We have many new readers to the site. So, I thought I would take a minute to go over some coupon basics. Many things are changing as a result of the very ugly show Extreme couponing.
Top on the list is coupon fine print. Here's a close look at the print on coupons and what it means. Hopefully this will help you in your shopping planning.
Let's start with just your basic money off coupon. There are two terms in the fine print. “One coupon per purchase” and “One coupon per transaction.” The Hidden Valley coupon pictured above is your pretty basic, “one coupon per purchase” coupon. So, lets pretend Smith's has a sale where if you buy 1 Hidden Valley Dressing for $1.50, you can also purchase 1 Hidden Valley Salad Kit for $1. If you have 2 of the coupons above you would get both products for $0.50. The coupons fine print allows for this.
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Now, take the Zone Perfect coupon above. It states limit one coupon per transaction. We're seeing these more and more as a result of the Extreme coupon show. One coupon per transaction means you can only use one of these coupons in your entire transaction. So, lets pretend Zone Perfect bars go on sale for $0.60 each when you buy 2, otherwise they are $1 each. You might be thinking “great! I have 2 coupons. So, I'll buy 2 and get them for $0.05 each. In this case that would be incorrect. By all means go ahead and purchase 2 Zone Perfect bars to get the savings. But, you can only use one coupon for your transaction. Making your 2 Zone bars total $0.65 each.
Often we see these kinds of products go on sale for Buy 1, Get 1 FREE at places like Walgreens and Rite Aid. Both stores allow you to use a coupon for the FREE product. But, in this case the coupon disallows. So, you would only be able to use one coupon in the case of a Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Zone Perfect sale. MANY companies are putting limits on the coupons as a result of the show.
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Now, lets tackle Buy 1, Get 1 FREE coupons. Take a look the Gillette coupon. This coupon clearly states in BIG RED letters. Limit One coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated and limits a generous 4 coupons per transaction.
This coupon caused me quite a bit of grief last week. Walgreens had a pretty good register reward going on this product and MANY blogs were reporting a transaction identical to this:
“Deal Scenario (3) for $10.00
Purchase (3) Gillette Body Wash and (3) Gillette Deodorant
Use (3) $2.00 off Gillette Body Wash coupon from the 5/15 RP
Plus, (3) B1G1 FREE Gillette coupon from the 5/1 PG
You pay $4.00 then receive a $3.00 a Register Reward to use toward your next purchase.
Total cost $1.00 for all 6 items! WOW!“
Because the deal scenario uses 2 coupons for the “products and quantities stated” This is a bad transaction and violates the terms of the coupons involved.
However, just one week earlier. Walgreens had Gillette Body Wash on sale for Buy 1, Get 1 FREE. Using the coupon above you could do a transaction like this:
- Buy (2) Gillette Body Wash $4.50
- Buy (1) Gillette Deodorant (FREE with coupon)
- Use the Buy 1 Body Wash, Get 1 FREE Deodorant Gillette coupon in the 5/1 PG Plus..
- Use the $2 off Gillette Body Wash coupon in the 5/15 RP (Walgreens does allow)
- Pay $2.50 for all 3 items ($0.83 each)
Not nearly as impressive as 6 for $1. But, it is a legal use of the coupons.
Understanding the fine print of your coupons empowers you to make realistic shopping choices. So, you know when to break out the coupon. Plus, you'll have the confidence that you used the coupon correctly and honestly. Which in my mind is more important than 6 Gillette Products for $1.00.
Happy Saving! 🙂
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