so I don’t go there at all anymore.
you can always view the ad online. Unfortunately, I now have to do that with all mine since our local carrier has decided it’s too cold in Ohio to deliver in winter months!
I’m in Atlanta,as.we’ll. I just shop at Publix and they,double and.accept kroger store coupons
I use my Kroger store coupons at Publix, as well. I just went there yesterday and my receipt said that I saved a little under $72.00 on coupons and sale prices. I spent a little over $50.00. Most cashiers there are really nice. I know the ones that aren’t since I go there so much and I just avoid them. Also, they always carry your groceries out for you. Kroger has really good prices for whole meats (to cut into steaks) and some other things but I mainly go to Publix. I love all their BOGOs every week. I go to Walmart and Target once or twice a month. Aldi is awesome for produce, milk, eggs, soup and a few other things. They sometimes have coupons in their ad for $5 off a $25 or $30 purchase.
The Bakers brand has been under the Kroger umbrella for 4-5 years now here in Nebraska, and they have never allowed double coupons to my knowledge. Anyone else from this region know something different?
I’m in Omaha as well and worked for them in high school. The only store I know that has done double coupons is HyVee and No Frills but only for a week every 3-4 months.
Hy-Vee here in the Kansas City region never doubles coupons. I wish they would! The Kroger store here is called Dillon’s, and they stopped doubling coupons several months ago. It was very disappointing to me…the prices are definitely not better and are actually oftentimes higher nowadays at Dillons/Kroger, and they’ve become really “unfriendly” towards coupon users. I have definitely stopped shopping there as often now.
write to corporate, maybe they will take it into consideration to keep the double coupon
That sucks! One of the main reasons I shop @ Kroger is the double coupons. They ruined the fuel points program, now their eliminating this. I’ll have to start looking elsewhere if they don’t show some MASSIVE sales savings or price reductions on regular prices.
how did they ruin the fuel points program?
We couponers will find a way to get the deals. We will just have to be more creative. It does make me sad. I think more people will be heading to target with their coupon stacking
I live in Indiana and they took away the double coupons awhile ago and I have not noticed “cheaper” prices. I rarely shop there any more because they are no cheaper than any where else. I’ll drive 10 minutes out of my way to go to a different store and I live a block from Kroger.
its been almost a year since Kroger stopped double coupons here and they have lowered the prices and have lots of mega sales that I pair up with coupons and still save about 60 percent. just takes a little more time and work to get the free stuff but it does happen sometimes.
Agree Debbie! If you take advantage if the mega savings buy 5 get $5 off + coupons we can still get very good deals + the 10 X $10 sale are awesome. I just cand from Kroger bought 3 welch juices 64oz, 2 lady speed stick, 2 intuition shick razors. 10 muller greek yogurt, 4 oikos greek yogurt, 2 angel soft 4 rolls bath tissue, 4 boxes of barilla pasta and my 8 bolillos all for $24.55! Not bad considering razor can sale for $7 or $9 at other stores.
Sorry for all the spelling errors ( in a hurry to make lunch 🙂 )
I agree also. It will take a little more time when shopping and trial and error trying some Kroger brand products but I have already started seeing lower prices and I’m in the Columbus region. Like this morning I picked up just a few things to try and didn’t need coupons. Kroger brand stuffing mix was .69 and Kroger brand nonstick cooking spray was .99 as part of the mega deal. If I would have bought name brand and had a coupon I probably still would have paid more. I agree for some things the double coupons will hurt as far as price goes but I will just have to take a little more time and look over ads/sales when shopping. In the meantime I will be using coupons like crazy there until May 1!!
I find it depressing though that when these mega events are, the stock is so low that I’m having to get rainchecks on everything (don’t get me wrong, they don’t have to offer rainchecks so that is a plus). I know it’s good business but why on earth is there no limit on this mega event. You would think that would make them lose more money than coupons that they double.
Maybe the coupon values will go up. Manufacturers might see a decline in sales and put out higher value coupons. Maybe?
I was hoping the same! Got to think positive!
Good point, I have noticed a few really high coupons lately only prob is half the time, retailers then want to refuse them since it is “too good to be true” (even when they scan). Then as a couponer we get the evil look like we do something wrong =(
Funny when we first moved to Virginia Beach our Kroger doubled coupons and that’s where I learned to “coupon” but when they stopped doubling (and I finally got tired of their employees acting like all couponers were trying to basically steal) I started going to Target (which I used to think was really high priced!) I went from shopping weekly at Kroger to maybe going every few months and only if they had a lot of good deals. Target actually encourages couponing so that’s where we shop!
I live in Cincy. When they stopped doubling coupons some prices were lowered, but that only last a few months. They slowly raised the new lower prices until they were higher than before. I rarely go to Kroger now.
In my area of WA we have never had double coupons. We still have to pay sales tax on the pre coupon price so nothing is ever totally free.
I am happy with a 35% savings over target prices and when I can swing it, 50% at Safeway including club prices.
It has gotten to the point where I rarely coupon unless I find a high value one for a product we use frequently. It just isn’t worth chasing something down@ 4.00/gal any more.
Enjoy it while it lasts because if we have learned anything about bandwagons………………..
I lived in the metro Atlanta area & they did away with double coupons several months ago here. The new lower prices aren’t really that low here. They have been having some good digital coupons though. I really miss the double coupons & have started shopping more at Aldi since their prices are much lower than Kroger’s. I still love the bogo deals at Publix the best though.
At least some of you are lucky enough to HAVE a choice to shop elsewhere…..I live in a rural area…Kroger and Walmart are IT….besides Mom & Pop stores….now THAT really stinks!!!!!
I read the article and it said only 2% of the Columbus area customers are couponers. Well I am in Michigan and I was at Kroger today and almost everyone in there had coupons, most of them had a binder. It also said that no one has time to clip coupons but everyone wants to save money. What ever.
I too am from Michigan and your observation is very accurate. Couponers with binders everywhere!
I don’t use a binder for coupons but I see a lot of people with them when I am in Publix. I think that more than 2% of people coupon or companies wouldn’t waste their time and money putting coupons out there. I have noticed that in the past year or more Publix has started putting up signs on some sale items limiting them to usually 4. These are usually items that are BOGO and have a manufacturer coupon and a Publix coupon out for them. I can understand that. I am usually good with getting 4 of something on sale. If you want to get more that 4 you would always just come back in another day or bring someone with you to get it. I usually don’t have more than 4 coupons for an item anyway.
Lower prices my behind… if you believe that, I’ve got a pretty white Unicorn for sale 🙂 They did away with our Triple coupons, then our double coupons and the prices are no lower… only when they do mega sales which then they don’t advertise everything on sales, so stroll the isles to get the best deals.
Kroger said the same thing (about lowering prices, etc.) when they stopped doubling coupon here in NC, and although that’s still what they say in their marketing campaigns, they most definitely have NOT lowered their prices – if anything, many of their prices are even higher than Harris Teeter (who continues to double coupons, allows customers to use manufacturer coupons with their store’s digital coupons, and more.)
Even after they stopped doubling coupons (which they only doubled up to $0.50 anyway…), they still don’t allow their customers to use manufacturer coupons with their digital ones (it has to be one or the other.)
The only time I visit Kroger is for their Friday Freebies, LOL.
It’s the same way here in KS. Dillon’s (Kroger store here) stopped doubling several months ago, and I haven’t seen any prices really reduced. In fact, many products seem more expensive now. There’s only one local-ish chain here in the KS City area that still doubles coupons to $0.50. I find myself shopping much less at Dillon’s now, especially since many of their stores have also become coupon-unfriendly.
Like you, I still get the Friday Freebies every once in a while. But have you noticed that those products have gone “down” in value…? Now they are mostly only worth around $1, whereas I remember they used to give pretty nice freebies every once in a while. Oh, well…free is still free I guess, so I’m grateful for that at least!
We lost double coupons at Meijers last year so I started shopping more at Kroger and Giant Eagle since they double up to $0.99. Now Kroger is stopping and Giant Eagle is closing next month also. Guess I’ll be heading to Aldi and Walmart instead. A $0.10 price reduction is a joke on their regular prices.
I made a startling discovery when the quit double coupons in Indy area. I was spending more money each week trying to stock up on those “awesome deals” than I do now just buying what I need to feed 10 people. I still use coupons occasionally, but only for things I would normally buy. Most coupons are just an enticement to buy unnecessary products. I am grateful they stopped. It has saved me time and money.
That’s so interesting. I’ve always said that I spend more money using coupons than not because I end up buying “great deals” and more product than I ordinarily would (to get those great deals). People–me included!–buy so much more than they truly need.
I have been a heavy couponer addict for 30 years! Recently I have been busy and experiencing a coupon “burnout.” Although I hate to admit it, I have been saving a lot of money by not picking up all of the extras. I would have never expected this to be the case!
that’s what they said here too… unfortunately I did not notice that significant of a decrease compared to my Safeway store that as of right now still doubles and triples coupons – of course since they were just bought out by Albertsons I’m waiting for that to change and then I’ll be an exclusive HEB customer…
I live in Memphis and Kroger does not double here. In addition, it is the ONLY grocery store chain in town. So, no “lower” prices here.
Here in California nobody doubles 😠
I know right??? I was just thinking shoot ca has none of that
That’s what they said in Ga. The prices are not lower. I now shop at Publix or Ingles.
Ingles’ coupon policies are very confusing to me. You have to buy a certain amount before they will double coupons and then they will only double so many. At Publix they double everything that is 50 cents or less no matter how much you buy. Also, Publix has digital coupons with no limit as to how many you can load onto your account. Kroger’s digital coupons have a 150 limit and Ingles doesn’t have digital coupons.
Well, we won’t have to keep an eye on the register to make sure everything doubles. I will admit I feel spoiled with double coupons because not everyone gets doubles. I will hope that they run specials promotions for doubling like they have in the last.
I think this is a foolish move on their part. With couponing being popular more than ever they risk losing a huge group of potential customers. I don’t find their prices lower. I only go to publix now.
I miss publix….After moving to ohio kroger kinda took its place but I guess it’s time to move to Florida again for publix:)…
I moved from Florida to Michigan. My publix in Florida did not double but they stacked coupons and paid overage, way better than doubling. After this winter, I think it is time to go back.
Lol I have lived in Michigan 52 of my 53 years and I never remember a winter this bad! I am ready to move to Florida too!
I still live in an area where they double up to a $1. However, I am noticing that they are raising prices (example: shampoo that use to be $1.99 is now $2.19). Whether it’s because of inflation or my area will be the next to do away with the double coupons (and then lower the things like the shampoo to $2.09 to make it look like they’ve lowered prices), I don’t know but a Meijer’s just opened in town a year ago and I can easily take my business there. I think the shows like Extreme Couponing has really hurt the double couponing.
I would like to know if the areas that have stopped the double coupons, if the stores have lost shoppers immediately, 6 mos and 1 year later or if after a year the store “bounces back”.
My Louisiana store stopped doubling & tripling on November 1, 2013. I am family friends with one of the stockers in that store and management told them that many of the coupon manufacturers would not resign their contract with Kroger if Kroger continued to double or triple coupons. It didn’t make any sense to me because the store is the one double/tripling, not the manufacturer. Anyway, apparently my store agreed to stop doubling the coupons so that they could re-sign the contract. If not, they wouldn’t be able to accept ANY coupons. I was driving 45 minutes to go to that store, but I agree with others – their prices now aren’t saving me enough to continue that commute.
I think it is inherently obvious that ALL stores are going to stop doubling coupons due to Extreme Couponing and in order to curb “shelf-clearers.” It’s sad because the old lady that wants to double her 3 or 4 coupons because she’s on a budget, can’t anymore. I had a $13,000 medical bill when my son was born and trying to save a few bucks at the store was always (and still is) a hassle. How sad.
It’s amazing how that show has encouraged the greed of some couponers and new couponers. As a follower of Collin’s blog for quite some time now, she has ALWAYS discouraged these unethical coupon practices that make all of us look bad.
We have a Dillons, which is in the same family, this already took affect months ago, but I must say there low prices are low prices compare to walmart. I still go to Dillons for my shopping, you can still get great deals with matching there sales with online coupons.
I will be really bummed if my Michigan Kroger stops doubling. I left Meijer – (NOTICE, no (s) as it, isn’t Meijers, just as it isn’t Targets etc.) because they stopped doubling.
I wondered when Kroger would stop doubling in Columbus area. I live south of Dayton and they stopped doubling here last March and then Meijer followed. I don’t shop at Kroger as much as I did before usually going for sale chicken breasts and clearance. Just wait Kroger Michigan shoppers as I am sure you will be next and Harris Teeter shoppers should be worried because Kroger won’t keep their promise of keeping double and triple coupons.
I figured it was coming since Meijer did the same months ago. Clipping coupons takes too much time is just a cop out. Both stores want you to spend all your time on their website using their ecoupons. I might be heading over to Giant Eagle too!
Does anyone know if this will effect people living in Michigan as well?
Toledo area Kroger also stopped doubling as did Meijer. And now the 2 Giant Eagle stores are closing May 1st. That leaves me with Walmart which I hate to coupon there. It is nothing but problems as the cashiers act as if I am a criminal and scrutinizes every coupon.
Kroger pulled that here in Illinois. The prices are NOT lower. Hope kroger closes like dominicks. They stink.
I live in Kentucky and our Kroger stopped doubling a few months ago. I can say that I cannot see overall lower prices and as far as the “aggressive weekly specials” it seems they offer the same items week after week as a “buy 5” get some $$ discount price–nothing outstanding and nothing that really draws me in. Thankfully we have an ALDI here in Danville which is my go to store for almost everything but meat purchases.