Tonight at my Walmart I asked about this ad, I was told that it meant, “if you happen to find a coupon at Randalls or HEB that is a manufacturers coupon, you can use it here.”
What?!
When I got home and was still shaking my head, I was happy to see an email from Walmart PR.
Hi Paul,
I saw your recent post. There have been some questions about Walmart’s coupon policy and I wanted to offer some additional details. To clarify, Walmart will continue to accept all valid manufacturer and print-at-home internet coupons with a scannable bar code. In addition, Walmart will also match the price listed on any valid competitor coupons that include a printed retail price for a specific item (e.g., $2 for a 24 oz. bottle of Clorox).
We apologize for any confusion.
For further details, please see our price match and coupon policies online:
– Price Match Policy: http://walmartstores.com/7659.aspx
– Coupon Policy: http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx
Many thanks,
Ravi Jariwala
Walmart Public Relations
I emailed back because I wanted to make sure that I understood:
Thank you for the response.
I want to be clear. If I have a Target coupon for $1.00 off a bottle of Olay body wash, this coupon will beep when you scan it at your store. But you will be able to override it and still take $1 off the Olay?
Thank you I really appreciate your help.
Paul.
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Paul,
Walmart will honor any valid competitor coupons that include a printed retail price for a specific item. We would not accept the Target coupon unless it had a specific price on it ($6.99), as we do not honor competitor’s dollar or cents off coupons.
Hopefully that helps.
Best,
Ravi
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Ravi,
I think that the confusion is that when you use the word “coupon” people are assuming you are talking about a coupon, with a barcode. If I am understanding you correctly you are actually talking about a sales ad, with sale prices from a competitors store?
Is it possible to call you or another representative?
Thank you so much,
paul
In the mean time, I left a comment on their Facebook page.
“Walmart will also match the price listed on any valid competitor coupons that include a printed retail price for a specific item (e.g., $2 for a 24 oz. bottle of Clorox). ”
I just want to clarify what this means. Are you talking about an actual (for example of a competitor) Target Store coupon, OR a Target store ad. A Target coupon will beep at the register and the cashier will have to override it and take off the amount on the coupon. Using the words “competitors coupon” makes you think this is what you will do. Although I am guessing you mean, “competitors ad”.
This is the response:
Thanks for your interest in our coupon policy.
Walmart will match the price listed on any valid competitor coupons that include a printed retail price for a specific item (e.g., $2 for a 24 oz. bottle of Clorox). This is a competitor coupon.
We do not accept competitor coupons that are $X off of a product (e.g, $1 off a 24 oz bottle of Clorox).
I hope this helps clarify the policy.
Thank you.
Regina
** I have a call scheduled with Ravi tomorrow, I will post as soon as I am done and let you know what he said. I WILL ask about catalina’s also…
Wow, this makes Walmart look really dumb. It seems like they don’t even know the definition of coupon. Sad…
Thanks for asking about the Catalinas also…I have always wondered if they would take them but have never tried. I have had conflicting experiences with competitor’s (Target) coupons being accepted so I don’t even bother anymore.
Gee, that clears everything up (yes, my voice is dripping with sarcasm)… good luck!
What??Glad your trying to straighten it out, over and over through your emails it seems the guy from Walmart makes no sense.
Thank you so much for posting this…can’t wait to hear how your phone conversation goes! I appreciate your dedication to helping us shoppers have the best (and cheapest!) experience at Walmart as possible!!
I had guessed (and still do) that they are referring to coupons from the retailer vs. coupons from the manufacturer. For example, at Walgreens, they have Walgreens coupons (that say store coupon at the top) but they also print coupons at the register that say Manufacturer Coupon at the top even though they say “redeemable at Walgreens”. I also get those from Kroger’s etc…That should mean the Catalina’s (I think all are manufacturer coupons) should work. I assume they will take the ones that say Manufacturer coupon at the top even though they say “redeemable at ___________ store” (I have tried these before and they do often beep) but not the ones printed off of Target’s website that are just for Target. But your last conversation with Ravi seems to perhaps indicate otherwise if the coupon is for a specific amount off. Will be interested to see the outcome.
Yes, I agree — thank you, thank you, Paul, for your hard work, dedication, and perseverance in doing this to help us all.
I am (as I’m sure you and many other shoppers!) baffled at how Wal-Mart appears to have a different definition of the word coupon! You hit the nail on the head in explaining that a piece of paper with a bar code IS a coupon, and if they advertise matching prices AND coupons, it certainly means that they would accept Target (or any other store’s) coupons!
Thank you again!!
They pretty much say the same thing over and over again to you. They just give you their standard printed responses that they are told to say. It would help, I think, if Rav would just say to you,’ Yes, I do mean ‘coupons’ NOT an ad’……..
Thank you Paul for all of the hard work you are putting into this. I understand how confusing this can all be.
I recently had a lengthy conversation with one of my store’s assistant managers about what was happening with the couponers in the area and the volume of business they were loosing. We live in a small-ish suburban community and I am the only one of the couponers I know that is still willing to shop at Wal-Mart and put up with the difficulty we run into. The main reason for that is because my husband is a member of the Market Team (Wal-Mart’s version of district level management) and this company supports my family. Thankfully the store level management seems to be willing to work with me because of it.
I think the problem really comes down to such a large company trying to make a statement that works nationally. Also, they may not have a full understanding of the different types of coupons available and how we are using them. We truly are the experts in this and not the retailers (unfortunately). Please keep us updated on how this progresses. It will be good to have a resource we can go back to the stores with.
Thank you Paul for all your hard work! Ever since the TLC Extreme Couponing show aired, I’m getting absolutely harrassed about every coupon! The checkers pull the stuff out of the bags, read every single line of the coupon, TRYING to find a reason to not accept it. I’ve been gracious, but WOW, my patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your hard work!
Thanks Paul for trying to clarify this! I was at our local Wal-mart yesterday (where I’ve never had a problem with coupons) and was told that they wouldn’t take any of my internet coupons…although I presented their coupon policy and even showed them how at the bottom of every single receipt it states that they gladly take internet coupons. The store manager insisted that I was wrong and I walked out without purchasing anything and called the corporate office right away. Corporate apologized and informed me that I was absolutely right and they weren’t sure why the store manager insisted that I was wrong. The manager has called to apologize and I’m really hoping they don’t give me any trouble when I go back again, otherwise I’m going to be doing a lot more shopping at Target.
My local walmart did the same thing. they went as far as to tell me that they only accept Smartsource printed coupons!
I have bascially given up on our Walmart in Saint Augustine. I have never met more disgruntled cashiers and customer service reps…My coupons are always organized and in order but for some reason they continually attempt to find error in one of my manufacturer coupons. I love my Publix stores here. They accept my Target ccoupons, Dollar General coupons, etc. and they accept it with a smile and offer to carry my groceries to the car. I still come out ahead if I plan carefully and shop frugally. I’ m tired of the headaches from Walmart. I appreciate your persistance Paul ( you have a great website that offers wonderful deals for Walmart shoppers)…maybe if more people offer their concerns, Walmart will actually do more than listen …they will act.
Last summer my Walmart started taking competitor coupons and price matching. So it is kind of amusing to me that people are all the sudden talking about it. They told me that a specific coupon is ok as long as they sell that item. A vague coupon like 10 percent off anything in the store they will not take. But a dollar off coupon for Keebler cookies for example they would take.
You know those envelopes that come in the mail with cheap xeroxed coupons in them? A local grocery store puts coupons in them that make a gallon of milk .99 cents. I have used those at Walmart. After the product scans they look at the coupon then change the price and then put it in the coupon slot.
The emails you are getting from Walmart is just a standard professional wording of an answer. It gets on my nerves and I wish people would just talk to each other like people. But that is just a pet peeve of mine.
I had difficulty with the new Special K coupon this morning and left the followin message on the facebook page:
I was shopping at the Valencia Rd Walmart in Tucson, AZ this morning. I tried to use a Manufacturer’s Internet Print Coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free Special K. The cashier told me that the register would only allow up to 99 cents off. On the bottom of my receipt the following message is printed: “We gladly accept valid manufacturer internet coupons.” In addition, I’d like to point out that your corporate coupon policy states: “Walmart accepts the following types of coupons…. (Bulleted point 2) Free merchandise (or manufacturer’s Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons.” Well apparently my local store doesn’t know this, and I’d like to know why my coupon was not honored at this store. Thanks for your attention to this matter
Received this vague response from Regina:
Hi, Lorna
I do apologize for your in store experience.
I will share this information with the store; however, to best resolve this issue, you should speak with store management when this happens.
Thank you.
Regina
I responded with:
Thanks for your response, Regina. So if I go back to the store and speak with the manager, does this mean they will now accept my Coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free Special K?
Once again, Walmart’s response to a simple question is absurd and, well, insane-sounding. I’ve finally come upon a way to shop there without it becoming surreal and ending with 3 hour’s worth of shopping left at the check-out. I park, run in, and if one of the three employees blessed with common sense are working the registers, I shop…If not, I go to Food Lion. I’m not going to rock the tiny boat there by introducing Target coupons, not worth it. This method of cashier profiling’s working for now…
Thank you for trying to get answers regarding this issue. I am seeing widespread confusion regarding Walmart’s coupon policy (or lack of) on many coupon blogs and websites.
That means they will take the Walgreens Coupon in there weekly ad that has a specific price for an item.
In the Milwaukee area where I live, grocery stores such as Pick nSave, Piggly Wiggly, and even Walgreens have coupons in their ads that are for s specific amount, and have a bar code. For example, a box of Rice Krispies for $1.98. I think this is what they mean. This is what I am guessing they are referring to.
DOES THIS MEAN THEY {WALMART} WILL TAKE OUR ” RR” COUPONS? I HAVE A $9.00 RR COUPON FROM WALGREENS IT’S A MANFACTURER COUPON OFF YOUR NEXT IN STORE PURCHASE OVER THE VALUE OF COUPON IT SAYS REDEEEMABLE AT WALGREENS AND SAYS THANK YOU FROM OSCILLOCOCCINUM. DOES THIS MEAN I CAN USE THIS $9.00 COUPON FOR ANY ITEM I PURCHASE AT WALMART?
That is what I am still working on finding out… wouldn’t that be GREAT?!
YES AND LET US KNOW OR EMAIL ME AT swanee1lv@yahoo.com, thanks keep up the great work.
Ahh I finally get it, using a different store that is. You keep stating Target which was throwing me off ,so after deciphering the Walmart’s e-mail’s to you, Walgreens came to mind. In their ad they have usually have “coupons” for products with the price on it (Ex. $0.99 for a 2pk Sharpie). Once I thought of Walgreens in-ad coupons, instead of coupons with other stores logo on it, I FINALLY GET IT… LOL
So I just called Corporate Walmart. I asked about the Catalina’s that have other store logos on them. The woman I talked to was Daphne. She put me on hold, and then told me that Walmart will take a manufacture coupon with another store logo on it. Therefore, all Walmarts SHOULD be taking our catalinas coupons.
I complained about my local store, and she said she is sending this to her high ups. I think if enough people do this, there will be a change at all the stores.
I made a trip to walmart today with manufacture coupons, target coupons, and publix coupon. They at first told me they didnt take them at all and then when I said I had asked them a few days before if they were actively taking competitors Q’s; they replied yes. She then told me if they rang up they would otherwise they do not. Will I dont know of anyone competitor coupon that will automatically ring up. Publix always keys them in. I was very disappointed. So I took them to Publix and used the ones I could there.
What is sad about that email between you and Ravi, is that it looks exactly like the email I received from Ravi myself. Even the examples are the same. 🙂
I have not tried it here in Vegas but it is on my weekend list of things to do. I never even thought about the Catalinas. Good thinking!
Exactly. They are sending out form responses. Thats why i am getting them on the phone. The problem then is that they dont coupon themselves so they have no idea what you are talking about. I am still waiting for a phone call back about questions they were finding answers for and also an email….
I was told at my Walmart Warren,PA that they do not take any coupon that has another store’s logo on it, manufacturer or not. Many internet coupons do because they might say “Available @ ______” . This was after I had to bring the ad match policy in to prove to them they are supposed to be ad matching stores with a “preferred customer” cards. After taking my copy of the policy to several levels of personel the CSR took it to the manager (who by the way never came out of his office to speak to me) came back out to me and said, “Oh yeah we do ad match those stores…NOW” I asked what do I do when I go to check out and the cashier doesn’t have a clue because they just made that decision her response was “I don’t know. Have them call for a CSR I guess.” —-????
I think I get this policy so I will explain my understanding so you can tell me if I am correct or not.
In my Safeway flyer today there are several coupons that give a retail price for the item. Example Red Baron single serve pizza $1.99 with card and coupon limit 3, $2.99 club price without coupon. This would be useable at Walmart. If there’s were $3.99 they would take this coupon and match the price. They would also price match to the $2.99 price for any additional pizza if you had the flyer to show the retail price with no limit. However if the coupon said $1.00 off Red Baron single serve pizza they would not accept it unless it had a final retail price listed. Basically they will match any advertised price, you are not able to use a competitors dollars off coupons to get a product at Walmart for less than you could buy it elsewhere. Hope this helps.