This past week, Giant Eagle rolled out their new coupon policy. I have to say, I think the changes overall are fair. There has been a backlash against some of the behaviors displayed on certain tv shows, which is prompting policy changes at many stores. Here is a link to their new policy in its entirety. When I was there this week, each register had a laminated copy of the new policy, and both cashiers and supervisors seemed to be under instruction to adhere closely to it. I will highlight the key differences for you. My comments are in blue.
- One coupon per item(s) purchased as stated on the coupon with a maximum of 12 coupons per same 12 items purchased in a 24-hour period per Giant Eagle Advantage Card® customer. This seems to be a reasonable limit and should help slow down the shelf clearing.
- Stacking (combining electronic and paper coupons) of manufacturers’ coupons is prohibited. This is the trickiest change. Here’s the thing: EOffers are actually manufacturer’s coupons, just in an electronic format. Many people, myself included, had always thought they were store coupons and could be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. It is either/or. And EOffers don’t double, and have a limit of one coupon, so I will be clearing all EOffers off my card. EOffers have really only ever been a good deal in combination with manufacturer’s coupons and/or Catalinas.
- If you forget to use your coupons at the time of purchase, we will accept them with your Giant Eagle Advantage Card up to 10 days beyond the date on the receipt. This is actually an increase from 7 days.
- A maximum of two “like” printable coupons will be accepted. This seems pretty obviously geared towards preventing fraud by photocopying coupons. Even if you have access to more than one computer, you can’t use more than two of any particular printable at a time.
- The doubled amount cannot exceed the value of the item purchased. This isn’t a change necessarily, but the way the computers are doing it, apparently even if the coupon is for, say 75¢/2, and each item is 99¢, the double value will max out at 99¢, which is the cost of a single item.
Let’s all play nice so that we can keep what really is, compared to many stores nationwide, a fair coupon policy.
Wendy says
Giant Eagle also no longer accepts Register Rewards from Walgreens even though they are manufacturer coupons. I don’t think they will take a manufacturers coupon that says says Kroger or Walmart on it. Some of the coupon.com coupons print like that.
Wendy
Mallory says
Thank you so much for answering this puzzling question for me:
The doubled amount cannot exceed the value of the item purchased. This isn’t a change necessarily, but the way the computers are doing it, apparently even if the coupon is for, say 75¢/2, and each item is 99¢, the double value will max out at 99¢, which is the cost of a single item.
I’ve had the strangest luck with this in the store. I’ve used the self checkout to purchase 6 of the same items that cost $1 each, and used two 75cent/3 coupons. One coupon doubled up to 1.50, but the other coupon only “doubled” to $1. I am glad I have some reference material for this now.
Thanks!
Kristin says
I WISH we had even 1 store that doubles up here in WI. 🙁
Jessica says
…But we do! Pick n Save (or any of the Rainbow food stores –Copps, Rainbow, Metro Market) double up to 5 coupons with a value of $1 or less on Wednesday with a $25 purchase.
Natasha says
The ecoupons will probably work similar to the way they do at VONS/Safeway. They come one when you scan your club card but if a paper coupon is scanned for the same item the ecoupon is automatically removed and the paper coupon applied so stacking is not possible but your not stuck with having to use the ecoupon
stacey says
actually sunday I went shopping there and my ecoupon came off and I also had a paper coupon and both came off not sure if that just happen by accident or what not.
Anonymous says
I had the same thing happen to me on sunday. maybe the new policy wasnt implemented yet.
stacey says
Yeah well it worked again tonight on my card…. I am wondering if they are going to let you use the eoffers on the card for longer or what not…. I know they have a new policy but if they do then it shouldnt let you have both taken off yet they scan the coupon after the eoffer and both work. now if you used a coupon for a product already and tried to use a second one it beeps and wont take it so that is how it should work with the eoffers…
Becky says
I was not aware of the changes, and was shopping last Friday. I picked up the Betty Crocker cookie pouch, and also 2 Pillsbury sweet rolls and 2 Pillsbury crescent rolls, all of which were a good deal due to combining an EOffer with a manufacturer’s coupon. The lady in front of me in line was a couponer, and I heard her asking the cashier to ring her coupons before scanning her GE card, b/c she was aware of the changes, and I think she thought that was a way around it. I knew from past experience though that without the GE card being scanned first, the coupons don’t double…she told me about the EOffers not working with coupons anymore. I wasn’t going to unload my stuff, so I just figured oh well. But both did come off this time. Regardless if it goes through, we should try our best to follow the policy as it is outlined.
Shannon says
Ok I have a question. I went to Giant Eagle yesterday. I was aware of the ne wpolicy so I planned ahead. I had a couple for Dole fruit cups. I had 12 of 3 different kinds of Dole fruit cups. They were different items. The lady and the manager told me I could not buy more than 12 of the same brand. So I left. Anyone know anything about this?