We asked Publix employees for the most useful ways to shop at Florida’s largest grocer. The results are these actually useful Publix hacks. Are you even shopping with pleasure, bro?
Editor’s note: Publix didn’t pay for this content, but they should have.
Wednesday are the best days to shop at Publix
To maximize savings we suggest shopping on Wednesday because you can get the last of that week’s sales and get early ups on the next week’s sales too. Before you go in on Wednesday, check the Publix app or swing by customer service to see the ad for next week. That way you don’t buy next week’s sale item on that day. Who doesn’t love fresh deals?
Photo via i_paywithqpons/instagramAlways get your chicken tendies tossed
Chicken tender subs are a fan favorite, but you might not have know that you can get your chicken tenders tossed in any sauce of your choice for no extra charge. It’s a game changer.
Photo via rendiohead/instagramDo not buy the Philly cheesesteak
A whole Philly cheesesteak sub is the most expensive sub on the menu at $9.09. The roast beef sub, on the other hand, is a mere $7.79 and the same type of meat is on both sandwiches. So skip the Philly, get a roast beef, and customize it Philly-style.
Photo via Publix FacebookOrdering your groceries online doesn’t suck
If shopping isn’t your pleasure, Shipt has you covered. The online-based delivery service will shop for you and bring the groceries directly to your door. Publix has its own version called Instacart offered at some locations. Turn that two-hour shopping trip into a two-hour movie.
Photo via Publix FacebookPublix employees have to say hello to your lonely ass
Publix has a rule that is commonly referred to as the “10-foot Rule,” which means whenever an employee comes within 10 feet of a customer, the employee is supposed to greet that person with a cheerful “hi,” or at least make eye contact, smile and nod.
Photo via Publix FacebookKids get free cookies, and so do the adults who confiscate them
The best way to get your child to behave in a store is to bribe them with some type of junk food. Publix will provide that treat for you: Stop by the bakery and get a free cookie for the little one, or keep it for yourself.
Photo via Publix FacebookYou really should do the Aprons meal deals
For the cooking inept, Publix has a dedicated station for planning your meals. The Simple Meals center plans something new every week, and, at select times, there’s a cook that prepares and shares samples of the week’s featured meal. Get a free recipe card, plus all the ingredients and tools you need in one easy stop.
Photo via Publix FacebookYou don’t need paper coupons, so stop hoarding them
It’s 2018; everything has a paperless option, including Publix. You can sign up on Publix.com for online coupons and skip the scissors. When you’re at checkout, just enter your phone number and the savings are automatically deducted. But if you did use those scissors and forgot the coupons at home, you can bring your receipt in with said coupons and Publix will redeem them for you.
Photo via thecouponbandit/instagramMost Publix brand food is the exact same as the good stuff
Save money by buying Publix store brands, which are made by leading manufacturers but way less expensive. Roughly the same quality of goods, but for a cheaper price.
Photo via Publix FacebookIf Publix screws up a price they’ll just give it to you for free
The Publix Promise guarantees that if during checkout, the scanned price of an item is more than the shelf price or advertised price, Publix will give the customer one of that item on the house and charge the lower price for the remaining items (excluding alcohol and tobacco products).
Photo via lovingforeternity_/instagramYou can pretty much return anything, no questions asked
Publix is pretty good about returns – you can return anything if you have a receipt, and you can return unopened items even without a receipt. No questions asked.
Photo via Publix FacebookPublix will even take competitor coupons
Competitors’ coupons are accepted at Publix, but it is based on region and each Publix takes different coupons. The eligible stores are always posted in customer service. If a store you like to shop at isn’t included, then you can request that the coupons be honored by the District Manager.
Photo via couponwenchatlThere is a way to always know if chicken tender Pub subs are on sale
While there’s no official way to see if chicken tender Pub subs are on sale, there is a Twitter account, @twitter.com/PubSubs_on_sale, that has taken on this weighty responsibility. Not all heroes wear capes.
Photo via PubSubs_on_sale via TwitterOne of the best sushi deals in Orlando is on Wednesdays
Sushi deals are everywhere in Orlando, but every Wednesday Publix is the place to be. At participating stores they offer $5 sushi Wednesdays. Just call ahead of time to make sure your Publix is about that $5 sushi life.
Photo via czarcangemi/instagramStack those coupons, son
Coupon stacking is your momma’s dream. Basically, it’s when you use two different coupons at the same time. Since not all coupons are created equal, a manufacturer’s coupon can be combined with a Publix coupon or with a competitor’s coupon, but not both.
Photo via couponsforcanines/instagramDon’t make the bagger take your groceries out, unless you physically cannot do it yourself
After a long shopping experience it’s easy to just kick back, take out your debit card, and watch the Publix associates do all the work (especially since it’s their job), but no employee likes to take your groceries out. It’s a fact. So if you plan to be a regular at a particular Publix, we suggest refraining from overt laziness.
Photo via Publix FacebookIf an employee helped you out, let ’em know by paying them in free subs
If you want to reward an associate without tipping them, then you can show your appreciation by letting the store manager know and that employee will get a free deli sub or some popcorn chicken.
Photo via lilpharma87/instagramThe Publix baby club is actually worth it for new moms
New mothers should join the Publix baby club to get coupons, expert advice from baby books and gifts – and it’s all free. You can stay a member until your child turns 2.
Photo via hellooliverlucas/instagramAlways get the gas card
Every once in a while, an in-ad coupon for $10 off the purchase of a $50 gas card will appear in the sales paper. The catch is that you can only get this deal if you purchase $50 in groceries, which is pretty easy to do. If your transaction totals out to $50 without the gas card and before you hand over any coupons, then you qualify to purchase the $50 gas card for only $40 and there’s no activation fee.
Photo via counponinglifewithfiggy/instagramWhen Publix is out of something, always get a rain check
Sometimes you’re late to the party and miss a sale, but Publix will issue a rain check at customer service, which allows you to come back and get the sale price when the store restocks. But you can’t wait too long, because rain checks expire after 30 days. Along with the rain check, you can use a coupon for an item even if that coupon is expired, but only if it was valid on the date the rain check was issued.
Photo via savingsatlanta/instagram