[mum2abby]

So I recently joined and started trying to save money...we've got a few stores around here HT Farm Fresh and Food Lion (oh and the Commissary Walmart and Target Bloom and Bottom Dollar - ok so more then a few). When I called around it seemed like HT would be the most bang for the buck...so I went Monday and felt like I did really well.

Today I went back - not feeling so confident.

I bought the BOGO Purina Dog Chow (20 pounds) - I had 2 coupons 2.00 off (ok fine)
Then I had a coupon for buy one 8 pound bag or larger purina dog chow get purina one dog treat free (manufacturer coupon on back of a publix flier I got last week when on vacation) I tried to use 2 because I was getting 2 bags of dog food...the lady said I couldn't.
Then I failed with the Mueller's Whole Grain/Wheat pasta...got 1 for 1.00 and used 1 55 cent coupon but it didn't double- why?
Then I tried to get the Snapple Tea (printed off the coupon) they were 1.50 at my store...(thought they were supposed to be 1.00) coupon was 55 cents - it didn't double (?)
I got the 2/1.00 candy bar the lady only put in a value of 50 cent on my free coupon when retail was 95 cent each...(ok..I can understand but the lady was a real PITA).

Anyways...I spent 57 and saved 51...lots of BOGO's but I feel like I should have saved more...and NONE of my coupons doubled although they did on Monday.

Am I doing something wrong?? I think I'm gonna check the other HT out Thursday and see if that one is better because I feel really discouraged...help!

[princesspsu57]

Did the cashier remember to scan your VIC card? That's the only reason I can think of that your coupons didn't double and why you didn't get the sale price on the Snapple.

Another good thing about HT is that you can look up prices on their website...it's called Express Lane. It's really for ordering your groceries and picking them up later, but we all use to double-check prices.

[ArtGal]

Actually, that's about average for me for regular weekly shopping at HT. Their sale prices are incredible, but when you have to pick up things that aren't on sale, the prices are higher than other stores (in my area, at least) and it messes up your bottom line.

I would think that the cashier remembered to scan your VIC card - otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten sales prices on anything and your total would have been much higher. Did the Snapple and Mueller coupons say DND? I know some people on here have problems with cashiers carefully checking coupons and making sure DND coupons don't double - even if the register automatically doubles them. (I haven't had that problem at my store, but I've heard people on here talking about anal cashiers). If that isn't the case, you should check your receipts carefully in the future before leaving the store to make sure coupons double.

On the dog food, let me get this straight. You had 2 coupons for a free bag of treats if you bought a bag of food, correct? Since you were buying 2 bags of food, you tried to use both coupons. That makes sense, and I don't know anything in HT's coupon policy that would prohibit that (though I'm also new at this, so maybe a veteran can set me straight!) I would have gone to CS about that one.

For the candy bar, let me get this one straight, too. You had a BOGO coupon for a candy bar, which were on sale 2 for $1. Rather than deducting the whole retail value of a candy bar for your BOGO coupon, the cashier deducted the sale price? As far as I know, she is right on that one. Because you used your BOGO coupon during a sale, you are buying one at the sale price and the sale price was deducted for your free item. Again, maybe a veteran can set me straight, but I think she's right.

I'm sorry you don't feel like you did very well this trip, but it sounds like you did pretty well to me. I guess it depends on what you bought, but I rarely go into a store and come out having spent a few dollars. A lot of people on here post amazing shopping trips - but you have to keep in mind that they make multiple trips in a week, generally with a specific mission and strategy for their shopping trip. If you're doing your regular grocery shopping (I'm assuming that you generally need to buy a few things that aren't on sale and things you don't have coupons for), saving nearly 50% is amazing. Hang in there - it sounds like you're doing a great job so far! You might want to avoid that particular cashier in the future if you don't think she's coupon-friendly. A lot of people have good luck with younger cashiers, particularly young men. Good luck!

[ArtGal]

Oh, one more thing! You mentioned that the price at your store on something was different from the sale price you saw here. I run into that ALL THE TIME. Prices vary at different stores, so it's a good idea to check the price on the Express Lane for the store nearest you. (Though sometimes the price at the Express Lane nearest my store is different from the price at my store, too - and they're only a mile or two apart! Grrr!) Until you get an idea about whether prices at your store are average, low or high, it might be a good idea to keep a list with you when you go shopping. That way, you can compare the price on the shelf to the price listed here and decide whether you still want to do the deal.

Sale prices seem to be fairly standard, but I've found that regular prices can vary A LOT from store to store (this can mess you up particularly during triples or super doubles). I never trust that the price listed here for a non-sale item will be the same at my store (which tends to be more expensive, as I live in an expensive area). I've only done one triples event so far, but I quickly learned to bring a calculator with me so I can recalculate prices on the fly. The non-couponing customers must think I'm insane...

[mum2abby]

Thanks ladies.

Yeah I'm thinking I live in a more expensive area then some (Hampton Roads) although its not nearly as expensive as NoVa. The nearest express lane is across the water so I didn't think the prices would be the same.

I will definitely be avoiding that cashier in the future...and fwiw - the customer service guy was over there and the lady was giving her a hard time too. Makes me not want to hit THAT HT again...I'll be going to the other one on Thursday to see if they are better

Is HT really a good place to hit the deals or are others better? Do you guys just shop HT or are you shopping several places?

[cajun-lorelei]

Originally Posted by mum2abby

So I recently joined and started trying to save money...we've got a few stores around here HT Farm Fresh and Food Lion (oh and the Commissary Walmart and Target Bloom and Bottom Dollar - ok so more then a few). When I called around it seemed like HT would be the most bang for the buck...so I went Monday and felt like I did really well.

Today I went back - not feeling so confident.

I bought the BOGO Purina Dog Chow (20 pounds) - I had 2 coupons 2.00 off (ok fine)
Then I had a coupon for buy one 8 pound bag or larger purina dog chow get purina one dog treat free (manufacturer coupon on back of a publix flier I got last week when on vacation) I tried to use 2 because I was getting 2 bags of dog food...the lady said I couldn't.
Then I failed with the Mueller's Whole Grain/Wheat pasta...got 1 for 1.00 and used 1 55 cent coupon but it didn't double- why?
Then I tried to get the Snapple Tea (printed off the coupon) they were 1.50 at my store...(thought they were supposed to be 1.00) coupon was 55 cents - it didn't double (?)
I got the 2/1.00 candy bar the lady only put in a value of 50 cent on my free coupon when retail was 95 cent each...(ok..I can understand but the lady was a real PITA).

Anyways...I spent 57 and saved 51...lots of BOGO's but I feel like I should have saved more...and NONE of my coupons doubled although they did on Monday.

Am I doing something wrong?? I think I'm gonna check the other HT out Thursday and see if that one is better because I feel really discouraged...help!

Did you have more than 20 q's? If so, your VIC card will only allow 20 to double per day, so ALWAYS make sure to put your q's valued under $1.00 first. You can use anything over $1.00 after, so be sure the cashier doesn't get them out of order! I had this happen last week, the CS rep was ringing me up b/c I had several rainchecks. She was the witchy type & I had to insist that she should have doubled my last $0.50 q. She argued at first & just gave up b/c she knows me well enough to know I'll stand my ground...!

It really all comes down to your cashier...some read every word, while most of the young males don't don't give a darn. Sometimes you can use two coupons for BOGO items, it just depends on the cashier. I always try & at least 50% of the time, it works.

Don't give up, though. I'd definitely check out your other HT store & other cashiers at the one you tried. The deals are really too good to pass up & I rarely shop anywhere else...unless there's a deal somewhere else that I can't resist. I have a huge stockpile, so I really don't *need* anything. I just wait for the SD & triples to come around & shop only sales!. I RARELY pay full price for anything & it absolutely KILLS me to do so...!

I think you're doing great so far...keep up the good work & OH...always get rainchecks when HT is out of items in their ad!

[princesspsu57]

HT is my back-up store...I usually only go there for good sales, super doubles/triples, and some meats. I shop SuperTarget for everything else, because their everyday prices are much better than HT's.

There are 2 HT's in my town, and one is so much nicer than the other! Guess which one I shop at?

[lauralovesdeals]

Originally Posted by ArtGal

Oh, one more thing! You mentioned that the price at your store on something was different from the sale price you saw here. I run into that ALL THE TIME. Prices vary at different stores, so it's a good idea to check the price on the Express Lane for the store nearest you. (Though sometimes the price at the Express Lane nearest my store is different from the price at my store, too - and they're only a mile or two apart! Grrr!) Until you get an idea about whether prices at your store are average, low or high, it might be a good idea to keep a list with you when you go shopping. That way, you can compare the price on the shelf to the price listed here and decide whether you still want to do the deal.

Sale prices seem to be fairly standard, but I've found that regular prices can vary A LOT from store to store (this can mess you up particularly during triples or super doubles). I never trust that the price listed here for a non-sale item will be the same at my store (which tends to be more expensive, as I live in an expensive area). I've only done one triples event so far, but I quickly learned to bring a calculator with me so I can recalculate prices on the fly. The non-couponing customers must think I'm insane...

Ive actually found that to be the case too, Sometimes even on the sale items. I always check the express lane before I go so I dont get any sudden shocks.

I remember with the last triples sale eveyone was talking about 2 liter pepsi products being on sale for $1 and there was a .25 coupon out that would have made them .25 each, yet at my store the sodas were 1.50.

Oh my express lane right now for instance, the snapples are anywhere from 1 dollar (only one flavor is one dollar) to 1.55.

[lauralovesdeals]

Originally Posted by princesspsu57

HT is my back-up store...I usually only go there for good sales, super doubles/triples, and some meats. I shop SuperTarget for everything else, because their everyday prices are much better than HT's.

There are 2 HT's in my town, and one is so much nicer than the other! Guess which one I shop at?

I kind of do the same thing, I go to HT when theres a really good sale and I make sure to buy things when they are on sale and try to only buy those sale items, because there was a point that I was just buying everything I needed there in order to save a trip but I finally figured out that the non sale things really broke my budget.

[mum2abby]

I didn't have 20 coupons...but will have to remember for future to put them in order.

Our Target here isn't a super target its just one with a market which is nice but not fabulous.

I think I'll still hit up the commissary for meat and maybe even some produce stuff...but try to buy most of what I can at HT if possible.

[jamel]

I agree with the previous poster who said that the young males don't really read the coupons. I will stroll past the checkout several times until one of them is available - I feel like I'm sparing everyone the hassle.

HT has great CS - at least around here; however, I always stand by the customer service desk after I'm finished checking out to make sure that everything was done correctly (ie correct number of coupons scanned, correct prices).

I love love love HT but always shop only their sales and pay attention to sold out items to get rain checks

[Kristina Hughes]

I think it really varies by area and by stores. I only have one HT but several Food Lions and BiLos. Each store is different and each cashier is different. The longer you do this the more you will learn about each stores individual "rules". Some enforce things that others don't. Like the BOGO q's - I have one cashier that will give me both items free at a Food Lion but another won't. Everyone is right about the young male cashiers, most don't pay attention and if it scans they don't care. Only when it beeps do they even really look at them.

As far as HT goes I only shop their sales and SD or Triples. You can save alot that way but I have to make myself stick to the list and not be tempted to pick up other things. I usually get my meats at FL when they mark them down plus I have a contact in the meat dept. I also do alot of CVS deals for paper products, personal prods., (makeup, deod, hair care, meds, etc.) and some food when it is a really good deal (free).

And most importantly I read this site daily looking for deals people have already found! It will take a while to get your own schedule going and it will probably change every so often.

[Beautyandthesoldier]

I had a similar experience with the muellers pasta online coupon. The problem is with the way the coupon scanned and when I pointed out to the lady that it didnt double she just called over another person to do an over ride and double it. I was told sometimes that happens with online coupons and they have to override to double it. Next time just watch the screen as she is ringing up your stuff and if you dont see it double point it out right away and they will bring someone over to fix it. Other than that you can take your reciept to customer service and they will have to fix it and refund you the money that way. After pointing out the double mistake I was able to get ten boxes of the pasta for free as well as a bunch of steam fresh vegs for free. You just have to watch the screen as it scans and not be afraid to point out something that does not look right. Even if you are wrong its better to say something and have it explained than to say nothing and end up losing money.

[Moggy]

The express lane in my area has a lot of prices that are lower than the actual store I go to so don't count on them to be the same. For example, ir fresheners that were on sale this week were 2 dollars more than the express lane showed. HT can have a store 1 mile down the road and the prices can be different on everything.

[foodie]

I usually paper clip my coupons by "batches". For example, my BOGO(s) with coupons that I am using, Competitor Coupons together, Coupons that will Double, Super Double, or Triple--depending on the sales, Rainchecks with coupons, Face Value coupons ($1 and up and that don't have any "special coupon sales"), and other Face Value coupons that I wouldn't be using for "special sales", etc.. I also keep my 20 limit coupons separate from my Face Value coupons.

I also make out my shopping list with the amount of the coupon that would Double/Triple, etc.. That way I know what "batch" of coupons is for each "special deal". For example, all my Competitor Coupons and the amount of the Coupon and how much the value will be AFTER it is Doubled/Tripled, etc. That way I can double check my register receipt and shopping list to make sure the cashier scans each coupon transaction correctly; and I don't get "gypped" of my "deals". It make take a little longer--but I usually get what is on my list.

Hope this helps--

Foodie

[ArtGal]

Originally Posted by mum2abby

Is HT really a good place to hit the deals or are others better? Do you guys just shop HT or are you shopping several places?

My experience with HT is that their sales are better than most other stores, but their non-sale prices are higher, at least in my area (NoVa). Before I started shopping sales and couponing, I rarely shopped at HT. I found that I could buy identical shopping carts full of groceries at HT and another store and pay 30-40% more at HT. HOWEVER, if you shop strategically (e.g. shop sales and use coupons smartly, especially during triples and super doubles), the deals at HT can be amazing. Now that I'm shopping smarter, I regularly save 60% or more at HT. In comparison, I'm lucky if I save 20-30% at Giant using the same shopping strategies. So for my money, HT is great - though you have to shop strategically.

Here's what I do: I check the circulars for two stores each week, HT and Giant. (I don't have time to do more than that. Heck, half the time I only make it to one of the two, despite my best intentions!) I check the sales and stock up on sale items that are good deals. In this, I generally do better at HT. Personally, I don't stockpile (no room for it!), but I like to keep a few extra of items that we use frequently, so I'm rarely OUT of anything - I'm just snagging things at each store that are good deals. I buy most of our staple items (bread, deli stuff, fresh produce) that I don't have coupons for at Giant, unless they happen to be on sale at HT that week.

I only shop at those two stores, so I can't tell you whether there are better deals at other stores near you, but for me, HT is better. There are tons of other grocery stores near us, but I shop at HT for the good deals and Giant because it's super-close and on the way home from work.

[HBMommy]

Hmmm, that is weird. The only reason I can think of why they didn't double is because of the 20 Q limit/double per day??? Had you done any other HT shopping that day and used coupons at another store?

I watch them like a hawk to make sure my coupons always double- if they don't, or if I didn't think they did, then I will ALWAYS make them stop for a second to double-check. I know it sounds petty, but every penny counts.

Sorry that happened to you... the only reason I can think of is because you went over your 20 Q limit... OR if the coupons started with a "9" then those don't double...