Virtual Class #11 – Understanding the Store Pricing Models

When you start couponing one of the first things you will realize if you haven’t already is that at Wal-Mart prices are generally constant. They rarely have sales and they occasionally have a ‘price drop’ but for the most part their prices remain the same. Stores like Kroger, Meijer, CVS and others have sales!

So why is this important? Well if I told you that I haven’t set foot in Wal-Mart in over 3 months would you wonder why? Their ‘everyday low price’ isn’t all that low. Stores like Kroger and CVS want you to come into their stores, so they have sales. They will lure inside with great deals, and often those deals can be paired with a coupon making those items extremely cheap or free!!!

Let’s talk about something called ‘High-Low Pricing’. The high price of an item is essentially the shelf price. If I walk into Kroger and buy an item off the shelf not on sale, I’m a retailers dream. Kroger’s shelf prices are generally higher than Wal-marts. This is common knowledge, and is one big reason Wal-mart is perceived to be the cheapest.
BUT let’s say I’m paying attention.

I see in Kroger’s ad that they are having a sale. I know from shopping at Wal-mart, that the sale price of that particular item is less than Wal-marts price. I’m doing well. I’m finding something cheaper at Kroger and I’m saving money!!! But wait, its gets even better. Kroger doubles coupons, Wal-Mart does not. (We will talk about this in another lesson) When I check out, I can get an item on sale at Kroger, cheaper than I can get it at Wal-Mart, AND because I have a coupon and it DOUBLES, I’m getting this item for almost nothing!!! Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.





Even without the coupon, Kroger still beat Wal-marts price. But you can now see that combined with the power of doubling, Kroger temporary lower price, along with the coupon savings beats Wal-Mart’s everyday price substantially. If you had never used a coupon and had been paying the $3.29, your savings, when using a coupon and buying the item on sale, is roughly 62%!!! Imagine that savings across the board.
Pricing methods are important to your overall strategy of saving money. If you’re a keen and aware shopper, you will be able to take advantage of sales. By using coupons on the store’s low price, you can get many items for free or extremely cheap!

LESSON:
Where should I shop, and is Wal-Mart always more expensive??
How do you take advantage of the stores pricing methods??
When there is a sale, is it always a sale?
Can CVS be cheaper than Wal-mart and why?

I’ll answer these questions in later posts….feel free to discuss and ask questions!!!


If you’re interested in the concept of double coupons please click the link below. It will be covered in a virtual class soon:
Double Coupons…and Why it’s So Confusing. - WeUseCoupons.com

Great information! Thank you!

Mom to 4 & grandma to little Kenneth !!

I've been away for a while, now I'm back into coupons and frugality! Look out!

Interesting..I never shop at Wal-mart because of this..
I only shop there if the store is out of an item and I price match - assuming it does not require a coupon to double

More good information to have.

I have never tried to learn about this because I don't know what stores here in Illinois double's coupons. I'm in the western burbs of Chicago anyone know? I"m by Jewel, Dominicks, Meijers, Woodmans.

Great info! Im a walmart shopper and my first "couponing" attempt was there. It was a horrible experience!!! I only shop there for the convenience of grocery and necessity in one place, but most of the time it is NOT worth it. I live in Albuquerque NM and don't have a Krogers, Meijers, or Safeway. These are the stores I hear most about on WUC. But they did just put up a CVC which I cant wait to go check out!! Thank you to everyone who has put up a helpful post!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a blog where I post Walmart coupon matchups. There are always certain items that are free and many of them seem to have recurring coupons out occasionally. Here are some of the current things that are free with coupons at Walmart. Some items are only carried at Super Walmarts.

Health & Beauty:
*BIC Razors $2.97
Bic Disposable Shavers (DND 5) – 08-01-10 SS – b1g1 free, valid up to $6.99 exp. 8/29/10
BIC Soleil Disposable Shavers, 3pk, 4pk, or 8pk $3 off 1 – 07-11-10 SS exp. 8/22/10
Final Price free after both coupons


*Finesse Shampoo $2.64
Use $1/1 Finesse Purchase coupon from 5/16 Smartsource insert (exp 8/15 – we did not get this coupon in Minneapolis)
Spend $1.64, then submit for mail-in rebate from 5/16 Smartsource insert (exp 8/31 – we did not get this form in Minneapolis)
Final price: Free after coupon and rebate


*Johnson & Johnson First Aid Travel Kit $0.97
buy 1 band aid brand adhesive bandages product and/or neosporin original ointment and/or purell instant hand sanitizer (8 oz or larger) product and/or 1 cortaid product and/or 1 Johnson & Johnson red cross brand product – 08-01-10 SS
Final Price: Free


* Noxzema hair trimmers
Use $2 off 1 coupon from 5/23 RP expires 9/2010 (have to look a bit for these, they were somewhere right above the shaver section at Menomonee Falls/Germantown Walmart.)


* Reach dental floss
Use $1 off 1 coupon from 3/7/10 or 5/16 RP


*Schick disposable razors $1.97
Use $3 off 1 from 7/25 SS (not sure if this will actually work or not as I’ve never tried the $3 off 1 before)
Final Price: Better than free




BABY:
*Johnson’s Baby Cotton Swabs (30 ct.)$1 (estimated price)
Use $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Product from 6/6 Red Plum insert (exp 8/15)
Final price: Free after coupon

FOOD:
*Borden Singles Sensations $1.88
Use: $1 off 1 coupon
Final Price: $0 .88 after coupon


*Dentyne Gum $0.97Use $1/1 Dentyne Gum Single Pack or $1/1 Dentyne Pure Gum Pack from 6/13 Smart Source insert (exp 8/8)
Final price: Free after coupon


*Frank’s Red Hot Sauce $0.92
Frank’s Redhot Sauce, Any – 07-25-10 SS exp. 9/30/10
Final price: Free + overage


*Kraft Salad Dressing $1.50
Use $1/1 Kraft Dressing coupon from 6/20 Smartsource insert (exp 8/22)
Final price: $0.50 after coupon
*Note: These were back up to $2 a bottle yesterday 7/09/10.


*Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo $1.50
Use $1/1 Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo coupon from 6/13 Smartsource insert (exp 8/15)
Final price: $0.50 after coupon

OTHER:
*Rayovac Batteries 4-pack $0.94
Rayovac Alkaline or Hearing Aid Batteries, any pack – 07-25-10 SS
Rayovac Alkaline or Hearing Aid Batteries, any pack – 06-20-10 ss exp. 8/21/10
Final price: Free after coupon
Note: I could not find these even at my Super Walmart.



*Tide trial size $0.97
Use $1/1 any tide from 8/1/10 PG

do stores double coupons on a daily basis or is it certain times or days?

For me Walmart is ok. The prices here on some everyday items are higher or they are routinely out of them. To top it off, it is always crowded. Just be aware that WM no longer has a Kodak instant print machine. I learned this lesson last night.
I have found that CVS, Walgreens, Target (on occassion) and Harris Teeter (only during doubles or triples) are a better deal.

I have not shopped at a WM in months. I go there when I need something like floor dry, but never food. I always like to shop where I get more than just product. For me that means things like rewards and gas points.

I think it's great that you present the information in this format so that people can see it in black and white, esp helpful for new people.

Thanks for all you do.