Coupon stacking at HEB: a brief tutorial

UPDATE: HEB ended stacking as part of their coupon policy back in 2013.  For more complete information on the current HEB coupon policy, click here for my HEB 101 guide!

Ah, the famous HEB yellow coupons -- some shoppers love them because it makes for easy, clip-free savings on any given trip to the grocery store.  But couponers -- even experienced couponers -- often have a lot of questions about when and how you can stack coupons at HEB.  Here's a visual guide to help you navigate through the process.

This is what the most commonly found HEB yellow coupon looks like.  See the 'M' in the bottom left-hand corner?  This is really a manufacturer coupon, that HEB is printing on your behalf.  Since HEB gets reimbursed from the manufacturer when this coupon is redeemed, you can't stack it with another manufacturer coupon -- that would be double-dipping.

Sometimes, HEB will release actual store coupons -- often online or in the My HEB Texas Life magazine that you can snag the first couple days of each month at the register.  These will have either a 'S' code or a 'B' code on them, so you know that you can stack them with manufacturer coupons.  Here's a visual example:

This picture is from a HEB printable coupon for $2 off any John Frieda Precision Foam hair dye.  Since this is a 'B' code coupon (which stands for Big Savings), it can be stacked with any John Frieda manufacturer coupon -- like the $2 off coupon that ran in the 3/6 paper.  Sweet deal, right?

Here's where things get tricky: when you're presented with a BOGO coupon.  The official HEB coupon policy states that "combining a manufacturer issued coupon with an H-E-B issued manufacturer coupon (Type M) on the same item is not permitted."  The trick is in the phrase "same item."

When you get a BOGO coupon, at HEB or other stores, the coupon discount will attach to the free item.  So if you want to use a manufacturer coupon with a yellow BOGO coupon, it can only be for the item you'll actually be paying for.

This policy can really confuse some of the cashiers out there, but I've always been backed up by HEB store management on this one.  So if you have a cashier questioning the legality of your coupon stack, I always recommend asking for the manager on duty -- it's faster and way less stressful than getting into an argument with a cashier.

Remember that HEB, like any other store that accepts coupons, is getting reimbursed from the manufacturer for the vast majority of coupons available -- so don't let anyone guilt-trip you in the checkout line to giving up your savings!

Got more questions about couponing at HEB?  Let me know in the comments below (or on the San Antonio Budget Grocery Facebook page) and I'll address them in a future post!

And be sure to check out my brand-new site devoted JUST to couponing at HEB: HEB Bargain Hunter.