The common theme of discussion lately: Giant deals stink. It seems as though the changes in the Gas Deal program has derailed some of the best savings we have seen at Giant. If you are familiar, the Gas program had several changes last month, including a lower gallon redemption.
So I have heard the sky is falling at Giant. I have heard I won’t shop at Giant anymore and so on and so forth.
I wanted to take an objective look at the situation at Giant, I wanted to share some facts with you and then maybe give my opinion.
1. There are quite a few sales that are in the circular the last few weeks that were available the same time last year. They were the same prices as last year. So it is good to know that the price increases weren’t too much of a factor for many sale items
- Free Barilla Pasta – Barilla Pasta was on sale for $1.00 (it is again this week) and we had a $.55/1 Coupon that doubled making it free.
- Sabra Hummus – High Value $1.25/1 Coupon last July – it would be $.74 this week at Giant.
2. There are some similar deals that appeared again this year, but this year we did not have the high value coupons to match.
So for example this week there is a $3.00 wyb 4 ice cream products. Last year we had high value $2.00/1 and $3.00/3 coupons.. if we would have some of these coupons this year.. our scenarios would look so much better.
Just taking the one coupon from last year:
Buy (4) Fruttare $12.00
use (2) $2.00/1 Fruttare
and use (2) $1.25/1 Fruttare
Get $3.00 off instantly
$2.50 or $.62 each
Another Example, this time last year we had $2.00/1 Wisk Coupon and Wisk was just on sale for $3.99, it would have been $1.99. So is it the sales or the coupon values that are changing.
3. It is Summer. Whether we like it or not, people coupon less in the summer. It happens every year. I bet some of you are guilty of not clipping over the summer.
4. There isn’t a ton going on at other stores either. Even stores like Shoprite has seen very very slow weeks.
5. We haven’t seen much in the way of instant savings or really good catalinas lately.
Now to address the gas deals, yes the 25 gallon rule – well it does change our gas deals. It makes every deal different. We kind of have to accept that and move on. However, there has been another yucky factor – the $.20 factor. So many gas deals are $.20. I have to wonder, is this the new norm. It is hard to say, due to timing. If we are seeing these same deals in September, I would say that the gas deals “sky” is falling.
Now for some real frank conversation, that I know many of us don’t like to hear:
I have seen many comments on why Giant is doing this, etc. They are first and foremost a company. I do have to say when I ran a business, I had a rule that “Some business isn’t worth having”. If you are losing money on a customer, they aren’t worth having as a customer. Now, I know some of you are upset, but Giant still is a business and not a charity. I love getting a deal just as much as the next guy, but obviously there was an issue with Gas program – so they are making changes.
Maybe Giant is making business decisions. If this is the case, then we have other shopping options, but I think we should keep it classy when we are commenting and calling customer service. I have seen lots of nasty comments and wanted to remind everyone that this is a BONUS REWARDS program – they don’t have to have it. No other store in our area has had such a generous gas points rewards program – Weis, Redners, and heck may don’t have one at all.
So my take: I think the deals at Giant are still there. I think we are seeing less high value coupons on food items and catalina offers, which is making it harder to save everywhere. I think the gas deals are still worth looking at, but perhaps I will adjust my thoughts later.
What will I do? In the meantime, I will continue to shop at all three grocery stores in my area, the farmers market and continue to maximize my savings as much as I can.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I would love to hear yours! Please comment below.
Do note, any comments that include profanity will be deleted.
Wesley Pipes says
I agree with the article. Giant is a business first and foremost. Actually surprises me how they can turn a profit when they’re giving gas for a decent discount. It sucks that the discounts aren’t as generous, but we shouldn’t complain when Giant isn’t required to provide these gas deals.
Cheryl says
I am bummed like everyone else about the gas deals, but i know in my area many people were participating in gas deals so i figured sooner or later it would change. Regardless, Giant in Bloomsburg has the best customer service out of any grocery store I think i have ever been to. This keeps me coming back every time.
Jen says
I’m just bummed about spending over $60 to fill up my gas tank–and it was already about 1/4 full!
Leigh Ann says
Honestly Giant is not something I really put my money into anymore except maybe gas deals…Since they stopped truly doubling coupons there is really no value to me to shop there….if they would allow more than one coupon to double I would be back but honestly that really has stopped me from going there.
Shannon says
There are still many Giants that double up to $.99, to $1.98. Also, with the new computer system, many do double 4 :)
Deidre A. says
Thanks for sharing this. My store only ever doubled 1 like coupon, but recently I had (4) .55 coupons and all doubled. I thought I was dreaming or it was a fluke. Now I have to pay closer attention to see if this happens again.
Shannon says
Deidre,
The new computer system seems to double 4 internet printable coupons. Strangest thing, but it has been that way for a few months for the stores that have updated computer systems.
Deidre A. says
I never noticed it before. Just kept using only 1 like until last week or so. Today, I had 4 peelies that were on Johnson and Johnson baby products which all doubled. My only two instances of doubling at Giant with more than 1 coupon were not printables. I am too excited.
Shannon says
:) woot! Great news
Alicia Dingess Welch says
hmmm now that you mention that I think the 1 did double twice.. I will def look into that. It frustrates me that they only do 1…
cami says
My thoughts are that it’s vacation time and ppl travel alot so the gas deals won’t be as good right now…hoping that come September they might be better…one can only hope.
Shannon says
Me too Cami! Here is to hoping together!
Meg says
I was late in the game to get on the gas rewards train but once I did I fell in love. I do the majority of my shopping with Martins for this reason alone. I have been very bummed out with the recent changes. I can live with the 5 gallon reduction but the deals have been sad. Even if it was not always a MM and we broke even on the deal that was great. I know they are a business and it all boils down to the bottom line but I hope (and I know I’m not alone) that the deals do improve. Shannon, thank you for addressing this. You make some very valid points. I appreciate all your hard work to make our lives better by saving use $$$$!
Shannon says
Meg you are welcome! :) I know everyone is bummed out.. but lets hope and revisit this in September!
Melanie says
I have also enjoyed a “break” from Giant for a few weeks since I have free gas from the Visa gift card promo but I’m still shopping there. I just like the fact that I don’t have to buy certain things to get the gas deals. I have still been saving over 50% by loading the e-coupons to my card and they have also been sending out store coupons that I can combine with manufacturers coupons. The gas points are a bonus – not a guarantee so I’ll take advantage of it when I can but I don’t blame Giant for changing the policy. They can’t lose money!
kasey says
I remember last year or maybe the year before, gas deals were stopped altogether. My son worked at Martins and it was a trial run, but also the fact that so many people abused the system. I like getting a free tank of gas every week or two that is great for me. Some people go overboard. I, too, did most of my shopping there only because of the gas deals. I have been shopping elsewhere the last couple weeks. Hopefully they will bring back some decent deals.
Shannon says
Lets hope so Kasey!
Momuv3princesses says
I understand business but the article I read blamed it on making more fair to the Prius owner. Had they told me the truth, I could respect it. Telling me they are making it more fair to the Prius owner, well, I can’t offer too much respect there. Plus, they decreased the gas gallon amount and I can understand that but they made too many changes too quickly which I feel is a huge part of the problem.
Also, personally I was not much of a Giant shopper till I started doing gas deals. Well, once I started doing the gas deals I gave them almost all my grocery business (coupons or no coupons) and spent way more there than gas deals. Well, if I am not getting the benefit of gas deals there, then they are losing all the shopping I did there. I have no need to go there again.
Shannon says
Not sure which article you read, but there were several in the newspaper that had all the facts wrong, like the person who wrote it should be ashamed.
Dara says
I have really been enjoying my time off. The past three or four weeks with no pressure to load up the three kids and make a giant run have been so relaxing. No shopping saves me a bit of money too.
Shannon says
Dara,, that is a great way to look at it! I see that next week there is atleast one decent gas deal to be had but nothing stellar just yet!
MCG says
Nov. 2012- Dec. 2012 Same Scenario- Lower value deals, but Redners, Weis, Acme, Pathmark, Geonardis still don’t come even remotely close.
We still do Giant and Trader Joes (specialties) exclusively. Sharpen your math skills and you’ll be just fine with Giant. Store Attitudes are a lot better these days.
Giant will be back in full. These cutbacks definitely cost them big dollars in the amount of traffic being reduced.
They have the best buyers to put these deals together for the people/consumers that are willing to put in the work to do them. Make no doubt about it- it can be a lot of work for the reward but no other single store for saving money for the consumer exists.
Giant is the best at buying and marketing and they are still on top for doing it!
And if you are making an extended trip to New Jersey to New England – use Stop-N-Shop- same company- slightly different gas deals than PA. Exact same store layouts.
Go west and they don’t even know something as good as Giant exists. They pay for GAS and FOOD.
And I won’t even give you the biggest secret of Giant- you can find it out for yourselves!
shannon says
Yep MCG, I remember that back in 2012, sky was falling ! LOL :)
Good post.
lkfc says
How do we find out the biggest secret of Giant??
Sharon says
Yes, I agree that probably Giant was taking a hard hit on their gas because so many folks were figuring out how to use the system to their advantage without being dishonest. However, there are some dishonest folks that can make a mess of things for the rest of us….one Martin’s employee told me how over and over the same couple came to the gas pumps with two vehicles to try to do one fill up – not cool at all in my book. I agree also with your suggestion to be classy with any correspondence with Giant/Martin’s. Rudeness just plain stinks!!
Thanks for starting this thread!
Shannon says
Thanks Sharon! I hope we get some good conversation started.
Christy says
Very well said. My thoughts as well. Although it is disappointing, they have the right to make changes to their programs.
Momuv3princesses says
I agree they have the right to make changes. I think as consumers we have the right to let them know our feelings just like we have the right to shop elsewhere. I told them how I felt and how it would affect my shopping there and now I move on. I agree people need to keep it professional but people have the right to give Giant their feedback.
Shannon says
Yep the do, but the reason for this post is because people have been over the top on both this blog and on the Giant Facebook page. In a society of social media, for some reason we have becoming a say anything, who cares about the person on the other end of the computer, give me what I want society. Do I think you and anyone else should politely call and express it. Sure. Writing nasty stuff on blogs and Facebook pages , well that is silly. I think “we” (this society) need to grow up a bit.
Sharon says
Amen! Preach it, sister!! :)
Momof3 says
I miss getting the coupons on the side of their circular every week. I think those couple of coupons for really great deals had me coming in. I went to Giant today for a couple of sale items for the first time in two weeks. I picked up what was on sale, but when I looked at some regular items that I normally bought at Giant, I noticed their prices have increased by $0.25 or more (i.e. the Stonyfield yogurt quart was $3.29 now it is over $3.50). I used to always make a Giant trip once a week, with the reduction of coupons and increase in prices, I don’t think I will continue that tradition.
Momuv3princesses says
Ok…. got you! I was thinking you meant more in general. I haven’t been keeping up with that. People are just crazy when it comes to this whole getting a deal thing. I agree people need to grow up (a whole lot)!! I was pretty understanding about the whole thing (I am not business minded but I can understand if they were losing money, etc) but then I read the Prius thing and I don’t like excuses. I’m more of a straight shooter.
Shannon says
PS I should mention, did you notice the profanity line in my post? I mentioned that because people have been using it on the blog posts or on our Facebook page , this is what I am talking about with the over the top folks. I know you comment all the time and are never ever that way, so I just didn’t want you to think I meant you personally. :)
Momuv3princesses says
I missed profanity! No excuse for that. If we want to see change, we need to keep it at a professional level. The same way we want Giant to treat us! Yikes. Profanity never looks professional and probably hurts us rather than helps!