Donation requests at Publix checkout?

[1handsomenole]

It seems as though almost every time I go through the checkout line at Publix I'm now asked to contribute additional money to some "charitable" cause.

In the past, I donated almost automatically, but, today it dawned on me that the request is always after the cashier has totaled my purchases.

Since the cashier makes no other entries in the register to account for that donation, how does Publix reconcile the donations at the end of the business day? Does every dollar over and above the merchandise sale amount automatically get donated to charity, or does a portion get donated?

The cashier couldn't give me a definitive answer.

Is there anyone here, in Publix management, that can explain the accounting procedure and allocation to charity?

 

[seminoleed]

It seems as though almost every time I go through the checkout line at Publix I'm now asked to contribute additional money to some "charitable" cause.

In the past, I donated almost automatically, but, today it dawned on me that the request is always after the cashier has totaled my purchases.

Since the cashier makes no other entries in the register to account for that donation, how does Publix reconcile the donations at the end of the business day? Does every dollar over and above the merchandise sale amount automatically get donated to charity, or does a portion get donated?

The cashier couldn't give me a definitive answer.

Is there anyone here, in Publix management, that can explain the accounting procedure and allocation to charity?

Interesting. My Publix always asks before the final ringup. But they do seem to be doing a great bit of it lately.

 

[SeaPA]

I've never given it any thought, since my response is always - and will always be - "No, not today."

 

[DanC78]

Not sure if it were Publix or not, but one place ask if I’d like to round up my change to nearest dollar and give the difference to charity.

Thought that was smart.

 

[DFSNOLE]

From my wife who works at Publix.....

I am a customer service manager at Publix. Every charity we collect for has an assigned code that is entered at the time a customer agrees to donate that specifically corresponds to that charity. We do reconcile the donations each night and all the monies we collect go directly to the charity. Publix doesn't keep any of the money.

 

[1handsomenole]

From my wife who works at Publix.....

I am a customer service manager at Publix. Every charity we collect for has an assigned code that is entered at the time a customer agrees to donate that specifically corresponds to that charity. We do reconcile the donations each night and all the monies we collect go directly to the charity. Publix doesn't keep any of the money.

DFSNOLE: Thank you for this response. I will continue to donate as long as the cashier enters the charity code prior to finalizing my transaction.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I get tired of getting hit up everywhere you go.

" Round up for _______" at Cabelas, PetSmart, grocery store, Girl Scout cookies, Cub Scout Popcorn, Lions, Shriners, firemen collecting for MDA, food bank, food drive....it never ends!

 

[SoddyNole]

In college I knew some unscrupulous individuals who took up donations in the street at a red light and then went to the store to buy beer. No, I wasn't involved in the collections but I did partake in the drinking of the free beer. I lost some Karma points on that one.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I get tired of getting hit up everywhere you go.

" Round up for _______" at Cabelas, PetSmart, grocery store, Girl Scout cookies, Cub Scout Popcorn, Lions, Shriners, firemen collecting for MDA, food bank, food drive....it never ends!

Be thankful that you're not the one needing the assistance.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Be thankful that you're not the one needing the assistance.

I hear you, I'm grateful and do drop in some bills if I have cash on me.

Just seems like more organizations have stopped calling and gone to the in-person solicitations, outside the grocery stores in particular.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I hear you, I'm grateful and do drop in some bills if I have cash on me.

Just seems like more organizations have stopped calling and gone to the in-person solicitations, outside the grocery stores in particular.

They are probably exposed to a wider audience that way. It also helps cast the store in a good light because they are helping to support a charitable cause.

 

[noleclone2]

I like it myself, though I guess I am biased since Publix is a client. Enjoy adding a few bucks to, usually, a hunger type cause. Never once would I think a company like Publix would be doing this as a scam.

 

[cfbfan23]

 

[helmetnuts]

You poors' actually shop for your own groceries?

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I go to Publix almost every day, it's a mile from my house. I always feel bad if I don't at least give a buck.

 

[LesClaypool]

I like it myself, though I guess I am biased since Publix is a client. Enjoy adding a few bucks to, usually, a hunger type cause. Never once would I think a company like Publix would be doing this as a scam.

Never thought of it as a scam for a second.

A nuisance? Absolutely.

 

[noleclone2]

Never thought of it as a scam for a second.

A nuisance? Absolutely.

I totally get that, If you are like me and have a 300 bill (three kids-two are teens-don't judge) grocery chargp ,it is kind of hard to turn down a few dollars for hungry people. My favorite thing they do is letting you buy a prepacked bag of Thanksgiving themed groceries at Thanksgiving to donate.

 

[RangerNole]

Here is my thing I give to certain charities and I research them; since so many charities spend a ton on operating costs, which is unacceptable. I also have an issue being asked to give money to a charity when I just dropped $300 in your store; getting hit up at every place you do business is annoying. I am sure the circumstance they are asking for is needed; but enough can't I just buy whatever and move on. I love how at airports they ask me to donate for phone cards for the troops; uh well I am a troop so if you want to give me a check I will take it.

 

[Finance85]

I prefer to choose my own charities. Just because I don't contribute at every counter doesn't mean I don't contribute. About the only exception is Firehouse subs where they ask if you want to round your purchase to the next dollar.

 

[Spenser1]

I like it myself, though I guess I am biased since Publix is a client. Enjoy adding a few bucks to, usually, a hunger type cause. Never once would I think a company like Publix would be doing this as a scam.

I'm sure it's not a scam....BUT I do find it ironic that they have a sign near the door that says "No Solicitation" or something to that effect. I give PLENTY to various causes, but I must say I find it intrusive to be asked to donate every time I shop there (or elsewhere). If they just had a sign, or a canister, that would be one thing, but I'm sure the cashiers get tired of asking people, and yes, 'putting them on the spot.' Just a poor business model IMO and I do not give just for that reason. Hey, more $$ for some other cause, it all works out! :~)

 

[PoopandBoogers]

I always get them back by eating the 25 cent candy samples and pulling the quarter back tied to a string. Also snag a free coffee, take whippets off the helium balloon cracker next to the flowers, and hit up the old lady cookin samples on the griddle in the corner. every.single.time. So we good.

 

[phideltflg]

I’m sure they also take a nice deduction from their “gifts.”

 

[cmanole]

Publix could only charge 3.50 instead of 4.50 for that pound of butter I can get at Wal-Mart for 2.50 and donate the dollar for me. Weren't they the ones who said their prices would come down when the fuel crisis was over some years ago? Screw Publix...

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Publix could only charge 3.50 instead of 4.50 for that pound of butter I can get at Wal-Mart for 2.50 and donate the dollar for me. Weren't they the ones who said their prices would come down when the fuel crisis was over some years ago? Screw Publix...

Its all about the bogo bro. Hit em where it hurts and jump all over the deals when they come out. Think I had close to 100% savings ratio recently. Bogo wine, ribs, chicken breast, pizza, beer, snap containers, doritos, icw cream, butter, mozz cheese, guac, olives, pickles, watermelon, something else. I dont know what was going on that week, but it was like Publix corporate had itemized the bogos that week just for me. Im getting old and little things like the savings ratio on a publix receipt aint no mfn game! I even have their app on my phone. It's serious bidness and I aint playin around no more!

 

[ReliableOstrich]

What is the tax treatment of these "pass through" donations for Publix?

Are they treated as donations from Publix or held in a separate account?

It would seem Publix stands to benefit from donating to charities using money we're giving them. Also curious what their overhead fee is on managing this process, surely it's a few cents off the dollar at a minimum, does corporate eat that or is my $1 sent to the charity as 94cents?

 

[DFSNOLE]

What is the tax treatment of these "pass through" donations for Publix?

Are they treated as donations from Publix or held in a separate account?

It would seem Publix stands to benefit from donating to charities using money we're giving them. Also curious what their overhead fee is on managing this process, surely it's a few cents off the dollar at a minimum, does corporate eat that or is my $1 sent to the charity as 94cents?

I don't know the answer to your first question but your second was answered by my wife in one of my previous post in this thread.

 

[tolkien1]

I generally do not mind as long as I like the charity. My only occasional gripe is that I shop about 4 days a week (just buying what I need for that night or the next) so I get asked a lot. But an extra $1 is not a big deal. I'd be curious about why some folks say they never give. They might give copiously to other causes. Or might view the "ask" as an imposition. Just curious overall.

 

[GoNolesTX]

It would seem Publix stands to benefit from donating to charities using money we're giving them.

How do you think they can afford to provide P&B's bogo fixes?

 

[TexSkills]

Its all about the bogo bro. Hit em where it hurts and jump all over the deals when they come out.

BOGO deals at grocery stores are usually vendor and manufacturer funded so you're not really hitting Publix for anything.

 

[Spenser1]

I always get them back by eating the 25 cent candy samples and pulling the quarter back tied to a string. Also snag a free coffee, take whippets off the helium balloon cracker next to the flowers, and hit up the old lady cookin samples on the griddle in the corner. every.single.time. So we good.

So.... did you have any luck with the old lady cooking samples??? Just curious.

 

[SeaPA]

I generally do not mind as long as I like the charity. My only occasional gripe is that I shop about 4 days a week (just buying what I need for that night or the next) so I get asked a lot. But an extra $1 is not a big deal. I'd be curious about why some folks say they never give. They might give copiously to other causes. Or might view the "ask" as an imposition. Just curious overall.

I am not generally inclined to donate cash to organizations that i dont know much about. I am very giving of both time and money to groups that aee local to me (my kiwaanis club, local youth sports, recreational, and educational organizations, etc.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

BOGO deals at grocery stores are usually vendor and manufacturer funded so you're not really hitting Publix for anything.

Yeah, dont really have a problem with Publix or their prices. Publix is the best option here locally and it Just like to

So.... did you have any luck with the old lady cooking samples??? Just curious.

Apricot Ginger Glazed Pork was delicious!

 

[cmanole]

Its all about the bogo bro. Hit em where it hurts and jump all over the deals when they come out. Think I had close to 100% savings ratio recently. Bogo wine, ribs, chicken breast, pizza, beer, snap containers, doritos, icw cream, butter, mozz cheese, guac, olives, pickles, watermelon, something else. I dont know what was going on that week, but it was like Publix corporate had itemized the bogos that week just for me. Im getting old and little things like the savings ratio on a publix receipt aint no mfn game! I even have their app on my phone. It's serious bidness and I aint playin around no more!

Don't get me wrong bro, I still cruise Publix when I need to feel clean and will damn sure snatch up some bogo. And I know what you mean about the just for me weeks. Pepperonis, hot dogs and Busch N/As ftw...

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Busch N/As ftw...

Say wat?!

 

[TexSkills]

BOGO deals at grocery stores are usually vendor and manufacturer funded so you're not really hitting Publix for anything.

Yeah, dont really have a problem with Publix or their prices. Publix is the best option here locally

Their pricing is the problem I have with them. It's extremely overpriced. The reason grocery prices in Florida are so high is a lack of competition.

I know it will never happen but I wish Wegmans and H.E.B. would open stores here. Both blow Publix out of the water in terms of quality and service. Plus it would create some competition to drive prices down.

 

[KitingHigh]

Their pricing is the problem I have with them. It's extremely overpriced. The reason grocery prices in Florida are so high is a lack of competition.

I know it will never happen but I wish Wegmans and H.E.B. would open stores here. Both blow Publix out of the water in terms of quality and service. Plus it would create some competition to drive prices down.

No, Wegmans and HEB do not blow Publix out of the water. All of them cater to their neighborhoods.

 

[TexSkills]

Their pricing is the problem I have with them. It's extremely overpriced. The reason grocery prices in Florida are so high is a lack of competition.

I know it will never happen but I wish Wegmans and H.E.B. would open stores here. Both blow Publix out of the water in terms of quality and service. Plus it would create some competition to drive prices down.

No, Wegmans and HEB do not blow Publix out of the water. All of them cater to their neighborhoods.

Agree to disagree. The Wegmans and H.E.B stores I've been in blow Publix away

 

[KitingHigh]

Agree to disagree. The Wegmans and H.E.B stores I've been in blow Publix away

Go to some of the Publix's in higher end neighborhoods. some Publix's are way nicer than others and it goes the same for HEB. I've seen some HEB's that were downright awful and far worse than any Publix. I haven't been to that many Wegmans, but the few I have been to were on par with middle to nicer Publix's, but certainly did t blow it away.

 

[Cubs79]

If you want to donate to whatever cause they are supporting, donate it on your own. All the companies do is accept your money, donate it (which is good), and then write off a large chunk of money from their taxes. Much better to do it yourself so you get a write off instead of just essentially giving a company a tax cut (and yes, I realize it makes no sense to write off a dollar or whatever, but its the principle behind it, you are the one donating, you should be the one getting the credit).

 

[Cubs79]

What is the tax treatment of these "pass through" donations for Publix?

Are they treated as donations from Publix or held in a separate account?

It would seem Publix stands to benefit from donating to charities using money we're giving them. Also curious what their overhead fee is on managing this process, surely it's a few cents off the dollar at a minimum, does corporate eat that or is my $1 sent to the charity as 94cents?

Yes, the companies get a write off as if they were donating, when in reality it was their customers are the ones donating.