Double Coupons

[cwasil]

In grocery shopping this afternoon, I got up to the counter got everything checked out, gave the woman my little key card and then my coupons. Total was something like $50 so I figured after all discounts I'd be somewhere around $30-$35 because that's just typical for the way I shop. The total was $20 which shocked me. I asked and she said it was double coupon day. Ecstatic to find out they had one and mixed feelings that I only found out about it now. My question is this...in looking at the receipt it seems some were doubled and some were not. Is there a way by looking at the coupons to know whether or not they'll double it or not? The internet coupons are pretty straightforward but the ones in the newspaper are not. Thanks for the help.

Also, is there some kind of etiquette or something about using coupons on double coupon day. I intend on going to town on this and not only helping my family but the local food bank. However, I really feel like I could screw these guys over. In taking a quick look at my coupons on hand and the store flyer, I really think I could get $60-$80 of groceries and toiletries for about $10-$15. Let me know how you guys approach this. Thanks.

Chad

 

[Sammy]

I know that the only store near me that doubles, only does it on coupons up to 99 cents. Most coupons I seem to find are for $1, so those never count (darn!). Maybe that's why some of yours doubled and some didn't?

 

[cwasil]

No it doubled the ones for $1. Matter of fact they double all 6 of the coupons I gave them except for the one that said "do not double or triple" at the top. I'm sure theres some catch to all of this because it certainly seems to good to be true and we all know how that works.

 

[cjnix29]

You should check with your store to find out what their policy is on double coupon days. It is indeed possible to do what you say...get 60 of groceries for $15, especially if they doubled the $1 coupons. But you have to check with the store to see. My stores here always double, but only up to .99. Good luck! check out www.weusecoupons.com for a primer on how to make the most of coupons.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

If you look at the barcode of the coupon, the very first number will either be 5 or 9. Coupons with a 5 will double *if that is the store's policy* and coupons with a 9 will not double at all.

Best to find out the individual store/chain coupon policy You can also visit one of the larger couponing forums (like HotCouponWorld or AFullCup) for great tips and sale/coupon matchups if your local store is part of a larger regional or national chain.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I have absolutely no qualms about using as many coupons as possible when my favorite stores are doubling or tripling. LOVE it! When our local A&P offers triple coupons I pull out every less-than-$1 coupon I have (they triple coups up to .99) and head to the store. A 75 cent coupon is worth $2.25 on triple days which is an amazing deal!

The stores are thrilled to have you as a shopper and do not begrudge the use of coupons. Whatever lures you into their store instead of the competition makes them quite happy. Groceries expire and lots of them don't have a long shelf life - a store would rather sell a loaf of bread for 50 cents than not sell it at all.

Go forth, save money, and be happy!

 

[HM]

Harris Teeter is Tripling coupons up to .99 cents this week.

I always take advantage if I know about them.

They also recently did a Super Double day...where you could use coupons up to $1.99.

You cannot double the store coupons, but any manufacturers coupons are eligible.

 

[kristenrice]

I recently found out from a grocery store employee that you can use a MANUFACTURER coupon AND a STORE coupon on the same item. I always thought it was one coupon per item, but apparently that is not always the case.

I admit that I am really bad about using coupons, but I am trying to improve my shopping habits. Plus, my DD's are learning how to use scissors and I want to harness that power and use it for good...not evil...i.e. giving the DOG a haircut.

 

[Disneyfan1977]

I recently found out from a grocery store employee that you can use a MANUFACTURER coupon AND a STORE coupon on the same item. I always thought it was one coupon per item, but apparently that is not always the case.

I admit that I am really bad about using coupons, but I am trying to improve my shopping habits. Plus, my DD's are learning how to use scissors and I want to harness that power and use it for good...not evil...i.e. giving the DOG a haircut.

Which store allows you to use more than one? Around here, I am 99% sure that all my grocery stores are only doubling up to .99 and never allow you to use more than one coupon on a single item. I think I am going to do my research today and find out more...thanks

 

[Crystal0608]

Coupon policies vary by store in my area. The 2 that double have different rules. The double policy should be posted on their website, if not call and see if you can have one emailed. When I'm doing a double/triple shopping trip, I find it easiest to put all my ones that will double into an excel spreadsheet with the regular cost in the 1st column (A), the coupon value in the 2nd (B), and the coupon value multiplied by 2 or 3 in the 3rd (C), then do a formula =A-C to see how much you will pay. Then I note how many of that coupon I have or can use. That may help you figure out a low OOP before you shop.

Harris Teeter usually doubles up to .99, up to 20 coupons per day, no more than 3 like coupons. Anything after that is face value and they have to start with a 5 barcode. The exception is triples for this week and the most recent super doubles which doubled I think up to $2.

Lowes Food doubles daily with coupon limits, but I've had 9's and IP's triple.

Kmart has doubles up to $2 on 5 barcodes sometimes, but it confuses the heck out of me. Their isn't any overage. Last time I did it they didn't double IP's.

 

[cwasil]

It turned out kind of ugly yesterday...as I said almost all of my $1 off coupons doubled and even a couple that said "do not double or triple" doubled anyway. Well, later yesterday night my wife said she had to go back to pick up some extra stuff for chili, anyways I said while your at it, here's a small stack of coupons that will expire soon. I figured we might as well get the some use out of the coupons before they expired. Wasn't stuff we necessarily needed but I knew the general price and, with doubling, the goods would have been a pretty good deal.

Hmmm...$93 later I still don't know how this store doubles so I've contacted them. My wife would've spent $130 but it came down to $93. It wasn't the worst deal ever, but it's stuff that you normally match a sale from the circular with a coupon type stuff. Just seemed like a waste of money. Worst yet was the fact that (2) of the coupons that had doubled just 3 hours earlier did not. I have no idea how Pick n Save works there program so I've figured that if I don't get a response from them that I can't trust, I'll just shop like I normally do with them except that I'll try and do it on double coupon night. If they happen to double it, it'll be a bonus for me

 

[our2miracles]

Pick N Save in the Milwaukee area only double the first 5 coupons and you ahve to spend $25 in order for them to double. You always want to make sure you have your high value coupons first, so they double. That is why some doubled and some didn't. Pick N Save has had doubles every Wednesday down here for awhile now.

 

[wisconsinmom]

At Pick n Save Wednesday is double coupon day. Like the PP said you must spend $25 before coupons and then you can double 5 coupons (the coupons must be for $1 or less). So give them the higher value coupons first.

If you are spending more, you can split your order and check out twice. So if your order will be over $50 split it into two orders and check out twice and you can then double 10 coupons.

 

[MineMail]

I've never had a store clerk object to my using a store coupon as well as a manufacturer coupon. It's a strategy in couponing. You can also use a "Buy X get Y free" coupon with a different coupon for $ off the "Y" item.

As for feeling guilty for making a second trip, don't! Especially since you're buying for charity as well. (I do the same - the kids wonder why I buy chunky soups that I always give away.)

The stores offer double- and triple-coupons to attract your business from their competition and to entice you to buy there more often. They gamble that your second trip with your coupon box might include some things that you pick up impulsively, with or without a coupon.

I found out that you can "download" coupons to your Kroger and Harris Teeter shopper's cards. You'll automatically get the coupon amount discount when you buy the item. I do it every Sunday morning. I make it kind of random by not adding anything to my shopping list, but if we use the card to buy an couponed item just by chance, it's found money.

 

[PurpleSurfer]

An easy way to view "coupon stacking" or using a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon is to view the store coupon as a sale (usually with a limit) and the manufacture coupon as the real "coupon".

The coupons are from two different sources that is why they are able to be used together.

As long as you follow the rules (they are usually in the small print at the bottom of the store flyer) there is no reason to feel badly about what you pay because if you read the coupon the store is refunded the amount of the coupon plus usually .08c for the time and trouble to handle them.