Slickdeals Drugstore and Grocery Store Coupon Usage Rules and Guidelines
 

The following are the official rules concerning posting about coupon usage in the Drugstore/Grocery B&M Deals forum.

Rules:

• Materially Modified coupons are not allowed on Slickdeals. They are not to be hosted by, or linked to from, Slickdeals.
• Immaterially Modified and Unmodified coupons may be hosted on Slickdeals as long as they do not violate any of our other rules.
• Multiple Prints per Page(MPP) coupons are generally not allowed and will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
• Users may link to offers from Coupon Printing sites, but they may not link to scans of already printed coupons.
• Scans of Manufacturer's Coupons are not to be hosted by, or linked to from, Slickdeals. The exception to this is a link directly to a coupon hosted on the manufacturer's website.
• Discussion of how to use coupons for anything other than their original intent is prohibited.
• Discussion of store policies is acceptable. Discussing how to intentionally trick or fool stores into accepting coupons that they would otherwise reject is prohibited.
• Store Coupons are not to be hosted by Slickdeals, but may be linked to if hosted offsite, subject to two exceptions.

  - Target and CVS store coupons are not to be hosted by, or linked to from, Slickdeals.
  - Links directly to coupons hosted by Target or CVS are allowed.

Definitions:

• Materially Modified: A coupon to which a substantial change has been made. For example, a change to the dollar amount, expiration date, bar code, or member id#.
• Immaterially Modified: A coupon to which an insubstantial change has been made. For example, a coupon that has been resized to print more clearly.
• Unmodified: A coupon that has not been modified in any way.
• Coupon Printing Site: A site that requires users to install a proprietary "printer" before coupons may be printed. For example, couponnetwork.com.
• Manufacturer's Coupon: A coupon from a manufacturer. For example, General Mills.
• Store Coupon: Coupons issued by a store to be redeemed only in that store. For example, Target.

If a user is uncertain about the application of the rules, he or she should contact one of the Drugstore Forum Moderators. If there is any doubt regarding whether a coupon is allowed, users should not post until they have a moderator's approval.

Coupon usage guidelines for posting in the DS/GS forum.
 

Everyone wants to save a buck or two, and coupons are a great way to achieve amazing savings on all of life’s necessities. But with great power comes great responsibility and everyone on the Drugstore forum is expected to live by the rules. Couponing takes time, and it takes effort on your part. There is nothing “easy” about it, and there is a learning curve that everyone must go through. The tools are here, and they are free, but it takes a special person to be a true couponer. You can expect to be humiliated, berated, and even be made to cry at least once. And you will make mistakes. We all do. But a true couponer uses that mistake as a learning tool and improves upon it. Good luck to you!

We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to use coupons properly and within the limits SD has set in place. I hope the below answers all of your questions, but if you need anything clarified, please don’t hesitate to ask.



The wording on the coupon is of utmost importance. $10 off one 14lb bag of dog food means just that. Using it on anything else is a no-no, and discussion of such activity on this board is not allowed.

“It scanned, therefore it must be ok.” :nono: As responsible coupon shoppers, we are expected to know what the coupon means and what item(s) it is to be used on. Using it on anything else just because it will go through is improper at best, and unethical, fraudulent, and illegal at worst. Proper couponing involves more than just clipping a few q’s and heading to the store…it involves lots of time reading and understanding the nuances of coding, as well as knowing each individual store’s policies. For the basics of coding, check out this thread (Coupon Barcode Basics). If you want to know more about how a particular store’s registers work, check out that store’s thread here in the Drugstore/Grocery Store Forum Index. Everybody makes mistakes, and we are not here to castigate each other for them, but rather to help each other learn the rules and abide by them as we all pursue the best deals to be found.

If a coupon states “One per Transaction” or “One per Customer”, then we must follow that wording. Any discussion of using multiples of a coupon with this language in a single transaction is not allowed.

I am sure that everyone here knows this, but I want to point it out just in case. “One per purchase” does NOT mean “one per transaction”. You can purchase 20 items in one transaction, and use q’s to cover those 20 items, as long as the q’s don’t say “one per transaction” or “Limit four per Shopping Visit” a la Proctor & Gamble (P&G). YMMV on convincing that grouchy old cashier otherwise, but you are completely within the guidelines of legitimate coupon usage.



Many stores will allow you to stack a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon together on one item (make sure your store allows this before trying it!). However, it is getting harder and harder to tell the two coupons apart. What is a Retailer Coupon? What about the one that says CVS/pharmacy Coupon across the top?

The bottom line is that ALL manufacturers’ coupons will have a 12 digit barcode that starts with either a 5 or a 9 (though some of the 9 ones may have an extra 9 in them, so they would be 13 digits). A true manufacturer coupon will also have a Remit To address and instructions so that the store can submit the q for reimbursement. These coupons will scan anywhere that accepts manufacturer coupons. As always though, pay attention to the wording. Some will say “Redeem Only At X Store”, and should be redeemed only at X store, as other stores may or may not get reimbursed for it. Note that this is not the same as “Redeem At X Store”…if there is no “Only” in there, you can use it anywhere (YMMV on your cashier, but it should be accepted if you can talk them into scanning it).

Store coupons will start with something other than 5 or 9, and can have more or less than 12 digits.

Wording at the top of the coupon is irrelevant to the scanner. All it sees is the barcode. If it is a manufacturer barcode, the register will accept it (with proper usage, of course) as a manufacturer coupon (MQ), regardless of whether the coupon says “Manufacturer Coupon”, “Retailer Coupon”, “Store Coupon”, or some other silly confusing phrase.

A coupon with a store specific barcode or other form of entry (for example, Publix q’s do not have barcodes, they have a 4 digit LU number that the cashier has to enter manually) is a store coupon, regardless of what the q says on the top of it. I cannot use Publix q’s with an LU anywhere other than Publix, and they should be considered store q’s. But again, be sure you pay attention to the wording and follow your store’s policies. Publix allows stacking a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon, but they recently put out a batch of store q’s that say “cannot be combined with any other coupon”…so coupons with that wording cannot be stacked with an MQ.



Coupons from many of the popular sites, including coupons.com, redplum.com, and smartsource.com, have identifying ID numbers and barcodes that can be traced back to your computer. Copying these coupons is a big no-no and can potentially lead to you being banned from one or all of these sites. You cannot print these coupons to PDF, nor are we allowed to scan them and post as PDF files (though why would you want to? All those folks making copies of your PDF q leads to you not being able to print any more). PDF’s of these q’s are not allowed to be posted. You can however post a link to the q on the coupon website.

Printing from these sites requires that you download and install their software program. There is no way around this; if you want to print the q, you have to have the program. It is free, and I don’t think anyone here has reported any malicious content or damage. If you are opposed to this download, that’s fine…but you’ll have to live without the q.

Some folks will trade Internet Printable (IP) coupons, but many others would caution against it, unless you know or trust the person you are sending it too. Remember, that IP can be traced back to you, and you can be penalized for someone else’s misuse.

Some manufacturer’s still release PDF coupons (though I can’t imagine why…). SD allows us to post a link directly to the source of the coupon, whether it be the manufacturer’s site, or the store flyer that contains it, or wherever it originated from. We are NOT allowed to post the PDF itself as an attachment, nor are we allowed to host it on Google docs or any other site. We are also not allowed to post MPP’s of these PDF coupon (multiples per page).



So sorry you missed that H-O-T Physicians Formula PDF, but begging is NOT allowed. Check out the RAOK thread here to see if someone is giving away the q you want, or check out the Coupon Trading Thread here to see if someone is willing to trade with you. Can’t find it? Take your search to PM, and see if someone is willing to send it to you. Or do a Google search…surely some site with lower standards than SD has it posted. Please do not post a request in the threads, unless of course you just want someone to mod alert you so your post can be deleted.



This is a big deal. We’re using 14 as an example, but the same rules apply for 02, 14, 16, and 19. If you don’t know what these mean, please stop now and head over to the Coupon Barcode Basics thread here, read the first post, and then come back.

Coupon wording is king, but if you intend to be a serious coupon shopper (and if you are here on SD, you do intend to be a serious couponer :nod: ), you need to know a little bit about coding as well. Some q’s will beep even with legitimate usage, depending on how that q is coded and how the store’s registers are set up. Knowing which ones will beep and why can be a tremendous help to you.

In a nutshell, a BOGO q that is coded 01 attaches to only one item. However, a BOGO q that is coded 14 attaches to two items. Here are some more concrete examples as laid out by Slayers750 (minor formatting changes, but the idea is intact):

Guidelines regarding a B1G1 manufacturer coupon with a regular manufacturer coupon
A) B1G1 coupons say buy X get Y free. If the coupon is coded "01", the coupon is only applied to the one that you get free, in this case Y.
There is nothing to say that you cannot use another coupon on the one product you are actually buying, in this case X. So YES, you CAN use a $1 off 1 coupon on X.
However, if the coupon is coded "14", then the coupon attaches to both items and you will not be able to put an additional coupon on the "X" item.

Example: Buy 2 HE products use one $1 off 1 HE and 1 X B1G1
This is YMMV according to many stores and only allowed if the coupon is coded "01".

If the coupon was coded "14" then you cannot do this as the register will beep. Asking the cashier to force through that coupon in this situation is not allowed.

The manufacturer can choose the coding in this case ("01") or ("14") and this determines if the manufacturer will allow you to do the above or not.

B) Using the example above you can NOT use a $1 dollar off two items because that coupon applies to two products.
Example: Buy two HE products and use $1 off WYB 2 HE products and 1 X B1G1. <--- This is not allowed.

OK to do: If you buy a total of four products you can use two B1G1 coupons + $1 wyb 2. In this situation you have four products: The two B1G1 coupons apply to two products and the $1 wyb 2 applies to the other two products for a total of four.
Again, this can only be done if the B1G1 are coded "01" -- if they are coded "14" then you would only be able to use the 2 B1G1 coupons only. This is YMMV according to many stores.

C) The rule of thumb is that you can NOT have more coupons than products.
Example: Buy two herbal essences use two $1 dollar off one product and one X B1G1. <--- This is not allowed. There are too many coupons for the number of products.

D) 'WYB' VS. 'AND': If a coupon says Save $1.00 on X WYB Y, you CAN use a coupon $1.00 off one coupon on Y. If a coupon says Save $1.00 on X AND Y, then you can NOT use another coupon on either X or Y because the coupon applies to BOTH products.

Example of an abusive situation:
You cannot abuse the system like this: Buy two of product x and use a coupon of $5 off two products of x AND also the $1 off product x just because the $5 off two products is only coded for one product ("74").

You purchase the following:
Olay Body Wash $8.99
Venus Spa Breeze $9.49
Zest 3pk $3.29
Total pre-coupon: $21.77

WRONG:
Coupons used:
Buy Venus razor get Olay BW Free
$2 off Venus razor
Buy OLAY BW get Zest soap free
This is called piggybacking, and is unacceptable to discuss on SD.

In the above scenario the coupons would apply like this
Olay Body Wash $8.99 Buy Venus razor get Olay BW Free
Venus Spa Breeze $9.49 $2 off Venus razor
Zest 3pk $3.29 Buy OLAY BW get Zest soap free You do not have two items to use this BOGO on at this time

I know that more lenient sites discuss, if not encourage, piggybacking. I also know that some stores have register programming that will find this acceptable. We at SD want to maintain integrity of the site and of couponing. after discussing and researching have taken this position.

The short version:
Is you need two items to apply one BOGO.
Your "BUY" may not also be a "GET"

Special Thanks to rydergal for authoring the framework of the guidelines wiki. :worship:

And rydergal would like to thank anyone and everyone that gave their feedback on my "first draft", including but not limited to reg036 and MsGal. Thank you!

The wiki is meant to be a tool to be edited by you, the DS/GS users as a way to help new coupon users learn the ropes ethically. Please edit the wiki as necessary to reflect good/bad scenarios. The idea would then be to link users to specific pieces of the wiki in answering repeated questions that you guys see every day.

For example, if someone wonders why it is not okay to use a 50¢ off Jimmy Dean Sausage Links on a package of Jimmy Dean Sausage Patties, you might link them to a scenario in this wiki.

We'll be leaving this sticky for a week or so, and adding a link to it in the index thread for easy reference thereafter.

Wow 3 hours and no feedback...

First Thank You to all involved especially to rydergal, I appreciate the humor!

Just wondering, is there an official policy on "super stacking"? t was before my SD time but I understand that it truly killed off deals at a certain drug store and I'm sure almost all drug store policies restrict it and put it into the store Q wording.

The only thing I would add is maybe a little "blurb" at the bottom stating that coupons are currently changing and that by January 2012, all MQ's will have one barcode and no barcode numbers at all, adding to the confusion and chaos we currently experience each day.

Save yourself some time and start drinking now. :lol:

:whee: Yay! So glad to see this! I know I wrote the wiki part, but I have a question about your post, TR. And I promise I'm not just trying to be dense or difficult...I want to make sure I understand the subtlety here. The 3 lines I highlighted in purple...
Immaterially modified or unmodified q's CAN be hosted directly on SD...but in no case can an MQ be hosted here, correct? So basically what we are talking about then are store q's (except Target or CVS of course), right? Except you go on to say that store q's can't be hosted on SD...they have to be linked off site. So what kinds of q's can we host directly on SD?

And while I'm here...MPP's. I know we can't post links or host MPP's of MQ's, but what about store q's? I'm thinking specifically of Publix...they've been putting PQ's on their wesbite lately, with unlimited prints and no restrictive "one per person" wording...would love for my P peeps to be able to help each other save paper whenever possible, soon to be P peep TR ;)

Ah, superstacking. I never got to participate in that, but yet I still miss it so. Oh, how I long for the good ol days! :lmao:

I would say that superstacking would vary based on each store's policy, and it would best be explained in that store's FAQ or discussion thread. I know it is covered pretty extensively in the CVS Coupon thread...dunno about RA or Wags or the grocery stores. I would guess that most stores have done away with this, or minimized it greatly, by utilizing that friggin' restrictive language on q's, just like CVS has...

You got that right :teehee:

Hmm....I love the categories...materially modified, etc. How much did the "guys" in suits charge you for their learned counsel??

But what I REALLY like is this (and it is so right) .. you said ..

"Per The Raddish:

Slickdeals will not be issuing warnings for posts breaking store policy, but we absolutely will have a zero tolerance approach to dealing with blatant coupon fraud.

"
Now, someone has it straight. PM me if you have any interest in why .... clue #1 - Walmart is giving full value/cash back.....and I offer this free of charge!

Ok, just to clarify on this point as it seems to have changed from what was allowed in the past....so a PDF, even one that has been slightly resized to, say, clear up a blurry UPC, is allowed to be hosted (as in an attachment to a post) on SD?

I'm a bit confused on this too...because the rules go on to state that MQ's cannot be hosted on or linked to from SD (other than direct to the manufacturer or original q site...which rules out ones that have been modified, even if only immaterially) and the rules also go on to state that store Q's cannot be hosted on SD (but they can be hosted off site and linked). Still trying to figure out what kinds of Q's can be hosted on SD (ie as an attachment)...

As for MPP's, the long and short of it is that if something would be allowed when it's one to a page, it is still allowed when you have more than one on a page. If you have to modify it to get more than one on a page, and modifying coupons of that type isn't allowed, then the MPP isn't allowed.

Ok, so spell it out for me. Let's use this for example. Would an entire page of each one be acceptable?
http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/p...coupon.pdf

That's a manufacturer's coupon. I'm not sure how you'd do anything with that other than link to the manufacturer's website and still stay within the rules. :dontknow:

That's exactly the type of Q that folks want the ability to attach to a post and also want to make a mpp of so that you don't waste paper printing only on top or bottom of a page. PDFs aren't unique and can be saved to your computer and printed multiple times. So folks have wanted to attach those files to a post. It's not materially modified, it would be immaterially modified per the definition, it is not a scan of a coupon. :dontknow:

I'm asking this not to be a smartie but because I've never really understood why we have problems with these on SD. It's completely understandable when it's a scan of a unique coupon -- that's absolutely not okay. But if the manufacturer posts a pdf or even emails it out, why can't it be shared as it's not unique?

This is a good point.

I've gone back to the guys in suits and asked for a revamp because, quite frankly, I'm not so sure I like the rules. Can't post any dang coupons with 'em! :annoyed:

That bolded part right there? Yeah, that's your whole problem. :lol:


I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts the "guys in suits" don't even use coupons, much less know how they work. :shake:

:iagree: (throw some water on Msgal, I'm sure she :faint: )

They don't know, they don't care and they don't use them...I think us members are the only ones that care

Then let's tell them.

What would be your ideal coupon policy for Slickdeals? This question is open to everyone, so please get as many of your compatriots as possible to enter into this discussion. :)

Allowed:
-Links to MQs
-Links to PDFs
-Links to MPP of PDFs as long as the PDF (single) is also hosted on Manufacturer site.
-Walgreens store coupons, IVC, etc. since most books containing those are scarce and hard to come by

Not allowed:
-MPP of MQs are not allowed to be posted on SD or linked to off SD.
-Target Qs
-No CVS Qs unless hosted by CVS url


I may think of more later


We all know that copying bricks coupons is a huge NO_NO and so is trying to print them to a PDF so none of that talk should be allowed here. If someone does speak of it and the post gets MA'd, the post needs to be removed pronto!

Excellent. MFH, maybe we could distinguish this line and say:
Not allowed:
-MPP of Unique MQs are not allowed to be posted on SD or linked to off SD.

Liking the direction. Hats off to Feets.

p.s. i use coupons, but not as energetically, efficiently, or consistently as you guys :)
The problem is finding a balance between happy couponers, and less angry manufacturers/stores who send other guys in suits with things like "Esq." or "J.D." on their business cards.. :)

What should the rule be regarding a PDF that the mfr pulled off of their site due to limits being reach.
Should the PDF rule state that pdf is allowed as long as it is still currently linkable and active on the manufacture sight ?? Same goes for mpp ??

That's what I meant...as long as it is also hosted on the manufacturers site

Good to know we have at least one Mod Admin "in the know" so to speak

Those pesky lawyers. :lol:

I think couponers should have business cards, too.

E.C=Extreme Couponer
H.C.=Heavy Couponer
C.U.= Coupon User

annnnnnd......

G.J.K.SoC (Graduate of Jaime Kerlew School of Cheaters) :P

The people that would want to wear that last one would also want it to function as a blinkie machine, constantly spitting out $10 CWS coupons with NED. LOL

Not to rain on anyones parade, but doesn't the 2nd barcode become the only barcode on 6/1 or 7/1? this is a wonderful thread, and does far more then just talk about the manufacturer's intent. But when the 2nd barcode becomes the only barcode, won't much of this become a moot point?

Walmarts been capable of scanning the 2nd barcode since Jan. of this year at least. CVS has been able to do it since Feb. of this year. Back in Feb. I read on Jill Caldado's (spelling?) mommy blog that someone had used a coupon they had gotten in a red plum home mailer on a Weds., when everyone else would get it Sunday. The coupon was scanned, and the register didn't accept the coupon, said it wasn't valid yet. GS1/RSS14/Databar has a field for everything. When a coupon used to read "cannot be combined......." but the register might have allowed it, this ones supposed to bring an end to the piggybacking. Since the 1st barcode gets dropped, we won't know whats a 00, 01, or a 14.

Then again, CVS had the scrubbing bubbles 2/$6 and the bogo coupon was taking off $4.99. Maybe the sky isn't falling afterall. Just depends on how the manufacturer "codes" the values of that 2nd barcode. And if thats the case, its going to be an experiment, where this coupon acted this way at this store, but this way at another.

Question about a coupon from the 1/23 RP. Save $1 on any carton of Eggs with purchase of 2 Kikkoman products. Would it be ok to use other coupons for the Kikkoman products along with this coupon? coupon coding is 5 41390 10033 3. TIA

I did. As far as I could tell, the $1 q was for the eggs...so I also used one (or two? I don't recall...it's been awhile) coupon(s) on the Kikkoman.

Coupon is coded for $1 off 2 (33), so it's off the Kikkoman, not off the eggs...

I don't read codes...I go by the wording...which as I recall was $1 off eggs when you buy 2 Kikkoman...

Just letting them know of potential beepage if they try to use additional Kikkoman coupons with it.

Here's how it should work, according to the *wording* (which is what SD strives to uphold): the q is good for the eggs, so in theory you should be able to use a q for the 2 Kikkoman products as well.

But...here's how it *will* work in reality (assuming your store's system attaches q's to items): the q is coded to attach to the two Kikkoman products, so any other Kikkoman q you use will beep. YMMV on convincing your cashier/CS rep/manager/whoever to push it through.

Coupons for produce or eggs or milk or some other generic category of items that are worded "$x off produce when you buy a widget" will always be coded to attach to the widgit...because they can't be coded for "any produce" or "any eggs" or "any milk" or "any other generic product category". In theory you should be able to use a q for the widgit along with the q for produce wyb a widget, but it will be a YMMV situation.

Does anyone know if you are allowed to use multiple jello coupons on one jello item if they are different coupons? For example a 0.35/1 jello refrigerated snacks AND a 0.60/1 jello refrigerated snacks when I only buy one jello snack?

You are *not* allowed to use multiple manufacturer coupons in that fashion. :shake: The MFQ will say on it "Limit one coupon per purchase." You are only purchasing one Jello, so you can only use one Jello coupon.

Now, if one coupon was a store coupon (like Target or CVS), you could combine it with a manufacturer's coupon on the same item. But not two manufacturer's coupons.

Oh okay thank you :)

General Q: My CVS takes expired Qs. Should I ever worry that they're not getting reimbursed for any MQ because of this practice? I want to make sure my CVS will continue to accept Qs for all shoppers and I'd hate to see the store completely deny Qs in the future because of some non-reimbursed Qs. Thanks!

If your store has given you their approval, then I wouldn't worry about it. While there's no hard and fast rule that I'm aware of, there certainly is some "grace-period" wrt stores redeeming MFQs. If you use a MFQ on the last day, there's no way the Q is going to get to the clearinghouse before it is technically "expired". There's also no way for the clearinghouse to determine if the MFQ was used on 4/30/11 or 5/1/11 (for example).

A rough guesstimate would be that so long as the Q reaches the clearinghouse within 2-3 months after the exp date, it will be redeemed w/o a second-glance.

I remember seeing some printable Hasbro MFQs awhile back that specifically stated that they *must* reach the clearinghouse w/in six months of the stated exp. date or else they would not be reimbursed.

HTH!

Thank you for clearing my conscience :)


Whoa weird glitch.

Dear Mod Team,

I realize that you cannot FORCE people to coupon "responsibly". You cannot go with them to the store, scrutinize their every purchase, and stand beside them as they hand over their coupons, making sure that all coupons are being used on the correct products and that the manufacturer's "intent" is being abided by.

I realize that.

But when people are openly posting about coupon misuse (some even AFTER being corrected by fellow SD'ers), shouldn't there be repercussions for that?


Since TLC's EC show, the stores have become a free-for-all for every idiot that gets a Sunday paper and owns a pair of scissors. Can we PLEASE have some help on the boards when trying to teach people that "if you aren't going to coupon ethically, keep it to yourself!!!"???????

I would love to second this.

We did...actually I did respond to that and the MA's that were sent. We do not discuss what actions may have been taken with other members. I did delete the posts that were MAd.

I did not know this. Well, I knew the posts were gone but I didn't realize that "action had been taken". I do understand why it is not discussed with other members though.

Thank you Schoobs. :)

Hey, TR, a question about Hot Deals. Do they have different rules regarding posting of like mpps of a store coupon? I just noticed there's one posted in a Staples coupon thread. I know we're not allowed to here, but wanted to clarify because somebody eventually will ask the question, "It was done in Hot Deals. How come we can't do it here?"

I'm just curious where the information about the B1G1 "01" and "14" coding comes from...and I don't just mean the "barcoding thread". I mean...where did whoever the "powers that be" find that info from to begin with? A call to a manufacturer?

Also, why is this the supposed "rule"? I have used "14" coupons with $ off coupons before and have had them NOT beep...then again sometimes they do. I'm not sure what does/does not cause it to. But I must say, since the wording on the coupon doesn't preclude (unless of course it does obviously) using another coupon with it. I just don't understand why this "rule" exists on this board. To me, if a MF wants to prevent a customer from using another coupon with it then it should be written on the coupon...like the DND q's. Otherwise it should be allowed. I agree with another poster who said that MFQ's aren't supposed to be so "difficult" to use...otherwise a FAQ or Instruction Booklet of some sort should be in every coupon insert.

Yes, it was a call to the Manufacturer. Actually, it was calls made to several manufacturers. And I know this to be factual because I made the calls. :)

Coupons that are coded "14" attach to BOTH items at MOST stores. It does not work that way at wags because it is a register/programming error. I do not have a Target where I live but I have heard that "14's" do not attach to both items there as well ... also a glitch. "01's" do NOT attach to both items and thus allow for a second coupon to be used. The manufacturer's know this and can have their coupons coded however they request but cannot control programming errors at the store level.

This is where PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY comes into play. We, as couponers, have a personal responsibility to use the coupon as intended by the manufacturer .... not carte blanche just because the store or the cashier may not know any better.

It's one thing when someone tries to use a $ off coupon with a "14" at Walmart just because they were allowed to do the same thing previously at wags. The $ off coupon will beep at WM because the "14" already attached to both items, thus leaving the consumer confused as to why it worked at one store but not another. That is why it has worked for YOU at some stores, but not at others.

But ... it's something altogether different if you KNOW the manufacturer's intent and you purposely use those coupons at a store with the glitch, just because you know you can get away with it.

It is coupon fraud and those that try to argue that are the ones that will go out of their way to use those coupons at the stores with the programming errors. If it were not fraud, they would try to use them at places like WM. But of course, they already know what will happen there. ;)

Us "old timers" (I really hate that term :lol:), of the DS forum know that people will do what they want and that's fine. I'm only responsible for me, no one else. What we try very hard to discourage is the discussion on SD of using coupons incorrectly. We're not Mods and we're not the coupon gestapo ... we just know what happens when people start talking about using coupons incorrectly. It not only teaches newbies the WRONG way to coupon, it often starts arguments and sometimes causes threads to get locked. More importantly, it draws attention to coupon abuse and that just leads to more limits and fine print being added to the coupons themselves.

To some this may be a "game". But for some of us, couponing is important to our livelihood and we'd like to see it continue.

I used to question a former mod here, all of the time regarding that. It took some time for me to understand WHY slayers advocated so fiercely for stronger ethics in the Drugstore Forum.

I think many of us misinterpreted coupons in the past and sometimes unintentionally hurt the very stores we have grown to love. When too many people are abusing too many coupons it does affect the stores. If the store is not getting reimbursed for a poorly used coupons, then they fire cashiers who accepted bad coupons, raise prices and start imposing limits.

I look back at how things have changed since Extreme couponing show started airing. I think back to Slayers diligent work to keep us on the straight and narrow and WHY it was so important back then.

CVS and Target did not agree with some of the practices we were particpating in on some threads and they stepped in and because of that we had to make several changes on those discussion threads and what we are allowed and not allowed to discuss or do.

Rampant abuse has caused Publix and Kroger and Rite-Aid to make Huge and Drastic changes to their coupon policies.

Before the EC craziness, slayers not only heard and saw that the stacking of coupons caused issues at many stores and with help made the rules that many of us still stand by. He and many, many others made conscious and ethical guidelines for the forum that would not only help us to learn but help the stores from stressful or impractical situations.

Fast forward to the here and now. Due to the popularity of Extreme Couponing, the amount of coupon fraud, abuse and shelf clearing is rising. Stores are becoming aware of the growth in the couponing community and quickly making changes.

There are now many more store coupon policies than before and some of them have set stricter rules then before.

In May of this year there was a big industry conference. Many, Many things were discussed and we will start to see some huge changes in the next few years, so that the stores can keep up with demand but also prevent fraud and abuse.

http://www.prologicredemption.com...y2011.html

You can go to several industry website like above and see that they take the CIC recomendations seriously.

There is a list that is From the CIC it is the suggested voluntary best practices to retailers to fight coupon fraud and mis-redemption

Suggested Voluntary Best Practices: Retailer Coupon Acceptance Policy

The list of best practices was generally endorsed by several retailers at the CIC Summit in March

http://www.couponinformationcente...p?st=93d32

Here is the one section from that link that our mods should consider when we M/A a post where they are stacking a Bogo and cents off coupon

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE COUPONS (BOGO)
1. BOGO coupons cannot be “chained” (i.e., two BOGO coupons cannot be used to on two items to get
both for free). Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one BOGO coupon requires that two
of the valid items are presented at checkout; one item will be charged to the consumer and the second
item will be discounted by its full retail price.
2. In a BOGO transaction, a second cents-off coupon cannot be counted towards the purchase price of
the first (buy one) product.


If many retailers are already agreeing to these suggestions then its just a matter of time before they are ammended into store coupon policy across the board and written into the terminology itself.


If you know of an unwritten rule and abuse it, its one thing. If you knowingly go against the rule and share across the net to abuse the rule then you shouldn't be upset when the unwritten rule becomes industry standard written rule.

Many people said that it was a matter of time before P&G put limits on their coupons. Now the coupon limits are not only written on the coupons but in bold text.

P&G has said, by phone and by email that they do not want their Bogo and $ off coupons stacked. Its just a matter of time before the rule is written on their coupons, in store coupon policies and across all internet deal forums.

SD was just a leader in Ethical Couponing, before Ethical Couponing became cool!

MsGal, :iagree:

add to the fact a certain SE prominent grocery chain that currently is programmed to only look at the VALUE of the Q (not the MFG, not the product code) which allows for all kinds of fraudulent behavior (Cottonelle Q on Charmin, etc). Thru trial and error folks 'learn' what they can get away with and then are clueless as to why it doesn't work at other stores and are pissed off when a different store in the same chain catches them.

I so LOVE that you're calling it coupon "abuse" and coupon "fraud" when it says NO WHERE on the coupons that they cannot be combined and they go through with no problems. MFQ's have been around FOREVER, if the MF's want to change the way the coupons are being used then they should DO IT. Not expect every couponer to just "know" what is and isn't the right way to use them by trying to figure out their stupid barcodes. I can call every MF 15 different times and get 15 different answers. Everyone knows that. P&G did it right...they don't want more than 4 used, so they printed it on the q's. Whether those who use cents off q's with BOGO q's will cause the "end" for everyone else...that may be...or may not be. Again...it's up to the MF and it's really ridiculous for you all to keep getting on your soap box, adding blurbs to wiki's, and accusing people of coupon "fraud" for doing so. I encourage people to use coupons...it's bad enough to get scared off by some cashier who doesn't know what they're talking about and accused of coupon fraud, then to come to a message board and be accused of the same thing. It's NOT coupon fraud if it's not printed on the coupon and enforced by the store. Plain and simple.
Oh...and TN...no one here is talking about what someone can "get away with" or blatently using coupons fraudulently (as in for items other than what the coupons says they're for).

Most bogo coupons do state that they cannot be combined with other coupons.

So if a bogo coupon is for 2 items and coupon states that it cannot be combined with other coupon then you are breaking the rule set on the coupon by using a secondary coupon for the two items.

Fraud/Abuse/Mis-redemption are the terms that the manufacturers and retailers are using because the rampant abuse hurts their bottom line.

I wish that the inserts would come with a set of guidelines and I really wish stores had their policies at the registers for customers and cashiers to both see.

I encourage you to call P&G 15 times and please let us know what they tell you each and every time. I bet more of the calls will say no then will say yes. Make sure you call and speak to someone in the coupon marketing or redemption departments though, they are usually much more clear cut than just calling a 1-800 customer service rep .

Supergirl, you sound angry at the responses you have gotten and I really don't understand why. You asked for an explanation and some of us have given you one. No one has accused you of anything. :shake:

I myself, have never added a "blurb" or addendum to ANY wiki about the use/misuse of BOGO, "14's" or "01's" so I'm not sure what you are alluding to with that. But I have, on many occasions, posted in a thread about the manufacturer's intent regarding a coupon and I have requested many times that people NOT post about blatant misuse. I try very hard to do this in a way that is respectful. I answer questions both in threads and via PM. The mods have requested that we try to guide/teach people the correct way to use coupons. They do not wish to play babysitter each day.

Lastly, (and again), it IS coupon fraud if you knowingly use another coupon in conjunction with a "14" at Store A as opposed to Store B, because you know it will work at Store A but will beep at Store B. You know why it beeps and that your transaction will not work, so you avoid this store.

You can attempt to justify it any way that you like but at the end of the day, "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." :)

MSGAL I'm in no way upset at YOU per se..or anyone in particular. I'm just speaking in general terms. I know you are respectful in your posts and I do appreciate it. Sorry if I'm coming across rude instead of aggravated (which is what I am). I do however disagree that it's coupon fraud. Here [http] is P&G's written "redemption policy". The only mention even regarding the wording of coupons says this "Coupons are redeemable only by a consumer purchasing the brand/size(s) indicated thereon with the face value of the coupon deducted from the retail selling price. Multiple P&G coupons (two or more, in any form including using a paper and digital coupon
together) may not be applied against the purchase of the same item."
Hmmm...this to me says you can use more than one coupon if you're "purchasing" more than one. And as for the wording "Limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated"...that's on every coupon and a "purchase" is an "item" as has been discussed a gazillion times. If the MF is going to take the time to write out a "redemption policy" and limit "like" coupons ON the coupons then they can write a specific guideline pertaining to BOGO q's IF THAT'S THEIR DESIRE. But none have done so. Taking the stance that phone calls to representatives explaining bar codes is the companies official "stance" on something is wrong. They wouldn't be able to convict someone of coupon fraud on this b/c they don't have anything in writing on it.
Oh and if it works at store A and not store B, then that is an issue at the store level with their programming and unless they have something specifically in their policy (like RA for example) then you should be able to argue the use of the cents off q. Now knowing if it will beep or not is still nice to know for those that want to avoid the beepers and the arguing of course.
Oh and as far as the wiki updates, I know you personally haven't done that MsGal, sorry again if I sounded like I was accusing you of it. I just know it's out there...well...for now anyways.

I don't know that MOST bogo q's state that. I'm looking at the recent P&G Gillette/OS ones and they don't have anything other than the normal blurb of "limit one coupon per "purchase" of products and quantities stated". The discussion of "purchase" meaning "item" and not "transaction" has gone on forever. But of course, if it does have that wording, then yes you would be breaking those rules..but that's not what I'm talking about.
I too wish inserts would come with a set of guidelines...it'd be a lot less confusing for everyone :hug:.

You can't use the blanket statement that "purchase" equals "item". Otherwise, if you purchased 4 items, you could try to argue that you could use 4 coupons, even if the coupons in question are $1/4. That would be abuse.

I know you are talking only about bogo coupons, but if you are going to make a generalization like that, you need to be aware of the ramifications of said generalization.

As to the argument at hand...lots of people have lots if different theories about combining a bogo q with a $x/1 q. I'm not saying that one is any more valid than another, nor am I saying that one is right and one is wrong. However, SD has set their rules about what is considered proper and ethical usage, and if anyone wants to continue to participate in SD, SD's rules of conduct need to adhered to when posting. If you have a store that allows you to use a second q with a bogo 14, good for you. But that sort of talk is frowned upon here.

Exactly. :)

That is my point exactly and has been brought to the attention of the mods here and will be addressed later. This thread's "wiki" is being looked at as if it were SD's "rules for couponing" and it's NOT. SD's "rules" are what were written by Raddish ABOVE the wiki. Everything in the wiki are just "guidelines"...NOT rules. I think that's why so many posters are getting frustrated because they're expecting the mods to smack the wrists of people not following the "rules" when it's not the "rules" being broken..just the "guidelines" that whoever wanted to write up could. As for "that sort of talk is frowned upon here"...well, it shouldn't be...unless it goes against that particular stores WRITTEN policy. I'm just tired of people policing other people's usage of coupons. And your first statement makes absolutely no sense at all. If the coupon is for $1/4 obviously you have to buy 4 to use the coupon since it says "Limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated". If the coupon is for $1/1 and you buy 4 and have 4 $1/1 coupons then you don't have to separate your items into separate "transactions" to us all 4 $1/1 coupons because you're "purchasing" 4 items...meeting the $1 off one stipulation.

I'm not arguing on the difference in purchase vs transaction. I know I don't have to split 4 items into four transactions just to use 4 $1./1 MQ's. All I was trying to say is that one "purchase" does not equal one "item". You can't use those terms interchangably when the purchase requires more than one item to begin with. That's why coupons say "one per purchase" instead of "one per item". But if you want to go down this road a little further, let us do so now...
A $1/2 coupon requires the purchase of two items in order to use that coupon, and no other MQ can be used on that same purchase of two items, correct? Hence the wording "limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated". I don't think anyone would disagree with me on this...2 items, one $1/2 q. Period.

But what about that BOGO q? The coupon requires you to buy two items in order to use it...just like a $1/2 does. And the fine print will say "limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated"...just like that $1/2. So shouldn't you only be allowed to use that one coupon on the pair, regardless of the coding? If we all follow just the wording, I would say yes, we should only use one.

We know about coupon coding however, and SD set forth the rule that since the manufacturers have the option to code that coupon with 01 or 14, and they know what the ramifications of an 01 are, the usage can be expanded to include a $x/1 coupon when using an 01 bogo.

And in case you don't know, all the rules in the wiki were written by the previous mod of the DS forum. I just compiled them all in one place. Slayers wrote them, but never wanted them all listed out in one place for easy access...why? I dunno. But when he left, I approached TR about compiling everything in one place. Rules were pulled straight from Slayers' posts all over the forum by myself, which I then sent via PM to TR. From what I understand, the list I compiled was reviewed by SD legal. So yes, everything in the wiki is an SD RULE, reviewed and approved by the mod team.

As I said before, if you have a store that accepts a bogo 14 with another mq, great for you. I'm not judging your usage. But SD's rules don't allow that type of conversation here. If you want to discuss it publicly, maybe you need to find a different forum.

I agree that trying to explain 01 vs 14 to someone who doesn't coupon can be awkward. But the alternative as I see it is to ban all usage of a $x/1 with any type of BOGO coupon, since that adheres more to the wording "limit one coupon per purchase of the items and quantities stated".

As I have stated from the beginning... most typical couponers do NOT understand coding, and they shouldn't have to learn "coding"... typically, THAT leads to coupon fraud. No one is encouraging people to use them incorrectly, but it is WALGREEN's problem if their registers are not reading codes correctly. There is NOTHING on the coupon that says it cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons. I absolutely WILL not decode every coupon to determine the correct usage. If they do not want it used in conjuction with a $1.00 or $2.00 off coupon, then they should specifically state that in their coupon. Obviously, they can do that... P&G coupons have more written restrictions than any other coupon that I've ever seen.

YOU don't have to decode the coupon. We here at SD did that for you. :) Now it's up to YOU as where to use said coupon. And if you knowingly use a $ off with a "14" at Wags ... you already know the difference ... therefore, it is fraud. You made the choice to shop where it won't beep BECAUSE you want to use both Q's. Otherwise, just take your BOGO to WM (or wherever), and just be happy to get one item for free ... as the manufacturer intended by the coding.


You can throw a dress and lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. :P

No, it's not fraud. As I stated before, that is a problem between Walgreens and the manufacturer, has absolutely nothing to do with me. Just FYI, I haven't bought any gillette body wash as I didn't get any of the P&G inserts this month but I absolutely believe that YOU are off base telling me how I should use my coupons. You can interpret it however you choose but if they didnt' want them used in conjunction, it should clearly state that on the coupon. It is not the responsiblity of the user of the coupon to "interpret" what the code means. I don't understand why it's so hard to get through your head that We should NOT have to decode coupons in order to determine how to use them correctly. If they do not want them used in conjunction, it should be clearly stated on the coupon. As I said earlier, the coupon CLEARLY states that you cannot buy, trade, transfer a coupon, yet you guys find it OK to talk about Ebay and CFM so I guess EVERYONE is committing coupon fraud... All this holier than thou crap is a little ridiculous. Stop being coupon police... You have people out there who are using coupons on items that they are NOT intended for (Jaime) and what do the Manufacturers think about it? Obviously they do not care. I would not misuse a coupon as far as size restriction or items but IMO, if they do not want it used in conjunction with another coupon, it should be stated. I will NOT decode the barcode to determine that. Is it OK to use coupons such as the Tylenol Precise/Motrin PM coupon a couple months ago that was coded to go through on any item? I mean, you are telling me to decode the coupon in order to determine how to use it so I guess if I decode it, that tells me I could use it on ANYTHING.

and I do not choose to shop at Walgreens where I can use b1g1 free coupons with $2.00 off, I choose to shop at Walgreens because that is the only store that I shop at (outside of Wal-Mart for trial size stuff that doesn't have size restrictions). I like Walgreens because they do not limit and things are cheaper at WAGS than they are at Wal-Mart. You spend an awful lot of time in the Wags thread if you in fact believe that it's BETTER to shop at Wal-Mart lol.

Oh, calm down. No one is accusing YOU of anything. :shake: I used the word "you" in my previous post referring to "you", the general population.

And I can't tell YOU (yes, I do mean YOU), how to use your coupons. I can only teach you what the manufacturer intended by the coding. Knowledge is power. Choosing to shelve that knowledge and do what you want, all willy-nilly style, is (in my opinion) an abuse of power.

You don't need to defend your actions to me or anyone else on this board. You are responsible for you. But in the name of keeping things "legit" on the board, we respectfully request that it not be discussed in the weekly threads. I don't think that's too much to ask. :shake:

I have no idea what that means. I shop at WM about 1/2 dozen times a year. (If that!) :lol:

If that's not what you were arguing then we're on the same page. BOGO q's are different from $1/2 or $1/3 (etc.) q's though...otherwise they would be simply that. The coupon is to get you the second item free when you buy the first...hence the coupon is for the second item and if you want to (and your store's policies don't limit it) you should be allowed to use it. It is UP TO MF's to state how they want their coupons redeemed by the wording on their coupons and furthermore up to individual stores to further "elaborate" in detail how they will/will not accept coupons. After all, they are the ones accepting, submitting and getting reimbursed for them. If the MF wanted the coupon to be for BOTH items then they should've marked the coupon for $3/2 or whatever. If a store doesn't want to allow "piggybacking" (which is the appropriate term for this btw) then they should state that in their policy. It's the same for coupons that say things like save "$1.50 on milk wyb keebler cookies"...so this is a coupon for milk and if you have one for keebler cookies, you can use that too. I think it's sad that people on here are allowed to continue to point at others and accuse them of fraud, when there is NOTHING IN WRITING ANYWHERE about piggybacking or stacking coupons in this manner being fraudulent. So, just as you'd tell me to "keep it to myself"...I'd tell you the same.

:iagree::hug: Amen sista (*or bro...lol).

The way I see it, a BOGO q is no different than a $1/2 q. Both coupons require the purchase of two items. Otherwise, the manufacturer would just put out a coupon for a free item. The wording states you have to buy two items to use the q. The dollar value you get off the purchase really makes no difference in the wording, and allows folks that shop at different stores to get a free item, regardless of the price. A q for $3/2 might be roughly equivalent to a BOGO deal based on shelf prices at WM, but won't come close somewhere like CVS...so manufacturers put out BOGO q's so everyone can feel like they are getting something for free.

As I said twice before, if your store allows that sort of usage, good for you. However, SD's rules don't allow the conversation here. You are free to do as you choose in your own reality...you just don't get to talk about it on SD. I'm sorry, but those are the rules, and while you may disagree with them or find them to be too arbitrary for your taste, that's just the way it is. Again, I'm NOT judging...I'm just telling you that it can't be discussed here as SD says this is improper, per the rules that have been established.

The only issue is that regardless of whether or not you agree with them, SD has rules.

If you believe that this should not be discussed on the board, then why do you feel that it's OK to discuss the selling of coupons on this board??? It's in the FINE print that you cannot do that... using the $2/1 is not as clear that you're not supposed to use it with a b1g1 free, but it CLEARLY states that the coupons can't be auctioned or transferred...so yet again, why is this OK? The "14" to "01" argument is something that you would have to do research on in order to know that it shouldn't be used, while it CLEARLY states on every coupon that you cannot buy coupons! :confused:

not exactly... according to everyone on here, if it is an "01" then you can use it with another coupon... so it's not the same as a $1/2 or something like that...

Why is it OK to discuss the selling and buying of coupons?????? "SD" should be more concerned with that than being concerned with trying to figure out how to decode a stupid coupon.

I'm a bro, haha.

FTR, I do NOT sell coupons. I do however, buy coupons. Not often though; I would rather trade for them.

Whether the coupon is bought or sold does not defraud the store or the manufacturer in any way. It is the manner in which that coupon is redeemed that determines whether or not the store/manufacturer has been defrauded. :nod:

Actually, per a PM from TR the "wiki" are "guidelines" not SD RULES...the SD RULES are laid out above the wiki and written by TR himself. Maybe he'll hop on here and bring some clarification. I came to this board to get away from others on another board :ahem HCW ahem: who felt the need to "police" everyone and make up their own rules about MF's "intentions". If it were their intent I am sure by NOW they would've caught on to their coupons being used in manners they didn't "intend" and change the wording for further clarification (like P&G did).

So you have been here for almost two years and are just now starting to complain about 01 v 14?

We're not here to police how you conduct yourself in public...but SD has set forth rules of conduct on the boards. Do whatever you want to when you go to the store, but have a little tact about anything SD doesn't condone when you post. If you don't like the rules, you are free to leave.

And I say "guidelines" vs "rules" boils down to nothing but semantics anyways. TR created the wiki and posted the "guidelines" himself...

Actually, ALL coupons will change this year to the new GS1 Databar coding and wording won't really matter. If a coupon beeps at the register, ninety-nine percent of consumers won't have a clue as to why. They will just be denied use and that will be that. :)

In the meantime, I would rather see a Slickdeals that prods it's users to teach others how to coupon responsibly than one that just says "aw hell, post whatever you want, we don't care." ;)

Okay, I think it's time for some clarification. I've been contacted by numerous users about our coupon rules and how we will enforce them, etc. But first, we need to clarify a few things.

1. The only 'rules' that will be enforced by Slickdeals moderators are those that are posted by Slickdeals moderators in official threads or those that are written into our Terms of Service and Slickdeals Rules.

2. The coupon Guidelines wiki is user generated as a way to help others learn how to use coupons ethically as well as for maximum benefit. The guidelines in this wiki are not moderator enforceable in this forum. They are exactly what they say: guidelines.

Now, I've been following this debate for a while and I've answered a few of you privately via PM, but here's the deal. As is mentioned more than a few times in the guidelines wiki, the wording on the coupon is of utmost importance. The wording is what we have to go by, and what we use to determine what is and is not 'fraud'. Posting about using a coupon for sausage links in a scenario to purchase sausage patties will be addressed. However, expecting a user to decode a coupon above and beyond the wording printed on it is quite excessive and beyond the scope of the duties for the moderators of this forum when it comes to enforcement.

As for the barcodes, a member said to me the other day that "Cashiers don't get it, managers don't even get it. Nobody gets that there is a difference and special coding set up there - except us smarty pants who know that you can combine a coupon with an 01 B1G1 and not with an 14 B1G1." As I told that user, this is the key right here. Nobody gets it, save a select few. This is why we shouldn't delete such posts here, either. This is also the very reason behind the existence of the coupon usage guide, to be used to help new users understand how to use coupons more effectively, ethically, and for greater returns.

By deleting posts discussing 01 vs. 14 usage as was done in the past, it did two things. 1. It did not foster a spirit of discussion and learning with new users, because 2. it created a hostile environment for new users when their posts were deleted and they received warnings for something that the overwhelming vast majority of them didn't even understand in the first place.

Another member wrote to me, "I realize there's an influx of new couponers since that dreadful show that shall not be named first aired, but I don't think it means regular members of this board should start being allowed to "police" everyone and call out people to be frauds. Coupons should be enforced as they are written and as the stores they are being redeemed at allow. Nothing more. We as couponers should not be expected to learn how to "decode barcodes" and such. Besides...doing that is what leads people to learn how to use them in fraudulent ways to begin with. If a store of MF doesn't want their coupons used in a certain way it should be spelled out on the coupon and in the stores policies."

This person is essentially correct. As I stated back in April, SD mods will not be enforcing store policy as to coupon acceptance. Too many stores have too varying policies, and quite frankly, those stores are not paying us to be their police. It does not serve our best interest to do so for free, either, as we simply do not have the manpower or training to do so. Additionally, as is written multiple times in the coupon usage guidelines wiki and as SD has been doing for years, coupon wording is what is important. What is written on the coupons is what we can enforce. What is written in the coupon rules is what we will enforce as SD moderators.

Well this thread has only been here since April of this year and only within the last couple weeks have I seen such an increase of the "holier than thou" mentality several seem to have come down with. Others have complained about it too. SD has strictly said they will not be "policing" the boards and enforcing "store policies", so as much as you may not like me or anyone else questioning your "rules", I don't like (as do many others) being morally "policed" by those who THINK they know all. You too are free to leave as well :cool:

Thanks TR...great clarification!!!:bounce:

Fair enough. But what if someone in the Walmart thread complains about a $ off coupon beeping when used in conjunction with a BOGO coupon and someone else rushes in and posts "take your coupons to wags, they won't beep there because of a glitch in the system".

What then?

Do we MA it, respond to it or ignore it? :huh:

All coupons say, with different verbiage, "VOID if altered, copied, sold, purchased, transferred, exchangted or where prohibited or restricted by law" Therefore, YOU are using a coupon that is VOID... which is similar to using an "expired" coupon, so you indeed are pretty much committing fraud... how ethical :)

Address it as you see fit, but of course please be polite when doing so.

I purchase every single one of my coupons at the Dollar Tree. They come with a free newspaper wrapped around them. Does that mean mine are void too?

Snippy much?


Okay, with the exception of the above ... I am always polite. :D

I don't consider it a "glitch" in their system. If it were a "glitch" then it would have been fixed by now. It is more of the fact that they have no updated their registers and the system does not have the knowledge to read the coupon. As I have stated several times, it is NOT our job to de-code a coupon. The manufacturer makes stipulations on EVERY coupon regarding how they want the coupon to be used. If they didn't want it used in conjunction, they could add a 5 word clause that states just that. I'm glad that we have now gotten a clear and concise explanation of what the mods are going to moderate... and it's great to hear that we do not have to learn how to decode each and every coupon to determine proper usage.

I'm not snippy... you said that I was committing fraud when I have NOT done the deal. You are making false accusations when it looks as though you may be also committing fraud by using coupons that are supposed to be VOID. If you want to scrutinize the coupon verbiage and coding, then you can't skip over the part that tells you that your coupon is Void once it is transferred to you from another individual. They put that in writing, you didn't even have to decode that... or did you decide that you should only follow some of the rules of the coupon, disregard others, and harp on others about their wrong-doings when you in fact are also using coupons incorrectly.

Glitch ... outdated register. Tomato ... tomahto.

I can only speak for myself here, but I have never told anyone that they should learn how to decode coupons. But I stand behind what I have always said, once you know the intent, you should redeem accordingly.


None of this matters now though. TR said you guys can talk about it and that is really all you wanted anyway, right? I don't believe that "coding" was ever an issue for you in this argument.

So if the Charlie Sheen-esque "WINNING" crown fits you, wear it proudly, Cupcake. :P

Now that would be a funny smiley....LMBO!!!!

"once you know the intent, you should redeem accordingly"

The intent of the manufacturer is to not have their coupons sold in bulk... so aren't you, indeed, also not redeeming accordingly? You are redeeming a coupon that is deemed as VOID according to the wording of the coupon!

Dlw, I think that's enough.

I guess then that the wiki needs to be changed to say guidelines only. I don't see anything that says that. I have been sending people to this thread to the great description of 01 vs 14 because I thought it WAS the best way to diffuse the situation. Now I have no idea what we can do because I see the posters thinking we're acting "holier than thou" but it's what the mods told us to do now when the situation arises. I've been here a little while and I have no clue what we're expected to do on these issues. I don't think talking about misusing Qs should ever be allowed on this forum. I don't want to judge others for how they use Qs. I just don't want to TEACH others that it's ok to use them against the intent which was confirmed. We had a simple way to handle the situation which was follow the rules about not discussing misuse of the Qs here on SD. Have you seen all the great posts from the newer members saying, "THANK YOU, I didn't realize I shouldn't use it in that way?"

Listen, I'm not holier than thou. I feel like SD has given me so much and taught me so much and I think passing that information on to teach new people that join is incredible. Teaching them to go forth and coupon incorrectly - maybe setting them up for trouble at a store - maybe setting us up for more trouble with coupons because of crackdowns due to misuse -- that just doesn't sit well with me. :dontknow:

As TR stated, the OP is the rules and the wiki is a set of guidelines posted by the members. We will only be enforcing the "rules".
If it's printed on a coupon that it is intended for such and such use and a member posts that they used it for something else then we will act, if it's a situation with bar coding then we will not.
It has to be spelled out on the coupon.

I'm at work and don't have access to my full coupon stash, but I just happen to have one BOGO coupon in my purse.

The wording on it is: Buy One, Get One Free! Buy any one 3.5oz Wonka Exceptionals bar, get one FREE (up to $2.49).

And the fine print states: Limit one coupon per specified item(s) purchased.

So...since the coupon specifies that I have to buy 2 bars to get the BOGO deal, and that only one coupon can be used for the specified items, I cannot use another coupon on the two bars. Right?

(coding-wise, this q is a 14 anyways, but that's beside the point here, if all we are discussing is wording).

So that's it? No discussion at all of another q on the pair if a q has the "limit one coupon per specified purchase" wording, correct? I would assume most q's have this wording, if not all of them. I'm sure there will be the exception to the rule, but I'm guessing this is "normal" q language.

All these folks complaining about 01 vs 14 really just made things worse for themselves, huh? :lol: Serves 'em right.

ALL MFQ's say that...it's standard verbage just like the "not to be sold/traded/transferred" blah blah blah. The coupon specifies that by Buying 1 Bar the coupon allows you to get the SECOND bar for free. The coupon is for the second bar and unless the coupon says "not to be combined with any other offer (or something to that effect)" then you should be able to use another coupon on the bar you are buying....unless your store's policy says otherwise. It's always been said that different people can hear/read the same thing and interpret it differently...so obviously that's part of the problem here....but it's not OUR problem to figure out...it's the MF's/Stores problem. Just like the DND coupons...if they say DND, then the store should undouble them if that's THEIR policy. We shouldn't be required to just NOT USE the coupon because the store MAY not do their job. If the MF is really aggrevated at q's being turned in that have gotten doubled and they didn't want them doubled then they can start the barcode with a 9 so there's no issue with that.
Knowing the difference between the 01 and 14 IS still helpful for those who want to avoid coupons that may beep or the ensuing argument with the cashier to get them to either push through the coupon or clarify their policy if it is against it. Again...up to the STORE..not the consumer. I have sent a revised version of the wiki to TR for his okay and am awaiting a response. It isn't too different from what's there now...just a little tweaking.

I don't get it. Do you think the 01 vs 14 information is helpful or not? You posted earlier in this thread complaining about the 01 vs 14 explanation blurb added to the Wags weekly wikis (which I did pointing people here for additional information) but now you say it IS helpful to know the difference. This is what I posted - it wasn't a soapbox as you said - it was the information from this thread in the guidelines portion of the wiki.

Pretty sure I said it is:rolleye2: However, it's helpful "information" not set down as some "rule that must be followed to avoid committing coupon fraud". Some couponers like to take a more stealth approach and don't want to use coupons that beep or could cause embarrassing situations...others don't mind and will push the issue and enforce stores to follow their policies to the letter. Can you tell which kind of shopper I am ;) I erased what was in the Wags weekly wiki and will be editing this one once I hear back from TR so people don't think it's fraudulent to use coupons this way. Until MF's put it in writing on their coupons or on their websites then they have the choice to code their coupons and make stores enforce that kind of thing or just let it continue on the way it has forever.

Pretty sure you said it both ways. :rolleye2: Is the information I quoted above that I put in the wikis what you see as helpful information or not?

So wait, you just deleted something that another user (me in this case) put in the wiki because you didn't like it? I thought the wikis were open to anyone updating them? I put in the section from this wiki there as informational. I don't agree with deleting it as it is a HUGE issue that is coming up weekly. Anyone else have an opinion on the informational purposes of what I had in the wiki that's been deleted now?

Coupons should be enforced as they are written and as the stores they are being redeemed at allow. Nothing more.


Okay then lets ENFORCE the wording on the P&G coupon for all Bogos 01 and 14 coded


These are the terms in a P&G bogo coupon

Consumer: LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE of products and quantities stated


They don't need to state anything about stacking because the words clearly state one coupon for the products and quantities states.

One coupon ONLY for as many items stated in coupon. So if its buy one get one free or buy one get 2 free the coupon is limited to ONE COUPON for quantity stated. its in bold red font, so that is their intent and its as clear as the LIMIT 4 LIKE COUPONS in same shopping trip

So instead of letting the bogo 01 stacking slide on SD lets just do away with BOGO discussion entirely since they want to go by wording.

If that is not clear enough and you personally have not spoken with P&G then you cannot speak for them and their intent.

We could however get P&G involved in this discussion so this issue can be squashed for good.

I thought things were good on SD with how relaxed the bogo guidelines were written.

If we start enforcing coupon wording then you will see a lot more enforcing

Since we are to now enforce the words on coupons, there are lots of coupons we should look into ;)

I don't know what you deleted from a wags wiki, I wasn't aware of anything specific, but if it was a link to THIS thread about coupon usage, the link should probably have stayed. As more and more people are learning to use coupons, this thread has become invaluable.

And when you say, "editing this one", what do you mean? Please clarify. :please:

But it is on their coupons already. I think "limit one coupon per purchase of specified items" is pretty clear. A bogo q specifies you have to buy two items to use the q...therefore you can only use one coupon. If you didn't have to buy two items, the coupon would instead say "free" and you would only have to get one item.

You can't have it both ways if you are going by just the wording. That BOGO q is just like a $3/2...both coupons require the purchase of 2 items, according to the wording. And both coupons say "limit one coupon per purchase of specified items".

Everyone has a slightly different angle on this; I understand that. But when you push and push and push your outlook on everyone else and try to force them to see only your viewpoint, well, there could be unintended consequences. Sometimes it's better just to let sleeping dogs lie.... 01 vs 14 was a loophole that loosened usage rules a bit. But now that you want to go solely by wording, that usage loophole may be closed forever here on SD. Not that that would necessarily stop anyone from doing it IRL, but folks won't know the how and why behind the beeps anymore, and over time a bit of important knowledge gets lost. So sad really...

As I've said it's all up to one's INTERPRETATION of what you're reading.

"LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE of products and quantities stated"

I read this and think I'm "purchasing" TWO...I have two items on the belt and the receipt will show two separate items being "purchased" so I am using "one coupon per purchase".

Really we can keep going around and around on this all day long again. The bottom line is as we've witnessed that if MF's want clarification on their "intention" with a coupon then they will put it in big bold red letters on their coupons (and no I'm NOT saying that's how it has to be done...just giving an example). Wording such as "May not be combined with any other coupons/offers" is pretty plain and simple to me. Furthermore, it's also up to stores to further define their acceptance of coupons....as some have done. Posting "information" on decoding bar codes IS helpful...especially to those who don't like beeps or confrontations (again as I've already said)....however calling it a "rule" or telling someone they are committing "fraud" by knowingly using a cents/dollar off q with a 14 b1g1 q is just ridiculous.
At this point, I'm beyond done with this...if you feel the need to have the last word on it, so be it. I'm awaiting a response from TR about the wiki and we'll go from there.
As far as the Wags wiki, I kept the link to this thread but removed the wording of how "wrong" it was to use a dollar/cents off q with a "14" q.

Well, I put my input back into the weekly WAGs thread. It doesn't say ANYTHING that it's fraud of any sort. It is helpful information to users about how these b1g1 Qs work. And it already had a link to the Coupon Rules and Guidelines thread so another one wasn't needed.

It's not up to you to take out what another person put in. The wikis are open for all to contribute to. If the mods do not want it posted, they'll let me know. I'm getting feedback from other posters that this is helpful information...not just a link to a thread and no information about why we're referring them there. This is a hot discussion topic, and it can be easily answered in that helpful information.

Interesting on how you took the red bold face print on the LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE of products and quantities stated


You are purposely choosing to ignore the wording on the coupon that you are fighting to have enforced.

I didn't know that we could just go and "delete" anyone hard work in the wiki.

You are possibly one of very few handful of people that do not like knowing the BOGO 14 vs BOGO 01 information but I can promise you that there are more people interestted in learning proper q usage, including understanding the reasoning behind the coding.

I don't think its fair to delete something that YOU and your friend personally dislike when many people on this forum do appreciate the work that goes into the Bogo Guidelines.

Did you have specific pemission from the op who posted the bogo guidelines in the wiki or did you just take it upon yourself to delete information that you personally find offensive?

I once deleted something from a wiki and I was politely told that it was against forum ettiquette and hurtful. I apologized and learned my lesson. People put time and effort into wikis and the information is there for all to learn from, even if one or two people dislike.

Well said, sgtrazor. Perhaps we could ask the mods about posting a poll. I don't know which way to go with it though. To answer this issue, it could be as simple as...Do you find this information helpful in the wiki when there is a B1G1 coupon coming up as a deal for that week....and then post the snippet from the coupon rules and guidelines thread that I posted.

Or is a poll needed to answer the bigger issue, do you think SD should encourage ethical coupon usage by not discussing usage that goes against coupon wording. Then we could show some good results of truly how more people are feeling on SD about this.

Interesting how you interpret "purchase" differently on two different coupons.

A $3/2 coupon says "limit one coupon per purchase"

A BOGO coupon says "limit one coupon per purchase"

Can you use that BOGO q with the purchase of only one item? No. It requires a purchase of two items.

Both coupons require the purchase of two items. The one and only purchase you have is a set of two items. And yet, with the BOGO you insist on being able to use 2 q's. I don't understand how "purchase" can have two different meanings to you..."purchase" in this case would be defined as whatever requirements the coupon imposes. A BOGO q requires you to buy two items...that is your "purchase", and only one coupon can be used on it, per the wording.

You can't have it both ways without coding.

I do not agree with the loss of coding as a q tool here on SD...hard to tell I suppose, they way I have been arguing my point. But if certain folks are offended by the thought of using coding because it it too restrictive...well, I'm just trying to point out that wording could be even more restrictive. I hope this turns out to be nothing but a blip on the radar, but I'm worried it won't be, and one person's overwhelming crusade to open something up wider than it was will wind up having the opposite effect.

Bailey, sgtrazor, Ryder, I just want you guys to know that I wholeheartedly agree with you about the "14"/"01" argument. I just don't know that adding to that argument will change anything, that's the only reason I haven't said anything further about the issue. But I do support you in your perseverance to help others see it as we see it.

I will say though, that I think the wiki of this thread (IN IT'S CURRENT STATE), is extremely important to those that are learning to use coupons. It helps people to understand why their coupons may beep at one store, but not another, as well as the defintion of "manufacturer's intent" (coding). I don't see the word "fraud" being thrown around in there anywhere and to me, the words "not allowed" is not the same thing as "fraud".

Telling someone on the internet that they are "not allowed" to do something in their 3-D life is the equivalent of try to contain water in a strainer. Good luck with that. But life is full of guidelines. Without them, we'd all be sitting in trees, slinging poop at each other. The wiki is merely a guideline that we can only hope that people read and hope that they follow and hope they appreciate that ryder took the time to spell it all out for everyone.

I, for one, do appreciate it and find it useful.

Well said.

The coupon guidelines are intended to be just that. A tool to use to help others learn how to use coupons both profitably and ethically.

Again, incredibly well said. Moderators on a deal website can not enforce how you use coupons at the various stores. Deleting conversations about how to use them doesn't help anyone to learn the process. It also fosters an environment that is not friendly to new coupon users, and that is definitely something that we do not want to do.

Rydergal put a lot of work into the initial version of the wiki, and it is full of fantastic information. When I first mentioned the idea of a coupon usage guidelines wiki back in the beginning of April, rydergal rose to the challenge to put it together for everyone (please make sure to rep her for her effort ;)).

I'm on the fence on the whole subject. I have not posted about using another Q with a bogo because of Slayers posts.

I don't think people should have to know the difference between an 01 and a 14. With that being said, a lot of people "work" the coupon to their best advantage. Using the "well, it didn't beep", so it must've been okay to use statement....the $1/1 Tide any size coupon beeps FREAKING everywhere, but EVERYONE argues & gets it pushed through. So, going on that logic (it didn't beep, so it must be okay), then if it DOES beep, it must be wrong - right?

NO!

I agree with Rydergal on the wording of that BOGO coupon in which it says itemS. I don't care about the coding, but the wording says ITEMS, not item purchased - so in that case, each item in the bogo should not be treated as a separate purchase. The BOGO should cover both. You ARE purchasing two items (again ITEMS), the fine print says ITEMS.

As for it not being fraud because it's not WRITTEN on the coupon....baloney! INTENT clearly has legal ramifications. Joe coupon user does not necessarily know what every manufacturer intended - but once they've been told, they can't play dumb anymore. If your friend told you ahead of time they INTENDED to rob a store & you still drove them there, you're in deep doo doo too. I mean, for crying out loud, Jailme is *supposed* to be a paralegal and she CAN'T read. (yes, I used her & she is a bad bad example, but it's late).

From a personal standpoint, I am a member of 2 couponing boards and each one has a difference viewpoint on "policing" this matter. SD doesn't seem to care & the other one you get W/I for even mentioning 01 or 14 because it is considered decoding.

A little bit of marijuana is still considered possession. A little bit of decoding is still decoding.

Absence of knowledge is ignorance. And at this point in time, I am a confused individual lol.

Is the B0G0 01 vs. B0G0 14 information better suited for information purposes in the Coupon Barcode Basics thread?
If this information was moved to a different thread then it is there for SDers to make their own decisions on how to use the information regarding their coupons. Posts then about the 01 vs. 14 would come under the instructions of the Wiki for Coupon Barcode Basics and not openly discussed.

IMO that using a B1G1 Q and a Q is not in the spirit of couponing.

I think that decoding coupons leads to more bad (J'aime, et al) than good. So, I follow the wording on the coupon...I don't purchase/sell coupons. I consider myself an ethical couponer and I work hard to follow the "spirit of couponing" as someone else called it.

With that said, I personally don't see a problem with combining a bogo with a cents off coupon (some stores even explicitly allow this in their policy). I purposely haven't learned to decode coupons, and I don't think manufacturers should expect that. If it were a big deal to them, they could easily add an asterisk and specify "no other coupon may be used on item purchased to qualify for free item," or something similar, just like they added the limit of 4 like coupons.

Similarly, since I do follow the wording, I personally have a problem with the people who post qs that specifically state, "save $$$ wyb x AND y" then say that the q is coded for x, so you can use another mq on y. To me this is no different than J'aime using barcodes to get around the wording, which clearly states it applies to both items (talking about coke/nabisco qs, specifically). But this is freely and openly discussed.

The bogo thing is gray area for me, since it goes both ways and you have to know how to read the barcode to be sure? The qs are worded exactly the same, and I don't think its reasonable to expect the consumer to have to read the barcode to know which is which.

FWIW, I don't use them just at wags to try and take advantage of a glitch, I'be never even used a bogo+cents off at wags. I've only had them beep at one store, and that is meijer where it always beeps, regardless of coding.

My P&g coupons say this "limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated"

That is their general wording, found on $/1, $/2, and bogo (both 01 & 14) coupons alike

That is correct. The point has been argued that it should go by wording and not by coding. The specific examples were about B1G1 and that wording clearly says PRODUCTS/QUANTITIES. Plural. That is what Rydergal, Baily, MsGal, SgtRazor, etc are trying to hammer home. THE WORDING states PRODUCTS/QUANTITIES...

Now, a bad example would be the B1G1 Axe coupon it says "limit on coupon per purchase on product specified". Singular. However, that one is coded a 14. So...wording - yes, use another coupon BUT coding...no you can't ;)

Yeah, and just to clarify, I actually LIKE following the numbers on the Q which others on this thread disagree with. It's simple to grasp once you get the concept of that value code. The manufacturers set up these Qs to "behave" in certain ways and all I have to know is 01 or 14 to know if I can use another Q with them - simple!

Or put it this way, I know if it's a 14 that at some stores it can cause problems at the register. I'd MUCH rather know ahead of time and use the coupons properly so as to not cause any problems at a store. To me - that's simple. 14 is bad, 01 is good. Easy to follow THAT writing on the coupon. :)

Still never understood the big problem with posting the explanation of 01 versus 14 and why that turned out to be such a problem for people. :dontknow: I can't tell you how many PMs and messages I got of newer folks saying thanks for explaining that concept.

What I'm saying is that the EXACT SAME WORDING appears on a q that is $1/1, on a q that is $1/2, on a q that is bogo 14, on a q that is bogo 01. It is the standard wording on most of the qs I have from them.

To further clarify, the obvious "plural" wording also appears on a coupon that is clearly intended for a single item.

You talk about coding like it's an exact science, when we all know it's not, otherwise, q's wouldn't work for items they aren't supposed to. :dontknow: following your logic, you might as well use a crest white strips q for whatever, since "the manufacturers set up these qs to behave in certain ways" so they must have intended it? No thanks, we all know barcodes aren't perfect and things go through when they shouldn't and beep when they shouldn't.

Not saying that YOU mean that, but it's an argument I've heard ("if the company didn't want me to use tide stain release q on tide detergent q, then they would have fixed the barcode so it wouldn't go through."). The logic is the same-companies have complete control over the actions of the coupon, and they are coded certain ways intentionally.

Seriously? You take what I said about 01 and 14 and follow it to the logical conclusion that therefore people could then use a crest strip Q for something else? Ugh. That is not at ALL what I said. You obviously know nothing about me and the way I coupon or advocate for couponing. On this b1g1 issue, it's absolutely simple to understand and not rocket science. One b1g1 allows for another Q, the other doesn't.

You obviously got what you wanted to get and completely ignored what I actually said.

I made it clear, even explicitly stated, that I knew you didn't mean that, but you conveniently latched on to that instead of addressing my main concern, which is that you make it sound like a black/white issue (manufacturers always code it to do exactly what they want), when we all know that is NOT the case.

I don't think consumers should be expected to learn coding, and to know when to follow coding, and when to follow wording.

Like the example I gave of the nabisco q-says save $1.50 wyb coke AND nabisco, but people are posting that it's coded only for coke and you can use a second q on nabisco. This might follow the coding, but it goes against the wording, which is very clear. But, since it follows the coding, no one has said a word, and this is posted in 2-3 different places. I personally think this is unethical and misuse.

For the record, you don't have to talk down to me. I'm not an idiot. I KNOW it's not rocket science. I understand what you are saying, I just don't agree with it, big difference. You aren't even "listening" to the points any of us are making, because I've seen a lot of valid points looked over and not acknowledged or responded to in any way.

Don't assume just because points that have been made haven't been responded to that I'm not listening to them. We have had other discussions not in this thread about the same issue. I don't want to just keep repeatedly posting my thoughts on it as I didn't think that was fair to only be posting my thoughts. I responded to the post from imacouponer because she had mentioned me in it and I wanted to clarify that I'm not in love with following just the wording either as we know it's wonky sometimes.

I have no idea why you'd think I was talking down to you - or why you'd take it that way. I do understand about the coding not working for everything like the example you gave and how the wording is not absolute either. But the examples given are not b1g1 examples - that's what I was trying to show the difference of. If we know how 01 and 14 b1g1s work, that's where I don't see why giving that information out to folks as we did in the past here on SD is wrong.

Regarding the coke example you gave, I have seen similar things posted with some questionable coupon usage in the past couple days, and I have NO clue what to do anymore about it here on SD. If we respond in any kind of way as to whether or not it should be allowed to put another Q with like that nabisco/coke Q, some other poster goes NUTS on us saying it's not up to us to decide or monitor Q usage and that we're getting on our soapboxes or whatever. If you mod alert, the posts won't get removed. You can suggest the discussion be taken to like a thread like this, but that still won't stop debates about it. What do you think should be done to stop the unethical coupon talk? I'm honestly stumped at this point. Damned if you say anything, damned if you don't.

From what I've personally seen, it doesn't help anything to mod alert these posts on unethical Q talk, as they don't get deleted anyway.

Is it your understanding (it is mine) that when a Q states Save $1 on X wyb 2 Ys that you can use Qs on the Ys?

That is my understanding, but not the majority, as that is what spurred this discussion.

I thought what spurred the discussion is using more Qs with a BOGO 14

It was...I guess to me it's a similar issue, both cases involve using a q on the qualifying item.

Why was all the other posts on the walgreens treads regarding coupon decoding not deleted? If you want us to drcode our xoupons then I can surely come up with some GREAT deals to share with everyone. Why is it ok to tell people how to use their coupons but when someone interjects their post gets deleted while the others stay?

Why do you always feel the need to get involved when others (who have been here longer) try and teach people to use their coupons AS THE MANUFACTURER INTENDED?

Everytime someone mentions stacking a money off coupon with a Q that is coded "14", and another member RESPECTFULLY informs them that they are not supposed to do that, and points them towards this thread ... you come in and start problems in the thread. Why don't you just PM that person and tell them how YOU use YOUR coupons, and stop creating strife?

If you feel that strongly about using your coupons willy-nilly, as-I-damned-well-please, fine, go ahead. It's been said time and time again, we cannot stop you ... and yet, you insist on digging up the horse.

Now that SD allows these discussions (err, arguments) it seems that the discussion occurs in every weekly thread I read.

It seemed easier to me the way slayers enforced it, that way, we wouldn't have to read it each and every week in three different weekly threads.

Posting about it isn't gonna change my mind. slayers750 was a highly respected mod who taught us all a ton about proper use.

Very well said. The ongoing debate is getting very old. I miss slayers so much and wish that s/he'd come back to mod us. :sadwalk:

So very well said, Moon. I used to be so proud of this forum for its ethics. I used to brag almost about how "my forum promotes doing things on the up and up and other sites are where you'd find the shady deals." Now I find myself shaking my head most days. :( If this is a user-driven community, how do we get our collective voices heard? They just don't seem to understand the impact of allowing the discussions to delve into the shady.

The voices that stand up for honest and ethical couponing are being drowned out by those that aren't.

sorry this is a double post but i didnt know what forum to ask my question in:

i have a question about coupon overage -

if a product is 99cent and i have a $2 coupon- the coupon will beep requiring the cashier to change the value of the coupon to 99cents right?

so if i buy 2 products (at 99cents/each) - my total is $1.98 and will the coupon still beep?

OR what if i buy the 99cent product and put a filler in for $1.01 - will the coupon still deduct the $2 value despite the product only costing 99cents?

this scenario would be for a drugstore (walgreens in particular) - so i dont know if specific stores have different policies and if that matters

Very well said, BMR. :applause:

When I first signed on to SD, I was impressed with the integrity and ethics displayed here. Slayers did a very good job of helping to maintain that. It is just awful to see how that has gone downhill. I realize that SD wants us to police each other, but when that happens, it doesn't go over well at all. There are still a lot of poster that behave with good integrity and ethics, which I am glad to see. But, I don't like that a few bad apples are spoiling things. I would love to see Slayers come back.

BTW, BMR: feel free to rant, stomp and vent any time.

My answers in red. HTH! Also check out these links:

WAGS "HOW TO" MANUAL AND Walgreens FAQ and General Information Thread

thanks so much!!!

Just wanted to say thank you, BeanYellow (my brain always reads your username as "YellowBean", heehee), for always being so helpful and nice on all the threads! It's much appreciated!!! :heart:

:girly: Aww, no problem. I love SD!
Plus, we all have to start somewhere sometime (If I move near a RA, I'm going to need a ton of :help:)

:thumbsup: Happy couponing!

OT, but I found this article about Wealthy Consumers Getting Into Coupon Habit. [millionairecorner.com]

"...some 80 percent of households with incomes in the $75,000-$100,000 range say they use coupons regularly, whereas just 63 percent of households who earn less than $35,000 a year do so."

I would like to add my voice to those who would like to see honest and ethical coupon use and posting of honest and ethical coupon use on Slick Deals. I don't post often. But, I am so saddened to see what is left up on SD now. We lost the $3/$15 coupon that RA gave use due to misuse and abuse. I see in the CVS discussion thread how it's being derailed. It's so sad to watch this happen especially on SD. Others before me have said it much better than I am able to put into words. I just hope that the powers that be would make it so that posting about using coupons incorrectly weren't left in the threads. Slayers did a wonderful job. I realize that s/he is hard to replace. I would love to have Slayers back. Please, Slickdeals, go back to quickly removing posts that show coupon misuse, discussion about how to manipulate a $/$$ survey code to get more, etc.

This forum is more open to discussion. That's the way we want it to be. We are not going to be policing how stores run their policies. If the links are from the CVS site then it's on them to handle how things work out. If they chose to honor or not honor their coupons it's their decision.

And now it appears that CVS has fixed their issue.

not sure where to ask this Q so I'm hoping this is the right place if not please feel free to educate me :)

I have a coupon that says "Limit one offer per transaction." Does that mean I can only use one of these coupon in one transaction even if I have two of the same products?

Example I have a coupon for $1/1 orbit gum. If I buy two orbit gum can I used two of these coupons or only one because of the "Limit one offer per transaction"?

Yep, only one of those coupons per transaction, even if you buy two. You'll have to split them up.

Hello TR! I needed to quote you to be sure you'd read this.

First, I have a question. Hot Deals has a thread posting a link to a SCANNED store coupon...it came from a physical booklet, available in stores, and someone scanned it, uploaded it to the net, and attached a link to their post.

Are we allowed to do this now? Scan physical store q's and post them here? Or are there different rules for HD? I know we can link to PDF's of store q's that were originally online, but scanning a paper q that was never meant to be copied (and says "Void if copied" right on it)?




Second, I also mod alerted the heck out of the free Community Coffee thread here...because we still aren't allowed to post pdf/png/etc MQ's as far as I know, yet that thread had lots of MQ's that were no longer hosted on the orignal site...
(The very first link there, to olivesoft.com, is the newspaper's hosting site and is legit...all the other links and attachments aren't allowed per the DS forum rules...not sure why HD gets to post them and we don't...).

It's not allowed and was removed. The coupon rules are the same forum-wide.

Are we allowed to do this now? Scan physical store q's and post them here? Or are there different rules for HD? I know we can link to PDF's of store q's that were originally online, but scanning a paper q that was never meant to be copied (and says "Void if copied" right on it)?
It's not allowed and was removed. The coupon rules are the same forum-wide.



This has also been addressed.

Thanks TR!
Poking around a bit, I believe that Wags q has been around since August or so. How did it make it that long without being removed? I understand things fall through the cracks, but 4 months seems like a long time for something that shouldn't have been posted in the first place. I don't know what it takes to get a deal in HD, but it seems like someone should be checking them out to make sure they don't conflict with SD's rules?

Deleted - posted in error

I tried finding this info but could not get it.
If I missed it please accept my apologies.

Curerntly CVS has $10 cash card offer if you spend minimum $ 30 on single manufacturer item.

I bought 30$ worth of Sodas and got a 10$ card
Then I bought 30$ worth of Snickers bars and got another 10$ worth of cash card.
Bought 30$ worth of Wrigleys Gum 3-packs and got another 10$ worth Cash card.

Now I have 3 cash cards worth 30$ total.

If I go and spend this cash card to buy 30$ worth of sodas again while the offer is still good till saturday, will I still get another 10$ cash card or no ? My ideas is to know if cash card spent in store are as good as cash towards earning rewards and perks or you must spend real funds.
Thanks in advance as I just started playing B&M drugstore game this week as I got addicted to SD;)

Hello rosunny and welcome to CVS!

I am on my cell phone and am short of time, so please don't be offended if this post is short and doesn't link you directly to everything you want and need to learn the ropes at CVS.
Go to the current weekly thread. Check the wiki (post 2). Scroll to the bottom of it, and you'll see links to all sorts of treasure troves of info related to CVS. The CVS FAQ is what you are looking to start with, then the CVS coupon thread. Read them both from start to finish to get most of the basics.

The short answer is yes, CVS rewards do roll, as long as you have not maxed out the deal. Nobody here spends real cash at CVS anymore, and you'll join their ranks soon enough.

The longer answer, for you at least, is that you have a lot of reading to do. :teehee:

Welcome! You'll love CVS!

Thanks Rydergal for being quick, informative and sweet...I was expecting some of the member to be upset for this post. I have started reading but will take sometime to get into the grove after I learn abv and other stuff. And yes I did go to the section you referd and it is great source of info with examples as well. Just that I could not finish reading it while at night shift so shot the question instead.

If you use a coupon that expired yesterday, will the grocery store still be reimbursed for it?

I think it depends on when the store sends in their coupons. Ask at the store. A few stores by me let me use one or two expired coupons if they do not have the item in stock and the coupon is going to expire before they get it back in. I would never knowingly use an expired coupon unless it was okayed by my store first......

Does this mean we'll allow open discussion of blatent misuse of store coupons though? If a store coupon is for $5 off Crest Whitestrips, will we allow discussion of that coupon being used for other P&G products?? I mean, if it scans with no problem and the cashier doesn't catch it?? If you're answer is NO, then something needs to be done about the overwhelming discussion of such things on the RA threads. Apparently one mod thinks this falls under "policing the stores" and it's okay.

It is my understanding that the discussion was about a coupon that is loaded onto something that the stores reader scans and deducts. If that store's reader uses a coupon, that was loaded in a device, for the wrong thing then it's a store policy issue. The member didn't try to use a coupon or the wrong thing...the stores reader incorrectly snagged the coupon electronically and decided what to put it towards. That is something the store needs to work on.

I respectfully disagree. They are absolutely "trying to use the coupons on wrong things". Several of the scenario's and posts mention absolutely nothing about having the correct products in the transaction and then blatantly using QR coupons intended for other products on them. Just because they are coupons loaded to a wellness card and not physically taken into the store, doesn't mean they should be used fraudulently.

I realize a couple people posted that this happened unknowingly while attempting to purchase the correct items....those aren't the posts I'm referring too. I ma'd several and they were taken down...but then a post was put up saying this is at the store's discretion to fix and since then the pages have exploded with more talk and scenario's of using them incorrectly.

Everything these days is being done electronically...does that mean our code of couponing ethically should go out the window.

I know you were asking Schoobs, but I had to chime in on this one.

Let's face it, the world would be a much better place if EVERYTHING that EVERYONE did was done ethically, no? But that's not reality. Besides, you'd have to define exactly whose code of ethics everyone was to follow, as not everyone shares the same values.

But I digress.

Some things fall under ethics, while others fall under loopholes. "A loophole is an ambiguity in a system, such as a law or security, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the intent, implied or explicitly stated, of the system. Loopholes are searched for and used strategically in a variety of circumstances, including taxes, elections, politics, the criminal justice system, or in breaches of security." (Thank you, Wikipedia. :lol:)

Do people like loopholes? Historically, only if they are working in your favor. :P Are they legal? Most of the time, yes.

As far as the QR coupons, to say that the responsibility of making sure that RA shoppers aren't taking advantage of the "loopholes" they have found should be the responsibility of SD, is painting with an awfully broad brush.

How on earth can they police a system created by a company that can't even police it's own system? :dontknow:

Let us work our way backward,

First, everything is always a big word. My coupon room would prove that everything is not electronic.

Because someone else posted something you believe is unethical does not mean you have to do it. Keep your own morals, at the end of the day we are all responsible for ourselves. We are not responsible for others, unless you have kids :)


I do not believe that the op were TRYING to buy the right product, I think they were shocked that q for A came off on B. So they posted. If q for A came off on A, they would not have bothered. Usually we post the odd, not the expected, so someone else went and tried, then they posted. Then the game was one to figure out the where and why. It spread like wildfire. IT will come in and fix their own problem, as always.

I akin it to hidden clearance. If you found XX on clearance at one store, then went to second store and it was not tagged, you would scan to see what it rang up as. I do not think you would insist on paying the shelf price if it rang up on clearance.
Their pricing +
their register =
their issue


QR's are
ra coupon +
on ra card =
ra issue




This is a community forum, we are here to give you a place to post deals collectively. We are about the deals. If you choose to not use QRs then please, hunt out the deals for those who hold the same standard as you do. I know there are many who would appreciate a good deal. I also know there are many more who would appreciate the whole discussion to be done with, so they can get back to the deals

Thank you~

nuffsaid

Hi nuffsaid,

I know that QR's are under the tab "RiteAid Coupons", but if you look at the "Offer terms", QR's are manufacturer's coupons:

Here's the "Offer terms" for Tums:


"$2.00 Off Tums (excluding rolls)

$2.00 Off Tums (excluding rolls)
Good on one purchase only of at least $2.00. May not be redeemed until 6 a.m. local time the next day after issuance and is good for 14 days from date of activation. Purchase must be on eligible product excluding sales tax. Not redeemable for cash. Not valid on prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, money orders, prepaid/gift cards, stamps, other mailing services, online purchases, licenses, or any items excluded by law. Lost, stolen, damaged, or expired coupons will not be honored or replaced. Not responsible for unintended redemption. Wellness+ card must be presented. Manufacturers Coupon"


I have five QR's loaded and all say they are MQ's.

Sometimes store Qs say manufacturer on them but are really store Qs as there is no remit address..............................anyways why continue a debate that the powers to be on SD have stated emphatically what their ruling is??????

Please respect the ruling, all the arguments have been made, remade, and then argued again.............and the decision was made, you can choose to abide by whatever makes you comfortable as is the case with many deals in the grey area of deal hunting and leave it at that. I am responsible for myself as you are for you and there is no need for anyone else to push their own comfort level on anyone else.

I for one would just like to get on with the deal hunting and leave this in the past. Thank you!

I'm truly sorry if my post bothers you. I realize that a decision has been made by the "powers that be", but if I understood nuffsaid correctly from the post I responded to (and from other posts), the reason for the decision to allow the postings was based on the understanding that the QRs are RA q's, and Slickdeals no longer "polices" store policies. Considering that, I thought it might be important to make her aware of that info, which, to my knowledge, was not previously discussed. My sincere apologies if it already had.

I too would like to get on with deal hunting, like how Slickdeals was in the days of Slayers... abiding by both manufacturer's and store policies :)

With the RA QR's, they come off at the register, for those lucky enough to be able to utilize them, therefore, they are under the control of RA and can be combined with MQ, per RA rules.

SD will likely never go back to the good old days, but it's a combination of "the show" and the ungrateful folks who copy and paste people's hard work to their own sites or competitor sites, which is unfortunately shifting long time contributors to be silenced. SD ds used to be a nice little community, but along side "the show" and a few posters that have chosen SD as their personal podium I don't forsee things ever being like they used to be here. :(

There are other factors too. The ever shrinking coupon values, store limits, etc....... It's just made for a perfect storm of the necessity of more discretion in the way deals are shared and this site, apparently, have folks that are more interested in attention and/or their sites bringing in $$$ from others hard work out in the field.

People have a choice on what to contribute here and they are making their choices based on the environment today, not 2 years ago.

SD has spoken loud and clear on the store policy issue, so as Reg stated, people need to worry about themselves and not others. You have the choice to abide by the MQ's ad store polices, but there's no reason to keep this discussion going, as if you were here during ecbgate you know that if anything would have changed that ruling, it likely would have come back then. This QR is taken directly off at the register that only RA can control, so it is what it is.

Hmmm... I'm don't think the changes at SD can be blamed on EC, copy and pasters, shrinking q values, etc. While I do think that more people probably started coming to SD because of the upsurge in couponing in general, making the job of moderating much harder; I would think that those things would be cause to keep a tight moderating hold, rather than a cause to loosen the rules. Sooo...I think the good old days are gone solely because the decision was made that it's okay to post transactions that have improper use of coupons or are against store policy.

I suspect too that some of the long time contributors have chosen silence because what used to be forbidden on SD is now welcomed.

Err... I don't think anyone's forcing you :look:

:hug:

True, but SD can control whether it's discussed or not :nod:.

:facepalm2:

Nuff shops RA so she is well aware of how things work and is the best person to make these decisions................really no-one wants to debate you, Nuff has spoken, she shops RA and has for years before you registered so lets end this and follow SD's guidelines and stop trolling to get a response you want, it's not gonna happen.

If you look at your Video Values coupons, you'll see that they also say Manufacturer's Coupon on them, but they are Rite Aid coupons.

I'm honestly not looking for a debate, and I'm sorry if you feel that I am. I already explained my reason for posting to nuffsaid, and again, I apologize if that information had already been discussed.

Thank you for pointing that out; I'd never noticed it before. I'm going to guess that they are actually a joint venture between the manufacturer and RA, which is probably also the case with the QRs.

And per RA's coupon policy and printed weekly ads, it is encouraged to use a MQ with a RAQ. Perhaps you should read the RA faq's before posting any further. You must be new to RA?

RAQ's include vv's, qr's, allergy, diabetes, etc.... Actually since you must not have read the RA faq's at all,you're probably not aware that RA coupons are coded 48 and 49, so in some cases you are able, per RA's rules, to stack 3 coupons on one product. Perhaps qr's are coded 48, while most others are coded 49, in which case whatever point you seem to want to dwell on would be invalid anyway, kwim?

If you're not happy with SD, as many aren't, you have the choice on whether to stay or go. As I stated, ecbgate was allowed to continue and qr's are an internal RA computer thing, so for those able to utilize them.....good for them. :)

Nope, not new to RA, and yep, I've read the FAQ and even RA policy, so I'm fully aware of all of the above. And nope, none of it invalidates my posts - all it means is that they are manufacturer's qs with special redemption abilities :).

I'm sorry, if you feel I want to dwell on it cuz that's truly not the case at all. I've simply responded to those who have responded directly to me or about my posts :). Many blessings to you.