Coupon Language: Understand How to Read Your Coupons
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These days, it seems that the price of everything is on the rise. If you walk through your grocery store or drive down the street and look at the fuel prices, you will probably agree. So, how can you keep more of what you have earned, while still giving your family the things it needs? The answer is simple – Coupons.
Yes, those little inserts in the newspaper and in magazines really can make a difference – if you understand how to use them. So, let’s discuss coupon lingo first.
THE “ONE PER” RULE
ONE COUPON PER TRANSACTION. This means that you can only use on coupon each time you make a purchase. So, if you have 3 cereal coupons, you would need to make 3 separate transactions in order to use all of them.
ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE. When a coupon contains this verbiage, it means that you can use one coupon for each item you purchase. So, if you have a 3 coupons for cereal, you can purchase 3 boxes and use all 3 coupons in one transaction.
ONE COUPON PER VISIT. If your coupon states this, then you can only use one coupon each time you walk into the establishment. Going back to our 3 cereal coupons as our example – you can only use one coupon every time you go to the store and would need to leave and re-enter the store to use more than one on the same day.
ONE PER CUSTOMER. Some coupons limit usage to one per customer. This is just as it is written. Each customer is limited to using the coupon once. You can leave and return and use another, just not within the same transaction or visit.
BUY ONE GET ONE
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE: When you buy the specified item as listed on the coupon, you can get something for absolutely NOTHING, or discounted if that is how it reads.
The catch with these coupons is that the manufacturer normally puts a limit on your free item. For example, it may say “not to exceed $3.49”. If the shelf price of the item that should be free is $3.59, you will be responsible for the difference of $0.10.
BUY ONE GET ONE AT “X” DISCOUNT: Some coupons will allow you to purcha-se one item at full price and then your next item can be a set dollar value or percentage off. The most common is a 50% discount. This equates to getting each item 25% off when you do the math.
PICTURES
When you look at the coupon, you should completely disregard the photo you see printed on it. Why? The wording identifies what product(s) the coupon can be used on. Many manuacturer’s will put a photo of the most expensive item in the product line, in hopes you will use it only for that item. This is difficult for some cashiers to understand. Always remain calm and collected and work with your cashier to help him or her understand the coupon as well.
Now that you know how to read your coupon, you need to know how to USE your coupons to your advantage.
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Tracie is a stay at home mom to three young children; ages 2, 4 and 6 in Raymore, Missouri.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a question about another type of coupon..just wanna verify. It is for cambells soup buy any 3 and save 40cents…all it says to consumer is good only on product indicated and that consumer pays sales tax. it doesnt state that i cant double..so can i use 2 of this coupon on the same 3 cans of soup and save 80 cents rather than just 40cents.
thanks for your time!!
That is the very question i have as well.
I have the very same question. It seems like you can but also seems like you can’t. Hmmm
If you go to a grocery store that doubles coupons then that particular coupon will give you .80 cents off of 3 cans. However, you cannot “stack” these coupons, you must buy 3 cans to use one coupon so if you wanted to use 2 coupons you need to buy 6 cans of soup.
You should always follow the exact wording on the coupon.
You know, for alot of people coupons “aren’t cool” especially for those who are my age, but honestly, once you get going with them…finding deals can almost be addictive!
How does redeeming coupons work with the retailer? The coupons where you must send the coupon in to get the face value of the coupon plus and 8 cents.
Well for instance I have a cupon that says save 40cents when u buy 6 yougarts does that mean i can only use one of those cupons or can i use 6 ? im stumped im trying to figure this whole cuponing thing out!
what does it mean when a coupon says limit 1 coupon per customer per purchase??
Scottie you can only use one coupon for 6 yogurts. If you use more than one it’s considered stacking. Now if there was an in store coupon for the same item you could (in most stores) use the in store coupon and the manufacturers coupon as well…unless specified on the coupn.
Kristy- that means you can use 1 coupon per that item per visit in the store. If you have multiples for the same item you would have to exit the store and re enter purchasing 1 of those items at a time.
they do this to prevent overages.
Some cashiers won’t make you do that though. They will simply seperate the transactions on the register. Just ask.
Just trying to figure it out. I f you have one three copouns for three boxes of cearl you cna you use all three copouns on them , right??
? Cpn says limit 1 per person. But right after that says No more than 4 cpns (of amy kind) for same product in same transaction. I get the if any kind but us it 1 I can use ir 4?
Just a simple question. If a coupon says limit of 6 free for a buy 1 get 1 free sale do I need 6 coupons to get 6 items free or can I use the same coupon for all 6?
i have a coupon that is for hamburger helper, it says save 80 cents on four when u buy four does that mean save 80 cents on each box if i buy four or does it mean i save 80 cents on the four together thanks:)