Major Store Coupon Policies in and Around Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

With recent buzz, outrage, talk, gossip–whatever you want to call it–about the BIG change in Price Chopper’s Store Coupon policy to no longer double $1.00 coupons, but only do so for coupons with face values of $.99 or less, there’s a lot of curiosity about other store policies in and around the NEK.  Here’s the quick scoop on the coupon policies of major grocery/personal goods retailers in and around the NEK:

Price Chopper. Oh, boy… do we ever know this one, right?  If you don’t, read this and share it.  As of July 10th, will no longer double coupons of $1.00.  Only will double $.99 or less.  Allows stacking of in-store coupons and manufacturers’ coupons.  Oh, Price Chopper, are you sure you want to do this in Vermont’s NEK.  Until now, you have been the go-to destination for families needing to save money with coupons.  By doubling coupons up to $1.00, you offered a major competitive advantage over other stores, and this was key to offset your generally higher prices.

Your old policy helped Vermonter’s make ends meet–sure, ensuring Vermonters meet ends isn’t your responsibility, but under the old policy it seemed like your company “got it”–that is, the “Chopped Prices,” keep money in the pocket and in the local community thing.  Your old policy helped keep money in Vermont’s poor Northeast Kingdom.  Now (or as of July 10th), PC coupon shoppers are likely to spend their money in the neighboring state of N.H. at Super Walmart in Woodsville, NH or at Walmart or Shaw’s in Littleton.

PC Corporate, please gather ’round that conference table and think this over again fast!!!  The NEK isn’t New York.  Do you know what the per capita wage is in this rural part of Vermont?  How does $16, 807 sound (thanks Wikipedia)?  See how that extra penny can really make a difference in Vermonter’s lives?  Mr. Golub want to arrange a visit or conference call and listen to real NEK Moms and Dads, and hear how this new policy impacts their lives and shopping preferences?

Whites Market:  (Lyndonville, St. Johnsbury) Find White’s Policy here. In short (see policy for full details):

• Whites Market Doubles all coupons under a dollar, coupons for a dollar or more will be redeemed at face value only.
• Doubling coupons are limited to two of the same item.
• The Double amount can not exceed the retail value of the coupon item.
• Coupons cannot exceed one half of the total purchases.
• Whites does not accept Internet Coupons.

 

Dollar General (Lyndonville, Various Locations ).  Click here for Dollar General’s Coupon policy.  In short (see policy for full details), Dollar General accepts:

• Manufacturers’ Coupons and Dollar General Coupons.  See policy for full details.
• Notes:  Does not accept coupons from other retailers.  Does not issue “Cash Back” if coupon is greater than purchase price.

 

Hannafords: (Bradford, Morrisville).

• Doesn’t double coupons.

 

Grand Union:  (Hardwick). Contact store for policy.

• Doubles Coupons up to $1.00

 

Kinney Drugs: (Various locations). Coupon Policy here.  In short (see policy for full details), Kinney Drugs accepts:

• Manufacturers’ Coupons
• Internet Coupons
• Competitor Coupons/Catalinas
• Notes:  Only allows one coupon per item.  Doesn’t double or triple coupons

 

Rite Aid: (Various locations). Coupon Policy here (updated May 2011).  In short (see policy for full details), Rite Aid accepts:

• Manufacturer Coupons.  The UPC on these coupons begins with a “5.”
• Rite Aid Manufacturer Coupons.  These coupons are labeled “manufacturer coupon” and have a UPC that begins with “49.”
• Rite Aid Valuable Coupons.  Coupons are labeled “Valuable Coupon” and have a UPC that begins with “48.”
• Internet/Print at Home coupons.  Rite Aid will accept internet / print at home coupons up to the equivalent value of $5.00 off.
• A Rite Aid coupon (with the Rite Aid logo) is NOT considered an internet coupon (even if printed off the internet) and is therefore not subject to the $5.00 maximum.
• +UP Reward Coupons. Printed on receipt
• Buy One, Get One Free.  Rite Aid accepts Buy One, Get One Free coupons, however only one coupon can be used for each pair of items purchased. Buy One Get One Free coupons cannot be used in conjunction with a Buy One Get One Free promotion.
• Total Purchase Coupons.

 

Shaw’s: (Derby). Contact the store for policy.

• Double $.99 and under.  $1.00 coupon = just a $1.00

 

Walmart (Littleton, Various Locations):   See Walmart’s Coupon policy here. In short (see policy for full details), Walmart:

• Accepts Internet Coupons – See Walmart’s Policy for full details
• Accepts Manufacturers’ coupons – See Walmart’s Policy for full details
• Accepts Competitors’ coupons – See Walmart’s Policy for full details
• Accepts Soft drink container caps.  See Policy for full details.
• Accepts Checkout coupons (“Catalinas”).  See policy for full details Walmart only allows one coupon per item.  It does not limit the number of coupons per transaction.
• Notes of interest from Walmart policy:  “If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.”