Are you spending more money when you use coupons than if you didn’t use them at all? Maybe. Coupon pitfalls are easy to fall into. As you have seen with my last two posts, it is easy to spend a lot when you use coupons, even though your goal is to save.
Manufacturers know all of the tricks to get you to spend, and they often use the promise of saving with a coupon to do so. The grocery stores have their own strategies regarding coupons as well.
Not knowing coupon policies
Each grocery store chain has its own set of coupon policies. Sometimes the policies vary even within the chain, with some locations offering different policies from others just miles away.
Not knowing the coupon policies can wind up costing you money. You may think that you are getting the full value of a coupon, or a doubled or tripled value of a coupon when you are not. It is important to find the exact policies for the stores that you are visiting and then look out for any issues that might arise.
Many cashiers don’t know the policies themselves, so be sure to have access to a printout of the rules regarding coupons in case you have a dispute. Coupon policies can often be found on the store’s website or in fine print in the store’s savings flyer.
Some of the common pitfalls with store policies that could cost you money:
Coupons for the same or similar products won’t be doubled (or even honored).
Buy one get one free coupons won’t be honored.
Do not double coupons may in fact be doubled.
Coupons won’t be honored on clearance or sale items.
Coupons can’t be used with rainchecks.
A manufacturer’s coupon cannot be used with a store coupon.
Printable coupons cannot be used at all.
If a coupon’s value exceeds the cost of the item, the coupon won’t be honored.
Competitor’s store coupons will be honored.
Coupons can only be used with a bonus or rewards card.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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