The Unspoken Rules of Coupon Etiquette

If you've been using coupons for long, at some point, you have probably had an experience where you have been in a line full of cranky shoppers where someone harassed you about your coupon usage or you've had a cashier make comments about you "stealing" from their store. There are a few unspoken coupon rules of etiquette than can cut down on these embarrassing experiences and make your shopping trips much more pleasant.

Use coupons correctly

There are some online sites that discuss things such as "coupon decoding" and encourage you to use coupons on products other than what is listed on the actual coupon. Please be careful when reading tips online. Just because you find it online doesn't mean that the information is true or correct. Read the coupon carefully and use it as intended. Pay close attention to terms such as "excludes trial sizes" or "one coupon per transaction." One coupon per purchase means that you can use more than one of the same coupons as long as you have one item to match with each coupon. One coupon per transaction means that you can only use one like coupon during that transaction.

Do not scan or copy coupons. Some coupons can be printed multiple times, but each time you print, there is usually a unique access or security code. You do not get this if you scan or copy the coupons. If you are able to print the coupon multiple times legitimately or use multiple computers to print multiple copies, that is fine.

Check to see if coupons are legitimate

Fraudulent coupons are being circulated on the internet more frequently lately. This leads retailers to be skeptical about accepting coupons that are printed on the internet. Check with your stores to find out what their policies are. Many stores in my area have created policies about accepting internet printed coupons (will not allow free coupons, will not accept coupons that are more than 50% off the face value of the product, etc.) and some have stopped accepting them altogether. If you receive a coupon in an e-mail and it seems like it is too good to be true, it probably is. On HotCouponWorld.com, they have a forum where you can check to see if various coupons that are circulating online are valid.

Don't be a shelf clearer

Everyone likes a good bargain. There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at a store and seeing a person who emptied the shelves of a "hot" bargain item. Save some for others. Make trips to several stores if needed. Also, if you find out about a hot sale in advance, talk to the store and find out if they can place an order just for you. If you have a good relationship with store employees, they will probably be more than happy to accommodate you and you will get all of the items you are looking for.

Make big trips during off hours

If you are going to be making a big shopping trip and plan to use a lot of coupons, do not do it during "prime" hours. Other shoppers get frustrated and so do the cashiers. Try making big trips during the day on week days or early in the morning or late at night on weekends.

Be a coupon fairy

Have you ever been out shopping and seen a coupon for an item you plan on buying just sitting there in front of it like it was meant to be? If you have coupons that are close to their expiration date, be a "coupon fairy" and leave them for someone else to use. It will make their day and hopefully they will pay it forward for someone else in the future.