Save Money by Knowing Your Store

Getting to know your store is a great way to spend less and save more on groceries and other household items. The more you know, the more options you have to save more money. Every store has different rules, store coupons, rewards, policies and way of doing things. Sometimes the same store at another location will have different rules. For instance, there is a Walgreens close to my house who will accept internet printed coupons. However, another Walgreens down the road will not. Knowing what is acceptable at your store can make a big difference when your hunting for deals.

Here is a list of questions you may or may not have thought about asking your store, to get to know them better.

1. Does your store double, super double or triple coupons? If so, up to what amount, how often and are their any limitations on how many you can double, super double or triple?

2. Does your store allow you to use two coupons on a buy one get one free sale?

3. Does your store take internet printed coupons?

4. Does your store have printable store coupons online?

5. Does your store take expired coupons? If so, how far expired can they be?

6. What is the stores rain check policy? Do they allow expired coupons to be used with the rain check as long as the coupons were valid when the rain check was issued?

7. Do they allow you to use a store coupon and manufacture coupon together on one item?

8. Does your store charge tax before or after coupons?

9. Does your store have a shopper's reward card? If so, where can you sign up for one and how many are you allowed to have per household? What are the benefits of having a reward card and do you need the reward card to get the sale price or is there some other added benefit?

10. Does your store have a gas reward program?

11. What are your stores return policy?

12. Does your store have a scan rite policy?

13. Does your store accept competitor coupons, if so what is the policy for that?

14. Does your store price match? What is their price matching policy?

A lot of getting to know your store is trial and error and building up trust with the cashiers. I remember when I first started couponing, I had cashiers questioning almost every coupon I used, but now those same cashiers have come to know me, and know I am honest about the coupons I am handing them. Also remember that not all cashiers know what the store policy and rules are so if you think you are in the right about something, don't be afraid to call a manager and go over it with them.