Coupons 101: Store rules

Here are the rules for using coupons at our area stores. The rules vary by store, and it's important you structure your shopping to comply with the rules at that particular store. It seems complicated at first, but with a little practice, it will all be second-nature. 

-Food Lion takes manufacturer’s coupons but does not double them.

-Harris Teeter does double coupons, all the time. Up to 99 cents in value, up to 20 coupons in an order. Limit three of the same coupon.

-Kroger doubles manufacturer's coupons up to 50 cents. No limit on the number of identical coupons.

-Lowes Foods doubles all the time, up to 99 cents in value. Limit four of the same coupon.

-Wal-Mart takes coupons but doesn't double them. Wal-Mart's official coupon policy states that anyone who wants to use more than 40 coupons in a single order will require manager approval.

-The drug stores (Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS) all take coupons but don't double them.

-Warehouse clubs vary. Sam's and Costco do not take manufacturer's coupons.

BJ's does, and even allows you to use several coupons if you are buying a multi-pack. So, if you are buying a multi-pack of toothpaste with five tubes in it and had five Colgate coupons, you could use them. The important distinction here is that the individual units in the multi-pack have to come packaged individually, like the individual tubes you'd buy at a regular store. So the big huge boxes of diapers don't count for the multi-pack rule since it has different packaging specifically for BJs.

Warehouse clubs also put out their own coupons for members.

-Other stores operate on a case-by-case basis, so it's best to ask if you are unsure.

Updated: July 10, 2008