MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper Does your supermarket give you gas?

With the price of gasoline skyrocketing, I envy the lucky shoppers who are getting free gas from their supermarkets that offer the "Fuel Rewards" programs. Customers purchase participating products and receive a coupon for free gas at local service stations.
Shoppers at Bashas Markets in Arizona select from more than 100 "Fuel Rewards" products. For example, purchasing an Enfamil formula (12-ounce size) gives the customer $2 in free gas. The purchase of two 64-ounce containers of Florida's Natural juices results in a $1 gas reward. Frito-Lay, Hillshire Farm, Hormel, Eight O'Clock coffee, Kellogg's, Hostess and Lysol are among the many participating brands.
Smart Shoppers are also motivated to try Bashas' house brand products, several dozen of which are participating. Each free gas coupon can have a value up to $20. Multiple coupons can be used on the same gas fill-up. In addition to Bashas', 10 other supermarket chains are offering the program in selected markets. The chains include King Soopers, City Markets, Kroger, H.E.B., Safeway, Tom Thumb, Meijer, Randalls, and Brookshire Grocery Co. "Fuel Rewards" is a program of Centego Marketing, Dallas, Texas. If free gasoline sounds like a promotion you would use, ask your supermarket to call Centego at (972) 239-6215.
A tip for Smart Shoppers: You can earn the gas rewards and also use regular manufacturer coupons for Double Play savings!
Not glad about Glad
Manufacturers come up with some unusual reasons to explain to consumers why their products have been downsized.
Leilani Medlin of Pinehurst, N.C., called the toll-free customer service number for GLAD to complain that the 13-gallon Quick-Tie Tall Kitchen bags had been reduced from 85 to 80 bags.
The GLAD customer service representative first suggested the 85-bag box might have been a special bonus pack. Medlin said the box did not have any "free bags" bonus-pack markings. The representative, Sandra, said they were probably two different products with two different UPC codes. Medlin read the UPC numbers; the same on both the 85-count box and the newer 80 count box.
Sandra was running short of ideas, but came up with this one to defend the honor of GLAD: "Well, the store you purchased them from may have requested only 80 bags for each box." Medlin protested, "a store would not request 80 bags if your size is 85."
"Oh, yes they can," said Sandra, remaining firm to the end.
I called GLAD and was told the count on the 13-gallon Quick-Tie bags had been reduced to 80 bags nine months ago. This incident reminded me of another reader's problem with GLAD. Norma Roscow of Martinez, Ga., was not happy with Fresh Protect bags. GLAD responded with a complimentary coupon for Medium Storage Bags.
"My first thought was, great customer relations," says Roscow. However, when she found medium bags were no longer available, she says her final thought was just the opposite.
Here is a reader letter I want cashiers to see:
Dear Martin: I am frequently harangued and often embarrassed by cashiers who are amazed that I don't want to use the supermarket's club card. It has become annoying enough that I have begun to speak out. Not a happy shopper in Pennsylvania
Cashiers: Pay attention to what you say! Customers have their reasons why they do not use your store's card and some of those reasons are personal. You can politely ask for the card, but you cannot make negative comments about a customer not using it. If you are disappointed a customer does not use the card, keep it to yourself!
Dear Martin: Supermarkets should program the express lane register to automatically add a 10-cent surcharge for each item over the posted limit. This would allow people who flout the rules to pay for the privilege. An e-mail from Peg
Dear Peg: I think it might work if the supermarket contributed all those dimes to a local charity. Readers who are looking for a way to support a worthy cause should suggest it to their favorite supermarket. And, if you do, please let me know the response you receive. Write to me, Martin Sloane, in care of The Vindicator.
General Mills is hitching its yogurt wagon to the low-carb caravan this spring with the introduction of Yoplait Ultra. The four varieties are expected to have half the carbs and sugar of Yoplait Light. Smart Shoppers can expect to find Yoplait Ultra coupons in their Sunday newspaper inserts at just about the same time the new product reach the shelves.
This week's Smart Shopper award goes to Ann Diefenbach of Middleburgh, N.Y.: "Price Chopper had Reynolds aluminum wrap on sale for $1.88, regularly $2.89. I had a 75-cent coupon which was doubled, so my final cost for the foil was 38-cents! I was delighted." Ann will receive a copy of my book "The Guide to Coupons & amp; Refunds." Her shopping adventure will be posted on my column support Web site: www.martinsloane.com. Have you triumphed at the checkout counter? Write to me, Martin Sloane, The Supermarket Shopper. I publish the most interesting letters.
XSend questions and comments to Martin Sloane in care of The Vindicator. The volume of mail precludes individual replies to every letter, but Martin Sloane will respond to letters of general interest in the column.
United Feature Syndicate