Update 7/9/12: King Soopers’ official policy has changed; please read here for the latest update.
I emailed King Soopers for clarification on the part of their coupon policy that states “limit of three (3) coupons for like items per customer.” I did get an answer, but don’t have exact clarification. But here’s what I know!
My question:
King Soopers’ policy states that you can use coupons for up to three products of like UPC. Just to clarify, if you have two coupons for $1 off two products, you could not purchase four of the exact same product, even though you’re using just two coupons?
And, how should shoppers handle coupons for $1 off four or more products? During the winter especially, we see coupons for $1 off five cans of soup. Does that mean that in order to use that coupon, we’d need to purchase at least two different varieties so we’re not purchasing more than three of the exact same product, even if we’re using just one coupon?
The response I received was confusing, so I emailed again for clarification and this is what I received:
Our policy is a limit of 3 coupons for like item (like item being the same UPC code) be it the same coupon or not. If you have a coupon requiring the purchase of multiple items ($1/2 or $1/5), the limit is still 3 coupons.
Here’s the full King Soopers’ coupon policy.
So, I’m still not sure exactly how to interpret the policy as to whether it’s three like items or three like coupons and how to handle multiple coupons and coupons for multiple items. I will tell you that what I do, and plan to continue doing, is this: never use more than three like coupons, and never purchase so much product off of a fully-stocked shelf that there isn’t enough left for others.
It’s going to depend on your store/manager/cashier as to whether or not they’ll let you use two coupons for $1 off 2 Wheat Thins on four identical boxes of Wheat Thins. My encouragement to you is to abide in the spirit of their coupon policy and you’ll have an enjoyable shopping experience and the cashiers won’t dread you getting into their checkout line! :)
$1.99 for Pantry Essentials (gallon) at Safeway
It’s so confusing. I went through the other day with 4 of the same yogurt coupons but I bought 2 “eating yogurts” and two “drinking yogurts”. None of my coupons beeped or gave the cashier any “red flags” so I assumed this was acceptable for their policy?!?! After reading this I’m not so sure…
Well, like you said, I’m not sure either, as strict compliance with their “three like items” policy would say that you were find, but if they are doing “three like coupons” then you were breaking the policy. But, it really just depends on the cashier and how they choose to enforce.
My goal is basically to give you all the info I know so that you’re prepared for anything! :)
I haven’t been shopping much at King Soopers lately, but I alwas understood it to be three like coupons. I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten granola bars with coupons, more than three identical boxes, but with more than one kind of coupon.
Three like coupons has always been the way they’ve enforced it, but their policy is (and many stores have put up signs saying) that it’s three like items/UPC. Depends on how your store/cashier chooses to enforce it!
As I read this, I’m thinking you could use a $1/5 coupon & purchase 5 of the same item. You are only using 1 coupon. If the policy is 3 coupons for like products and you are only using 1 or 2 coupons, then there shouldn’t be an issue. I do agree that shelf clearing is NOT cool!
I was told max of three coupons- what ever they pertain to. ie- $2 off of 3 x3 coupons allowed. So total product to be purchased would be 9. Now if you have $1 off of 1 that would be only 3 product allowed for purchase. Make sense?
I did have an cashier say that I couldn’t use more than 3 cookie coupons. They were for all different coupons. I had to explain that it would be impossible for every cashier to enforce such a policy.
HTH :)
Yes, but their policy states “three like items” and not “three like coupons”. They are also putting up signs that state “three items with like UPCs” which is why I asked King Soopers for clarification.
It means that you can buy three of the same items AND have coupons for them. So i can buy 3 packs of diapers and have 3 coupons for them…i can also but 4 packs of diapers BUT I can only use 3 coupons OR buy that 4th one on another transaction (or at another time) They do this to prevent shelf clearing. if you have a coupon for $1/4items you can buy the items and us the coupon
As, I understand it, They limit you to 3 of the same/like Q’s per transaction. Period!
If you have a $1/2 Q, this will actually work to your favor. You can get 6 of that item while still staying within thier (crazy, in my opinion) 3 Q limit. This works well, especially during thier 10 for $10 sales when they require you to purchase 10 items. :)
Then only way to “get around” this limit is to do separate transactions. A pain in the butt!!! But worth it! :) Or shop at other stores (Safeway) that don”t limit coupons. :)
just so you know on the 10/10 sales… you do not have to purchase 10 items to get it for $1… Only on the mix and match sales. Like the Brut deoderant for 10/10 they had.. You could go in and just by 3 deoderant and use the 1/1 coupon and they are free.
This might be something new starting up. Last night my husband and I watched extreme couponing. This guy had to go switch out some of his groceries, because they had a policy where they did not allow more then ten of the same UPC per trip. So instead of 20 macaorni noodles he had to take 10 back and replace with linguini noodle etc.
I actually appreciate that King Soopers has a limit on coupons. (I understood it as 3 coupons no matter how many items that coupon covers.) I have been to Albertsons so many times and the shelf is cleared! I get a rain check, but usually by the time the item is restocked they are not doubling coupons, or the coupon expires. Shelf clearers seem to make couponing seem like a selfish and hoarding practice. I have told my manager at Soopers that I appreciate the 3 coupon limit and they are very receptive to positive feedback! It is amazing what a smile will do for you!
Good point! I agree that I like their policy for the most part – it allows you to buy enough with coupons to last for awhile, and if you want more, you can come back. I don’t have a problem with them not wanting people to buy 20 of the same thing, no one needs that much all at once!
I shop at King Soopers ALL THE TIME…they are right down the street from me. From what I understand you can’t use more then 3 of the same coupon in 1 transaction.
If you have a coupon that is $.40 off 4 cans of soup you can buy 12 cans of soup and use 3 coupons. They are all about 3 coupons not 3 items. I’ve never had a problem doing it this way.
I just split up my transactions and send my daughter and husband into separate lanes.
Thanks,
Kristine
S2 E6 Extreme Couponing showed Callie in Colorado at King Soopers in Brighton. I called the store and they said 3 coupons for the same item. So if you want juice you can get 3 different flavors and use 9 coupons. Alos no overage. If he product is .88 it will double up to .88, not $1. However for the show with Callie there were no limits or rules, and they gave her an overage. The store manager I spoke to said it was an excetpion for the Show. So that is Not Reality TV that is Staged TV and false advertizing in my view.
I Just called today and they have a new policy for November 2011. You can use up to 5 coupons for 5 items. I’m sure it is 5 like coupons for 5 like items. They also say that they don’t double coupons, but the system will automatically double the coupons that are up to $.50 off, and will also “double” coupons marked from $ .51 – $1 off for up to a $1 discount.
Yep, you can read the full policy here: http://denverbargains.com/2011/10/new-king-soopers-coupon-policy-effective-friday/
The King Soopers by me (in Pueblo Colorado) tells us the policy is 5 coupons per like product, though you can change flavors and use multiple coupons.
Example: if you have 15 country time canister coupons for $0.50 off 1 canister you can use all 15 as long as you have at least 3 different flavors (i.e. lemonade, pink lemonade, half & half)
Any change in product changes the UPC.
Regular tomato soup has 1 UPC, healthy request tomato soup has a different UPC, low sodium tomato soup is still a different UPC, tomato with rice soup is it’s own UPC.
Yep, they’ve changed their policy since this was posted – go here for the latest info: http://denverbargains.com/coupon-resources/store-coupon-policies/king-soopers-official-coupon-policy/