Go here to snag 2 FREE packets of Stevia Extract In The Raw and a coupon towards your first purchase! Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
(Thanks, MojoSavings!)
NEW Kellogg's Coupons!
15 years ago
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Spotting Coupon Fraud
There are lots of coupons out on the internet that aren’t “good” coupons. There are also lots of ways to misuse a coupon.
Here are a few rules to help you stay on the right path in couponing:
To put this into lay person terms:
There are many coupons that are passed around in emails that are for FREE products. These all fall into the “too good to be true category”. Most of these have been scanned from a coupon that someone received from a manufacturer directly. Don’t get mad at the person that sent it to you, they have been passed around for years. Manufacturers rarely if ever release printable coupons for free products. If they do it is not often through a .pdf coupon.
To see a full list of coupons that are fraudulent go here. You’ll also notice many of these have rewards offered for catching the original person that created the coupon!
What are the consquences of Coupon Fraud?
Here are a few rules to help you stay on the right path in couponing:
- Always follow the words on the coupon. If it says it is for a 6oz box, then buy the size indicated. While it might work for another size or even product that is fraudulent use of the coupon.
- Don’t intentionally use expired coupons. If your store has said that it is okay, you should still ask before using one on every trip. Most stores DO NOT allow any.
- You should never make a copy, scan, or fax of a printable coupon in any way. There are lots of security features built into these coupons. While they may scan in the grocery store - the store will never get reimbursed for them.
To put this into lay person terms:- The unique 2-D barcode on the upper left is a different number for every coupon you print, even for a second print of the same coupon.
- The dotted line around the entire coupon is really text. It has your user id, the date and time and coupon offer information printed - repeating at least 35 times around the coupon. This is also printed at the bottom of the expiration date box.
- The long barcode at the bottom also has a portion of the unique 2-D barcode number in it. These barcodes are much more specific and very soon will be the barcode that is scanned in all stores!
There are many coupons that are passed around in emails that are for FREE products. These all fall into the “too good to be true category”. Most of these have been scanned from a coupon that someone received from a manufacturer directly. Don’t get mad at the person that sent it to you, they have been passed around for years. Manufacturers rarely if ever release printable coupons for free products. If they do it is not often through a .pdf coupon.
To see a full list of coupons that are fraudulent go here. You’ll also notice many of these have rewards offered for catching the original person that created the coupon!
What are the consquences of Coupon Fraud?
- The cost of coupon “misredemption” to manufacturers annually is estimated to be over 300 million dollars. It does get passed on to you in the end.
- Coupon Fraud is prosecuted. Meet the CIC, they prosecute coupon fraud and boast about having never lost a case since 1986.
The penalties they have seen:
Longest prison sentence: 17 years
Highest financial penalty: $5 million
Prison sentences of three to five years are not uncommon.
Financial penalties generally vary, but have often been in excess of $200,000.
Walgreens: Glucerna Cereal $0.24 Per Box!
Well, it looks like you may be able to score some very inexpensive Glucerna cereal and possibly other Glucerna products too! There are 3 different coupons you can stack on top of one another to really come out ahead! First, there’s a bonus Walgreens $2/1 Glucerna printable coupon available here–valid on snacks, cereal, bars or shakes! You can also combine this coupon with the $1.50/1 Walgreens coupons available in the Diabetes and You coupon booklet (there is a $1.50/1 shakes coupon and a $1.50/1 cereal or bars coupon inside the booklet).
…AND finally, you can combine the above coupons with either the $3/3 coupon from here (manufacturer coupon with Target logo–click on the healthcare category on the left hand side to access the coupon fast) or use the new $2.50/2 manufacturer coupon from the 1/3SS!
Alright, so now that you know the coupons to use, here’s a deal scenario:
Buy 2 boxes of Glucerna Cereal $4.99 each=$9.98
Use the $2/1 Bonus coupon (will deduct $4 since you’re buying 2 boxes)
Use the $1.50/1 Diabetes and You coupon (will deduct $3)
Plus, use the $2.50/2 manufacturer coupon
Final cost ONLY $0.24 per box!
NEW UPDATE: Submit your receipt to the Caregivers Marketplace and you’ll get a $0.75 rebate back (per box of cereal purchased)! That will turn this deal into a nice little moneymaker!
(Thanks, SharpenYourScissors!)
**The Glucerna shakes (6pk) are on sale for $8.99, so you should be able to score a pretty great deal on these too!
Walgreens: Bayer Quick Release Moneymaker!
Deal Scenario:
Buy 3 Bayer Quick Release Crystals $2.19 each=$6.57
Use 3 $1.50/1 coupons from the 10/25RP
Pay $2.07
Get back a $6 Register Reward
Final cost FREE + a $3.93 moneymaker!
**There is also a $1/1 coupon available in the new 1/3SS!
Let us know if you’re able to find these on clearance at your local Walgreens!
(Thanks, WhoSaidNothingInLifeIsFree!)
Target: Juicy Juice (64 oz) ONLY $0.50!
Yay! Here’s yet another *HOT* Target deal! If you need to stock up on juice then this is the deal:
Juicy juice 64 oz on a price cut for $2 (thru 1/9)
Use the $1/2 Juicy Juice coupon from here (manufacturer coupon w/ Target logo)
(Or use the $1/2 manufacturer coupon from here)
Plus, use 2 $1/1 Juicy Juice Target store coupons from here
Final cost just $0.50 per juice!
(Thanks, Kay!)
**Check out the rest of the Target weekly deals here!
Anyone going to Target who has these coupons but doesn't need this juice- I will buy it from you for the $.50 you pay! I think I am fresh out of these coupons and I am out of one ink so my printer won't work!
FREE Book Download: Start Over, Finish Rich!
(Thanks, Stacy!)
New Coupons: Nabisco, Smucker’s + Lots More!
Other New Coupons:
Save $1 on any 2 Smucker’s Sugar Free or Low Sugar Jams, Jellies or Preserves
New Coupons.com coupon!
Red Plum has released quite a few new coupons:
$3 off Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs on Blue ray or DVD
$1 off any one Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers
$1 off any one Marie Callender’s Home-Style Creations
$2 off any Bengay product (except trial size)
$1 off any Flavor/Variety Muir Glen Product (new link)
Join the Muir Glen Connoisseur’s Club on the bottom right side of page!
Save $0.50 off any One Gorton’s Grilled Item: IE or Firefox
Save $2/1 Neutrogena Moisture Wrap, Soothing Wrap or Intensive Moisture Wrap Body Lotion
(Thanks, FreeSnatcher!)
(Thanks for lots of these, PrintableCouponsAndDeals!)
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