Sometimes the riffs occur because some couponers try to bend store rules on limitations, try to sneak expired coupons through at checkout, attempt to buy products with coupons that they weren't intended for, and slow down the checkout aisles to the point where other customers get upset or even leave the store without making their purchases.
Other times it could be because some store employees simply do not like couponers. Sometimes it can be for something as simple as jealousy, but more often an unreasonable general dislike for coupon clippers is because of the extra time involved in processing coupons at checkout.
The following guidelines can help prevent problems that arise when using coupons and instead help create a positive and fun couponing experience.
Pull and Check Coupons
While shopping polite couponers will separate the coupons that they plan to redeem at the same time that they pull the products off the shelves and into their basket. This is also a good time to double check that the coupons are not expired and that other criteria (example - buy 3 get 1 free) which validates the coupons are fulfilled. By doing this couponers are better prepared and avoid long delays when at the checkout counter.
Reasonable Product Usage
Companies distribute coupons to help entice many consumers to try their products. Polite couponers buy only the amount of a product that they can reasonably use and avoid wiping out a store's entire inventory.By following this practice couponers can still able to build stockpiles of usable goods and more coupons will remain available to everyone because stores and manufacturers will not feel the need to set as many limitations (example - two per transaction) to offset coupon abuse.
In-Store Coupons
There are many coupons that be found inside the stores, but there are only so many available per store. Polite couponers will take the appropriate amount of coupons for products that they know they will buy, leaving the rest for other shoppers. Removing entire tear pads of coupons or collecting coupons in the hope of later trading the coupons will have a negative impact on the future of coupons.Bending Limitation Rules
Experienced couponers know there are ways around coupon limitations. Breaking down entire shopping carts loaded with the same product into multiple purchases simply so multiple coupons can be applied is one way some couponers bend the rules.This practice is often viewed as an example of extreme couponing, but for the most part it is considered inappropriate and rude because it goes beyond what most stores can handle at the checkout counter within what is considered to be a reasonable amount of time.
Off-Peak Hours
Couponers who use a lot of coupons at one time often shop during the slow times to avoid bogging down the checkout aisles. Avoiding the weekends, mid-day and drive-time hours allows both the couponer and the store employees the time to handle the extra time it takes to process sales with heavy coupons.Be Polite to Cashiers
One of the biggest complaints that you hear from couponers centers on bad experiences with cashiers.Common complaints include:
- Cashiers that fail to honor the corporate coupon acceptance policies.
- Cashiers that take too much time scrutinizing every coupon.
- Cashiers that do not understand the difference between store coupons and manufacturers coupons.
- Cashiers that seem to resent customers using coupons because it slows them down.
Don't let a troubled employee ruin your day or discourage you from using coupons in the future.
