Finally, some answers!! We have been so busy around here and it shows in our lack of posts, but I hope you can all hang with us until things slow down a bit! It's just the usual summertime chaos, so there is an end in sight!
Now, on to the questions and answers. I hope that if I am wrong on something, or if you have anything to add, you'll be sure to add a comment!
*Does anyone subscribe to All You and is it worth it?
I think all couponers love All You magazine. It is definitely worth it, but I would watch for a really good deal on the subscriptions. Quite often on the bigger blogs you'll see chances for 1-2 years at a really good price.
*If I have a coupon for B1G1, and I have another coupon for $2 off the same item, can I use the $2 coupon on the one I'm getting for free?
Technically you CAN use both of these coupons. The $2/1 will come off of the one you're paying for. You're buying that one (even though you're getting $2 off) and then B1G1 gives you the other for free.
On occasion you may have a cashier or manager who won't allow it. It's usually not something that I make a fuss over, but you could just ask to have the items taken off if it's not a good deal without both Q's.
*can you remind me about the bar codes and which numbers mean the coupon will double?
If the bar code begins with a 9 the coupon will not double, even if you're shopping at a store that doubles. If it begins with a 5 it will double, even if it states DND (do not double). I have researched this a lot and can't find a clear answer as to why the manufacturers put this on there, other than they are being clear that they will only reimburse the face value, not the doubled value. A store always covers the doubled value anyway, so not sure. My personal opinion is that this comes from the company that puts these coupons out. Maybe they are covering their bases so that a store doesn't try to get the doubled amount back from them?
There is nothing unethical about these coupons being doubled. The manufacturers code them specifically and they know that these will be doubled at a store that does so. NOW--sometimes you might come across a cashier who keys these coupons in manually to avoid the doubling.
*Kellogg cereal, I buy 3. Can I use $1/2, $1/3 and free eggs when you buy 2?
You can't use both the $1/2 and $1/3, but you shouldn't have a problem using one of them along with the free eggs Q.
*At CVS, do some of the deals re-set weekly and some monthly?
At CVS there are weekly and monthly deals. The monthly deals don't usually reset at any point during the month, but sometimes you'll find that the limit is more than advertised. CVS used to put out a monthly ECB ad that made it so much easier to keep them separate. I often find myself getting confused on what I have and haven't done there, so maybe keeping a note with your ECB's to keep track would be a good idea!
At the bottom of your CVS receipt there is also information to help you keep up with what deals you've reached the limit on.
For example, right now the receipt in front of my shows this:
Gillette, Buy 1 Get 5 EB
Quantity Toward this Reward 1 (meaning i've already done the deal once)
Quantity needed to earn reward 1 (I can do it once more)
Green Bag Tag Uses 6 (i've scanned my card 6 times)
Quantity needed to earn reward 2 (I need to scan it 2 more times to get my ECB)
*many coupons say "Limit one coupon per purchase." Does that refer to # of coupons per item or # of identical coupons per transaction? And, in that case, what about stacking, because wouldn't that be more than one coupon per item?
This refers to the number of coupons per item. If a coupon states one per transaction then you can only use one coupon not matter how many of the item you buy.
Stacking a store coupon with a manufacturer is okay--the store is covering their part.
*How can you tell the difference between a good and bad coupon, other than just having a gut feeling about it?
Now, on to the questions and answers. I hope that if I am wrong on something, or if you have anything to add, you'll be sure to add a comment!
*Does anyone subscribe to All You and is it worth it?
I think all couponers love All You magazine. It is definitely worth it, but I would watch for a really good deal on the subscriptions. Quite often on the bigger blogs you'll see chances for 1-2 years at a really good price.
*If I have a coupon for B1G1, and I have another coupon for $2 off the same item, can I use the $2 coupon on the one I'm getting for free?
Technically you CAN use both of these coupons. The $2/1 will come off of the one you're paying for. You're buying that one (even though you're getting $2 off) and then B1G1 gives you the other for free.
On occasion you may have a cashier or manager who won't allow it. It's usually not something that I make a fuss over, but you could just ask to have the items taken off if it's not a good deal without both Q's.
*can you remind me about the bar codes and which numbers mean the coupon will double?
If the bar code begins with a 9 the coupon will not double, even if you're shopping at a store that doubles. If it begins with a 5 it will double, even if it states DND (do not double). I have researched this a lot and can't find a clear answer as to why the manufacturers put this on there, other than they are being clear that they will only reimburse the face value, not the doubled value. A store always covers the doubled value anyway, so not sure. My personal opinion is that this comes from the company that puts these coupons out. Maybe they are covering their bases so that a store doesn't try to get the doubled amount back from them?
There is nothing unethical about these coupons being doubled. The manufacturers code them specifically and they know that these will be doubled at a store that does so. NOW--sometimes you might come across a cashier who keys these coupons in manually to avoid the doubling.
*Kellogg cereal, I buy 3. Can I use $1/2, $1/3 and free eggs when you buy 2?
You can't use both the $1/2 and $1/3, but you shouldn't have a problem using one of them along with the free eggs Q.
*At CVS, do some of the deals re-set weekly and some monthly?
At CVS there are weekly and monthly deals. The monthly deals don't usually reset at any point during the month, but sometimes you'll find that the limit is more than advertised. CVS used to put out a monthly ECB ad that made it so much easier to keep them separate. I often find myself getting confused on what I have and haven't done there, so maybe keeping a note with your ECB's to keep track would be a good idea!
At the bottom of your CVS receipt there is also information to help you keep up with what deals you've reached the limit on.
For example, right now the receipt in front of my shows this:
Gillette, Buy 1 Get 5 EB
Quantity Toward this Reward 1 (meaning i've already done the deal once)
Quantity needed to earn reward 1 (I can do it once more)
Green Bag Tag Uses 6 (i've scanned my card 6 times)
Quantity needed to earn reward 2 (I need to scan it 2 more times to get my ECB)
*many coupons say "Limit one coupon per purchase." Does that refer to # of coupons per item or # of identical coupons per transaction? And, in that case, what about stacking, because wouldn't that be more than one coupon per item?
This refers to the number of coupons per item. If a coupon states one per transaction then you can only use one coupon not matter how many of the item you buy.
Stacking a store coupon with a manufacturer is okay--the store is covering their part.
*How can you tell the difference between a good and bad coupon, other than just having a gut feeling about it?
If it sounds too good, it probably is. MOST of the time when you are getting a coupon for a free item, it will come in the mail. You'll see companies have sign ups and the first so many will get a free item, and the coupon is mailed.
THIS site is a great resource for checking a coupon.
THIS site is a great resource for checking a coupon.
*Do the codes mean anything after the listings in the coupon preview like region? My coupons are usually a little different than what is listed, or sometimes not there at all. Thanks!
I'm not really sure about the numbers. I haven't noticed any way to tell on the site that we link to. I will say that there can be big differences between The Record Herald and the Herald Mail sometimes, and of course the Washington Post can sometimes get really good coupons, but it isn't usually worth the extra $$.
Hopefully I've been able to answer these okay! Please leave a comment if I got something wrong or left something out!
I'm not really sure about the numbers. I haven't noticed any way to tell on the site that we link to. I will say that there can be big differences between The Record Herald and the Herald Mail sometimes, and of course the Washington Post can sometimes get really good coupons, but it isn't usually worth the extra $$.
Hopefully I've been able to answer these okay! Please leave a comment if I got something wrong or left something out!
1 comment:
I have another question if something is BOGO at the store but then I have 2 $1 off Q's, can I use both of them along with the BOGO Sale?
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