Death of the Coupon

I found this article on MSN.com. I am intrigued by the prospect of having my coupons waiting at the register for me.

Here is the link: Death of the Coupon

Now my comments. I do some drawbacks to this system. I can use multiple paper coupons, and depending on the store, the number I can use varies. So if I buy 12 packs of Huggies diapers, theoretically, I can use 12 paper coupons. There was no information on the use of multiple copies of the electronic coupons.

Secondly, some stores do not have shopper loyalty cards (which is not necessarily a bad thing), such as DeCA (military) commissaries. What happens when you want to use electronic coupons at these locations?

Thirdly, what is the cost to set this system up at stores? If the cost of introducing, tracking, and ensuring the proper application of these electronic coupons, and associated systems, is too expensive, stores may not be willing to utilize it.

As noted in the article, some stores are already making the transition. In reality, it seems that introduction should not be more difficult that the application of rebates that stores often link to shopper loyalty cards. For several chains, your card automatically gets you rebates on certain products, with little or no effort on your part, and those rebates are tracked and displayed on the stores website.

Shopper Loyalty Cards

Nowadays many stores offer Shopper Loyalty Cards. They have cute names, but they really all have one thing in common...they can save you money.

These cards often allow you access to sales prices (most stores that offer these cards tie sale prices to their use, meaning if you don't have the card, you pay full price), special promotions, and other savings benefits.

The Downsides

There are downsides to using these cards. You often have to provide personal information (such as name, phone number, and home address), and unless you are willing to provide blatantly false information, the stores will be able to contact you. There is also a risk that this information will be sold to third parties, so by signing up for such programs, you run the risk of being the recipient of a ton of junk mail.

The stores also track what you purchase. While this can be good for you (as often it allows you to receive special coupons, rebates, or other store benefits), it can also mean that someone is watching. Stores use this information to base marketing programs, new products, and their purchasing patterns. As long as you don't mind companies knowing what you brand of toothpaste you buy, then this isn't much a downside.

The other downside is that you often have to have the card on you when shopping. This means that if you lose the card or leave it at home, you lose the benefits. Stores will usually allow you to replace the card (normally you can get a new at the customer service desk), but if you had built up any benefits on the other card, you lose them.

The Upsides

These cards certainly have a lot of benefits. The biggest one being that often times you cannot get the sale prices at your store without one, so they offer you immediate savings on your items.

Many stores also offer frequent buyer programs, that track overall purchases or purchases of certain items, and give you points . These points add up and then often can be redeemed for special savings (such as a percentage or dollar amount off your next purchase, free items, or sweepstakes entries).

Other programs include clubs for certain groups. The most common one that I have found is tied to baby products. Most stores have some savings gimmick for individuals who frequently purchase baby products. My favorite one is from SuperFresh (and east coast grocery store), which tracks your baby purchases (crediting they purchase price to your account), and when you have spent $200, you get a certificate for $20 off your next purchase.

Some stores (such as Weis Markets) also offer clubs for those who purchase pet products and other frequently bought items.

Another benefit to using a store Shopper Loyalty Card, is found in UPromise. This is a program that offers you money for college for buying certain items. Companies sign up to participate, and select some of their products to offer. You receive 5% of your qualifying purchases, which is placed in an account for you. Your purchases can be tracked in two ways: through your credit/debit card(s), which you have to register, or Shopper Loyalty Cards which you also register. Once you register your Shopper Loyalty Card, UPromise starts to track your purchases, and will send you a quarterly statement about your account balance.

You should check with your local store to see what Shopper Loyalty Card they offer (if any), and what the requirements of their program are. Often they will have a brochure or other information regarding the requirements and benefits of their card. Only you can decide if you want to utilize this service, but if you are looking to save money, these cards can offer you plenty of ways to do it.

Rebates....

There are several ways to get rebates, through manufacturers, stores, or third parties.

Manufacturer Rebates

Manufacturer rebates are usually found on packaging of their products. Rebate forms are printed on product packaging, and usually require the submission of receipts and UPCs (you want to check and make sure that you know whether the company wants the original receipt or just a photocopy). Sometimes rebate forms are found in the ad sections of the Sunday paper (usually in the same sections that contain coupons and store ads).

Even if you aren't sure that you'll use them, it can't hurt to cut them out, and save them. I have had it happen several times that I didn't think I would use a certain rebate (wasn't planning on buying the products), only to find a great deal and realize that I would meet the criteria.

You can also find rebate forms on the websites of certain manufacturers. They usually follow the same requirements (receipts, UPC's and form), but may be easier to find, and if you have favorite manufacturers, you can easily check their sites to see what is available.

Store Rebates

Store rebates can be a great way to save money on products. Many stores offer them now, either on their own products, certain brands, or on many brands. Several stores like Rite Aid and Weis Markets, offer monthly rebate programs. These programs are tied to receipt information or information from the store's Shopper Loyalty Cards. Some of them require more active participation on your part (like Rite Aid), and others simply handle themselves (weis).

Keep in mind that many of these programs offer you the rebate, regardless of what you paid for the item. So if you combine it with store sales and coupons, you can get items cheaply (or if you are really good..FREE), and then get the rebate, which makes them FREE or sometimes even BETTER THAN FREE!!

Sometimes these store programs are not widely advertised, but you can check on the company website for information, or sometimes, there will be signs posted in stores. If all else fails, you can inquire at your favorite store's customer service. These are some of the ones that I have used in the past.

Rite Aid

On Rite Aid's website you sign up for an account and then enter information from each of your receipts during the qualifying rebate period. The site then processes the information on your qualifying purchases, and keeps a tally of how much of a rebate you have earned. You then request your check at the end of the month, if you don't request it, then you lose the money.

Weis Markets

You sign up for an account on Weis's website, using your Shopper Loyalty Card information. The site then tracks your qualifying purchases through your shopper's card. You can request your rebate check at any time, or they will automatically mail it to you at the end of the rebate period. Remember though, if you request you check before the end of the period, you cannot receive another one. This means that if you buy more items which qualify for the rebate program, you will not receive the rebate for them.

Other Rebates.....

Occasionally, you will see that stores and manufacturer's team up for rebates. Many stores now have the "coupon" printers at the checkout, so that store coupons and manufacturer's coupons will automatically print out at the end of your purchase (usually based on the items you have just bought). These printers can also print out rebate forms.

These forms are usually a collaboration, and are often based on special programs (such as Superbowl promotions, Christmas, etc). Sometimes the rebate forms are printed, triggered by the items you are buying. Make sure you check out everything that is printed from these machines to ensure that you haven't thrown away or disregarded valuable rebate forms.

Stores can offer rebates in other ways. One chain in our last duty station (SuperFresh), offered $20 off a purchase, when you made $200 dollars in qualifying baby related purchases. Other stores have similar "baby club" promotions. I know it sounds steep, but when you consider the cost of baby diapers, food, formula, and other products, that $200 is easily surpassed. The program is tied to a Shopper Loyalty Card. The nice thing about the program at SuperFresh, is that the qualifying dollar amounts for items, was before coupons (and sometimes sale discounts) were taken into account. So if you time the sales and coupons right, you can get the items for little or nothing, and yet still bulk up your qualifying dollar amount.

Make sure to check with all the stores you shop at to insure that you aren't missing out on great and easy rebates.