Target: Changes in Coupon Release System and Price Match Policy

Target has been undergoing a LOT of changes regarding not only the way the release their store coupons but also their price match policy.  Let’s start going over changes to the way they release store coupons.  There are four major changes here:

1)  You can now print only two coupons per computer.  Once you have printed the number of coupons allowed the coupon disappears from the list of coupons available.

2) You can only print these coupons directly from the Target website.  No more Target coupon generators.

3)  You no longer are able to print coupons at the store kiosks.

4)  You will not know if the coupon listed on their website is a manufacturer coupon or a Target store coupon or the expiration date of these coupons until you print the coupons.

The last change is the one I am most discontent about.  I feel that it could cause people to waste ink on coupons they thought were Target coupons when they are not.  I think Target should let us know which of the coupons are Target coupons and which are manufacturer coupons to avoid wasted ink and paper.  I don’t think this is too much to ask.  Having said that. Kristin over at Couponing to Disney has taken the time to help us figure out which coupons available on the Target website are manufacturer coupons and which ones are not.  the following list is the current list of coupons available that are manufacturer coupons.  These are manufacturer coupons and should be OK to use at other stores:

.50/1 Argo Corn Starch (exp 1/7)
.75/2 Barilla Plus Multigrain Pasta (exp 1/16)
$1/3 Bush’s Best Baked Beans,16 oz. cans (exp 12/21)
$1 off Disney or Marvel Spider-Man Multivitamin (exp 1/16)
$1 off EAS Myoplex 4 pack shake strength formula. (exp 1/16)
$3 off Flexamin (exp 1/16)
$3/3 Glucerna products (exp 1/16)
$1/3 Hot Pockets or Lean Pockets (exp 1/16)
$1.50 off Huggies jumbo pk, or larger. (exp 1/16)
$1 off Kleenex bundle pack (exp 1/16)
$3 off Osteo Bi-Flex Caplet item (exp 1/16)
$1.50 off Pedialyte product, any (exp 1/16)
$1.50 off Pediasure product, any (exp 1/16)
$1 off Quilted Northern 12 pack + (exp 1/16)
$1 off Uncle Ben’s 2lb Brown or 14 oz instant brown rices (exp 1/16)
$1/3 Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice products (exp 1/16)
$1/4 Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Products (exp 1/16)
$1/2 ZonePerfect multi-packs (exp 1/16) Thanks Southern Savers!

Changes in Price Match Policy

I will give Target a break because I know they just started price matching and are trying to find the method that works for them.  Having said that a new change has been made to their Price Match Policy and basically it boils down to now having to deduct the Target coupon PRIOR to having the item price matched.  Here’s from the Target website the detail on this change:

Can I use coupons when price matching?

A guest can use coupons when price matching per Target’s normal coupon policy. When the guests presents a coupon(s), these steps will be followed:

Manufacturer Coupons:
Manufacturer coupons will be applied after the price match is made.

Target Coupons:
Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price.

Combining both a Target and Manufacturer Coupons:
The Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

Reminder: We accept one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item unless either coupon prohibits it. Thanks Lisette!

I hope Target finds their groove soon.  If they are so keen on implementing changes they might as well consider implementing a change to make it easier on their customers to price match items.  Such a change would be having the item price matched at the register and NOT guest services which involves added hassle.

What do you think of Target’s new changes?  What change would you like to see to improve your shopping experience at Target?