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Coupons, rewards programs come with stipulations as stores shift policies week ...

GENESEE COUNTY — Forget clipping coupons.

Bargain-conscious shoppers are turning to rewards programs and online coupons to garner the best deals at stores, said Carla Hurd, owner and coordinator of the Michigan Coupon Club.

“We need to be prepared for everything to go electronic any more,” she said.

The club highlights some of the best deals at eight stores throughout Michigan each week and also teaches people how to become coupon savvy. Its website is www.michigancouponclub.com.

Hurd said she embraces the shift to electronic couponing. She even gets deals delivered to her cell phone.

“We need to be prepared for not having little cards on our key rings any more,” she said.

But as stores and consumers make the switch to discount programs and electronic coupons new couponing rules are emerging.

VG’s and other grocery stores like Meijer and Kroger are refining deals they offer each week based on the price of goods and the location of stores. They change whether items qualify for coupons, double coupons or are part of their rewards programs.

The guidelines for coupons and rewards programs are printed in weekly flyers or e-mails the stores put out, store representatives said.

VG’s began its Yes Rewards program this year, which automatically takes discounts at the register with the swipe of a card.

Jeanne Norcross, vice president of corporate affairs for Spartan Stores, said Yes Rewards gives the store greater control over which items are on sale every week. She said deals are offered instantly to customers — something coupons can’t do.

“This is a more comprehensive promotional program,” she said.

Items on sale also can be found in weekly e-mail pushes or flyers.

Hurd said giving out an e-mail or cell-phone number can lead to a flood of e-mails or text messages.

“It’s probably 50/50 — people either love it or hate it,” she said.

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