Knowing coupon terminolgy is going to help you know how to maximize the savings that you can get.
Double coupons: Taking a coupon and doubling the face value without exceeding $1.
Examples:
$0.25 will double to $0.50
$0.35 will double to $0.70
$0.50 will double to $1
$0.60 will "double" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
Quadrupling coupons: Taking a coupon and doubling or quadrupling the face value without exceeding $1. This happens occasionally during special sales promotions.
Examples:
$0.25 will quadruple to $1
$0.35 will "quadruple" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
$0.45 will "quadruple" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
$0.50 will "quadruple" (but actually double) to $1
Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons:
Self explainatory right? Maybe not. Did you know that when you use these coupons that the B1G1 coupon is linked to the Free product and that you can use a regular value coupon on the first purchased product?
Example: (hypothetical deal)
Glade Candles $1.50 each.
USE: $1 Glade candles AND the Buy 1 Candle get 1 Free coupon.
Final price= $0.50 for both candles!
FREE coupons:
These are coupons that clearly state that a product is FREE. What you need to watch out for is, that the coupon clearly states the "up to $_.__ " amount. So when you go to redeem these coupons you have to make sure that the item you picked up is below that allotted amount.
Do Not Double:
Sometimes the coupon will state "Do Not Double" on it. Some stores computers will automatically double it and some will not. Sometimes the computer might automatically double it but if a cashier is watching for those kind of coupons they can over-ride the doubling. Also, there are specific bar codes that tell the computer not to double. Blinkie coupons usually have this code and will not double. So my advice is to assume that it won't double if it says Do Not Double and then you will be pleasantly surprised when it does. (:
Store Coupon vs. Manufacturer coupon:
STORE COUPONS are coupons that clearly state a stores name on it, AND it does NOT say Manufacturer coupon on it anywhere. This is important because some manufacturer coupons might have a stores name or symbol on it.
MANUFACTURER COUPONS are coupons that say Manufacturer coupon on the top, usually where the expiration date is.
Stacking:
This is when you use a Mfg. coupon AND a Store coupon for the same item. Yes, you can do this! The only time I have a problem is when a cashier is new and just hasn't been trained fully. Don't get flustered, but just ask them to get a manager to verify. All stores allow stacking a mfg. coupon and a store coupon.
Competitor Coupons:
These are store coupons from a different store in which you are trying to redeem the coupon. For example, Albertson's takes competitor coupons every day.
3 Coupon Rule:
The grocery stores have a 3 coupon rule when it comes to doubling. Basically, it means that they will only double 3 of the same coupon and every coupon after that will remain at face value.
Example:
Purchasing 4 Boxes of Granola bars totalling $4
Use: 4 $0.50 Granola bar coupons
(3 coupons will double to $1 and the 4th will remain $0.50)
Final=$0.50 for 4 boxes.
My advice is to purchase three items in one transaction to maximize savings!
EXTRAS:
You can use as many $1+ coupons you want to use in one transaction without worrying about the 3 coupon rule. If you don't care if a coupon doesn't get doubled than you can use as many less than $1 coupons as you want to.
NOTE: It is at the stores discretion to deny this rule if the coupon states only one coupon per transaction. This happened to me with the Marcel Toilet paper b/c the shelves were being wiped out every day and to prevent Hoarding, they decided to keep the limit to 1 per transaction. Just say ok and either accept the price or tell them you don't want to purchase them then.
Double coupons: Taking a coupon and doubling the face value without exceeding $1.
Examples:
$0.25 will double to $0.50
$0.35 will double to $0.70
$0.50 will double to $1
$0.60 will "double" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
Quadrupling coupons: Taking a coupon and doubling or quadrupling the face value without exceeding $1. This happens occasionally during special sales promotions.
Examples:
$0.25 will quadruple to $1
$0.35 will "quadruple" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
$0.45 will "quadruple" to $1 (will not exceed $1)
$0.50 will "quadruple" (but actually double) to $1
Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons:
Self explainatory right? Maybe not. Did you know that when you use these coupons that the B1G1 coupon is linked to the Free product and that you can use a regular value coupon on the first purchased product?
Example: (hypothetical deal)
Glade Candles $1.50 each.
USE: $1 Glade candles AND the Buy 1 Candle get 1 Free coupon.
Final price= $0.50 for both candles!
FREE coupons:
These are coupons that clearly state that a product is FREE. What you need to watch out for is, that the coupon clearly states the "up to $_.__ " amount. So when you go to redeem these coupons you have to make sure that the item you picked up is below that allotted amount.
Do Not Double:
Sometimes the coupon will state "Do Not Double" on it. Some stores computers will automatically double it and some will not. Sometimes the computer might automatically double it but if a cashier is watching for those kind of coupons they can over-ride the doubling. Also, there are specific bar codes that tell the computer not to double. Blinkie coupons usually have this code and will not double. So my advice is to assume that it won't double if it says Do Not Double and then you will be pleasantly surprised when it does. (:
Store Coupon vs. Manufacturer coupon:
STORE COUPONS are coupons that clearly state a stores name on it, AND it does NOT say Manufacturer coupon on it anywhere. This is important because some manufacturer coupons might have a stores name or symbol on it.
MANUFACTURER COUPONS are coupons that say Manufacturer coupon on the top, usually where the expiration date is.
Stacking:
This is when you use a Mfg. coupon AND a Store coupon for the same item. Yes, you can do this! The only time I have a problem is when a cashier is new and just hasn't been trained fully. Don't get flustered, but just ask them to get a manager to verify. All stores allow stacking a mfg. coupon and a store coupon.
Competitor Coupons:
These are store coupons from a different store in which you are trying to redeem the coupon. For example, Albertson's takes competitor coupons every day.
3 Coupon Rule:
The grocery stores have a 3 coupon rule when it comes to doubling. Basically, it means that they will only double 3 of the same coupon and every coupon after that will remain at face value.
Example:
Purchasing 4 Boxes of Granola bars totalling $4
Use: 4 $0.50 Granola bar coupons
(3 coupons will double to $1 and the 4th will remain $0.50)
Final=$0.50 for 4 boxes.
My advice is to purchase three items in one transaction to maximize savings!
EXTRAS:
You can use as many $1+ coupons you want to use in one transaction without worrying about the 3 coupon rule. If you don't care if a coupon doesn't get doubled than you can use as many less than $1 coupons as you want to.
NOTE: It is at the stores discretion to deny this rule if the coupon states only one coupon per transaction. This happened to me with the Marcel Toilet paper b/c the shelves were being wiped out every day and to prevent Hoarding, they decided to keep the limit to 1 per transaction. Just say ok and either accept the price or tell them you don't want to purchase them then.
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