Trying to figure out ways to best use online coupons
By stary1
@stary1 (6611)
United States
March 13, 2012 3:55pm CST
I am not using online coupons and think I am missing out on some good deals. I also don't understand how they know if your coupon is an original or a copy. I don't cheat and wouldn't copy, but with all the excellent copiers out there how do they know if it's a copy.
Also I wonder if all the stores accept online coupons and do I have to check each store..Mostly I am interested in groceries but I would think cosmetics and other things would be available. I'd appreciate any tips anyone has...TY
2 people like this
7 responses
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
13 Mar 12
I use online coupons for groceries and products I use , but only if I have the money to pay for it. I belong to. A shopping. club and am sure they have a way to check such as a code embedded in the coupon so they will know if you used it twice. Also online coupon s are good for trying out. new products so if it tastes like crap you did not waste $5 on it
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Mar 12
I quit the newspaper as well. But we get coupon fliers delivered to our door. The trouble is that I do not use most of them. And with my budget being so tight because of that fine I may have to pay for the 'false' alarm, the government not taking off the income tax deductions, and whatever, I have to buy the store brands or use the store coupons. I sort of love Pantene Shampoo for my hair, but guess that is out for a while.
@stary1 (6611)
• United States
17 Mar 12
suspenseful..I use mail coupons too and have the same problem..I do not use most of the products, or the brand name, even with the coupon discount, is more than the generic.
I used to use Pantena..I now use Aussie and love it for my fine hair...
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
13 Mar 12
In my country we don´t have coupons, but I just saw on TV that some people get a coupon mania and I wonder about how many things they buy not really needing them, just because they seem cheaper. I hope that coupons work for milk, rice and sugar and not only for snacks and cake mixes.
If it was something about being frugal, I´d ask myself whether I need the goods or not. The same thing goes for Black Fridays and the like.
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
16 Mar 12
I also look for offers in those items I would buy anyway. Just yesterday, I bought more toilet paper than what I had planned because there was a very good offer if you bought 2 packages. But I would not buy any sort of snack I don´t buy, even if they are half price or less. I knew a guy who would buy shirts from Armani and the like when they were "on sale"
. With the price he paid for each, my husband bought maybe 10 nice shirts.
. With the price he paid for each, my husband bought maybe 10 nice shirts.@stary1 (6611)
• United States
17 Mar 12
marguicha...The smart way to use coupons is exactly what you did in stocking up when they are on sale or there is a sale and you also have coupons!!
I have to admit I have bought name brands on discount even when I could have purchased a similar product for less..purses come to mind on that one
but I don't have a lot of purses...
but I don't have a lot of purses...
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I only print coupons I'm sure I'll use as printer ink is costly. You have to see if your stores accepted printed coupons, as not all stores will take them. I know one of my local stores won't accept them. Good luck and hope you can use them.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Mar 12
if you mean print them out and take to the store, ive done that and had no problem as long as the whole thing is there all the info, etc. ive also used a few online. pretty cool. 
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
14 Mar 12
There must be something in the coding of online coupons that lets company know that they are valid or not. I have seen some smaller grocery stores that even refuse to accept them. I would think that a coupon is a coupon and a retailer should take them. Coupons are one way that consumers finds the bargains to fit their lifestyles and shopping needs.@stary1 (6611)
• United States
15 Mar 12
sender621 ..TY you are probably right as far as the coding..but how do they know it wasn't copied after being printed directly from a computer.
Perhaps the companies are trying to prevent one person from copying the same coupon..but that makes no sense since that one person could just reprint directly from the computer...
@suzukigirl1970 (106)
•
14 Mar 12
I think it might be better to check the stores websites first if that is where you intend to spend the on-line coupons.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
13 Mar 12
Well you have to check you stores policies. Ours here doesn't except free, Buy One Get one free, or any printed coupon worth more then $5. Our Walmart excepts all of those.
Online coupons are nice but watch the printing. Try to print only in black and white to save ink. If you print off a lot of stuff you don't need later that doesn't have pertinent information on it you can print off on the back of those to save paper. I never print just one coupon on a paper because it defeats the purpose of the coupons. If it is a single coupon I use the paper again by slipping it in the other direction to print off on a different area. Personally I do not use them a lot. Our store is difficult, if it isn't a great coupon it's not worth the paper and ink (mostly ink) with our printer. If you are going to use them Mypoints you earn points for each printed and used coupon as the same with Inbox dollars. Also coupons.com has a promo right now for a free one year trial of their special coupon program that usually costs $3 a month I think. Good luck.
