I can’t say that I’m surprised.. but yes I am disappointed. In the Vons ad for the 7/25 week, you will find a small blurb at the end of your ad stating the Vons stores will only accept manufacturer coupons at face value.
What does this mean for you?
Effective 8/1/2012–your $0.50 coupon will no longer double at the store making it $1.
The sad truth of this is that Albertsons may follow suit and eliminate double the value coupons. When it comes to double coupons there must be a market for it in a specific area. Now that two large grocery chains have eliminated it in the So Cal area–there is no longer a need for it here.
How does this make you feel?
My Name is Josie and I live in sunny Southern California and I am a stay at home mom to three beautiful boys. We all know that living in California is a task of it's own and saving in California IS possible! I started this blog mainly to share all the awesome deals out there and show others how to save in any area of life. Even though you may make the commitment to be frugal and pinch your pennies doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice!
Thanks, Extreme Couponing and TLC. You have ruined it for honest couponers. SO very bummed about this.
Ditto
Ditto
double ditto
I have mostly stopped shopping at Ralphs when they discontinued doubling. I will probably do the same at Vons. We have a Winco coming to our area and with their low prices I will take my coupons there (even though they don’t double either). I have been shopping a lot at Smart N Final for great deals on meat and produce. Of course Target and Walmart always have lower prices to start also. We couponers will just adapt!
I agree, I have not set foot in a Ralphs in over 4mos. Might do the same for Vons….
I totally agree! Usually ppl try to do what they see on the show and now we are all paying for it.
Yes, a cashier told me that corporate is really coming down on them due to fraudulent coupons. I pray they do not stop excepting printed coupons too. I do like their Just 4U program and hope they continue to reward faithful and loyal customers. This is so disappointing for me; I have only been couponing for 4 months and since Ralphs changed their policy and now Vons.
It’s a bummer but I have to say Vons Just4U really does make up for it. I shopped there last week and will all of the freebies and Just4U prices on fruits and veggies I saved $25 using the Just4U coupons and only $3.00 in regular paper coupons. With all the fraud these days I can see the stores going strictly digital.
I’ll be doing more shopping at Big Lots for toiletries, I’ll try out Food for Less (never been there), and I discovered quite awhile ago that Poncho Villa is THE BEST for fresh produce, and they have a great meat counter. It’s a hidden gem here in SD:)
Boooo….. that’s too bad. I always loved couponing at my local Von’s (yeah Diamond Bar) because they were so welcoming to coupon’ers. While I don’t engage in coupon fraud or ridiculous shelf clearing – Von’s is one of the few places that I didn’t feel bad about couponing at – instead the cashiers always celebrated my savings and even asked me where I got my coupon tips at. I’ll be sure to let my local Von’s management know about my disappointment in their new procedures – perhaps if enough of us let them know we might get a reversal?
Same thing at my location. They (especially management) are always more than happy, and interested in it. I’ve never gone overboard, or complained…maybe too many others have.
That makes me really sad. Vons is my favorite. Now I will have no reason to shop there over Stater’s or Ralph’s.
This is a real bummer. I thought Vons had a nice compromise with only doubling one “like” coupon. It really limited people from getting too crazy with coupons, or at least having to work at it (through multiple transactions). I just went to Vons tonight to get an $.88 box of Cheerios and $1.49 Jif to Go. I wouldn’t have bothered had it not been for the double coupon I used on each ($.50 doubled to a $1, making both items a really great value). Anyway, while there I bought a few other things and picked up a Just 4U freebie. I agree that the Just 4U program is great and will keep me going to Vons, but I’m still disapointed that the doubles are going away. Sigh.
BOO! Very sad; I had really just gotten the hang of shopping at VONS, and the double coupons were a big part of it. As someone else noted, the one like coupon doubling up to $1 was a nice compromise. The just 4 you program has been good, but I haven’t gotten a ton of the freebies, and even when I did, a few coupons doubling always were the key to a good shopping trip for me. I will probably head to Sprouts a little more often now, and will probably do a little more grocery shopping at Target. I’ve never been a big Ralph’s fan even before they axed the double coupons, and there is no Albertson’s near me, so VONS has really been my main grocery store for about a year now… sigh.
It looks like I’ll be at Vons a lot over the next week to take advatage of the doubles before they’re gone. I’m sad but not really surprised when things like this happen anymore. Vons double coupons helped me build a big stock pile and the Just 4 U program has helped me a lot on non coupon items like produce and bread.
Lately, it hasn’t been the double coupons, but the Just4U program that has kept me shopping at Vons. I’m grateful for that program and will continue to shop there for that alone. I hope that Albertsons will actually use this to their advantage and WILL continue to double coupons to be the “only” store in SoCal to offer this – perhaps giving them the edge.
Has anyone had trouble with their Just4u account in southern cali? I’ve called customer service and they say that my account is up and running, but when I log in and click on the Just4u personalized deals, it says not available in your area. I’ve tested at the register to see if the personalized prices work, and they don’t for me. I live is Reseda. Is anyone else having this problem? I feel like I’m missing out on all the AWESOME Just4u deals!
Mary-My Vons Just4u doesn’t work either. I’m in San Diego. While shopping one day the manager walked over with the iPad and asked if I wanted to sign up. I did. With doing so I was able to get a free dozen eggs. Or so I thought. After going home I went online in my Just4u account added the items onto my card and printed the list for my next shopping trip. I kind of like seeing the price drop and hearing the beep after every coupon passes the scanner. I wondered if this digital coupon would really work. So I calculated the items as I went along. Once I swiped my Vons card the total was about $40 higher than my calculations. My Just4u savings did nothing. The cashier questioned whether I had a Just4u account and whether I added my items onto the card. Then I pulled out my printed Just4u list. The cashier had to manually enter every item off of my list. The line behind me grew longer (about 15 people) and angry comments grew from the line. After another unsuccessful Just4u trip to Vons the cashier told me to call the 800# which I did. I was on hold for 20 minutes and then had to hang up to leave for work. Another cashier told me to leave my card with the customer service desk upon entering the store so they could fix it. I did that. After shopping for a few minutes they called me on the loud speaker, verified that all my information was correct (phone, email, number on card,etc..) and it was correct. Customer Service had the Vons corporate customer service on the phone and asked me to shop for 30 minutes while they fix the card. I shopped, swiped, and the cashier told me that the Just4u savings worked (she showed me the “SC” on the monitor). Once I returned home I calculated the items and again it did not work. The “SC” is the regular Club Savings. The Vons is literally right around the corner which makes it very convenient to shop, however I am becoming frustrated because some cashiers behave as if its my fault their program doesn’t work. The customer service level drops when they have to manually enter items. I’ve had to put my own bags into the cart and once I had to bag my own items. I shouldn’t have to print my list every time to prove anything to them. I shouldn’t have to bring my phone to log on and show them my list.
I just want the card to work like its supposed to.
I hope they will lower down their prices like ralphs.
ralphs low prices is bs
too right!!!
Yes, they have around 10 loss leaders a week, that’s the only thing that brings me in. Our Ralphs is like a grungy yard sale.
Totally agree! I can get Ralphs ‘low price’ items at other stores even without coupons!!
I hate Ralphs….. I don’t see what the benefit of going there is. I don’t think they have lower their prices much but honestly I have given up on Ralphs a while back so I don’t even bother checking for sales there.
I agree!! Without the double coupons and so few real discounts on any given week, it is not worth going in anymore. I am afraid Vons will soon be the same for me. With Smart N Finals sales on meat and produce, Target and Walmart everyday lower prices, and the 99.99 cent only store I will be fine without Vons!
exactly!
Obviously olga has been paid off my the ralphs mafia
Well, Vons has those nice store coupons, so hopefully we will still be able to pair manufacturers coupons with those. Also, stores seem to periodically bring back the double coupon as a promotion. And, maybe we will see more in-store try-me-free rebates like that really great cereal/fiber bar promo they had a month or so ago.
I do also like vons’ store coupons. maybe it’s just time to grow my own food/make my own cos saving at the grocery stores keeps getting harder. Hoping albies doublers continue!!!
I am bummed that they are no longer going to double. Love the Just 4 you but the double coupon was nice to add to it.
We have seen stores remove and bring back doubling in the history of these type of supermarkets. Like I said before we need to fill out store receipt surveys and suggestion cards to let them know what we want and what we will not settle for. The just for U and real low prices are just a way to lure you into the store with a limited time promotion, a limited product sale quantity and sale price on a frequently or non-frequently used product, or promote their store products. In simple Economics money flow depends much on, supply and demand or demand and supply sounds even better to emphasize this point on business cash flow. We must complaint at this point especially if we have families of 3 or more! I have a family size of six to worry about. We all have a lot supermarket fine print to get great sale prices on groceries from supermarkets. Limits on coupons, product limits to buy at the store, coupons to use per day per loyalty card for a great sale price! Are all of us writing our real thoughts to these supermarkets? So far it doesn’t seem we have impacted them much. Just check the poor customer service and carelessness at the checkout sometimes! I just recently had to bag some of my stuff and stuff they left in a corner of the checkout almost got forgotten, sometimes getting overcharged! We will have consumer power only when we do it together in a massive consumer response!
At our Vons there are some ‘couponers’, and I say that sarcastically, who do not play by the rules. They make copies of their printables (the ones with the unique barcode). The cashiers would override them. Well, Vons was probably getting burned, as these shoppers were committing coupon fraud. A couple months ago, a cashier said to me, “your coupons always go through, we have a few people whose coupons never scan”. She told me they had sometimes 5 of the same coupon, well Vons would still honor them. My guess is if too many people were doing this, they would lose $ over fake coupons, and double that with double coupons. I believe our Vons has gone back and forth with double, no double, double, in the past few years (post 2003/2004 strike). I try to do most of my regular shopping at Target, as they have a nice grocery section. As for produce, I hit up Jon’s. Still will visit Vons if the Just4U deals continue to be good ones.
i stopped shopping at ralphs because they stopped doubling coupons , vons became my main shopping place after that but since they will stop doubling coupons there is no more reasons for me to go shop at vons anymore . they are overpriced on many things compare to other store . their sales items are often more expensive on sale at vons than at full price at an other store ( doubling coupons was what made it up for the difference and often more interresting) . i have to say i m really dissapointed by their decision . they will loose alot of costumers that way ….
homeschoolmama i agree with you , we need ou voice to heard.in many other states shops still double coupons . california is already more expensive on everything +high tax and now the doubling end…. what’s next ?
You said exactly what I’m feeling. I rarely shop at Ralphs anymore unless they have have produce on sale, or their quarterly $.99 eggs and Vons was the only place I was really shopping for groceries.
While the Just4U program is nice, especially because it’s manageable online, their in-store signage for the program is non-existent and I’ve had issues at the register making sure I was getting the right size or flavor/type items. Plus, the majority of the freebies I’ve received through the program weren’t even carried at either Vons close to my home, I’m guessing because they’re new products.
What I’m more concerned about than the disappearing doublers, is the fact that this gives all the SoCal grocery chains the opportunity to raise their prices as they don’t seem to care much for the competitive edge they previously had. Today it’s doublers, but I think we’re going to see prices go up after 6 months or so, at all the chains, just because they can.
I’m extremely disappointed as responsible couponing has saved me so much money and helped me get out of debt.
Same here! Vons just lost another costumer… actually they will loose a lot because I’ll tell everyone I know!
Now that they don’t double, ad match at walmart if you are going here
All the more reason to price match at Walmart :/
Seriously!!! There is no reason to shop all over the place, Walmart is smart and they are going to be come a one stop shop for a LOT more people.
With all do respect; I hate Walmart and I refuse to shop there even if the stuff is free. I have worked in the food industry for years and what they do to their suppliers is a total shame. I am not trying to offend anyone; I went through a rough financial patch and I know how it is when you need (not want) but NEED to get the best prices. Also, my Walmart is not coupon friendly at all.
This SUCKS!
Here in long beach, I hunt great produces at 99 cents store u be surprise what you find… I found white nectarines for 99cents a bag beautiful crunch and sweet vs what I spend at farmers mkt $4lb. melons I pay $5 well guess what? They had that too. sometime if you get lucky. Turkey oscar mayer deli fresh sandwich meat 1lb u pay $7at Von.. Only 99cents if you find it. Since double couponing is disappearing 99cent store is my plan b.
I love the 99 cent store. I found Oscar Mayer Deli Selects All Beef Hot Dogs today and also Grands Biscuits, among other things. The Jersey Maid Orange Juice they carry is very good. It stinks that Vons is doing this. Fortunately, since I live in Santa Ana, there’s alot of stores that cater to the latino community that always have great prices on produce and meat.
Can you please do us a favor and write more clearly? Its really hard to follow. But I do agree with you on the 99 cents store. Which 99 cents store in Long Beach do you go to for the best produce? I am finding it a real hit or miss situation with them. So maybe I am looking in the wrong stores. Thanks.
Oh no I was such a supporter of Vons but I hope they will follow suit with Ralphs and lower their prices. Just 4 you is a great program though I hope they keep it up.
Just 4 U is great when it actually works!! I can’t tell you how many times after I check out I have to go wait at customer service for them to fix my receipt and take off what I loaded onto my J4U account. You would think they could figure it out since I have no problem with coupons I load onto my Ralphs card, so it can be done. And I agree with the other readers, Ralphs has much better prices now and I haven’t been going since Vons still doubled but it looks like I will be going back. Vons is more expensive when you take out the double coupons.
My Just4u card doesn’t work either. I continually have to print my Just4u list or log onto my account via my phone so I can prove to them that I have an account and I’ve added my items onto my card. Its frustrating.
I’m bummed, but not surprised. CA is just more difficult to coupon shop in as compared to other states.
Doubling coupons kept me shopping at Vons (which is out of my way) … Now I’ll be primarily sticking with Albertsons and Staters.
It seems that you (yes vons, I know your reading all of this) have lost a lot of customers. Just think, this is just the comments, think of all the people that have just read this post.
The sad truth of this is that Albertsons may follow suit and eliminate double the value coupons. When it comes to double coupons there must be a market for it in a specific area. Now that two large grocery chains have eliminated it in the So Cal area–there is no longer a need for it here.
If albertsons were smart, they would keep the double coupons… …get a lot more business in the hard times there having…
This definitely sucks, I stopped shopping at Ralphs when they stopped double coupons, doesn’t look like I’ll be shopping at Vons now either. I am getting married in 2 weeks and I was hoping to save my new hubby and I some money on groceries. Looks like I’ll be shopping at the commissary a lot more than I had anticipated.
I just learned from my cashier this morning. Von’s I believe is not making a great financial decision. Hopeful they will reverse their decision, if enough customers make their voices heard.
On another note I just bought 2 Ore-IDA Sweet Potato Steak Fries 2/$6 (NOT A GREAT PRICE) and used a $1/2 Printable Q. Surprisingly I recieved a $1.50 Catalina on my next shopping order. Now not a bad price.
“When it comes to double coupons there must be a market for it in a specific area. ” What does that mean? There isn’t a need for doubling in Southern CA?
It would be great for business to have the lowest prices around (i.e. Walmart). However, if no other store is doubling, then they don’t need to “lose” money through doubling. I agree that Albertsons should keep their program, and I have even read that some Safeway area have doubler coupons as well. This would be a nice compromise I think. Either way, I thought that when Ralphs eliminated doubling that I was going to be unable to get all the good deals. I didn’t realize how great Just4U & Vons stackable store coupons, Albertsons doublers, KMart’s doubling policy, and Target’s stackable coupons were! I was tied to Ralphs for doubling-but I have found that I have not saved any less on my groceries since that ended-just watch this site, and you will be fine!!! Thanks Josie!!!!!!!
It doesn’t affect me because I have been able to get great prices and even get free items without double coupons. Plus there is no Vons near me, and I haven’t received any Double the Value coupons from Albertsons since their sister store is closer to me. Besides, since Ralphs stopped doubling their coupons, their prices are much better now!
obvious you have worked at albertsons, vons and ralphs
To mary…who had trouble signing in…..that happened to me….. turned out i was trying to login under safeway.com instead of vons.com ….. if all else fails try deleting your cookies…or call customer service …..hth
Same for me-I was logged into Pavillions, and it wouldn’t work-make sure it says vons.com at the top
I called customer service and was on hold for 20 minutes, then had to hang up to leave. A Vons cashier told me to leave my card at the customer service desk so they could fix my card. The cashiers were getting frustrated manually entering all the Just4u savings off of my list. After 40 minutes at the customer service desk they said the card was all fixed. It was’t 8-( I continually have to print my list or log onto my phone to prove that I have a Just4u account and that I’ve added my items to my list. I’ve wondered whether its a scam to make people believe they are getting a savings when they actually are not. Many people buy more items if they know they are saving on other items.
I’m really bummed – Vons had become my primary store when Ralphs quit doubling. I get some great deals with the double coupons. Guess it won’t be my primary any more, unless just 4 u steps it up.
I’ve been couponing a little over a year, and so many (negative) changed have happened in my favorite stores due to the dumb show, and dumb dishonest people. Ugh, so frustrating for those of us that work hard to COUPON LEGALLY and ETHICALLY
wow….I hope Albertsons still does their double coupons.I have got a connection where I get several doublers . I guess I will have to learn how to price match more at Walmart.
Josie, how do you feel about it?
Bummer! I feel your pain, though. We moved from SoCal to Seattle early this year and no one doubles coupons here! I was so bummed!
This is really a bummer……and a disappointment. It is hard enough couponing in so Cal….and now we have no places that will double coupons? Very sad.
Why don’t we all call the VONS phone number provided on the ad and let them know politely how it affects us our household. The just for U program is great for a pre-selected sale /promotional items. But however doubling helps save on items I use most frequently and/or the items I need to restock for my family. Stating something along these lines will help them understand the just4u program cannot replace the other savings we need/want. I would hate for us to go to other stores without informing the store, how we really feel. Anyone have any other persuading ideas?
Good Idea, I’m going to call!
Ladies it is time to print out Von’s new coupon policy as it has changed in preparation for the no more regular doubling at checkout. I skimmed through it quickly and now they will be like Albies, they will have doubling promotions, but of course it states that dates and times will vary per store and are subject to change and posted in store. *** Not all stores will offer double promotions and terms will vary! Oh boy! If any of you know any supervisors well, now is the time to ask them! Some of them are very knowledge and will be willing to specify!
Does Vons allow Just 4 U coupons with paper manufacture coupons for the same item?
For me, it depends on the cashier. One of the supervisors told me it was one or the other…not both. But then a lot of cashiers will ring in a coupon when the Just 4 U price kicks in for me. Quite frankly, I forget what I have loaded on the card most of the time. There are so many things to keep track of.
You can print out your list or log onto your account from your phone while your at the store. It will maximize your savings. As long as your card works. My Just4u card doesn’t work thats why I have to print the list and the cashier manually enters all teh savings.
I love how vons just snuck this in at the very bottom of the ad. At least Ralphs had it printed on a huge side of their ad. My Vons has been one of the worst places to go with coupons. Especially since they wont accept more than two of the same coupon. It’s ridiculous. Ive been doing all my shopping at Stater bros. unless Ralphs has something really cheap. I’m glad I’ll be moving from CA to TX next year. I just can’t afford CA after graduating college and not finding more than a minimum wage job.
Wow, someone moving for CA to TX, who does that. Oh, yeh, duh.. …all smart people!
I really hate this!!! But I can’t say that I did not see this coming.
once upon a time double (and even triple) coupons were a special promotion that ran at the supermarkets for a period of time, not all the time. alas, times back then were not like times right now. nor was i a couponer at the timer… i will thoroughly miss doubling, not to mention the few free items (carefree for ex.) i was get by using coupons. i guess we should have guessed something when they began to develop just 4u.
i just hope they consider fixing things like their coupon policy. c’mon, only 2 like coupons! and their receipts. still too hard to read!
a change in lower prices would be nice too.
*time
Just because 2 large grocery store chains have eliminated the doubling of manufacturer coupons does not mean there isn’t a need for them here…the customers still need them afterall…lol!
I mostly shop for produce, bread, frozen foods and cleaning products at 99 Cents Only stores now. I also get bread, canned goods and toiletries at Big Lots. I also shop for bread, dairy products, lunchmeat and canned goods at the Grocery Outlet. I do shop Vons and while I like Just4U, I’m really disappointed that they are not going to double coupons anymore.
Then I’ll stick to Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Walmart.