Walmart’s New coupon policy = two thumbs up!

Lately I have been shopping more at Walmart. My Target started really being picky about coupons and price matching at Walmart is easier than price matching at Target in my opinion. When I read their new coupon policy yesterday, I was thrilled but skeptical, so I decided to put it to the test!

Here’s the “full” policy: (I highly recommend that you download one here and print it to take with you when you shop)

Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):
* Manufacturers’ coupons
* Print-at-home internet coupons
o Must be legible, have “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them, have a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and have a scannable bar code.
* Competitors’ coupons that feature a specific item for a specified price
o for example, $2.99
* Soft drink container caps
* Checkout coupons
o (also called “Catalinas”) that are printed at our competitors’ registers, have “Manufacturer Coupon” with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.

Walmart does not accept the following coupons:
* Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
* Competitors’ coupons for dollars/cents or percentage off, buy one get one free, and double- or triple-value coupons

The following are guidelines and limitations:
* Only one coupon per item is permitted.
* Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
* Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.
* Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
* Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
* We accept the following with Customer Service Supervisor/Management approval:
o 40 or more coupons
o Any coupon over $20
o $50 or more in coupons in one transaction

Here are the things that I tested out yesterday:

* Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.

I had my $3 Gain fabric softener coupons.  The 40 count boxes are $1.87.  I decided to only buy one box to “test” this out (I’ll probably regret this later because I’ll probably never find them in stock again!).  The coupon does beep and prompts the cashier to verify the coupon amount.  Mine looked at the coupon, verified the amount, and moved on.  No hassle whatsoever!  In the past, when I have used coupons that exceeded the amount of the item, when it beeped, they would check the item amount and adjust the coupon down.

* Checkout coupons (also called “Catalinas”) that are printed at our competitors’ registers, have “Manufacturer Coupon” with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.

I used one of my “OYNO” from the Randall’s deals (Safeway affiliate store).  The cashier took it and scanned it.  No beeps and no hassles!

* Competitors’ coupons that feature a specific item for a specified price

My Randalls store didn’t have all of the varieties of pasta sauce that I wanted in stock yesterday, so I decided to try to use the coupon at Walmart.  They treated it as a price match and adjusted it down and I was able to use a manufacturer’s coupon I had from a Kroger mailer on top of that without any problems!

Overall, I’m very pleased with the new coupon policy!  It’s very straightforward and it seems like the cashiers have been trained in how to implement it.  I haven’t tried getting “cash back” from overage and honestly, I don’t recommend that because I think it would be more hassle than it’s worth, but I could be totally wrong!  The only thing that’s a bummer with the new policy is that you can no longer use internet print coupons for “freebies.”  I don’t know of any stores that will take these anymore, and I do understand why (too many fake freebie coupons have been circulating).

Have you tried out the new Walmart coupon policy yet?  How did it go for you??

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Comments

  1. Kristi D says:

    Melissa,
    I am so glad you posted this! I have shopped wally world for years now via price matching and coupons, and every time they say "new coupon policy" i just want to cry. I have had times when they have given me no problems but many times they have given me quite a hastle at checkout. One cashier says one thing, one says something different, and there's no consistency. On top of that, they have never let me use any internet coupons or competitor's ads that had coupons in them, so i've missed out on lots of sale prices that way. You are so right: print the policy and bring it with you!!! I will try your suggestions. Would love to see them work for me! 🙂

    Blessings! Kristi

  2. I had the same experience with the gain dryer sheets– I had 5 so that was a very helpful overage to my total bill! I'm glad to know more about them accepting competitor's catalinas. That'll be nice!

  3. Frugal Fargo Mommy says:

    Anyone try Register Rewards? That would make me think of shopping at Walgreens again.

  4. Melissa says:

    Brittany – I read on a couple of different message boards that they are supposed to, but it's kind of been YMMV.

  5. momto2tweens says:

    Thank you for posting good information to know! Typically I don't shop at Walmart for groceries because our Fry's grocery accepts manufacturor and a lot of time competitor coupons and they will let you stack them. So when they are doing that it saves me a ton! However, it is really good to know their new policy because I might start doing more shopping there when Fry's don't have their special deals going on.

  6. Wesley and Laureen says:

    I tested this out yesterday as I well. I hadd read that hair color was marked down and I had coupons for various brands. I was going to average about $1-$3 overage for each box and I picked up 6 boxes – no problems at all. I also had a catalina from Kroger and they did give me problems with that one. The cashier gave it back to me telling me they don't other store coupons. I pulled out my coupon policy and let her know it's a cat and as of 3/2/2011, they do. She took it to the manager and I was told they will do it this time but next time they won't. I let them know it says Man. Coupon on the cat and according to coupon policy, I am meeting all requirements. So… those may draw some questions but otherwise – GOOD DEAL!! Will def be checking out Walmart again.