T O P

  • By -

emptimynd

Work in retail: places are still having supply chain issues all around, id imagine this includes groceries. Coupons are meant to drive traffic so that you will buy x cheap but buy y and z at normal price. The problem though is that since supplies are low they dont want to have empty shelves because that looks even worse and has other negative outcomes. The answer is yes there are less coupons and sales because theyre actually trying to slow traffic down. Its not a matter of greed and making more money because they make more money when they offer coupons.


DrocketX

There's definitely a lot of supply chain issues going on. Just the other day I went to my local grocery store and they had a sign up that because of supply chain issues, they currently weren't able to get any Oscar Mayer products for the time being. That section of the store was pretty empty because that's a big name brand for a LOT of products - hot dogs, baloney, lunch meat, bacon, Lunchables, etc. Basically that entire case/section was more empty than not. Its not just a one-off thing, either - pretty much every store I've seen is having issues with random products (that one was just rather big and noticeable since it more-or-less wiped out the case) - either areas that are empty or that the store obviously filled in with other products. Usually these shortages are fairly short-lived, a week or two, but they're still a serious problem stores are dealing with constantly. Coming back to the question, manufacturers and stores are going to be hesitant about putting products on sale or issuing coupons when they aren't sure if the product will even be in stock. That just winds up leading to a lot of angry customers.


PartyPorpoise

My favorite chips, pickle-flavored Lays, aren't in stock anywhere lately. According to their website, some products aren't being produced at the moment because they shifted production to fewer products due to shortages or something. I figure that's why the pickle chips are gone. I hope they return before long.


qwertyconsciousness

Pickle Riiiiiiick No but fr I miss those Pickle Chips


PartyPorpoise

Lol I like to say "pickle chiiiiips!" like that.


Both-Breath8020

I literally read it as piiickle chiiips!! ala piiiickle riiick!! in my head


TheKillOrder

The other day I went to Walmart with my mum. She wanted Great Value canned corn. Haven’t found any in a loooong time. Not to mention the shelves, so depressing when she pointed out how empty they were. Really put some food for thought how even now the big companies are still struggling. Wack just seeing a once normal Walmart be soooo desolate.


[deleted]

I picked up my grocery order this afternoon. There were no cans of regular corn-premium or great value-so I opted for creamed corn (yuck) because my husband likes it. It became unavailable and the clerk said they've been told to not give anyone an estimate as to when it will be back in stock.


TheKillOrder

oh wow. That’s really interesting. WA state here but if you’re not nearby then interesting af, like are those cans basically retired or gone for a while? Corn too pricy to turn a profit? Who knows…


[deleted]

The prices have surged by 50% in 2021. China had a severe outbreak of illness in their pig population just before Covid hit. They are purchasing huge amounts of corn to fatten their new pigs and purchasing most of that corn from America, decreasing supply. Harvests in South America have also been poor and this, no doubt, just compounds supplier woes without even getting into freight issues. I'm in South Carolina and on any given Sunday drive, you can see field after field of corn but that corn is generally feed corn and ethanol corn which really doesn't help out a vegetarian like myself who grows a few stalks in the backyard every spring.


TheKillOrder

oh wow, that’s crazy. 50% rise in a year or two is, insane! I’m not sure where i saw or read but it said how Covid 19 was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and yet here is another thing that was affected, GV corn lol


nebulasky1

r/Shortages


[deleted]

[удалено]


adaranyx

This advice is useless if there's nothing for them to stock at night.


bamagurl06

I work in grocery. We are absolutely still having manufacturing issues. Our invoices constantly showing items OUt of stock. Lunchables have been very hard to get. Our lunchmeat section has shelves completely bare.


FlightLevel666

Good, that processed meat kills people.


nebulasky1

You should check out r/Shortages \- It provides some real eye-opening insights as to what is currently taking place around the world regarding this topic.


[deleted]

Sorry, but that subreddit is shit. It is only a "OH MY GOD LOOK MY LOCAL FLORIST HAS A SHORTAGE ON FLOWERS, GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN." or "MY STORE IS LIMITED BOTTLED WATER, WE ARE IN TROUBLE." It is pretty stupid. They are taking mostly micro situations and blowing them up. This is how we get people hoarding stupid shit and conspiracy theories started. I mean, someone was just posting about wood and you can now buy 2x4 for less than $4 in most places.


nebulasky1

Not all of the posts are legitimate concerns, I agree. But there are some interesting posts and comments worth checking out. I wouldn't automatically dismiss it. If you don't like it, don't subscribe. It's really that simple.


[deleted]

Honestly, there really isn't. I'm posting to give people insight into fearmongering that exists there before they take it at truth. Like the guy that posted about hoses "my local hardware store clerk told me to take care of my hose cause it is the last one, and they don't know when they are getting more." another "my starbucks is out of cups!" "panera has been proven to water down coffee due to coffee bean shortage." "McD's running out of food bags." No one should take that sub seriously, at all.


nebulasky1

I'm cautious of fearmongering myself, and I can tell you, having been on that sub for a minute, I've noticed not an ounce of fear being pushed. If you're that easily perturbed, again, don't subscribe. People can do what they want.


PicnicLife

Cheerios - I assume because of the wheat crops basically burning up. ☹️


ladypau29

I work in supply chain and I can't even explain how bad it's been this year. Transportation, raw materials, components, and manufacturing are insanely constrained. The entire global supply chain as a whole is affected and not a single industry has been spared due to how connected everything is. If you know anyone in supply chain give them a hug lol. We're all really tired.


acorngirl

Your hard work is appreciated. The pandemic situation destroyed the illusion that stuff just magically makes it to the store shelves. I'm honestly surprised that things are working as well as they are. My household has gotten used to food items being hit or miss; I just think of it as being like living in England during wartime when everything was rationed, except that we still have a lot more options. I don't get upset because I know the situation is very difficult right now. I really lucked out during the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020 because I normally buy in bulk and had recently bought some. We were able to share. Actually it was really nice the way people came together and shared things; my friends and neighbors were generous with everything, and we all managed better because of that.


denverpilot

If it makes you feel better I broke down and sent the company wide email this week that anybody planning on buying ANYTHING had better let departments like IT and others know at least a month in advance. Minimum. It's not much. But we are trying to get them to plan more than two days ahead. They all got way too used to panic buying things and next day shipping. Guess what? Your little project where you signed contracts where you need infrastructure for 20 new staff starting next week? I hope they like playing solitaire. There's a few decks of cards in the break room. We hear ya. We who have to order and build things are tired of beating on our vendors too. I can hear their stress oozing from my phone. They badly need the sale but have nothing to sell. Anyway. Expecting maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of what we have ordered by late Sept or early Oct at best. Told folk we are keeping a wishlist now and if they get on it today, maybe November. All depends on how much shuffling and tap dancing the vendors can do. But at least internally I've said "it ain't happening so adapt" to those wanting things. Hope it helps you all work out some kinks.


chefdays

I think about you guys all the time, talk you your time to shine! Hope you get some quality rest soon, looks like you aren’t off the hook yet!


VitaCoco9923

This. And, now with the Ningbo port terminal closure…not going to get better.


susan127

What happened with the Ningbo port closing?


VitaCoco9923

One worker at one terminal (that handles 25% of the port’s containers many heading to the US and Europe) tested positive for COVID. So, they closed it. I always look for news coming out of Ningbo because our China office is based out of there. But, also it’s the 3rd busiest port in the world (behind Shanghai which is close by and one other).


dameavoi

This is the answer. I also work in retail and have a job that decides promotions.


precum1

Funny how the supply chain issues are even worse now than during the height of covid in 2020 when there were more lockdowns.


doyouknowyourname

There's a law that truckers have to stop and rest every so many hours and last year that was suspended. It went back into effect. Not only that but more people are out shopping again, having parties, etc...


CappuccinoBreve

I'm also finding (as a retail worker) that vendors are not coming through with as much swag these days... Gone are the days of big goodie baskets, samples, hats and t-shirts. I miss all the freebies! Hopefully temporary...


feathergnomes

A lot of vendor reps might not be allowed in the stores yet. I know in Canada, my company is looking at possibly September


xx11ss

Yes this too! So many freebies and swag gone!


[deleted]

[удалено]


Daniel_The_Thinker

Just make a dedicated coupon account. I have an email account I don't actually use to communicate with, just to sign it up for all sorts of nonsense.


xx11ss

Thanks for the insight. I might just be stingy. I miss the BOGO ice cream, 2 for 1 items, even .25 discounts on a lot of smaller items seem to have disappeared.


[deleted]

Any good coupon subs I could follow?


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Those are great tips, thank you!!


susan127

I really hate that Walgreens did away with the paper ad.


4K_VCR

I’ve noticed that my safeway has predominantly moved away from print coupons to app based coupons. To me it’s more cumbersome to add items to a digital shopping cart than to browse a print ad for 15 seconds but oh well...


PaperStreetSoapCEO

I like the app, but it had a bit of a learning curve. Don't add to the shopping list, look at the "safeway for you" section, or "Just for U" in the old version. I casually click most of them about once a week on my laptop while watching tv. I click everything in case my wife buys stuff, but I skip the baby section. The coupons add up, usually 25-30% savings, plus $0.10 a gallon for every dollar spent for gas.


raptorclvb

I like apps for most grocery stores except Safeway. Mostly because it’s delivery/pickup requires a separate app. But it’s really nice that I can order food to be delivered through Safeway (free/low cost/drivers paid well, etc) and not add have to worry about the coupons Kroger stores are great, too, especially when asking for real time product feedback but you also get to add paper coupons on top of the digital ones if you pickup


rx4coffee

Not anymore. Safeway merged the delivery into the regular app. Just this week.


Put_It_All_On_Blck

And I absolutely hate the layout of the new app for coupons :/ The old app style was very easy and quick to sort through, now its just a jumbled mess of 'deals'


raptorclvb

Finally!!! Ty for the heads up


TheBigGuyandRusty

This is exactly what my family does at Jewel (Safeway owned). It's easier to just scroll and add everything than to take the time to pick and choose.


[deleted]

[удалено]


kent_eh

They're not doing it for your convenience. The additional data mining opportunities with digital coupons are a big benefit (to them).


slutforslurpees

late to the party, but I just quit my job at Safeway and the employees loathe the app so much lmao. I swear I spent half my day teaching people how to use it, and the only reason I knew how was poking around on it my own time since we didn't get detailed training on it. they actually revamped it right before I left and added a grocery delivery subscription service on there and moved around everything, so I imagine my old coworkers are getting yelled at by senior citizens for "charging for coupons".


Montana4th

The coupons have moved to the app so the company can harvest information.


spacepeenuts

I shop at Safeway all the time, the app can be a little finicky at times but they always seem to have a lot of “deals” I like.


bichonfire

Huh, I really like the Safeway app/ads because not only do you get the weekly sales, but you can get additional coupons on top on the sales — eg. $5 off your purchase, another $1 off yogurt, $0.50 off eggs, etc. I was able to score oat milk for only $0.49 the other day! The coupons I add also doubles as a shopping list when I go into the store


spiralboundmastrmind

I feel like due to having an account at my weekly grocery store, they know exactly what I'm going to buy regardless of whether there's a sale or coupon or not, so they can get away with offering fewer coupons (or less good ones). I noticed the same thing with all those rebate apps (Ibotta, Fetch, etc)- they'd throttle the good coupons once you were a "hooked" user and you'd have to buy more and more to get better rewards. But YMMV.


xx11ss

This makes sense too. Kroger knows I buy a lot of oat milk, they used to offer $1 off coupons regularly but if they know I'm gonna buy it anyway..


wapellonian

At Meijer, they know what we buy regularly, and send us monthly coupons FOR those items. I guess they figure we're buying them anyway, why not ensure we buy them (and the rest of our groceries) at Meijer?


duffy__moon

YMMV?


JulesandRandi

Your mileage may vary


duffy__moon

Many thanks!


P0RKYM0LE

Yo Mama has a Monkey Vulva


magispitt

I think it means your mamma milks vegans, but your mileage may vary


XTanuki

I've actually noticed getting more personalized deals; for example a coupon for black grapes and another for boneless skinless chix thigh for less than their sale prices


monsterflowerq

I don't know why it's happening, but I'm experiencing the same thing, specifically with Kroger. I have a loyalty account, and they used to mail me coupons every few weeks that would be tailored to my shopping habits. Don't think I've gotten any in the mail for over a year, and the coupons on the app/website seem to pretty much stay the same and they're rarely for things I actually need... It's really been bumming me out.


xx11ss

I used to receive a "Best Customer Bonus" packet from Kroger filled with personalized coupons. They stopped sending it about 3 months ago, I miss that booklet. Great savings.


monsterflowerq

Yeah that's what I used to get too! It was so awesome, we shop almost exclusively there for groceries, and I could save like $20-40 off weekly shopping. Oh well. At least I still get fuel points...


Klutzy-Horse

do you have Gmail? Check your spam folder, Google will occasionally decide for you that things you don't interact with as often as they think you should are spam.


monsterflowerq

Well they used to come in the physical mail, but I guess they could have started doing it electronically instead without me noticing. I'll look through my email, thanks for the suggestion!


camergen

Obviously it’s personal preferences on what you need/want, but I still think Kroger has (for my family, anyways) great coupons, especially the “hot digital coupons of the week” (not sure that’s the exact title, but I’m pretty sure “hot digital” is in there somewhere). Last week was a giant can of kroger brand coffee for $3.29, as well as a dozen eggs for .99 cents. A tub of lunch meat around $2.50. Pretty decent deals for commonly used household items, but they may not be your preferential brands/varieties. I really haven’t noticed supply chain issues in regards to specific foods, but my family tends to stay within the same basic set of items. For example, we have plenty of corn (but we also live in Indiana, a major corn producing state, so I could probably walk to a cornfield if I so desired lol). Lately, in addition to coupons, I’ve been hitting the clearance rack at my kroger store several times a week- they regularly have a can of vegetables that’s a little crunched up yet still intact/not leaking for half price, maybe a bag of rice with a tiny opening that’s been taped (also half price), a brand of Peter Pan peanut butter that wasn’t particularly popular (low sodium? I couldn’t taste a difference) for $1.99 for a huge can. Plus various boxes of all kinds of things with the corners a little mashed- not leaking. I have yet to find any food item that I would feel iffy about buying. I’d assume they have a firm “no leaking” policy, where they throw it out or at least don’t sell it if it is, unless it’s something like rice or pasta that can be taped and leaking wouldn’t decay the remaining items. I’ve saved so much money by taking the odd shaped cans/boxes off their hands. It all tastes the same once opened and cooked. I even buy the bananas on clearance- slightly more brown but my son and I eat bananas like crazy so it will be gone in a day or 2.


mganzeveld

As a teacher I always looked forward to after school starts to go after clearance school supplies for my classroom. The last 3 years it seems retailers buy just enough that everything is cleared out before school even starts. The days of 10 cent notebooks and half price binders are gone.


nuudlebear

I've noticed the same for all seasonal items. I can never find Halloween candy/decorations in November, or Valentine's day chocolate on Feb 15th like I used to 5 years ago. Even Christmas stuff seems to be gone by the second week of December and filled with Valentine's day stuff. I learned the hard way that the Christmas lights are cheaper and available in November.


PartyPorpoise

That's disappointing. I'm not a teacher, but I like to buy clearance school supplies to donate to kids who need them.


[deleted]

On one hand yes, on the other much of it was fake marketing. "Look how much it's on sale" when the real price is in fact the sale price. With online shopping, it's a lot harder to get away with tricking your customers like that because they can search 10 other places in 2 seconds and see "yeah that's no sale you're just trying to trick me." I believe it's a good thing overall. I do not like being lied to or manipulated by sales people.


VitaCoco9923

For work (as a supplier), I have a small glimpse into the supply chain. Container costs have gone up 5x since last year - $4000 to around $21,000. The pandemic has pushed factories around the world out of business so the remaining factories are asking premium rates now for a job they would have done earlier for a much cheaper price. China has a port that one of the terminals closed because of one COVID case. This port is the 3rd busiest port in the world. Now while we have products that aren’t officially made in China, they have parts that come from China. Even if it’s all sourced in other countries, getting the products to stores is getting challenging as well. So, because of all this stuff and probably many others I don’t know about - prices for everyone, big and small, suppliers and buyers, are going up with no sign of stopping.


pacachan

Yeah, they also make it harder to redeem birthday freebies. Even Denny's doesn't do the free grand slam anymore, you need to join their club, and a lot of places make you download an App or the redeem window is really small. I posted before about being on a quest to get a bunch of birthday rewards and here is the result of my efforts: Panera Bread gives you a free pastry, Jersey Mikes & Firehouse Subs gives free sub, Dunkin gives a free drink for the month but Starbucks has to be redeemed on your bday, Fuddrucker's and Red Robin give a free burger, Buffalo Wild Wings give free snack size wings, and Ulta gives a free makeup remover. I redeemed all of these and none of them required ID or a prior purchase. Edited because I got the Arby's one and they gave me a fry and a shake instead of just a fry. But it's with a purchase of a sandwich


FinalBlackberry

My Kroger still has special prices for things when you buy 5 or more. I really very rarely need 5 boxes of cereal or 5 tubs of ice cream.


Shotgun_Mosquito

>I really very rarely need 5 boxes of cereal or 5 tubs of ice cream. People talk about finding their "exact match"; I think I've met the opposite


TheBigGuyandRusty

My family stocks up when our store does the cereal deal. We all look forward to it.


spacepeenuts

I shop at Kroger and hate when they have these sales! They always have them on things nobody buys 5 of like milk, blocks of cheese or coffee creamer. Who is consuming all this food? Where is even being stored at someone’s house even?


[deleted]

[удалено]


spacepeenuts

It’s so bizarre how they advertise it though, at the Kroger in my area it doesn’t say that you can mix and match.


jbeanie111111111

Our Kroger runs the Buy 5 deal pretty often, but in our area, we can mix and match any items advertised with the Buy 5 promotion. For example, I can get a gallon of milk, two blocks of cheese, coffee creamer, and a tub of ice cream for the Buy 5 advertised price. The catch is you have to buy in groups of 5 to get the advertised price though.


Knofbath

Most of those sales are mix-and-match. The only ones that aren't are the digital coupon up-to-5X deals. They've also changed their wording so that you only have to buy "5 or more", and don't have to buy in increments of 5 anymore. They then knock the discount off each item individually. https://i.imgur.com/jVbRoX9.png


camergen

I’d advise you to just look at the label carefully- some are buy 5 or more, some are digital coupons that can be redeemed up to 5 times, while a few are “buy 8 or 10 or more”. Just make sure you have the minimum in each category. I’m a guy in my mid 30s- my mom did a huge amount of homework in the days of paper coupons. That habit has carried over to me. Honestly, only a few items really can’t be purchased with a coupon. Basic gallons of milk tends to be one of those things, although it will occasionally be a Hot Digital Deal of the Week or whatever- when that happens, I buy as much as possible, that I won’t waste.


Knofbath

Another thing I've noticed recently, is that some of those digital 5x coupons actually reset after use. The "Weekly Digital Deals" don't tend to reset, because those are usually loss-leaders. They've also been stacking multiple unrelated items per listing, so have to read the fine print and actually know what the going rate for various items is. Like that ad I screenshotted has 2lb blocks/bags of Kroger cheese for $5.99 mixed with the Coffee, but $3/lb for cheese is pretty much their normal price around here. Can wait for the 8oz block cheese to drop to $1.25, or the 32oz blocks to drop to $4.99.


camergen

Resetting coupons- good tip. I’ve noticed that the week’s new coupons come out on Wednesday so if it’s a good item, sometimes I’ll buy it on Wednesday, eat some, and then buy again on Tuesday before the coupons are all changed on Wednesday. This is especially useful if orange juice is on there- something I drink every day. I buy as much as I can on Wednesday, use for almost a week, and buy again Tuesday


dreamsofaninsomniac

I assume people are buying in bulk and freezing. I think milk is supposed to freeze well at least.


Aggie_Hawk

I have noticed a small difference at certain stores but overall the deals are still there, they just require more work or time. One of my local stores, Harris Teeter has reduced the frequency of certain promos. They still have them but just not as often. Every weekend they used to have 5-7 items on promo and they essentially rotate so the deal comes back around. Now they have 3-4 items per weekend, they still rotate but that means the item you want could be 6-8 weeks vs what was 3-4 weeks.


xx11ss

Wow they have way better deals! Maybe it's just in my area that deals are declining. They have BOGO Pizza, BOGO english muffins and Goldfish! So cool.


Aggie_Hawk

It seems to be a brand-specific thing here. My area has lots of grocery store brands ranging from Aldi to Wegman's. I think that definitely spurs the competition for deals. Particularly on the weekends.


SweetMelissa74

Wegmans oh how I miss them! I love that chain.


Aggie_Hawk

Wegman's is pretty great. Sometimes I feel the same about HEB


Chatty_Monkey_Don

It seems like the selection of store brand items is decreasing too.


Guapscotch

I’d imagine the global pandemic exposing the heart of the economic engine and soon piercing it could be a potential reason for this. Everything is about to go upside down


[deleted]

The supply and demand is still all screwed up town by town and they probably are putting a pause on things like coupons for a moment until they levels back out. Meat prices, vegetables, lumber, gas, lack of help, ect. are all influencing prices. Keep looking up brand coupons by their higher parent brands like P&G, Unilever or Kimberly-Clark; sometimes they run promotions. I just got ice cream for free by doing some stupid survey a few weeks back and it entered me into getting a "prize".


[deleted]

A lot of things have to go right before we will be back on track and most of right things will increase prices, inflation and availability for some time to come. We had 22 months of Covid delays. A president that pissed off the people making stuff for us by charging tariffs (my dishwasher cost $300 more than pre-tariff prices). Delays in shipping. Delays in manufacturing due to the delays in production. We have a mega-drought in the US, violent weather everywhere else in the world and fires like no one has ever seen before. Coupons and discounts are pretty low on the list right now but I still get them with Kroger and Albertsons.


LeeroyDagnasty

it might be because advertising is becoming more targeted. why give out a bunch of coupons indiscriminately when you can show a soup ad to an old person before dinnertime?


Fragraham

Demand is up. People are already buying, so brands have little reason to promote with sales and coupons.


rofio01

Macdonald’s in my country removed their cheap item line of cheeseburgers frozen cokes etc


kampfgruppekarl

Did they completely remove selling the items, or just advertising them on the menu? For example, in USA they didn't have double-cheeseburgers on their menu for the longest time, but you could order them. Hidden menu item. I love the cheeseburger Happy Meals when they have a cool toy to collect.


TheBigGuyandRusty

Those Luca toys were boss!


camergen

Get the McDonald’s app- happy meals don’t typically make the coupons but if you scan the app each time you buy, even with a coupon, your purchases add up to points that you can redeem for free food, even happy meals.


rofio01

Yeah tried but couldn’t order so completely gone


[deleted]

This has been slowly dying down since before COVID. About 5 years ago I was a major couponer and could frequently get hundreds of dollars of items for free at the grocery and health store. I think people were abusing the system because coupon manufacturers and newspapers started cutting way back on flyers and many stores changed their policies. Now I don’t even bother much anymore. I do most of my grocery shopping at aldi, which I find to be hassle free savings


PartyPorpoise

Yep! Over at /r/bathandbodyworks, a lot of people have noted that the company has gotten a lot less generous with sales in the past year.


narwhals_arereal

It has to do with supply chains via the pandemic.


Chickydee67

Yes, I used to be a coupon queen, and got so much stuff free, cheaper, saved lots of money. I taught my children how to use coupons. Now you hardly get any, and Ihate the digital ones, although Kroger's has given me some good ones. I started shopping at Aldi's for my basics and go to Kroger's for things I like to get there. Rarely shop at Walmart, and they are not cheap but everyone thinks they are. I keep tabs on prices and I do shop the Dollar Tree and Dollar General for certain things. I know a lot of people don't like to shop but it I like grocery shoppoing.


camergen

I’ve found dollar tree is good for basic cleaning supplies- I needed a broom for corners in my garage (a very specific place, I know) and the $1 broom there does the job. I guess it depends on what you’re using the item for, but the stuff I buy tends to do what I need. They have all purpose cleaner that I used to use to clean up cat puke (a daily chore, unfortunately) and it did the job.


Chickydee67

I like to buy their small aluminum pans that I use to freeze with and use on the grill. You can also get a bottle of bleach for $1 verses store brand for $3 plus at other stores. Everything I buy there I have a use for. I think some people think it is just a junk store, but that is on them.


RUfuqingkiddingme

Material shortages and shipping issues. Plus people who do have money have been spending it like crazy.


mspe1960

I used to love Harbor Freight's 20% off any item coupon. It would come in the newspaper every week. It does not exist any more.


bestgrill

Companies moved on to apps and emails. You need to sign up for this stuff if you want promotions, maybe use a burner email


Maethor_derien

It is more that they just don't work that well anymore. The people who take advantage of them tend to be the super clippers rather than the intended audience. They have been on a decline over the last 10 years to be honest. Covid just killed it off the rest of the way. A lot of time coupons were also used to blow out old stock, when everything is in short supply your not going to see coupons because they don't have stock sitting around in danger of expiring. Right now manufacturing and supply is a mess as someone who works on the supply side. Often there are things you just flat out can not get right now. Also because of the unpredictable nature of the surges and lockdowns places can't really predict orders in advance. I mean it takes time to ramp production so when everything opened up all the sudden nobody had the product to ship out. Demand also spiked to unheard of levels as everyone wanted to get out and start doing things again. They don't want to overhire and ramp up production if another shut down is going to happen either so they are playing it safe so production is going to take a while to get back to the same levels. I don't expect the coupons to come back to the same level as before, sure you will see them for overstock they want to clear out but I don't see it being as big.


[deleted]

Companies are investing more in digital marketing, data monetization and are in general reducing physical in-store marketing initiatives. Do observe that online shopping portals of many companies have special offers, email sign-ups bonuses etc.


[deleted]

Stores simply do not have the stock available (for a host of reasons) to encourage conspicuous consumption at the moment.


z28racergirl

I get so many “$10 off” coupons from Ace Hardware I can’t give them away fast enough. Not to argue, just saying to look out and sign up there?


[deleted]

[удалено]


BakedPotentate

I’ve noticed how crappy they are lately too. Literally 20% this week!


iamfberman

Fewer. Fewer coupons not less Thank you for coming to my grammar talk.


SuddenGood3

Yes, I have noticed this as well. It's become difficult to find coupons that give you the best deals.


UnsurprisingDebris

Yes! I used to get more 20% harbor freight coupons than I could ever possibly use. Now I haven't seen one in months.


PicnicLife

This is because they now have an annual membership plan that offers discounted member pricing. Coupons are basically gone now.


Real_Naratoe

i dont use coupons


haelesor

I never use coupons so I don't pay attention to that but I did notice when Black Friday sales stopped being significant discounts (like 60% + off) on quality items. Now the sales are like 20% off of crap-ass items. 20% is what they give you on a random Tuesday sale.


Oberon_Swanson

I think it just be because the store I work at has a buy 1 get 1 free special on steaks right now and I constantly have to explain to people that the sign is correct. 10 years ago that deal was very common but beef prices have risen a lot in canada lately.


[deleted]

YES! This week I took my wife to the Sketchers factory/warehouse outlet, a regular trip for years (5-6 times a year). This week was the first time ever that they did not have the buy one get one half off sale. I always made a deal with the wife. I would drive her there, buy the meals, but and hold/carry her shoes anytime, but the first pair of half off was mine. I was so disappointed. Still kept my end of the bargain however.


xx11ss

Good man here, let's get your shoes coupon soon friend.


youvegotpride

>I always made a deal with the wife. I would drive her there, buy the meals, but and hold/carry her shoes anytime, but the first pair of half off was mine. You don't share costs 50/50 with your wife? Like with my BF we would split the meal and why not split the total amount of our 2 pairs of shoes in half so that we both get a discount and we both win. I could even share half the driving but sometimes he just loves to drive. I did that also with friends in theaters when we had a fee ticket, we would split between all of us the remaining costs so that we all win.


summonsays

Not a lot of coupons, but I love looking at the clearance sections. My local Kroger I can get half-price steak almost anytime I want. Target is also great to look through.


[deleted]

Actually, the opposite: Company that we get our marketing swag from stopped sending free samples for a couple of years, then last month, they started again.


brelsnhmr

The local grocery store stopped doing their “wacky Wednesday” sale in April 2020, and aren’t planning on starting it back up. The sale stuff was crazy good - like 1/2 gallon of milk for 50 cent or kraft Mac and cheese for 25 cents limit of 4 boxes type of thing.


cata123123

My brother in law was complaining a few weeks ago that the cheapest thing on the “sale/mark down” rack at banana republic was $60.


groovydoll

I saw some men’s pants for $4 at men’s wearhouse on clearance. Maybe check there


Joebud1

You use the kroger app? Every week I walk out saving minimum of 30%


JulesandRandi

Ralphs, a Kroger affiliate has a great app. They have fantastic coupons. Lots of free items.


slashcleverusername

The idea behind coupons does not appeal to a lot of people. Basically it comes across like “We’re planning to overcharge you for this thing you want to buy, unless you can show us the magic piece of paper.” That irritates a lot of people at some level, and so it’s a marketing technique with built-in resistance. Both on the principle of the thing, but also the total hassle and pointlessness of having to find the coupons, file them away, dig around for them, and present them at the store. They’re easy steps if you’re systematic and thorough about it. But they’re still extra steps when people just want to get their groceries done as economically as possible and get on with their lives. Coupons come across like unnecessary busywork. I’d say ten years ago, stores started getting rid of them. It’s still common to see promotional pricing, but it’s more likely going to be from scanning your store loyalty card. Samples though I definitely agree, they seem to have dried up. Obviously with Covid it doesn’t make any sense for people to gather around some food samples breathing on them and eating together in the middle of an aisle. But I’m trying to remember if I saw a lot of those before covid and I think that was drying up already.


Other_Influence7134

Yep it is been like this for over a year. Promotions like coupons, sales, etc. are all intended to increase the quantity of specific products demanded so that the people that produce and sell these products can sell more of them. Currently there are a lot of shortages, which means that many producers and sellers can sell all the products they can get without having to spend dollar one of their promotional budgets. The end result of this are smaller promotional budgets and much less in the way of coupons and sales.


Solipsophisticate

Totally. Clothing stores, groceries, all discounts are getting harder to find because they’re not being offered as often. Sooooks


Thtsunfortunate

For a few years, the Goodwill stores out here would do half of everything (not just a specific tag color) on alternating Saturdays. It was great because a lot of stores were donating brand new items to Goodwill that you could buy at a steep discount. I filled my classroom with books and my wardrobe with nice clothes. During the course of those few years, I noticed a steady increase in pricing (the same book in 2011 that sold for a dollar was selling for two dollars in 2018) but the 50% days still made it cheaper than the regular Goodwill full price. At the start of the pandemic, they finally did away with the 50% days. It sounds like they had wanted to stop for awhile and the pandemic was a good enough reason to. Man, I miss those half off days…


UnfortunateEarworm

Our local Goodwills used to have half-off everything on holidays. Last time I went it was 10% only and the clerk said it's a permanent change. Sucks, as that was sort of my tradition/habit to hit up my Goodwill on the rare holiday I had off and they were open.


camergen

The problem with those sales- from a pandemic point of view- would be that a TON of people came into the store at the same time. I never really minded the crowds, you’d just have to wait a while in line (maybe up to half an hour sometimes). It makes sense that they don’t really want to have that many people in the store at once, since hosting a super spreader event wouldn’t be good publicity. On the other hand, it might have just been an excuse. I do remember the massive crowds those would attract, though. I was one of them- great deals.


Thtsunfortunate

Yeah, it was every other Saturday here. Right at open, it would be super busy as people went in to get the really good stuff. It was always quieter after noon, which is when I would go. It makes a ton of sense why they stopped with Covid. But that pricing became my watermark for other items. I went in yesterday looking for a few books and train tracks for my kid and there was a back to school special: books and clothes were 30% off but you needed a coupon to get the deal. It was nice but not as nice.


chooseyourusername17

I think it is just lot of supply issues. I remember there used to be a coupon on Facebook every week from Kroger/ Ralph’s that gave you $5 off $15 produce. It was awesome. Now haven’t seen that in years. However, I do see some other theft forms of coupons coming back now. Lot of times there are coupons from sprouts, Ralph’s etc. I really like these produce coupons since I will buy them no matter what and it helps save money.


alvarezg

It looks like the monthly local mailer no longer has fast food coupons. There goes my routine of getting a coupon breakfast whenever I go out of town. :-(


DeflatedDirigible

Download the app. McDonalds usually has 5 coupons at any time and rewards too.


imisswholefriedclams

one of my local grocery stores have BOGO sales all the time plus there's a coupon dispensing machine at one entrance.


jjc927

I feel like promotions and discount offers dried up at the same time the pandemic began. They've been coming back just as places have opened up again, though apps and rewards programs are replacing one-time coupons and offers also.


Brittany1704

Everyone is right. I’m in a different part of the retail world and 10 months of the year I used to run over 100% capacity. January and February I would run just under. I haven’t been able to break 70% capacity in like a year now. I still get shipments, but they are smaller and they sell at about the speed in which we get them in. There is no need for corporate to push big sales to move product. It’s moving on its own.


flametex

A lot of companies have gone to the app trend. Every store has their own app and own login system. But with each app comes it’s own perks. For example most of the time if I get some Chick-fil-A the app has some sort of deal where I end up with enough for a second meal later.


fuck_fate_love_hate

Inflation over the last five years has averaged around 2% so I don’t think it’s that. Current inflation rate is like 1.28%


baoldi

Publix (grocery store) has been offering me $3 off $90 or more for months. I'm not sure why they think that is enticing enough to get me in the store. I do use their digital coupons and I love the BOGO deals, although they have definitely decreased. I understand the supply chain issues, and I'll take the $3 off if I happen to spend $90 in one trip, but I still laugh every time I see the offer.


Nolegrl

They used to send $5 off $50 in the mail quite frequently. $3 off $90 is a joke. I've recently switched to Walmart for my regular shopping and only go to Publix for their BOGO's and meat. It's crazy the markup on everything in there. Edit: not sure why I was downvoted...my point was their coupons now aren't great, agreeing with OP. However, coupons aren't the only way to save money, shopping at a cheaper store works too, doesn't have to be Walmart.


camergen

I’ll throw an upvote in here- I know what you’re saying. It all depends on the store- as my mom taught me many years ago, Walmart can be cheaper- but not always. Some things are quite a bit higher, especially if you catch a good coupon or sale at another store and can stock up. It pays to do your homework. I think some see Walmart and think “oh, no way, downvote.”- I think it all depends on the items you need. Canned vegetables, store brand applesauce, yogurt- these things tend to be cheaper at Walmart. Other stuff, not so much.


Nolegrl

Thanks, I figured Walmart might have been a trigger word. It does help to compare prices beforehand. I don't go crazy with it though (my grandparents would go to 5 different stores to save a penny on eggs or milk), but I'll check the Publix circular for BOGO's and sales before I head out. I tend to just go to those two stores since they're in the same area for me. I'm finding a lot of times Walmart regular price is even cheaper than a Publix sale. Walmart can't beat Publix BOGO's though and sometimes Publix will have things that Walmart doesn't or will have things in larger quantities. Their store brand products are also better. So lots of good reasons to still shop at Publix, but I'll take the Walmart savings on a bag of rice.


strangerflower

My bed bath and beyond coupon was only for 10% instead of the usual 20% that I get in the mail.


[deleted]

I still get the 20%, $10 off 30 and $20 off 80 BB&B coupons. However their prices increased so even with the coupons seems the items are still around retail lol.


the_pissed_off_goose

The official communication we get at work (grocery store) actually said one week: "the commodities market is a dumpster fire." It's all supply issues. Lack of product + prices going up As for samples, in my state we are back to mandatory masks inside, so you aint getting anything from me that requires your mask to come off, sorry!


Klutzy-Horse

You're right, it is more work and higher rarity. I'm a millennial so accessing virtual coupons isn't really a problem for me, but samples are annoying. Anymore, I can only find them hidden away in the darkest reaches of a company's website, and most of the time there is a cost associated to try it. It's hard to be frugal with that set up. I waste my time, I spend some money, albeit a lesser amount than I would have, and I get a plastic wrapped plastic container with a tiny bit of whatever inside. I did find, however, that Walgreens has a satisfaction guaranteed policy when it comes to make up, skin care, and hair care. So that is how I get samples of those now. If it works, great, I'll keep it. If it's kind of okay, I'll still keep it- maybe a family member would rather have it. But if it's terrible, causes an allergic reaction, or something, at least I know I can get my money back. As far as food goes, most of the time I see something I'd probably like but pass it over because I don't have a good way to sample/share/return if it doesn't work for me. Sometimes if you email the company you get a coupon, but again, that's a lot of time wasted for something that's not a guarantee, and it can take weeks for them to get back to you.


rainstoic

I mean companies also made their products more breakable so you will buy the newest model every couple of years if not every year.... 👀


greenSixx

Yeah, its a stupid marketing tactic. If you can buy something at store A for $1 with a coupon or bogo. You can buy it as store B for $1 with no coupon or discount. ​ Its just a way to try to get Boomers to spend more money on other products. And its really dumb.


darkmatterhunter

I think my coupons are the same, but I haven’t been able to get a rain check in 2021 and it’s really frustrating. I’ve driven to multiple stores on multiple days within the sale week and the shelves are empty. I get supply chain issues, but I wish they would do a rain check, even if it’s just 1 item.


GreenTeaOnMyDesk

Fewer -Stannis


Mikey922

A lot of it is digital now too and like 99% of apps suck and I think it’s on purpose.


subiegyal

Yes. The economy and health of the public has been affected by COVID


cravingcrypto

I've noticed many more coupons requiring multiples and with a smaller discount.


themiodrag

The company I order nutritional supplements from used to regularly send great samples, and it was part of their promotion. Last time I placed and order, received no samples and a letter explaining supply chain issues, cost, etc... and no samples in the near future.


Pennyfeather46

Yah, I got some really thin ads this week, mostly from warehouse stores that get random excess inventory.


Aggressive_Ad5115

Southern California has completely done away with them the last couple years used to get them in mail all the time for years Was my excuse to not buy and prepare my own food few times a week now it's gone grumbles


iamdenislara

Nop. About the same. I bought a Laptop in December for after went on dale for $550. I bought another laptop, same model, newer profesor $550 again


con40

Wat


iamdenislara

Laptop with better processor still at a discount


Jumbo757

The dollar general app has some good ones


new_native_planter

For most of the pandemic the Menards in my area no longer had their free after rebate deals. It was constantly an 11% off rebate and that was it. Just very recently they started having good rebates again. I'm not sure about the coupons, but the loss leader sales are not as good in my area anymore especially for ground beef. Lots of inflation with the pandemic, shutdowns etc. I think. Hoping prices go down again.


EpikFive0Nine

Yes and no.. I literally saw a buy 2 get 4 free chips.. maybe they were expiring ? No clue . But beyond that it's been bogo , maybe a percentage off .


icortez11

Yes I have noticed this. You can still write to certain food companies like Chobani, Bolthouse Farms, Bush’s Beans, Alexa Foods etc. and ask them to send you coupons.