There are always lots of great questions and conversations on our Facebook page – which I love! However, one question I am seeing quite often recently is:
“Can I use another “cents or dollar off” coupon when I use a B1G1 Free coupon?”
As much as I wish the answer were simply YES or NO, it is really “Well….maybe.” Why? First of all, you have to know if your store will allow you to do this. Some may and some may not. Review your store’s policy and if it is not clearly stated, you can either inquire at the customer service desk before you shop, or just go for it and see if your coupons ‘beep’ at you when you are checking out.
MY LATEST VIDEOSNow, comes the part of the question “is it legal?” This is where you find arguments on both sides. Below you will find the argument for both sides.
YES: This argument stands that the coupon offer is saving money on the free item and NOT the one you have to purchase, so you should still be able to use a cents off coupon on that one. Here is an example:
If you have a coupon for $0.75/1 product + a B1G1 coupon, you can use both coupons. The $0.75/1 coupon comes off of the first item and the second item is free – showing that you are using a coupon for each individual item.
Of course, if your coupon is for $0.75/2, you can not combine it with a B1G1 coupon. The reason is that your $0.75/2 coupon is already being used on 2 items, so you can no longer use another coupon on your 2nd purchase.
NO: The coupon is a manufacturer’s coupon that is already tied to both items — you are buying one and they are giving you one item for free. Basically, look at your BOGO coupon the same as a $1/2 coupon. That means that you can only use one on both items being purchased.
This is absolutely one of those grey couponing areas where there is not a tried nor true answer. This is one of those scenarios where you have to do what you feel is ethically correct. No one can decide that except for you — and no one should pass judgment upon you one way nor the other either.
Kristen says
There are more and more companies that are coding their Qs to not allow $/1 Qs with BOGO Qs anymore. I’ve seen it a lot in the last few weeks, actually. There’s an easy way you can tell whether your Qs will beep when using them together. I hope this is ok to share. If it’s not, please just delete my comment. The way to tell if you can use a $1/1 Q with a BOGO is to look at the last 2 digits on the BOGO Qs barcode. If the last 2 digits are a 14, it will NOT let you use a $/1 Q and will beep at the register because the BOGO is attaching to both items. If the last 2 digits are a 01, then it should scan through fine with both Qs. Hope this helps – I always like to know what to expect when going to the register, and this knowledge has sure saved me a lot of headaches.
Amy says
I have a question about B1G1 coupons. If the store is having a B1G1 special on soap for instance and I have a B1G1 coupon, can I use it in conjunction with the store special?
Tracie says
It depends upon your stores policy, but many stores will honor it.
Mandy says
I don’t see how this is Grey, You are only allowed to use one manufacturers coupon per item you purchase.. Using a b1g1 coupon is that one coupon.. You cannot use a coupon on a free item.. If you use more coupons your are illegally stacking them unless of course its a Store coupon and a man coupon.. Using it any other way is the reason why stores are discontinuing double and triple couponing..People are abusing the system..