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
PER TRANSACTION. A transaction is defined as everything you are purchasing during your shopping trip. This restricts the number of coupons you can use in a single shopping trip. So if your coupon states “Limit one per transaction” that means you can only use one of that particular coupon for that transaction – no matter how many of that item you may have purchased. The way around this is to ring up separate transactions and then use a coupon on each one. For instance, if you happened to have 3 coupons with this wording, you would need to run three transactions to use them
PER PURCHASE. An item you buy is deemed a purchase. That means if you buy 5 bottles of shampoo, you have 5 purchases. If your coupon has a limit of 1 item per purchase, you can use one coupon on each item.
PER VISIT. This one can be a little trickier. If the coupon includes this wording, then you can only redeem one coupon each time you visit that establishment. For example, if you were buying a 3 boxes of cereal that had this wording on it, you could only use one coupon with each visit. You would have to make additional trips, or visits, to the store in order to use all of them.
PER CUSTOMER. You are a customer. Your spouse or significant other is a customer. If the coupon has this wording, each of you can run a transaction and use the coupon. Each customer is limited to using just one coupon.
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.
REDEEMABLE or AVAILABLE AT
REDEEMABLE AT. This wording means that you can redeem the coupon at that store. The important thing to note is that the coupon may state this, but it does not mean that is the only store where you can redeem it. For instance, it may say “Redeemable at Target” but you can still use it at Walmart. Keep in mind that some stores (CVS include) have policies that state they will not accept any coupon with another store’s logo on it – so you may not be able to use them at these locales.
ONLY AT. If the coupon has these two important words listed, then that is the only store where you can redeem it. If it states “Redeemable only at Walmart,” then you can not use it Target, or any other store.
AVAILABLE AT. This does not indicate where you need to redeem your coupon. This is basically and advertisement for the store letting you know where you can find the product. You can use these coupons anywhere.
Knowing how to read, and understand, the language on your coupons is key to being able to use them to your advantage – -as well as in the correct way.
EXPIRATION DATES
Nearly all coupons include expiration dates on them. The coupon can be redeemed through midnight on the date the coupon expires. Cashiers will carefully review your coupons to ensure that they are not expired, so if you miss one, they may catch it.
People do not understand why there are expiration dates on them. This helps the manufacturers tell which offers are working and which are not. By only allowing them to be redeemed for a select period of time, it does just that. This way, they know whether to offer that same coupon again or if they need to try something else.
DO NOT DOUBLE / TRIPLE
Some coupons include a code that reads “DND/DNT”. This means Do Not Double / Do Not Triple. If your store offers this additional savings, consider yourself lucky! Many stores (in fact most) do not do so. You will want to check with your favorite store to see if they offer this additional savings. You can usually find this in their coupon policy, which might be online or in the store.
How does this work? Basically, a coupon that is worth $0.50 would now be worth $1 for doubles and $1.50 for triples. The store will actually cover the additional savings. In this case, the store would be reimbursed $0.50 for the coupon — but the additional $0.50 or $1 savings you received would be a loss to them.
Why do some coupons say that you can not double or triple? This was done to protect the stores. If they offer doubles or triples, this can be a great additional expense to the store. This feature allows the stores the right to not have to double/triple them all. Of course, many stores ignore the wording, but that is up to each individual store.
STORE VS. MANUFACTURER’S COUPONS
There are coupons which are store coupons and others that are manufacturer’s coupons. How can you tell the difference? Here are some things you can watch for.
Barcodes. Many store coupons do NOT include a scannable bar code on them.
Barcode numbers. Most store coupons will begin with a 0 or a 4 in the number. Manufacturer’s coupons beging with a 5.
Remit to address. If it is a manufacturer’s coupon, it will include a remit to address in the fine print. Store coupons will not have this listed as they do not need to send the coupon off for reimbursement.
The only caveat to this is that some manufacturer’s coupons are redeemable only at select stores. These are considered manufacturer’s coupons and can be combined with store coupons to save more (read more at How to Best Use Your coupons and stacking).
CLICK HERE TO LEARN EVEN MORE ABOUT USING COUPONS!!!
Tracie is a stay at home mom to three young children; ages 4, 6 and 8 in Raymore, Missouri. In November 2007, she and her husband decided to eliminate their debt and made many changes in their lifestyle to do just that.
In 27 months, they eradicated over $37,000 in debt through both budgeting and learning how to live a frugal life. She now shares her knowledge in order to help you stretch your hard-earned dollars so you can live the life you want.
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Ive received some coupons from lysol and at the bottom of the coupon says “multiple coupons may be credited toward the purchase price of one or more reckitt benckiser products” what does it mean?
That you can use multiple coupons on multiple products. Some state that you can only use 4 like coupons in any transactions. This one is stating you can use several coupons on several Rickett Benckiser products in a single transaction – as long as you are using them correctly.
I am wondering if I can stack these coupons.
Coupon 1: Buy ONE gillette System Razor or Disposable Razor and get $5 off one gillette fusion proglide and it says to limit one coupon per perchase of products and quantites stated.
Coupon 2: $4 off ONE Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor and Limit one coupon Per purchase of products and quantities stated
Coupon 3: Buy ONE Gillette System Razor or Gillette Disposable get ONE Mach 3 Razor Free.
Coupon 4: $3 off ONE gillette disposable Razor
No, you can not use all 4 of them at one time. You could do this (as an example)
Buy 1 Gillette disposable razor and one fusion proglide and use coupons 1 and 2
Then, buy another Gillette disposoable razor and a Mach 3 and use coupons 3 and 4
Using coupon 1 and 2 on a Gillette disposable and a fusion proglide is not right. Both coupons apply to the fusion proglide. You would need to buy 2 fusion proglides to be able to use coupon 1 and 2 together.
I have four Smart Ones Weight Watchers coupons and I was wondering if I could use all four in one transaction? They are all manufacturer’s coupons:
Save $2.00 off any seven weight watchers smart ones frozen products (Limit one coupon per purchase)
Save $3.00 off any ten weight watchers smart ones products (Limit one coupon per purchase)
Save $4.00 off any ten weight watchers smart ones frozen products (Limit one coupon per purchase)
Save $5.00 off any twelve weight watchers smart ones frozen products (Limit one coupon per purchase)
Does this mean I could purchase 12 Weight Watchers frozen dinners, use all four coupons, and get $14.00 off that purchase? I ask because each coupon is a different quantity saved and since I’m buying 12, I also meet the requirements for buying 10 and 7.
No, to you use all 4, you need to purchase:
7
10
10
12
For a total of 39 to use all 4. Each coupon is limited to one coupon per purchase – a purchase is an item. That means if the $5/12 coupon applies to those 12, you can’t use that $4/10 at the same time – that would be double dipping.
Thank you so much for your speedy response Tracie! I really appreciate it!
Hi Tracie!
I have a very simple question because I am new to couponing. I have a coupon that states “$1.00 off 4″ for Brownie Mix. Does this mean that after buying 4 of these items there will be $1.00 taken off of the total price, or does it mean that I will save $1.00 per item, so a total of $4.00 in savings, as long as I buy 4 items?
It means that you would need to purchase 4 items and you would save $1 (or $0.25 each).
Ok gotcha. Thanks so much for your quick response!!!
Here is a coupon scenario that is causing a debate in our couponing group:
Coupon 1: buy one Degree get one Clear shampoo for free, it states, “limit one couon per purchase on product/quantity and maximum of two identical couopns allowed in the same shopping trip.
Coupon 2: 75 cents off degree adrenaline mens product. “limit one coupon per purchase, 4 like coupons per transaction.
Can these two be used together?
To be honest, it really depends. Sometimes, the coupons “beep” and you can not use them together in this way, sometimes they will not. If they beep, then you should not request the cashier to push them through.
There is still also much debate about using a coupon for a value off with a BOGO such as this. Some feel that the BOGO coupon requires the purchase of 2 so you have already used a coupon and can not use another, and others state you technically did not use a coupon on the one you are paying for, so you can.
Are you more confused? LOL!! There is really not a cut and dry answer to this one. It comes down to what each person really feels comfortable doing and what your store will or will not allow you to do. Many are actually cracking down on this and not allowing both to be used together in this manner.
Sorry that there is not a clear cut answer for you on this one.
Regarding one coupon per purchase, a number of months ago I had contacted one manufacturer (Dare) about that wording on their coupon. What they told me differs from the above, as they told me that if I had 3 coupons of theirs and buying 3 packages of their products (i.e. cookies), then I would have to make 3 separate transactions to use all 3 coupons – that it could not be done in one transaction. So their meaning of purchase was not per item, but per transaction.
Maybe this is why I’m seeing more and more “one coupon per purchase per transaction” on coupons vs. “one coupon per purchase”.
Hi I’m new to this, i have a store coupon for coca-cola ‘buy 2 (12pack) get 2 free (must buy 4) get 1 free Oreo cookies bag. Does this mean i have to buy 4 boxes and get 4 free and get 1 bag of Oreo? or what.
Hi, i have a Post Cereal coupon and it states this… ” One coupon valid for item(s) indicated. Only four(4) like items may be purchased in one transaction.” i really don’t get it.. Can you please explain. Kinda new to couponing:) thanks
Thank you for posting this. I’m new to couponing and some of the wording can be very confusing!
Save $1.00 off Barqs Root Beer of Fanta 2L when you buy a pumpkin. Limit one coupon per purchase.
Can I buy as many 2Ls as I have coupons as long as I buy pumpkin? I thought so and bought 1 pumpkin and 2 2Ls saving $1 on each getting them both free. The cashier had to manually enter the second coupon, but finally got it through, These coupons are directly on the bottles and they cost $.95 each.
The reason she had to manually enter it was that the coupon value exceeded the product price. In that case, they can just manually adjust it down.
You also should have purchased 2 pumpkins as the coupon says purchase a pumpkin and save $1. To use 2 coupons requires the purchase of 2 pumpkins.
Hi Tracie:) well i was just wondering my local store has a sale with a store coupon and the coupon is… 3for$5 MIX&MATCH POST PEBBLES… But i have three coupons from the manufacturer and each coupon is for a dollar off any post cereal…. Can i combine all these four coupons which will mean i will only pay 2dollars for all three cereals?
Good morning! I have 2 coupons I can’t figure out
1. Save $1 on ANY 2 Mars Chocolates. Limit one coupon per purchase ON PRODUCT(S) INDICATED.
Can I apply 2 coupons to this purchase since it indicates 2 products?
2. Harris Teeter Sale 2/$5 Organic Juice. Mfr Coupon: Save $2 on any (1) juice.
If Harris Teeter is doubling coupons up to $2. Does this mean I can get the 2 juices for $1 ($5-4). Even though the coupon applies to just 1 juice?
1 – You must purchase 2 items to use that coupon. If you want to purchase 4, you need 2 coupons. When a coupon says save $1/2 (such as this one), it means that when you buy 2 items you save $1.
2 – It depends upon their policy. Most of the time, when a coupon is doubled, it will not be doubled for more than the purchase price. In this case, that would mean a $2 coupon would be increased to $2.50 — allowing you to get 2 juice for $2.50 or $1.25 each.
Some stores however, will allow you to double that and apply the overage towards something else. If that were the case, your $2 off coupon could double to $4 and be applied to your juice purchase — making you pay just $1 for 2 juice.
Just check with your store and find out it’s individual policy.
the coupon is stating”no other coupon may be used wit this coupon” what does thismean?
Hi Tracie i was wondering, i have some coupons but i don`t know if i can use them together….
1. Buy any Crock Country spread and save $1.00
2.Buy 24oz. Crock Country spread and recieve cresent rolls(store brand)Free.
First coupon is a manufacturer’s, but the second one was an instore coupon but still says manufacturer’s, so i was wondering if i could still stack them together..
The next coupons are kind of the same.
3. Buy 22oz Hellmann’s Mayo and get store brand wheat bread and balogna Free.
4.Save a $1 on any one Hellmann’s product 22oz or larger.
Coupon 3 is another in store coupon but still says manufacturer’s and coupon 4 is just a simple manufacturer’s…
Please help me out to see of i can stack both of these great deals,.. Thanks
You are making me think! LOL!!!
You can use in-store + man coupons together. The only time it may be an issue is if the in-store coupon gives you the product free, you can’t use a coupon on a free product.
So, if your first one was for free Country Crock store coupon, you might not be able to use a Country Crock man coupon.
In this case, you should be able to use both #1 and #2 together.
#3 & #4 are both man Qs (even if it is a store coupon, it just means it is redeemable only at their store). It comes down to ethics here…it may go through without any problem, but you are basically using 2 manufacturer’s coupons on a single product, just one of them requires a purchase and another saves.
Hope this helps explain it!
Lol,sorry for the confusion xP
and thank you for taking the time to help us (:
and im not sure for the 1st one… The instore coupon says buy a 24oz country crock and recieve Cresent rolls free, then the man. Coupon is for a 1dllr off the country crock… So i can use them right?
Hey Tracie, I’m new at all this.. I keep reading articles but none of them seem to answer my questions. I bought several different Banquet meals. They have coupons inside the box. Some of them are as follows;
Save 50cents on any TWO Chef Boyardee cans
Save 75 cents on any EIGHT banquet dinners.
Save 55 cents on any TWO kid cuisine meals.
I only mentioned the ones I’m interested in. Can you please help me understand this? Also.. I have four boxes with the same coupons can I use them all at once? thanks.
What that means is that there are coupons you can clip and use on those products the next time you shop. You won’t be able to use those coupons instantly while you are shopping in the store.
If you purchase the product, you will get all of the coupons that are included and not only the ones you want….so you may end up with more than you need.
I hope that answers your question.
Hi i was wondering when a coupon says save on any ten products, does that mean it saves on each of the items or just one item but you have to buy 10? im new to couponing so i want to make sure i am using them right.
what does “Save a dollar on three bxes of cereal” mean?
It means that if you purchase 3 boxes of cereal, $1 will be deducted from your purchase.
Hey Tracie!
I just printed some coupons at home but the picture of the items on some did not print well because the color is almost out. The writing on the coupon is still legible but I was wondering if I tried to use them if stores would still except them. Thank you so much for your help!
Jenn
As long as the barcode is in tact, they should be OK. If they don’t scan, then the store may not accept them.
hi i am new to couponing and am wondering if i can use this coupon
deodorant is on sale for .99 and i have a coupon and it says save three dollars on any three deodorant but it says coupon may not exceed th value of the purchase can i still use this
You would need to purchase 3 deodorants and then use the coupon and save $3 off of a $2.97 purchase.
Keep in mind that SOME STORES will not adjust the value down – such as HyVee (I am guessing that is the deal you are looking at for this weekend). So, they may or may not accept it since the coupon value exceeds the purchase price.
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