I don’t know about you, but the biggest hurdle I had when I first started using coupons was the uncertainty that came with it. Am I using it right? What if the cashier rejects it?
One of the best ways to defend against this uncertainty is knowing how to read your coupons. Understanding how your coupons work will empower you with knowledge and confidence so that you can be a better couponer!
So let’s talk about the different components of coupons:
Where is it? All coupons have an expiration date located somewhere in the fine print, which is usually printed along the bottom or on the back of the coupon. Even if a coupon doesn’t expire, it will actually say, “No expiration date” so you can be sure. If you’re printing a coupon online, be sure to print all of the pages or sides that are available so you don’t accidentally miss the fine print!
What time is it good til? The expiration date usually won’t have a time printed on it, but generally you can use the coupon until 11:59pm local time (or when the store closes) on the day of the expiration date.
What if the coupon is expired? While most stores will refuse an expired coupon, it never hurts to ask at checkout if they can honor it. Pairing the request with a really nice attitude helps! The worst that can happen is they’ll say no, and you can either pay full price or put the product back. However, I do not recommend raising a stink about it if they refuse it. Just politely say, “Thanks anyway!” and move on.
This is the most important part of the coupon. The meat of the thing, as they say. This is what tells you how much will be deducted from your purchase and what you have to do to make that happen. It will specify either the dollar amount that you’ll save or the product(s) you’re entitled to if you meet the requirements.
For example, if it says “Save $1 on 2 Boxes of Cheerios” then you will save $1 total on your purchase if you ring up 2 boxes of Cheerios. You will not be able to redeem this coupon if you only put one box in your shopping cart.
On the flip side, if you get a coupon that says something like, “Save $5 on ANY $10 purchase,” you’ll be able to redeem that with a qualifying $10 purchase of anything (as long as it’s not excluded in the fine print, more on that below). Some people get tricked into thinking they can only redeem these by buying what’s pictured on the coupon, but that’s simply not true!
The picture on the coupon can be useful if you have never heard of the product, or if you need help locating the item on the shelf. It also helps build product recognition and is a great form of advertising for the manufacturer.
However, the picture is NOT what is important. The manufacturer will generally put the newest or most expensive product in the picture, obviously hoping you will think that’s the only qualifying purchase and buy that product. As long as you follow what is in the wording of the coupon, you can usually redeem the coupon by buying a lower-priced product, which is generally going to be the better deal.
The fine print is usually information meant for the retailer, like where to send the coupons for redemption. But, there are usually one or two lines that are intended for the consumer.
Manufacturers typically make the fine print small so that you’ll miss it and try to buy an item that you think is valid for the coupon but is not. Since you’ve already made it that far, the manufacturer is counting on you buying it regardless of whether the coupon actually works. Reading the fine print will also help to eliminate the risk of an awkward encounter at checkout, so make sure you read it!
In addition to the expiration date, the fine print often tells you the restrictions of a coupon. That being said, some cashiers may not fully understand the fine print. This can lead them to refuse a coupon that your purchase actually qualifies for.
Here are brief explanations of some common fine print phrases so you can confidently explain them if you’re ever in that position:
I hope this helps dispel any hesitation you have about using your coupons. I truly believe that the best way to feel confident about couponing is to know how to read your coupons!
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Yes I had 2 coupons I printed out at coupons.com but Walmart told me that that had the same number what number on the coupon have to be different??
Some coupons restrict the use to just one time per coupon. The serial code on the coupon is what this is referring to. Different manufacturers have different rules, so this doesn't mean that all Walmart coupons are limited to one use! Just read the fine print on each coupon to find out :)
I'm confused.. my coupon says says 1 coupon per shopping trip. Does this mean I can only use 1 per transaction? This is new to me. I thought I could use more.
Yes that typically means you can only use one coupon per transaction.
Im a little confused! Im new to all of this and i guess the most confusion i have is the double and triple couponing! All of my coupons begin with "00". I hope this isn't a dumb question but does that mean they can not be doubled??
I looked through all my coupons to see what could be doubled. I'm confused because I see some coupons with the barcode shown above. Then other coupons do not have the barcode broken down ex: 5 1234... Some show a barcode that reads 0012345-6789123. Do these double?
I got a coupon says, save $1 off on any four VO5 shampoo or conditioner. What do that mean?
It means you must buy 4 items to get $1 off.
I'm knew to couponing and this maybe a silly question, but if I have a coupon that says its a manufacturers coupon then says (available at Walmart or redeemable at Walmart) does that mean I can only use that coupon at Walmart?
No, that's a manufacturer's coupon that you should be able to use at any store. :)
I have a coupon from my dentist office that says, "$325 DENTURES PER ARCH regular price dentures starting at $325 per arch. Offer is valid for patients with or without insurance, is subject to changes and expires 12/31/12." I am getting dentures, uppers now and bottoms in about six months or so. How does this coupon apply to me? Anyone know if it does? My uppers are more than $325.
Hi, I am new at this and trying to figure out the best way to start couponing. I purchased the sunday paper for the first time and found that there really are not that many coupons in it. but anyways my qeustion is I have a walgreens coupon for some pain releif pills $4.00 off and the coupon reads limit 3. does that mean I can use three coupons on one product or three total on three different products?
Hi Sierra. Is the coupon found in one of the Walgreens coupon books? Or in-ad coupon? Usually the way Walgreens coupons work is that when you scan the coupon once at the register, it takes the value off of all the products you buy. So in this case, if you have a coupon for $4 of the purchase of 1 pain relief pills, and there's a limit of 3, you can buy 3 products. When you scan the Walgreens coupon, it will take $4 off each pain relief product you buy. So $12 total will come off you bill. Since it's a limit of 3, the coupon will only work for a max of 3 items. Make sense? :) I hope that helps!
In your search for coupon information have you run across any standards for coupon widths? Working on a project that requires information on coupons.
Thanks, Dale.
I have a ? On how to read a coupon. Ok the coupon says limit one coupon per person. No more than 4 coupons (of any kind) for the same product in the same transaction. What does this mean??
It says per person? If it does then that is what you must follow. If you mean per purchase, then it means you can only use one coupon per purchase (each item, or set of items you buy is a purchase) and only 4 of that coupon in a transaction. So if you have 5 coupons for $1 off 2 Kraft cheese products, at most you can buy 8 Kraft cheese products and use 4 of the $1 off 2 coupons.
I am new to couponing and trying to understand the wording. For example I have a coupon that states "Save .50 on any four cans of Chef Boyardee". Does that mean that I save .50 off each can or is it .50 off the total purchase of four cans. The small print says "Limit one coupon per purchase".
Thanks for your help.
It's 50¢ off total, not per can.