As many of you know, there was quite a bit of confusion surrounding the newly released Walmart coupon policy at the beginning of March. Walmart has now provided additional clarification to the policy, as well as a clear ad match policy.
Walmart will accept the following coupons:
- manufacturer’s coupons
- Internet printable coupons
- competitor’s coupons that have a specific price listed
- soft drink container caps
- Catalina coupons clearly labeled as “manufacturer’s coupon”
Walmart does not accept the following coupons:
- Internet printable coupons for a free product
- competitor’s coupons for dollars, cents or percentage off, B1G1 free, and double or triple value
- Catalina coupons for dollars, cents or percentage off entire purchase
Please see the revised Walmart coupon policy for additional clarification regarding each type of coupon, as well as overall guidelines and limitations.
Walmart has also provided clarification on the Walmart ad match policy and created a nice printable version for easy reference.
Walmart will match the following types of ads:
- buy one, get one free ads with a specified price
- ads that feature a specific item at a specific price
- preferred shopping card advertised prices for specific items
- fresh produce and meat prices
Walmart does not match the following types of ads:
- items that require a separate purchase to get the ad price
- items without a specified price to get a free product
- items that require a purchase to receive a gift card
- buy one, get one free ads without a specified price
- going out of business or closeout prices
- percentage off sales
- private label price promotions
Please see the Walmart ad match policy for additional clarification regarding each type of sale, as well as overall guidelines and limitations.
According to my sources, this information has been better communicated to the stores. That’s not to say that you won’t still encounter issues, but Walmart is committed to getting all stores on the same page. I’d still encourage you to print copies of both policies in the meantime, and please contact Walmart corporate relations by email or at 1-800-WALMART (1-800-925-6278) with any issues to get them resolved ASAP.
I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program — participation is voluntary. Walmart has provided me with compensation for the time and effort spent creating this post, but all opinions are always my own!
bri
I went to walmart w/ a bogo P&G coupon, i was told they do not tk those anymore. I see here it is regarding competitor’s bogo.Thank you.
Elisabeth
So the picture of Walmart’s policy shows what looks like a Walgreen’s register reward. Previously I have used RR’s at Walmart, but it appears now they are not acceptable. So here is my understanding of Walmart’s policy:
1. Walgreen’s Register Rewards will not be accepted at Walmart even though they say “manufacturer coupon” and they scan.
2. Walmart will not price match Rite Aid’s price shown in their ad when the price is after the “UP” coupon.
Are both of these statements correct?
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, they decided not to accept the RRs and other $ off transaction type of Catalinas because there is so much variation. Sometimes they scan and other times they don’t.
As for the Rite Aid question, I’m really not that familiar with Rite Aid because we don’t have them here — but isn’t the +Up a store rewards program? An in-ad Rite Aid coupon would be accepted (provided it meets the competitor’s coupon criteria), but not a +Up reward.
Genie
Will Walmart let customers do both(price match an item and also use a manufacturer’s coupon on that item). I called my Walmart the other day and they said I could only do one or the other, but not both :( what have others experienced?
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, you should be able to do both in this instance.
Christina Goodwin
I was there tonight and tried to do an ad match & use a coupon and one of their CSM’s stated that its in the new policy that they no longer allow this per their policy….I have read and re-read this new policy and cant see where it states this. What is the best way to handle this at the checkout?? :-)
Tara Kuczykowski
That’s disappointing, Christina. You could try asking for the store manager, but if you can’t resolve it at the checkout, I’d definitely recommend contacting corporate relations via one of the methods above.
The point of an ad match is obviously to get the same price you’d get at another store. Unless that store doesn’t accept coupons, you’re still going to get the best price at that other store after your coupon. I guess that’s the reasoning I’d try to use at the checkout stand.
Donna
I was able to do both last couple weeks with the pasta deal that Kroger had and matched with coupons (free). My response would have been I will go to Kroger (it is in the plaza just below Wal-Mart). I bought over 200 boxes of pasta, but only 20 at a time…. I was buying from Kroger and Wal-Mart so that I was not clearing shelves.
I also took other grocery ads last week and did several match ups and had coupons in hand.
meliss
krogers also changed their coupon policy regarding ecpns put on cards.
Amy
What I’m unsure about is, are they going to honor just the price for the BOGO item or the price and get one free?
Tara Kuczykowski
Amy, it just depends on how the price is written in the ad. If the ad shows a B1G1 with a regular price of $6, you’ll get each item for $3. If it shows a B1G1 which will make each item essentially $3, then you’d again pay $3 each (not $1.50 each). Does that make sense?
Wondering
Now, if we could get them to clarify why women are paid much less than men even though their company policy prohibits that.
Jennifer
They will have to in court. :) No worries…They’ll lose. :)
Information
Actually it is not a fact that women are paid less. And referring to the court thing some employees may have treated women wrong, walmart as a company has not. walmart as a company does not discriminate, some employees may have just given walmart a bad name.
Betty
Just wondering. Are Walmart associates allowed to use the ad match program
Andrea K.
I’m a little dense, could someone help me? I think my question is along the same lines as Elisabeth’s above. Will Wal Mart accept a catalinas like “Save $2 On Your Next Order”, etc.? I thought they did and used one. Of course, it scanned fine, but I had to tell the cashier and manager about the new policy change. Now I think I told them wrong. :(
Tara Kuczykowski
Originally the policy was written in a way that would include RRs and OYNO Catalina coupons — so you were correct at the time, Andrea. However, the updated policy does exclude these types of coupons.
Elizabeth
How many items will they price match? Say you buy 3 of the same items, will they give you the competitors price for all 3 of the same items for the competitor price?
Tara Kuczykowski
It doesn’t look like they’ve included a limit. I’d think as long as you’re purchasing a reasonable amount you should be fine.
alison
Elizabeth,
I believe the answer is yes, at least it is at my Walmart. I price-matched just last night, and got 4 of 1 item, and 4 of another, and all items were matched to the ad. The even price-match “per lb” prices for produce! I think that’s awesome!
Elizabeth
Thanks so much for the reply
meredith
I know we can’t use the OYNO catalinas but what about the catalinas from Target and Krogers that says $ off a certain item (i.e. $1 off one pkg of kraft cheese 10.7 oz or larger). And you can now use price match on produce even though it isn’t a specific brand listed? Thanks for any clarification!
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, you can use the $ off a specific item coupons as long as they are clearly labeled as manufacturer’s coupons. And yep, you can now price match product and meat — awesome!
Andrea
My Walmarts have always price matched produce and meat…I guess I just got lucky! I thought that was always the case everywhere.
I’m a little slow here…they will only take a competitor’s coupon for an item if it lists the price, but not if it just says $1.00 off like in Meredith’s example above?
meredith
Sorry but I have another question! does this mean that we can not use the B1G1 powerade zero coupon at walmart since it does not have a specified price? I noticed it only has a place where the cashier can write in the amount.
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, you can use a B1G1 manufacturer’s coupon. The specified price only comes into play when it’s a competitor’s coupon.
samantha
I work in customer service at walmart, and also am a devoted couponer. They sent out a email stating that all the registers must have these polices on them at all times, and the casheiers are getting trained about these subjects. So i hope it makes it easier for all the walmart couponers out there.
Mrs. Bivins
Thats great Samantha! I can not tell you how many times I’ve held up a line at Walmart because of a coupon discrepancy…u guys remember the $5 kraft shredded cheese printable coupon, that no one would take except walmart…ultimately the lady called someone over who knew, but it was unncessary time wasted for all. Im glad that Walmart is investing this training especially since couponing is the “hot the new thing to do”
Thanks again DSM for answering all of our questions!
Katherine
Does this mean that to receive the deal we can go through a normal cashier and not have to wait through customer service to check out?
Tara Kuczykowski
Yeah, you should be able to go through a regular checkout when ad matching.
linda
Well, I was so happy to have my Walmart coupon policy with me when I checked out last time. They were not going to accept my Catalina’s and I told them that it was now their policy. I pulled out my copy and they asked me “where did I get it” and then a manager had to come over and she also asked me where I got it and if she could have it. I told her no, but she could make a copy of it , so I guess training hasn’t come to my local walmart yet! Thanks for the heads up on making sure to have it with me.
Kristie
What are they talking about on the very bottom of the “Ad Match Guarantee” page when it says that they will not honor “Competitors’ private label price promotions”? I have been price matching store brand milk at Wal-Mart for years when other stores have their brand on sale. Is this talking about that?
Tara Kuczykowski
It sounds like it may be, Kristie. Milk may be one of those items that they lump in with meat and produce, so I’ll see what I can find out for you.
Kristie
Thank you, Tara! I really would like to know.
Kathy
Too much trouble couponing at Walmart! … either the managers and the cashiers are confused about the policy (no wonder … there are too many changes to it) or a glitch with the register … I had what should have been a simple transaction yesterday … 2 soft scrubs with 2 manufacturer coupons for soft scrub … couldn’t have been simpler … but the register would not accept the coupons … it beeped and printed out a small ticket that said that the item did not match the coupon … after a lengthy wait for a customer service manager and with angry customers behind me … it was overridden and manually entered by the manager. All that for $1 off the 2 items … constantly frustrated everytime I bring coupons to Walmart …
jennifer
I agree!!! Walmart is not worth the trouble. I would much rather make more than one trip to my drug stores.
Amy
What about overage? Example: Manufacturer coupon for $2 and the product only costs $1.50. The previous interpretation of the new policy said that you could actually walk out of there with $.50 cash plus the product. I didn’t see any mention of overage above. Thanks for clarifying!
Tara Kuczykowski
I didn’t reiterate it in the post, but it is still a part of the policy if you read through the guidelines and limitations.
Lisa
So is Walmart not accepting any BOGO coupons at all??
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, they will still accept manufacturer’s B1G1 coupons. It’s only the competitor’s B1G1 coupons that need to have a specific price displayed on them.
Jim
I think Walmart has the Cash Registers rigged now. Some cashiers used to have no problem with a couple expired coupons. Now they scan one, and it beeps. Comes up on their screen saying it is expired.
I don’t have this problem @ Target though, if I use one or two expired coupons. Not really a big deal but another story about the “beep”.
Tara Kuczykowski
Jim, no store should be taking expired coupons. Chances are they’re not going to get reimbursed for them.
sarah
Jim, there is a date on the coupon for a reason, it is beeping to alert the cashier of this. I dont see a problem with the registers not allowing expired coupons.
Olivia
I really got lucky tonight at WalMart. My cashier was telling me about how WalMart is really pushing the new coupon policy. My cashier told me that she has a list of competitors ads and what products they have on sale for the week. WalMart matched the sale price from these other stores. This cashier helped me save $6.00.
Steve
Sometimes the cashiers complain or don’t want to price match they call over a C.S.M and they usually say to cashier to honor the ad. Then the cashier wants the ad for herself when she sees how much can be saved.
caroline
Thanks so much for making us aware of Walmart’s new coupon policy. I just got back from a shopping trip where I bought 2 small cans of Similac for $4.17 each. I used one $5 and one $3 off any Similac and was told that I couldn’t use the $5 coupon because it was more than the price of the item. (She wasn’t even going to adjust it down, just said I couldn’t use it). I told her that the policy said that the overage would be applied to the rest of my purchase so she went to ask the manager. She came back and said that the manager said she’d take responsibility and it was ok. It still kinda bothered me that neither of them still believed that I should be allowed to do it since they talked about who would get in trouble instead of using it as a teaching moment. As they were talking, I was looking for the coupon policy printouts at the registers (I thought I had read somewhere that they would be) but I couldn’t see one and i’m guessing the cashier hadn’t either). As soon as I got home, I printed it out so there’s no question in the future.
Cheryl
I wish I’d visited your site before my trip to Wal-Mart today (in N TX). The policy I carry was printed in early March 2011, which just goes to show you that you need to check store policies OFTEN. They wouldn’t price match items from a Tom Thumb ad that were printed with dotted lines like a “coupon”, because it said “$1.99 with coupon” (not even listing an original price). If it had said “price with card” it would have been okay. The manager was very nice and explained the changes (which I have since printed out). So if beware of some of the small print on competitor ads. She also volunteered the info on meat and produce price matching which I had not yet tried.
meredith
I am glad I printed out the coupon policy when I went to walmart today. The cashier almost did not take my kroger coupon until I showed her the policy. She borrowed it to show the manager so that she would not get written up for accepting the coupons. She was excited about being able to use other store coupons also! I just do not understand how come corporate does not send a mass email telling stores about coupon policy changes.
Tara
I move that Walmart hire at least one CSR per shift, per Walmart (so around 4 per store) who’s job is to be educated on all current coupon & price-matching policies & who can inform the other CSR’s of said policies when a problem arises. There should be one in every store, one on every shift, at all times.
This sounds like a great job for these so-called Customer Service Managers, who at times are LESS educated on policies than some cashiers are.
Delia
If I’m making a purchase using coupons that will give overage, can I use self-checkout? I never shop at Walmart but I have 10 $5 Similac coupons that will give lots of overage & I don’t want to tie up a line. Are the self-checkout registers crediting coupons that are more than shelf price?
kara
My question is can u double coupons at walmart for 1 item if they coupon don’t say on it do not double?
Tara Kuczykowski
No, Walmart doesn’t double coupons.
kara
Well then what stores will double the same coupon. I mean that’s that those ppl on extreme couponing do they have like 10 or more of the same coupon. How do they save so much and how can I save a lot if I can’t double?
Tara Kuczykowski
Not all stores double coupons. You’ll need to find out the policies for your local stores. It can vary by chain in different regions as to whether or not they double and the amount that they will double.
hope
i think walmart has made their coupon policy even more confusing. i think that if a coupon could be used anywhere it should be used at walmart. couponing is time consuming but worth it. I coupon all the time. by the time i work my way thru walmart and spend the time it takes to get the best deals i dont want to have a hassle at the register. com’on walmart get smart. couponer’s are. im gonna go to a store where they appreciate me . if a store respects me and my coupons, im more likely to go there whether i have coupons or not.
Stephanie
“Walmart will match the following types of ads:
buy one, get one free ads with a specified price”
My question is: many B1G1 ads will say in small print “save at least $x.xx on two”, does this count as the ‘specified price’?
Tara Kuczykowski
Yes, I believe that would be sufficient.
Tracey
Thanks for all the info! I hope I didn’t miss this and am asking the same question ago.
I understand that Walmart will price match adds for B1G1 as long as it has a specified price. At CVS it is possible during B1G1 sales to use a B1G1 coupon combined with the sale to get the items free and only have to pay sales tax.
My questions is this: After matching the sales ad, will I be able to apply the B1G1 coupon at Walmart to get both items free just like I would be able to at CVS?