Coupon Etiquette!
There are a lot of online coupons out there. You may come across offers that appear to be legitimate coupons, but you aren't sure. Here are some simple guidelines on how to verify and get the most from online coupons.
Do’s
· Look for coupons on manufacturer Web sites or respected coupon sites such as ours or coupons.com. Most newspaper Web sites now feature online coupons via boodle. Consumers can log on to www.boodle.com and find the nearest news site that features online grocery coupons.
· Activate the coupon print tool. Most providers make this is a very easy and seamless process. This will enable you to download and print coupons.
· Make sure the offer makes sense. Does the offer sound too good to be true? If so, it is probably not real. The generally accepted guidelines for Internet coupons include no FREE offers, and nothing exceeding $5.00.
· Print the coupons in color. While black-and-white offers are often legitimate, cashiers may be less apt to accept them.
· Review the coupon’s appearance. Valid online coupons look very similar to those you find in the Sunday newspaper and should include a color picture of the product, a description of the product, the manufacturer’s legal notice, an expiration date, a bar code.
· After printing the coupons, cut them out. Cashiers will appreciate receiving the clipped version of the coupons instead of the whole sheet of paper.
Don’ts
· Do not photocopy an online coupon. This same rule applies with coupons in the Sunday paper. Online printable coupons have a unique code much like a finger print and copying them is illegal.
· Do not try to print multiple copies of the same coupon. Some coupon sites will allow two prints per coupon before restricting further prints.
· Do not use coupons that come to you via email unless you have knowingly registered to receive online coupons at a manufacturer or credible coupon Web site.
Other Tips
· Also, don't forget that expired coupons can still be used overseas by those serving our country. The commissaries overseas accept coupons that are up to six months past their expiration date.
· Instead of throwing unwanted coupons in the trash, take them with you when you go shopping. As you walk down the aisles, place the coupons you won’t use next to the items for which they are good.
