Walmart's New Coupon Policy

Well if you check very many of the "coupon blogs," you probably have heard that Walmart has recently issued a "new coupon policy." Go here to view it/print it.

Here are the guidelines:

Walmart will accept the following coupons:

* manufacturer's coupons
* Internet printable coupons
* competitor's coupons that have a specific price listed
* soft drink container caps
* Catalina coupons clearly labeled as "manufacturer coupon"

Provided they meet the following criteria:
* one coupon per item
* coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration
* change or overage will be given if a coupon exceeds a purchase
* coupon must be for an item Walmart sells
* coupons must be presented at the time of purchase

Walmart does not accept the following coupons:
* Internet printable coupons for a free product
* competitor's coupons for dollars, cents or percentage off, B1G1 free, and double or triple value

Management approval will be required for:
* transactions with 40 or more coupons
* any coupon with a value over $20
* $50 or more in coupons in a single transaction

So most people seem to be happy about the changes because it seems clear now that they 1) offer change back or overage on your transaction when a coupon exceeds the price of a product and 2) now accept Catalina coupons that are clearly labeled "manufacturers coupon."
 
I, for one, am kind of bummed about the new policy. Our Walmart has always been good about giving overage....I have never tried to get change back, but they have always taken off the full amount of the coupon for me (even if it was over) - so this "change" doesn't really apply to me.
 
As to the Catalina coupons, the only ones that I have are Walgreens Register Rewards, and it seems the verdict is still out as to whether these are included in the "Catalina coupons clearly labeled manufacturers coupons." If they do officially start taking Register Rewards, I will be a happy camper - that would be wonderful! I just think it might take a long time before you don't get a hassel from untrained cashiers about them allowing the RRs.
 
I think the thing that I am the most bummed about is that they are not taking printable coupons for "free" items. I don't think we have any stores around here that are taking these now. Before this, Walmart was always wonderful about taking them. I have the "FREE Mission Tortilla Chips" coupon printed and ready to go right now. I guess I won't be taking it to Walmart!
 
It will be interesting to find out if Walmart has done a better job than they have in the past of getting their CSMs and cashiers "up to date" on these changes.