Coupon Ethics, Coupon Usage, and More!
If you haven’t noticed, there are a lot of gray areas in couponing. While there are some fundamentals we can all agree on, such as we shouldn’t copy coupons or use them for items other than stated, there are just situations where you’re left going “huh?”.
In these situations this is what I do:
- See what you can find out about what you are unsure of by researching or asking someone.
- Let your conscience be your guide.
CAN I USE 2 COUPONS ON A 2-PACK ?
Above Picture is an example I had about making sure you read the fine print on coupons.
There are many products packaged together lately (example: Toothbrushes, or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes) into a 2 pack. Can you use 2 Manufacturer Coupons, since there are 2 products / items ? (this includes $1 off 2 coupons)
Wouldn’t that be nice!
No, in order to use 2 Manufacturer Coupons there needs to be 2 items scanned – 2 barcodes that get scanned at checkout. In MOST 2 packs, there is just one main barcode , so the 2 pack is considered 1 item.
The exception to this rule:
There are some stores that do have packages together that you can use multiple coupons on, like at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Click here to read about BJ’s Coupon Policy.
Can you use a buy 1, get 1 free coupon AND a cents-off coupon (both manufacturer) toward the purchase of the same items?
Example:
Suppose you want to buy 2 body washes. You have a “buy one, get one free” body wash coupon you clipped from your Sunday paper. You also have a $1.00 off 1 body wash coupon you printed from an online coupon site. Can you use both on the 2 body wash at checkout?
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What do I think about the First Scenario with the Body wash?
I think it’s like stacking manufacturer coupons. Which you cannot do.
Here’s why. In order to get the “free” product, you have to buy a product. That means that the manufacturer coupon must “attach” itself to BOTH products. Using a cents-off coupon on top of that feels very much like stacking coupons to me.
We can all agree this scenario is wrong right? :
You Buy 2 bars of soap
You Use $1/2 manufacturer coupon
And you Use $1/1 manufacturer coupon
And I see the “Buy one, get one free” very much like a $1/2. I’ve arrived at this opinion after careful consideration, and that’s why I won’t ever suggest you use both towards the purchase of the same items. The only exception is if one of the coupons is a store coupon.
So What do you think? Correct use, or incorrect use of coupons?
Let me know what your opinion is! : ) I know others who do use coupons like this! And I have come to realize that some store coupon policies do allow this, but I still find it odd! lol
Coupons You Find in Stores
Tear pads, Blinkies, Peelies, and more
You can find coupons all over the place! I see so many when I am walking down the aisles of many stores. Here are the types of coupons you will see out there:
- Tear PadsThese are the pads of coupons often you will see by the products that they are for. These are okay to take with out buying the item, as they are there advertising their products. And no where do those every say “for this product displayed here at X store now” (for example…)
- Blinkies
These are the coupons that you will find in the little boxes attached by the items, and it will usually have a little red flashing light on it. These are the same as Tear pads above. - PeeliesThese you will find attached on the products them self. Usually taped on, and in order to get off they need to be peeled off. Usually these say “for this product only” or “use now”. These are intended for use on that product that they are attached to. You should not peel these off unless you intend on purchasing the item it is on.
- Wine Tags (we don’t see these as often)
You see these hanging on wine bottles, oh and actually on some soda bottles sometimes too. - Rebates
These are usually over in the beer section of the store. Or you can find some displayed by the products they are offering them for. Some you will find on tear pads (okay to take one) while others may be attached to that product (not okay to tear off product).
Remember, sometimes with coupons there can be a lot of “gray” areas! If you have been couponing for a long time, then you know what I mean!
I hope this Makes Sense to Everyone!
If you have any questions, please let me know!!
Kristy