Printable Coupons
I love them. I hate them. The are the most altered and faked kind of coupons. They are also becoming more and more popular. What do I do to be honest and protect myself? (Remember, these are my coupon ethics, it is ok if yours are different.)
- I never print PDF coupon, unless I linked directly from a manufacturer’s website. Too many PDF coupons are not valid.
- I don’t use printable coupons for FREE items, unless they are mailed to me from a company. (In other words, I didn’t print it myself.) Many of my stores don’t accept them anyway.
- I never, ever photocopy printable coupons. Each coupon has a unique tracking code, and I wouldn’t want to redeem two with the same code.
- I only print two of each printable coupon. Some coupons will allow you to print more, but I usually don’t. If a coupon reloads the next month, I will occasionally print two more. I figure if coupons.com and redplum.com probably limit you to two coupons for a reason.
Remember, these are just the rules I follow for myself! I will say that if your coupon ethics are contrary to mine, that is OK. I am going to say what I think, and you don’t have to agree with me! All I ask is that you keep your comments objective and kind.
How do you feel about printable coupons?
I disclose : There may be affiliate links in this post.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY YOUR VIEWS ON PRINTABLE COUPONS. MY HUSBAND IS MANAGER OF A GROCERY STORE AND THEY’VE HAD TO START ONLY ACCEPTING PRINTABLE COUPONS UP TO $1 BECAUSE OF SO MANY FAKE ONES. FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE THEM TO GET A $15 TIDE FOR FREE OR OTHER ITEMS THAT YOU KNOW JUST HAVE NEVER BEEN SENT OUT. THEY DON’T LIKE IT AND THEY ARE VERY RUDE ABOUT IT BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THESE PRINTABLE COUPONS.
exactly! I miss out on some great deals because my stores are very stringent! BUT what I think is cool is the mail option for a lot of coupon, If there is a mail option I always chose that because then they are printed on paper with a logo on the back, and the stores do not even bat an eyelash!
I agree with your policy. I have been teaching my friends how to coupon and have passed along the same points. One friend photocopied coupons without batting an eye and I had to show her proof and convince her that it was fraud and that the bar code must be unique for each coupon.
Totally agree!
I suspect most people will agree with the above coupon ethics, but I know many print more than two of pdf coupons. I do not understand companies who put out pdfs. Hard to ever remove them, as someone else has loaded it to their site, etc. And many print tons of the pdf coupon if it makes for a great priced item. I also only print two coupons when it is a pdf. I have trouble deciding if a pdf coupon is fraud or not. When I receive a link to one through an email, I try and see if it is on the manufacturer’s website, or store’s website, but what was the deal with the free pedometer at kmart? Was this a coupon meant only for some people? I heard that some had a hard time using it, but it seemed to be a legit coupon. I sometimes don’t use my pdf coupons because I am just not sure of their legitimacy, even if they are on the manufacturer’s website, as I don’t know who they were intended for.
One I like to add is I don’t use coupons that say “do not double” for super doubles or triples at Harris Teeter. A lot of people do just because they will scan if you “get the right cashier” but I just don’t do it! I think I’m more afraid of the embarressment that I will get the “wrong” cashier who won’t let it slide hah.