Tip of the day.....coupon with integrity!

Today's tip is also a little lesson on couponing with integrity. Far too often couponers use coupons in ways that they were not meant to be used without knowing. This is understandable since there are a lot of new couponers who need a little guidance. Unfortunately, coupon misuse causes stores to not be reimbursed which leads to strickter coupon policies and resentments towards couponers. This is very frustrating when you go into a store to do a simple transaction and each coupon gets picked apart by the cashier and they make a scene. (If you are in Florence SC, the Irby St store is known for this so I avoid it at all costs).

Printable Coupons

These are the most scrutinized because they are the easiest and most frequently abused type of coupon. Never make a copy of a coupon, ever. This means any coupon including a digital copy. Always be weary about coupons that are printed from a PDF (Computer image). You can print from a PDF file long as it comes directly from the manufacturer or store website or e-mail. Any others that come from friends e-mails, links to PDF files or any that looks to be altered to fit more on a page may not be legitimate. Its best to use caution when using any coupon from a PDF file. For instance, CVS often sends out money off coupons like $5/$20 coupons to e-mail subscribers and are intended for that particular person. These coupons get altered and posted on the internet for anyone to print. Unfortunately, these coupons are not legitimate and will beep at the register and should not be used. On the other hand, there are often newspapers that post their electonic papers online for subscribers. A lot of times a CVS coupon will be in that paper and is printable from the newspapers website. These are legitimate and may be printed directly from the website, however, saving the coupon to a PDF file and altering it to fit more on a sheet of paper is fraud becuase it is considered making copies of a coupon. Another great example is the Muellers PDF coupon for $0.55 off whole wheat pasta. This was a coupon that came directly from the Muellers website and it was available for unlimited prints and was legitimate. Very few websites use this type of printable coupon so that they can control how many coupons are out there. Muellers clearinghouse is going to have a hard time reimbursing all of those coupons that were used to get Free pasta! There are a lot of fraudulent coupons floating around the internet so never purchase printable coupons from Ebay, or trade printable coupons becuase you dont know where they come from. Most printable coupons have great security features that prevent fraud and can track those that have committed fraud. There are special numbers along the outside and hidden inside that track where the coupon was printed from which can lead to the person committing fraud if needed. Also, there is another security code that is unique to each coupon that is printed so if the website allows you to print 2, each one will have a different security code. This helps cashiers to determine if a coupon has been copied.

Always know your store's printable coupon policy and be prepared when using printable coupons. For instance, CVS accepts all printable coupons but Harris Teeter does not.

Coupon Lingo

Coupons have interesting lingo that can be misinterpreted, mostly by cashiers. For instance, if the coupon says "Limit one per purchase", this means you can only use 1 coupon per item purchased, you cant use 2 manufacturer coupons for one item. Some coupons say "Limit one per customer", this means you can only use one per Transaction. Computers are programmed to recognize you as a new customer for every transaction so you are allowed to use them in seperate transactions. Of course, most cashiers will argue this so its best to use on seperate days/times.

"Do not double" coupons actually double! As long as the scan code on the bottom starts with the number "5" and Not the number "9". The computers will automatically double or triple these coupons! Of course, your at the mercy of the cashier so if they say they will not double it then you have to go with it. Once you find a great cashier, go to them as much as you can! My best advise is to give good cashiers coupons! They appreciate it and will remember you the next time you come in! Trust me, you want nice cashiers!

Expired Coupons

Most stores do not take expired coupons. However, some will take them a few days past expriation. A lot of coupons dont even beep for at least a week after expiration! Most stores will send in their coupons once a week so its not the end of the world if they take a slightly expired coupon, they will still get reimbursed. However, when you get past a week of expiration you should not use it.


Its important to know your store's coupon policies. You can usually view the policy on their website or ask a manager. I always keep a printed copy of each store's coupon policy to reference when I am shopping there. A lot of times a cashier will not know their own stores policy so its nice to have that printed copy to pull out and show them. If there are ever any problems with stores acceptance of coupons which are against the policy, I always e-mail customer service and keep the response with me to show the cashier if I continue to have problems.

As long as we use coupons with integrity and use them the way that they were intended then we can be certain that our stores are happy and we continue to be able to use coupons!

Happy Couponing!