Coupon Etiquette: Do’s and Dont’s

Aug 31, 2011 by Karlyn

Perhaps you’ve encountered the bad kind of couponer. The kind that clears the shelves and won’t let you cut in line, even though you’re only picking up a loaf of bread. To stay on the good side of cashiers and other customers, be sure to practice these couponing do’s and don’ts.

DO:

- Have your coupons organized before hitting the store. Make sure they’re already clipped and neatly arranged so the cashier can keep the line moving.

- Treat the cashier with respect. It’s possible you know more about coupon policies than they do, but being rude will get you nowhere. If there are problems, ask politely to speak with a manager.

- Follow the rules. Before you hand over a stack of coupons, make sure you know store policies like whether they accept expired coupons and whether “stacking” coupons for extra savings is allowed.

- Stack coupons. Many stores accept doubling up on coupons by combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon or sale.

- Check your phone for last-minute in-store coupons. Coupon apps have been designed to help on-the-go shoppers enjoy in-store savings. Free apps like CouponSherpa uses a GPS to provide coupons for stores based on location and Cellfire helps with grocery savings.

DON’T:
- Go shopping during peak hours. If you plan on using a whole bunch of coupons, go when business is slow. This is a nice courtesy for store employees and other shoppers.

- Steal coupons. Coupon distributers have started to notice an increase in the theft of weekly inserts. In fact, an Arkansas woman was recently arrested for stealing more than 100 newspapers. Stealing coupons is illegal and can land you in some serious hot water.

- Marry a brand. Going off brand can result in savings and coupons.

- Skip over the coupon code box when shopping online. Spending just a few minutes searching for an online coupon before checking out can result in big savings. Search aggregator sites like CouponSherpa.com or PromoCodes.us.

- Forget to ask for a coupon. Some retailers may have coupons sitting in a stash behind the register and are willing to pass out the savings upon request. For online shoppers, call the store’s customer service rep or message the live chat sales rep to inquire about any current coupon offers or special promotions like free shipping.

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About the Guest Author:

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. She is available for in-studio, satelite or skype interviews. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, New York Times Bucks Blog, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.