Readers have been sending emails voicing concerns over the San Diego supermarket Vons decision to discontinue doubling manufacturers' coupons.
According to Frank Green of the Union-Tribune, Vons has stopped doubling coupons in its San Diego County stores. In the article, Vons' spokeswoman Sandra Calederon said the decision was made because doubling coupons is losing its popularity among shoppers. Also the competition has increased with discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Costco moving into the area.
Calederon also points to Vons unionized work force as being partly to blame because pay and benefits to those employees is higher than the non unionized workforce working for their biggest competitor, Wal-Mart.
Calederon admits Vons was not losing money by doubling coupons, but for now the decision to stop doubling coupons will stand in all 56 of the region's stores. The remaining 180 stores in other areas of the state will (for now) continue the double-coupon program.
Effected shoppers can still get coupons doubled at the Kroger-based supermarket chain, Ralphs, whose spokesperson Terry O'Neil who said Ralphs has doubled coupons for over 20 years and has no plans on discontinuing the program.
Customer Reactions
In recent emails, readers have voiced their annoyance with Vons' decision to stop doubling coupons. Comments include:
Matthew Tilley, a spokesman who works for CMS in North Carolina, a company who is a coupon agent for manufacturers, said manufacturers distributed 10 percent more coupons in 2005 then in 2004 yet consumer redemption of coupons was down six percent.
See Also:
Vons Clips Double Coupons
According to Frank Green of the Union-Tribune, Vons has stopped doubling coupons in its San Diego County stores. In the article, Vons' spokeswoman Sandra Calederon said the decision was made because doubling coupons is losing its popularity among shoppers. Also the competition has increased with discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Costco moving into the area.
Calederon also points to Vons unionized work force as being partly to blame because pay and benefits to those employees is higher than the non unionized workforce working for their biggest competitor, Wal-Mart.
Calederon admits Vons was not losing money by doubling coupons, but for now the decision to stop doubling coupons will stand in all 56 of the region's stores. The remaining 180 stores in other areas of the state will (for now) continue the double-coupon program.
Effected shoppers can still get coupons doubled at the Kroger-based supermarket chain, Ralphs, whose spokesperson Terry O'Neil who said Ralphs has doubled coupons for over 20 years and has no plans on discontinuing the program.
Customer Reactions
In recent emails, readers have voiced their annoyance with Vons' decision to stop doubling coupons. Comments include:
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"Just wanted to let you know that most Vons in So Cal, including mine in Spring Valley, CA are discontinuing double coupons effective 2/15/06. Let your readers know - I am ditching Vons and going back to Ralphs effective today!" Monica - Ex-Vons Shopper
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"I went into a Vons Saturday evening and saw a sign posted on the cashier's cubby that as of February 14, 2006, manufacturers coupons will only be accepted for face value. Vons has lost me as a loyal customer of 14 years. Boo-hoo. Any idea if this will become the norm anytime soon?" Joannie
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"I emailed Vons and asked them why they do not double the coupons anymore and they said that they found that their customers would prefer lower prices as opposed to doubling. When replied back and asked what prices had they lowered and by how much, I received no response." ...Sincerely, Bianca
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"I live in El Cajon, California and as of this past Wednesday February 15, 2006 Vons is no longer doubling coupons. That was very devastating news. But grocery stores to add to your list are the I.G.A. Independent grocery stores in the San Diego County area one being Foodland here in El Cajon." Thank you, Julie Olson
Matthew Tilley, a spokesman who works for CMS in North Carolina, a company who is a coupon agent for manufacturers, said manufacturers distributed 10 percent more coupons in 2005 then in 2004 yet consumer redemption of coupons was down six percent.
See Also:
Vons Clips Double Coupons
I have been a Vons shopper well over 15 years,and an avid coupon user. I was very dissapointed to hear that Vons has discontinued their double coupon policy. I shop at the Vons Gardena store, and was also told that they, meaning we the consumers, would rather have lower prices then to have our coupons doubled. I have found that in the past few weeks, Vons prices have been extremely high, the particular stores were not well stocked,ect. I was not a frequent Kroger shopper,(as I felt that they were higher then Vons), but now I have decided to forgo Vons all together and start shopping at Kroger since I can count on them doubling my coupons
I went shopping for at least an hour yesterday with a stack of coupons in my hand and my Vons club card in the other, I have to be extra careful on how I spend my money since now I am expecting twins and am on disability. When I got to the cashier and noticed how much my total was, I asked if the vons card worked, why was it so much, thats when she told me they stopped doubling coupons! I would have bought half my stuff at Wal-mart and I am sure I would have saved. I was a loyal customer for god knows how long, until yesterday. Time for Ralphs again! and wal mart!
Just like the previous posters said, I’m not shopping at Vons now. If all coupon users did this, it would surely make a dent in Vons’ profits and they might reinstate double coupons.
Probably, VONS is having trouble making money. The double-coupon coupon-users are very low or negative profit shoppers. So, Vons is going to export these shopper to Walmart or Costco, and try to keep the less cost-sensitive shoppers.
11/11/2008 @ 1:15p.m.;
I just called my local VONS in the Eastlake (East Chula Vista area) and confirmed that they double coupons up to a certain amount.
Call your local Vons to confirm otherwise.
Ralph’s in costa mesa does NOT double anymore.