The tweets began rolling in while I was on the treadmill this morning at the gym. By the way, answering a tweet while you’re running at 6 mph? Not a good idea. I’ve done a couple of interviews over the phone and had a couple of on air media requests I had to turn down. If you’re a couponer in Central Indiana, you probably already know Kroger stores have followed suit of the majority of the midwest and decided to end doubling coupons up to $0.50 at the end of July. The official word is that Kroger plans to lower prices overall and that a small minority of their customers were using this coupon policy anyway. You can read the Indianapolis Star article here.
My response? I’m not shocked. Marsh ended their double coupons earlier this year and Kroger did the same in states all the way around us. Some Meijer stores in Central Indiana have also ceased doubling. I knew it was only a matter of time {Meijer, oh please, oh please, don’t takes away my double coupons because I will be SO sad}. But you always hold out hope that your store/state/policy will stay alive as long as possible.
Does it make a difference? You betcha for die hard Kroger couponers. Two years ago I did a piece with Richard Essex of WTHR about Kroger’s initial change in coupon policy in a post-Extreme Couponing World. I know it’s been frustrating that their policy has been fluid in dealing with an influx of shoppers wanting to imitate the show and scoring great deals well within the coupon policy. If you were couponing long before people started DVRing Extreme Couponing, I’m sure you’re frustrated. What some might consider a measly $0.50 is multiplied by 20-30 by many of you and equals over $500 in your yearly budget.
That totally stinks for you.
But here’s what I know about you though. You are SMART. You are a savvy shopper. You know how to score a deal, set up a scenario, stack, clip, and digitally coupon your way through darkest of days. So while the new Kroger policy may cause a hiccup in your savings, you can endure it. You will find new ways to save. It’s just how you roll. Maybe you’ll stay a Kroger customer {the Fuel Rewards Program is still going strong, after all}, maybe you’ll move on to other aisles. The choice is yours but I’m sure you can rise about this.
When the rules of the game change, we don’t just take our ball and go home. We rise to the occasion, get a new game plan, and DOMINATE.
Go and get it, Lords & Ladies. Can’t wait to learn all of the new ways you discover to save!
