One of the primary challenges new couponers face is learning couponing etiquette. The uninitiated don’t generally know all of the unwritten rules of the couponing game and this can cause some unintended drama.
It’s incumbent upon the newbies to adhere to the proper behavior, especially since it’s really not that complicated. Likewise, coupon veterans have no excuse for disregarding the etiquette and stirring up trouble, either.
Follow the 10 Coupon Commandments below and you should have nothing to worry about.
This one might seem obvious, but is ignored all too often, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. Engaging in fraudulent coupon activities harms the entire coupon family and leads manufacturers and stores to lessen the value of their coupons or even eradicate coupons entirely. Just don’t do it.
Check here for a detailed breakdown on what exactly comprises fraud and our recommendations on how to avoid getting involved.
The temptation to grab as many heavily discounted (or free) products as you can is strong. We completely understand. Still, think of your fellow couponer before you wipe out the inventory. Your stockpile will survive with four or five of the same item, you really don’t need 10 or 12. And if you insist on having 10 or 12 (or 20 or 30) then the least you can do is go to another store so you don’t take everything from one store.
Nobody likes being stuck behind an unprepared couponer in the checkout aisle – especially other couponers. Standing there twiddling your thumbs while the person in front of you struggles to figure out which coupons they can use is just the worst. Couponers already get enough flak as it is, the last thing they need is to be given a worse name because of some amateurs that hold up the line and infuriate everyone.
One-time use coupons are great … that one time. They are not the kind of coupons you want to post online, however, because more than one person will likely try to use it and will then look like a fool when it comes up as already redeemed. And you don’t want to make your fellow couponers look like fools. Trust us, it’s not a good look.
We get it. We really do. It is so frustrating when a cashier or manager doesn’t know his/her own store’s coupon policy and you have to explain it to them. It sometimes makes you want to raise your voice a bit in anger. Please refrain from doing so.
Remember, these employees aren’t being paid much and most of them work very hard. You shouldn’t blame them if they aren’t up on every minute detail of the coupon policy. They often receive very poor training, after all. Just be patient and educate them. If they are still not accommodating then raise your concerns with upper management or corporate, but avoid causing a scene in the store, whatever you do.
There might not be a more embarrassing thing for the coupon community than when couponers are caught fist fighting at Walmart over some discount item. Scoring a great deal with a coupon is never worth getting in a physical altercation. Ever. Not only might it land you in jail and cost you way more than you’d ever save, it also puts the entire coupon family in a really bad light.
There are times when dumpster diving might be a necessity. In cases where a person is homeless or needy and has to do it in order to get food and survive, it’s perfectly understandable. It might even make sense when there is an especially valuable item in perfect condition located outside or right at the top of the dumpster. Or if you mistakenly dropped a winning lottery ticket in the trash. But it never makes sense for a coupon. There are too many other ways.
Couponers love tearpads, peelies and blinkies, and for good reason. They are only available once already in the store and are kind of like bonus savings that aren’t always expected. That said, they are available for anyone to take, which can easily lead to abuse. Grabbing the entire tearpad, removing all of the peelies or repeatedly going back to the blinkie machine only serves to keep fellow couponers (and regular shoppers) from being able to partake in the savings.
Learn about what all of these terms mean by reading our couponing dictionary.
Being considerate goes a long way. You’ll get treated much better as a couponer if you are conscientious and thoughtful of others. Deciding to shop at the grocery store using a bunch of coupons during a chaotic time like just before Thanksgiving or Christmas is not very thoughtful. Plan your trips more carefully in these periods and everyone will be very appreciative, including your fellow couponers.
Couponers love their craft and have a tremendous amount of passion for what they do. That’s part of what makes the coupon community so special. On the same token, that passion can sometimes lead to obnoxiousness if not channeled properly. If you are an avid couponer and have a relative or close friend that has no interest in it, then it’s not wise to make them join you on your coupon adventures. It will likely lead to resentment. A better approach is to show them all you get from using coupons and let them nurture their own interest.
