I know, I know.
I’m a bit late commenting on this roaring controversy about Publix’s BOGO (“Buy One, Get One Free”) policy in Florida.
But here’s why:
I’ve been spending all this time trying to answer one question.
Why exactly is there a roaring controversy in Florida because Publix makes you buy two items to get the 50% discount price on one of them?
Really.
Why?
First, let me get this on record: I quite like Publix.
I still remember the glorious array of Publix sub sandwiches, fried chicken wings and fruit trays I would happily gorge on while tailgating in the stadium parking lot before Jacksonville Jaguars home games.
Yum.
Wow.
Why am I suddenly hungry?
But, er, let’s get back to the point:
I happen to like Publix.
But let’s say you don’t like Publix.
Aren’t there better reasons for doing so than being required to buy two canned mushrooms for $1.50 each if you want to avoid paying $3 for just one of them?
For example, let’s take the Publix “genius” who thought it would be great for the grocer to all but encourage shoppers to tote loaded guns while shopping for seedless grapes.
Didn’t that just scream, “Dumb idea on Aisle 6!”?
And if you get all agitated when companies “go woke” and use their corporate clout to advocate for politically progressive causes, shouldn’t it also bother you that Publix financially backs conservative parties and groups?
Hey, I’m neither, but I have been reliably told that socialists and Democrats buy groceries, too.
And, yes, yes, I know.
It does seem a bit unfair that Publix’s BOGO policy in Florida differs from the one it has in other states.
But a lot of things happen in Florida that don’t seem to happen anywhere else – and, trust me, those things concern me a whole lot more than Publix’s BOGO policy here.
Don’t like it? Do this
Look, there is a segment of folks who are perpetually outraged about everything.
That’s why they’re known as “perpetually outraged folks.”
But instead of crying about Publix’s BOGO policy, shouldn’t they take a more constructive approach to all this?
I mean, here are few suggestions just off the top of my head:
Just suck it up and buy both items. Geez.
Come on, there are countless recipes for kidney beans out there.
Why not experiment with that extra can that you only bought to get the Publix BOGO freebie?
Buy both items and donate one of them.
You do realize that the federal government has pretty much declared war on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs to combat food insecurity, right?
Just give the extra BOGO item to a food bank.
Don’t buy the Publix BOGO item at all.
This one is obvious, no?Seriously, if you’re that triggered by the thought of missing out on a Publix BOGO discount, just buy a different version of the product that isn’t on sale.
Look, the list of good options could go on.
But can we at least start by stopping the BOOHOO about Publix’s BOGO policy?
Opinion Editor Roger Brown can be reached at roger.brown@heraldtribune.com. Follow him on X at RBrown_HTOpin.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida, can we stop the BOOHOO over Publix BOGO? | Opinion
