With an increase in coupon usage, many companies are making changes to their coupon policies to deal with issues that are arising. The most recent to make some pretty big changes to their written policy is AAFES. I have to say I LOVE the new policy because it is very specific and does not have all of the gray areas that we saw in the old policy so head over HERE and print out a new copy for your binder. Some of the biggest changes have to do with clear guidelines for stacking manufacturer coupon with AAFES store coupons and using coupons in conjunction with the "We Match Price" Policy. Here are the highlights:
1. They have gone into great detail about what they can and cannot accept as far as manufacturer coupons. A lot of it is pretty standard (needs a remit address, expiration, bar code, etc,), but there are some things of note:
- Manufacturer coupons CAN be combined with the Exchange "We Price Match" policy and one Exchange store coupon (Facebook, Sales Tabloid or Coupon Book) for the same item unless prohibited by either item.
(I am SO glad to see this in writing!) - One Exchange Store coupon may be applied to a manufacturer's BOGO coupon unless either coupon prohibits. (There is a whole section on BOGO coupons later!)
- Coupons cannot exceed the value of an item. The Exchange will not provide cash back nor apply the remaining balance to other items in the purchase. (This wording is curious...It sounds like they may just flat out refuse a coupon that is for more than the cost of an item. The old wording was basically that the coupon or item would be adjusted to match.)
- Any of you who are overseas or heading that way you'll be glad to know that they have added in to their policy that they currently accept manufacturer coupons up to 6 months past their expiration date. (Some where having issues with the stores not accepting expired coupons so this will help to have a written, uniform company policy!)
2. The blurb on internet coupons is pretty standard. It does state that the barcode must be scannable which could mean that if yours is not scanning they will refuse it. Basically what it says it that they can be in black or white, have to be used on the items described, can not be for free items requiring no purchase and must have a clear description, remit address, expiration date and scannable bar code.
3. If you have been having issues stacking the Facebook coupons (which is ridiculous since they have always said they could be used in conjunction with a) you'll be happy to know the policy now specifically says you CAN combine them with a manufacturer coupon!
4. Buy one Get One Coupons must have been a real trouble area for them because, like Target, they have dedicated and entire section of the policy to it. Here are the things you need to know:
view my disclosure policy4. Buy one Get One Coupons must have been a real trouble area for them because, like Target, they have dedicated and entire section of the policy to it. Here are the things you need to know:
- BOGO coupons can not be stacked with additional BOGO coupons OR other cents off coupons on the same items. You can use mulitple BOGO items if you are purchasing additional qualifying merchandise unless prohibited by coupon. Basically what this means is if you want to use two BOGO coupons you have to buy 4 items as each BOGO coupon requires the purchase of 2 items.
- Competitor's BOGO coupons must have a specific price to determine the value of each item and will be calculated as a Price Match and can not be used in addition to the We Price Match adjustment. Basically what this means is that if you have a competitor's BOGO coupon the PX is going to treat that as a Price Match (like Walmart does) so you can't have them match the BOGO price and them apply the BOGO coupon.
Example: If Walgreens has a coupon for Buy one Arm and Hammer Detergent, get one free and they are indicated as $7 each before the discount then the PX will "accept" the coupon by matching the price of $3.50 each. (You will still be able to apply a manufacturer and exchange coupon if applicable) - If an Exchange BOGO coupon is utilized, one additional cents off manufacturer coupon may be applied to the first item unless prohibited by either coupon.
- If a Manufacturer's BOGO coupon is utilized, one additional cents off Exchange coupon may be applied to the first item unless prohibited by either coupon.
These next two additions are both new and very exciting!
5. Local competitor's coupons (including BOGO) will be used as part of the Exchange We Price Match policy. These coupons need to be from a LOCAL competitor and have a date to show it is current. And my favorite part to see in writing...One manufacturer and one exchange coupon may be applied after the final sales price is determined (unless prohibited by either coupon). This means you can price match all of the Instant Value coupons in the Walgreens ads as well as HEB advertised deals that indicate the price is after in-store coupon!
6. The last part of the new policy outlines the guidelines for using coupons when taking advantage of the "We Price Match" policy. The price match will be the first deduction taken and then one manufacturer coupon and one Exchange coupon may be applied to the item (unless prohibited by either coupon). It also specifically says that you CAN apply a manufacturer coupon that states" cannot be combined with any other offer to a price match," but it cannot be combined with an Exchange store coupon.
I don't know about you all, but I am stoked to see all of these situations being specifically addressed in detail! I do wish they would allow overage, but you can't have everything! How do you guys feel about these "changes"?
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