New Coupon Policy FAQ
We know that one of the things you love about The Fresh Grocer is the great value and variety we offer in our stores. Bringing you savings on the items you need is an important part of who we are and what we stand for.
To be sure we can help you save money every day, we regularly review the promotions, policies and services we offer. We’re announcing some changes to our Coupon Policy and we wanted to make sure you had the details.
Beginning May 5th, The Fresh Grocer, like other grocery stores in our area, will no longer allow “coupon stacking”—the practice of combining both a digital and paper manufacturer’s coupon for the purchase of any one offer. This change is consistent with manufacturer coupon terms and conditions and will allow us to bring you new promotions and valuable offers for the products and brands you enjoy. Our recent introduction of LIMIT FOUR redemptions on selected digital coupons is one of the ways we’re working to bring you more great values every time you shop.
Look for our new coupon policy in stores and on our website soon. Here are some answers to questions you may have about this policy change. If you need more information, please visit the customer service team in your store, or call us at 1-800-746-7748.
We look forward to seeing you in the aisles!
Why is The Fresh Grocer eliminating coupon stacking?
We review our policies and promotions from time to time to ensure they are consistent with industry and market practices. Currently, no other supermarket retailers allow customers to stack a paper manufacturer coupon and a digital coupon together on the same offer/purchase. This change will let us work with manufacturers to bring you exciting new promotions and more valuable coupon offers on the products and brands you enjoy.
What will happen at the checkout if I have a digital coupon and a paper coupon for the same item? Can I choose which one I want to use?
If you present a paper manufacturer coupon and you have a digital coupon loaded on your Price Plus club card, our front-end system will apply the coupon which offers you the best savings.
- If a digital coupon is a better value than a paper coupon, the cashier will return the paper coupon to you.
- If the paper coupon is the better value, the digital coupon will be automatically placed back on your Price Plus club card.
- When the value of the paper manufacturer coupon and the digital coupon is the same, the system will apply the digital coupon and the paper will be returned to you.
How will I know which coupon was deducted?
It’s important that you always present your Price Plus club card/key tag to your cashier at the start of the transaction. Digital coupons deduct after the TOTAL key has been pressed and are noted on your receipt with a “DM” or “DS” code, while paper coupons are noted with the letters “MC.”
How can I be sure that a digital coupon was put back on my Price Plus club card?
You can check the mobile app or view your account on the website to see that coupons were returned.
What will happen if I try to use a paper manufacturer coupon along with a digital coupon?
If the paper coupon is a lesser value than the digital, the cashier will see an error message on the terminal. Once they review your order to confirm that the digital coupon deducted, the paper coupon will be returned to you.
If I have a paper manufacturer and a digital coupon for the same item, can I choose which coupon to use (based on the expiration date, rather than value)?
Our systems are programmed to find the coupon that offers the best value. If you would like to redeem both coupons in the same order, the purchase terms for each coupon must be met in order for both coupons to deduct.
What will happen if I have a limit 4 digital and a paper coupon for the same offer? For example, if I have a limit 4 digital loaded for $.50 off each and I also present one paper coupon for $.50 that doubles to $1.00, how will the coupons be applied?
Limit 4 digital coupons must be redeemed in one transaction, so to get the full value of both offers, you would have to satisfy the terms of both the digital and the paper coupon offers. If you only purchased 4 items, the paper coupon would apply to one of the items as it is a better value. When the order is totaled, all four digital coupons will deduct; and then, when the paper coupon is scanned, it will double (depending on your store’s doubling policy); one of the digitals will be voided and the paper will come off. In this case, you would lose the value of the 4th digital coupon, since limit 4 digital coupons must be used in one transaction.
Will my coupons still be doubled?
All coupons are subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions as stated on the coupon. If the vendor allows doubling or tripling on paper coupons, they will be doubled (or tripled) at time of checkout per individual store policy. Digital coupons are not subject to doubling or tripling. If the multiplied value of a paper manufacturer coupon offers a better value than the digital coupon, the paper coupon will be applied and the digital coupon will be automatically returned to your Price Plus club card.
Will I be able to combine The Fresh Grocer paper coupons/super coupons with manufacturer’s coupons?
Yes. The Fresh Grocer Super Coupons may be used in conjunction with either the higher value paper or digital manufacturer coupon.
How will Catalina coupons be impacted by this change?
Catalina store coupons (eg: $1 off your next purchase from the cheese department, or $5 off your next shopping order) can still be combined with a digital coupon. However, Catalina manufacturer’s coupons cannot be combined with any other manufacturer coupons.
Will there be limits to how many items can be purchased with a digital coupon?
Digital coupons will be subject to all terms and conditions as stated on the coupon.
- Many digital coupons will remain limit one (1).
- Some digital coupons will be limit four (4). This means limit four (4) offers, NOT four (4) per variety/flavor. Customers can “clip” the coupon one time to their Price Plus Club card and redeem it for up to four (4) offers in a single transaction. Limit four digital coupons must be redeemed at one time and cannot be split over multiple orders or multiple days.
Are there limits to the number of coupons that can be used in one transaction?
There are no limits to the total number of coupons that can be used in one transaction, as long as the terms and conditions of each coupon are met. (Please note that some stores do have a limit to the number of coupons that they will double/triple in a transaction.)
- At busy times and at store manager’s discretion, a customer with a large number of coupons may be asked to move to a separate register to avoid causing delays at checkout for other customers.
- Per our existing coupon policy, a total of four (4) of the same paper coupon, per household, per day may be used in one transaction UNLESS PROHIBITED BY THE TERMS/CONDITIONS PRINTED ON THE COUPON.
If I have a limit 4 digital coupon and 4 paper coupons for the same offer and I purchase 8 items, will all coupons deduct?
Yes -- If your purchase meets all the terms and conditions of the paper offer and the digital offer, then all coupons would apply. If only 4 items were purchased the “no stacking” rule would apply.
If I forget my coupons at home, can I get a price adjustment at a later time?
Once clipped, digital coupons are stored on your Price Plus club card, so there is no risk of leaving them at home. Paper coupons must be presented at time of purchase in accordance with the terms and conditions noted on the coupon.
What if the value of the coupons is greater than the cost of the item? Will I get cash back?
Consistent with our coupon policy, no refunds, cash back or credit will be given if the coupon value exceeds the cost of the items being purchased.
How will this procedure be handled at the self checkout?
The same policy will be in effect at the self checkout. Be sure to scan your Price Plus club card at the start of your order. An attendant will be available to assist you with any coupon issues that may arise.
Can I still use coupons on my The Fresh Grocer from home orders?
Yes. If you are picking up your order, coupons will be applied at pickup. Coupons for delivery orders can be handed to your driver for processing, but please note that we cannot return any paper coupons that are rejected by our point of sale system.
If the product is returned, is there a way to put the digital coupon back onto the PPC¬?
Per our coupon policy, we cannot refund the value of a coupon or return the coupon if a purchased item is later returned to the store.
Who do I reach out to if I have questions?
Please visit the customer service desk in your local store or call 1-800-746-7748 Monday – Friday 8 am to 6 pm or Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.