Coupon Woes @ Publix

At my 5th visit to Publix yesterday (hey, I had to use the $5/35 as many times as I could!) I was going to purchase some Huggies Pull-Ups and Kashi Vive cereal among some other things and use my $2 off Pull-Ups and $2 off Kashi coupons.

Much to my surprise and dismay, when I got to the register, the clerk had to ask the manager if he could accept my $2 coupons! According to the manager on duty, they had received an e-mail from corporate stating that due to recent fraudulant internet coupons, they were no longer accepting internet coupons over $1. I expressed my displeasure and asked if there was a way I could contact the corporate office. The clerk removed the two items from my order and then handed me the phone number for the Publix corporate office which he received from the manager.

Since it was evening, the office was closed. So, I called first thing this morning. The man I spoke with was so kind and apologetic. I explained that the coupons I was using were indeed legitimate and I felt that the "new" policy was not fair. I also offered a suggestion regarding the rash of fraudulant coupons. (They could request that customers bring in the whole sheet of paper instead of clipping the coupons they print from their computers.) The kind man heard me out, said he'd update the store regarding the official Publix coupon policy, took my contact information and informed me that I should receive a call from the store's senior manager.

When I spoke with the manager at the store, he also extended an apology and assured me that the store policy does allow the use of my $2 coupons. In fact, they had an employee meeting to re-educate the staff regarding the coupon policy.

I feel that the entire situation was handled very professionally and Publix gets a thumbs up from me for their continued outstanding customer service!

Publix Rocks!