I have tried many things to help make ends meet at the grocery store. For a long time, I was knee deep in coupons. I clipped, printed, organized, and went to 3 or 4 stores each week. It was time consuming, but I happily acquired a stockpile of many things. As time passed, and the popularity of coupons increased, it seemed to me that the food deals were getting fewer and further between, and there were almost never good deals on the staples--milk, eggs, and especially fresh produce.
We tried a produce co-op for a while. It was a fantastic deal! The problem was that we had to drive about an hour round trip to pick up our order. We also had to remember to order 5-6 days in advance, and in the hubbub of normal life, I often forgot. It was a good start, but not the perfect solution.
Then a dear friend showed me the finer points of price matching. She introduced me to the other ads I ought to be using--the farmer's markets, the discount grocery stores, the Mexican marts. I didn't receive their circulars, but not to worry! Walmart had just officially changed their policy to no longer require you to have the actual ad in hand.
I spent a couple of hours searching the ads, making my list, checking it twice...then, I held my breath and plunged in! My first trip to Walmart with my new set of ads yielded exciting results! I purchased $139 worth of groceries, and after price matching, the total was down to $71. That's 49% savings just on price matching! I was also using some coupons and got that total down to $43 and some change. I felt very successful and was ready to do it again.
I was so excited that I called two of my sisters-in-law and told them about it. During the next week, they would sometimes ask what the best price for avocados was, or which ad had the best prices for oranges. I volunteered to email them my list, because I thought, "If I've already done the work, why should they have to?" So, here is my price matching list, for anyone in the Dallas area to use. I hope this saves you time and money as you continue to shop for your family. Walmart might discontinue this one day, but until they do, I'm going to ride this train as far as it will go! All aboard!
I love you! :)
ReplyDeleteCarma, Now the University location does not do coupons plus price matching. Is that everywhere or just that location?
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's not anywhere in their corporate policy, but you are the second person I have heard tell me about that issue.
DeleteIt doesn't make sense, really, because the savings from the coupon are reimbursed by the manufacturer of the product (i.e. Kellogg's or Pillsbury, etc.) while the price matching savings come from Walmart. It's not like Walmart is having to foot the bill for both.
(10 minutes pass...)
I just got off the phone with Walmart's Corporate Customer Service and they said that they would follow up with the store and then call me back within 3-5 days to tell me what they had worked out. She told me that that shouldn't be happening, that it was very good feedback, and that they [corporate Walmart] wanted to help take control of the situation.
So, /crossing fingers/ we'll see what happens! When I hear back from them, I'll let you know what they say!
Carma! Your the best! Please tell me the update on this.
ReplyDeleteI just heard back from Cindy at the Walmart on Loop 288. (I know you're experience was at Razor Ranch--more on that at the bottom.) She stated that you *are* allowed to price match to a competitor's ad and then use a manufacturer's coupon as well on the same item (though there are a few types of coupons that Walmart does not accept, and you can see their coupon policy for details on that).
DeleteShe also said that she would do a retraining with the employees there just to clarify with them, and that if it ever happens again to ask for a member of management.
Before ending the call, I told her that I was surprised to be getting a call from the Loop 288 location, because the location I had actually called about was on West University. Cindy responded that she would give that store a call too and talk to them about it. I don't know if I'll hear back directly from Razor Ranch or not.
She was kind and professional, and my conversation with her was very pleasant. Overall, I was impressed with promptness of the call, and the personal nature of the follow up. I won't hesitate to call Corporate Customer Service should another question arise.
I hope that takes care of it! Time will tell! If I do hear back from West University, I'll leave another comment here.
Just wanted to take a moment and tell you how much I appreciate your hard work.
ReplyDeletePrice Matching has cut our grocery bill in half and most of the cashiers at the Wal-Mart we go to are used to price matching. In fact in one shopping trip the cashier told me of a price match lower than the one I had and saved me another .30 cents a pound on Chicken Breasts!
This has been a real blessing for our family of 5 and has helped us get through these tough economic times. In fact, with our savings, we have been able to feed a neighbor who has very little money and he is very grateful as well.
God Bless You and Thanks so much for your effort.
Trey,
DeleteThank you! I'm so glad that this has been useful for you. I hope that the tough economy loosens up soon--for all of us.
Thank you, for taking the time to tell me about your family, and thank you for paying it forward.