This is a great page to print and carry along to the commissary with you.



Commissaries.com - Coupon Use

I just went to the commissary at Camp Lejeune and they would not accept SmartSource coupons because they did not have the bar code AND the dot bar code. Despite the fact that it says on the commissaries.com website that you must have the bar code OR the dot bar code. Even when I showed the manager the print out he said the website was wrong. What can you do then?

Welcome to my world. I have written to Deca more times than I can count, with nary an answer yet. I know Floridasandman has had some luck in this dept., maybe he can chime in?? The funny thing is that Deca has signs up everywhere (not to mention half the actual q's they give out) talking about saving more with Smartsource q's. So frustrating, I know. If you have self check outs, I would suggest trying those (just break down your orders over a day or two or run to your car and come back,) because the smartsource go through there just fine! I know it's a pain. Sorry I have no real answer for you, they just don't want to give me one!

Thanks for the link, I will have to read up on it. I just went today and they didnt let me use a $1 manuf. coupon, it wasnt even an IP. A lady came over and and "explained" why they couldnt take it but I didnt understand it. My DD was throwing a fit so I didnt really have the energy to ask more questions. Its just disappointing when you have a legit coupon and they refuse to take it.

I know the feeling, I try not to shop with the little one, but that's not always possible. I cannot imagine how they could refuse a manu Q unless it was expired, I would bring it back if you get a chance and ask for the mgr to explain why.

thank you for that link!! I'm going to print it out and put it in my coupon folder!

My commissary will no long accept coupons for free items. I tried to use a b1/g1 & they wouldn't take it.

Did your Cashier tell you that? I just got overage and free and bogo on Saturday. Not sure what Commissary you go to but that doesn't seem correct.

Did you ask for a manager? Th only "frees" they don't take are IP's and BOGO"s don't count as free's because you are actually paying for them. Don't be afraid to call a cashier on something when you know you are right. A lot of cashiers are just under-trained or uninformed!

Camp LeJeune wouldnt take my Uncle Bens BOGO coupon either.

Was it just the Cashier saying no or a Manager too? I used a BOGO on Febreze fabric freshner spray 2 shopping trips ago and had no problem.

The manager said no also. I used a BOGO last trip (About two weeks ago) without a problem, but they woudlnt take it this time. She said no Free IP's.

UGH! I'm sorry for you! Mine doesn't have a problem with bogo's only completely free IP's! Which is what their policy states! GRR!

DeCA commissaries will accept B1G1F coupons. I posed a question to DeCA in September about this, and using a 'cents-off' coupon on the 'paid' item (I won't go into that part of it). Bottom line is - they will accept B1G1F coupons. You said Camp Lejeune - are they DeCA? My son was at 29 Palms 9 yrs. ago and, every time I visited, I had to fight with the commissary about coupons, so, I know what you mean.

If Marine bases are part of DeCA, I offer an exert of an email I sent to DeCA in September about B1G1F coupons that clearly states they will and do accept B1G1F coupons . . . .

My initial email question to DeCA . . . "Can I use a 'cents-off' coupon on a paid item when I use a 'B1G1 Free' coupon for a second item?"

DeCA email response was . . . "Customers may use only one coupon per purchase in DeCA commissaries.
The "buy one get one free" coupon means the customer must pay the full
"shelf" price of the item in order to receive the second item free." (This - IMHO - clearly states they accept B1G1F coupons.)

As bellasmama suggested - print out the DeCA coupons policy and take it with you. Don't be intimidated by what they say. Stand up for what is right - and what you are entitled to. It ain't easy, but, you can do it.

(My entire, long, email is available to post if you want it.) As always - Offered IMHO.

Thanks Floridasandman, marine bases are DeCa. Funny though, I have more trouble at the WR comm than I ever did in 29 Palms. But I for one would LOVE it if you would post the email, scannig it would be too awesome! Thank you for all of your wonderful, helpful, and insightful posts!

That is so frustrating! Sorry they did that to you. That angers me! Like they are seriously hurting by it or something? The lady behind you with 3 carts worth of stuff she is paying FULLY out of pocket will make up for your BOGO coupon. grrr

bellasmama . . glad to post it. I have edited it to remove personally identifiable information - with a blue 'XXXXX'. Other than that, the email is verbatim. The question I asked had been discussed here, before. Just thought I'd try and apply my logic - didn't work.

This was the 2nd email I sent DeCA. Both were responded to within 24 hours. Great response time and direct answers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear XXXX:

Thank you for visiting the DeCA website to address your question.

Customers may use only one coupon per purchase in DeCA commissaries.
The "buy one get one free" coupon means the customer must pay the full
"shelf" price of the item in order to receive the second item free. In
this case, the purchase requires two items, with the selling price of
one of them being deducted from your order as the value of the coupon.
This policy is in line with the policies of other DoD resale activities
and our commercial counterparts.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify this issue. I
encourage you to continue taking advantage of your commissary benefit
and the 30 percent plus overall savings. If you need assistance in the
future at the Eglin commissary, please do not hesitate to contact Ms.
XXXXX XXXXXX, store director, or any member of her management staff, at (850) XXX-XXXX.

XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
HQ DeCA/DOB
Office Phone: 804-XXX-XXXX, DSN XXX
Fax: 804-XXX-XXXX

The Commissary - It's Worth the Trip!

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXXXXX.XXXXXX@deca.mil [mailto:XXXXXXXX.XXXXXX@deca.mil]
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 11:04 AM
To: XXXXXX, XXXXXXXX X.
Cc: XXXXXXXX, XXXXX X.
Subject: Your Action Line 08EXXXXX - Suspense 2008-09-29 00:00:00.0

Please respond directly to the individual and forward a copy of your
response, with the YAL number above on it, to me to close the suspense.
YAL information follows. Please note: If a field is blank, that data was
not provided. Thanks!

XXXXXXXX XXXXXX

Date YAL Received: 2008-09-14 00:00:00.0

Patron Name: XXXXXX, X
Patron email: XXXXXXX@hotmail.com
Patron address:
Patron phone:
Patron Comments: Can I use a 'cents-off' coupon on a paid item when I
use a 'B1G1 Free' coupon for a second item? I bought 2 bags of DOVE
Chocolates. I had a '$0.50' Mfg. coupon on one bag. I also had a Mfg.
coupon for 'B1G1 Free'. Question . . . Can I use the '$0.50' on the bag
of DOVE chocolates that I am paying full price for - and - use the Mfg.
'B1G1 Free' coupon on the second bag? I was told no, I could not. Why
not? I do not consider this 'stacking' coupons. In my opinion . . .
Since I am paying full price for the first item the 'cents-off' coupon
should apply to that item, since it does not meet or exceed the purchase
price of that item. The second 'B1G1 Free' coupon should apply to the
second item, since I have paid for the first item (regardless of price
paid), and, the second item price should be entered on the coupon. There
is no loss to DeCA or my Commissary because both coupons are refunded at
value + handling. All aspects and offerings of both coupons have been
met. I ask DeCA for a clarification on this. I deeply respect and trust
the cashiers at my Commissary at Eglin AFB. I know most of them and they
know me, and I think they are fantastic. I am a true couponer, retired
USAF, and on fixed income. Since I have now encountered this issue I
would like to know - What can I do? Thank you.

Commissary Visited: Eglin AFB
Visit Date and Time: 2008-08-29 00:00:00.0 5 PM
Employee Contacted: Cashier
Employee Complimented: All Cashiers