Coupons 101: Lowe's Foods Greenpoints

NOTE: In September 2009, Lowes confirmed that it was discontinuing its participation in the Greenpoints program. Shoppers could use their Greenpoints in stores until Oct. 6. After that, they can use Greenpoints on Greenpoints.com for up to two years. 

I wanted to continue my posts about different store programs that can help you save, and today’s topic is the Greenpoints program at Lowe's Foods.

I am constantly astounded by the number of people who tell me they have never redeemed their Greenpoints and don't really know what to do with them. Or, they have no idea how many they have, and they have no idea they are worth anything.

There are a ton of people out there sitting on, like, 30,000 points with no idea that those points could be helping them save. If that’s you, read this post! You could get a lot of stuff for free by using the points you’ve already accumulated.

A lot of the things you might want to do using the Greenpoints program will involve the Greenpoints Web site, so I’m going to give it to you right up front: www.greenpoints.com.

To learn more about Greenpoints, click “Read more!”

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This program predates my tenure as a retail reporter, but it's my understanding that there was once a S&H Greenstamps program, where you got actual stamps to put in little booklets. You could then trade the booklets in for other items or prizes of your choosing.

The Greenpoints program is really just the updated, more electronic version. It was launched in March 2000. Here’s how it works:

1) You need to have a Lowe’s Foods card. If you don’t have one, sign up at customer service. It’s free.

2) Every time you make a purchase at Lowe’s, swipe your card, and you will receive 10 points for every $1 you spend. If you register online, you can also earn extra points by shopping with participating merchants. There's even a Greenpoints credit card if you want to earn more that way. The points are automatically added to your account when you make a purchase, and if you're in the store, your total will print at the bottom of your receipt.

3) Then, like the old Greenstamps program, you can trade the points for stuff. If you don’t know how many points you have, check the bottom of your receipt, or you can ask at customer service. You can also check your points balance online.

There are several ways to redeem points:

1) You can use your points in Lowe’s Foods stores for specific items. Each week, the sales flyer will note certain items that are free or available at a reduced price if you use a certain number of Greenpoints.

So, the flyer may advertise Coke 2-liters for $1.19, or $.19 when you use 1,000 Greenpoints or something like that. If you want to take advantage of that deal, there often will be a little tear pad on the shelf next to the product that has a bar code on it. All you have to do is take one of the sheets and give it to the cashier when you check out, and the computer will deduct the Greenpoints from your account and give you the lower price. If there’s no tear sheet, you can just tell your cashier you’d like to use your Greenpoints when you check out.

If you’re too lazy to scan the flyer, there are usually little papers in the racks at the stores with all of the Greenpoints deals listed for the week.

Occasionally, there’s also a promotion where Lowe’s will allow you to use 1,000 Greenpoints to knock $1 off your bill. Use 5,000 points and it’s $5. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money. There’s usually no limit, and it’s a great way to use all of those points you’ve accumulated! If you’re using coupons, you might be able to get groceries for free one week!

2) Like the Greenstamps program from before, there’s a merchandise catalog that allows you to trade in your points for non-grocery merchandise. You can get everything from home appliances to kitchen utensils to toys for your kids. There are even gift cards to restaurants including Applebee’s and Burger King, and AMC movie tickets.

In order to do this, the easiest thing is to go on the Greenpoints Web site and check out the catalog. You will need your Lowe’s card to register, but it’s very quick and painless. If you don’t want to do that, you can also request a printed catalog by writing to S&H Customer Care Center, P.O. BOX 4000, Fenton, MO 63099-0001.

Then you can order online or via snail mail for free items in exchange for your Greenpoints.

3) It is also totally legit for you to pool your Greenpoints with your family and friends. So if you want a big-ticket item (some are 100,000 points or more), you can get it faster this way. There are a couple of stipulations on this, though. Your account must have at least 3,000 points before you can transfer. Your account must be at least 30 days old, and you must have purchased from or signed up with a Greenpoints merchant. There's a link on the Web site that you can use to complete a transfer.

4) Finally, if you just don’t think you want your 30,000 Greenpoints, the Greenpoints Web site will allow you to donate them to a local charity or food bank that can definitely use them. I would say that if you aren’t going to use yours, it would be a truly charitable thing to give them away.

One final note: if you still have some stamps in a drawer in your house, don’t throw them out! You can exchange them for points by first registering for a Greenpoints account and then sending your stamps and your new account information via insured mail to S&H Customer Care Center, P.O. BOX 4000
Fenton, MO 63099-0001.

Overall, I think the Greenpoints program is a nice way to save a little extra at the store. But you have to use your points! With all the ways to do so, I don’t think there’s any reason why you should let them languish unused at the bottom of your receipt.