Dramatic Publix Trip

In spite of how well I did on my trips today, this was probably my worst Publix trip ever emotionally. I don't want to sully my deals with the whole story, but if you want to know what happened I will put it down at the bottom of the post. Anyway, here is what I got:

• 4 Kraft Fresh Take Kits, $2.99 50% off - Used 2 B1G1 Publix printable coupons  (no longer available) AND 2 50¢ off printable coupons = 50¢ each
• 2 Simply Orange Juice, 2 for $6 - Used 2 $1 off printable coupons = $2 each
• 2 Bird's Eye Voila! frozen meals, $5.49 B1G1 - Used 2 $2 off printable coupons (no longer available)  = 75¢ each
• 2 Activia Yogurt 4 packs, 3 for $6 - Used 2 $1 off printable coupons (no longer available) AND 2 $1 off Target printable coupons = 2 for Free
• 2 boxes Velveeta Cheesy Skillets, $2.99 B1G1 - Used 75¢ off coupon from 3/18 SS AND 50¢ off printable coupon = 87¢ each
• 2 packs Nathan's Hot Dogs, $5.49 B1G1 - Used 2 $1 off printable coupons = $1.75 each
• 2 boxes Barilla Pasta, $1.49 B1G1 = 75¢ each
• 4 boxes Crystal Light Drink Mix, $2.99 B1G1 - Used 2 B1G1 printable coupons (these automatically took off $4.99 each!) AND 2 75¢ off Publix Stocking Spree Booklet coupons = 4 for Free + $5.50 overage!
• Zantac 150 24ct, $7.99 on sale - Used $5 off coupon from the 4/1 SS AND $2 off Target coupon from the Hi Coupons mailer = 99¢
• Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner, $9.99 - Used $5 off printable coupon (no longer available) AND will submit for the $5 mail in rebate (no longer available) = Free (after rebate)
• 2 Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Refills, $3.99 each - Used B1G1 coupon found in a previously purchased One Step Kit AND Publix sale Free Refill wyb the Kit = 2 for Free
• 2 boxes Finish Quantum 25 ct Dishwasher Tablets, $6.99 B1G1 - Used 2 $1 off blinkie box coupons found in the store = $2.50 each
• 5 Carefree 20 ct Pantyliners, $1.29 each - Used 5 $1 off coupon from the 3/18 SS AND 5 $2 off Any Carefree Publix coupon in green flyer at the front of the store = 5 for Free + $8.55 overage

• 12 bags Kraft Shredded Cheese, $3.99 50% off - Used 12 $1 off coupons from Kraft flyer in the store (they were handing out huge stacks of these coupons!) = 99¢ each
• 9 packs of Kraft Big Slices Cheese, $2.99 50% off - Used  9 $1 off coupons from Kraft flyer in the store (again, they would give you as many as you wanted) = 49¢ each
• 6 packs Kraft American Singles, $3.49 50% off - Used 6 $1 off coupons from Kraft Flyer in the store (they were trying to get me to buy more) = 75¢ each
• 2 BP $50 Gas Gift Cards - Used 2 $10 off $50 gas card wyb $25 purchase Publix coupons in the weekly ad = $80.00
• Used 2 $5 off $30 Publix coupons
• Used 2 $5 off $30 Winn Dixie coupons

So, without sales and coupons my total would have been $320.92, but I only paid $96.35! That's less than just the gas cards, technically making all of my groceries free :) I could have gotten more gas cards due to the amount I purchased, but I honestly can't spare that much out of pocket right now :( But at least I was able to get the 3 that I did. over the last 2 weeks. My husband drives an hour to school and back everyday, so anything to save on gas is a great thing. 

I also did one completely separate transaction so I could submit for a nice rebate:

• 2 Lysol Dual Action Wipes, $4.89 B1G1 - Used 50¢ off 2 printable coupon AND will submit for the $3 off mail in rebate from the 3/18 SS Try Me Free Rebate =  70¢ each  2 for Free!

Now for my dramatic story: I'll be honest - this is really the first Publix trip that has ever made me so upset that I just don't want to visit that store anymore. I was gearing up for a really big haul of stuff (it took 2 carts!), I had everything all worked out and I get to the checkout lane only to have a not-so-happy cashier/manager tell me that I was going to have ti split my order up into separate transactions and then have another person come meet me and pretend that they were purchasing my items or else flat out could not use my coupons. She was very rude to me and really didn't care that I was upset at all. If I hadn't spent 2 hours in the store by that time getting everything together, I would have just left my full carts at the checkout lane and walked out without making a purchase. But I procrastinated and today was the last day of the sale and I didn't have time to drive to the Titusville store where they are always nice to me. So, I went into an aisle and started separating - it took me 40 minutes to get everything situated into 4 separate transactions of just over $30 each and luckily my sister was getting off work and was able to be my warm body to stand next to me in the checkout lane. 

The worst part about all of this is that I was so upset from how rude that girl was that I cried - I do not take confrontation well and I always cry (which I hate!). Another cashier who I have known for a long time was doing her personal shopping after her shift and tried to talk to me and I just couldn't help but cry. I know now that I will be known as the blubbering idiot who cried because she couldn't use her coupons at the PSJ store which really just makes me so embarrassed that I never want to go back there again. Truthfully, I won't go there for a while to let the stigma die down, but inevitably I will go back - they are very conveniently placed on my way home from work. I will certainly make sure I never have to interact with that girl again, and I do intend to write to corporate so they can clarify who was right in this scenario. I think I know that technically speaking the girl was right, but I have always had cashiers that will allow me to use multiple $5 off $30 coupons as long as my total exceeds the full value of those coupons (i.e. I would have to have $60 of stuff to use 2 coupons). I have always had cashiers that willingly suggest this to me so I don't have to put them through so many transactions and I have never had any of them tell me I needed another person in order to make my purchase valid. The reason I have always loved Publix so much is that they will gladly do whatever it takes to make the customer happy within reason, and I really don't feel that my request was unreasonable especially seeing that every other cashier has always done it for me no problem. So, corporate will be hearing about my misadventure and I will definitely let you all know so you can avoid the situation I encountered today. I really just want to know the rules - I am a stickler for the rules of coupons. It is not in my best interest to cheat with coupons because that will just cause stores to not allow them anymore, then where would we be? I was trying to complete an honest transaction abiding by the stores rules only to be treated rudely by an inconsiderate manager. 

Anyway, I am officially rambling now. See why I didn't want to put all this at the beginning? Hopefully you don't have any experiences like this - if I was not such a seasoned couponer, this probably would have been enough to make me stop doing it all together. Alas, I will prevail and continue to save as much money as I can :)