What Are Coupons?
Briefly, coupons are ways to buy what you want but buy it a bit cheaper.
What Are Online Coupons?
An online retailer often offers special discounts in order to promote their site.
How do online discounts differ in form?
How they publicize their discounts differs. Many offer printable coupons which can be redeemed at your local store. Others offer online discounts, redeemable when purchasing online.
A current trend is to offer e-mail coupons obtainable when the consumer has signed up for the sites newsletter, become a "site member" or completed a survey questionnaire.
Typically, they will offer a discount off a minimum purchase. The most common values today are $5 off a purchase of
$15 or more, $10 off of $35 or more, free shipping, or a "free item" with purchase. Many times they give points for
spending which can be collected and redeemed later for products.
The most common types of coupons are "first-time buyer" introductory savings, special links to hidden pages on the
retailer's website, or a special code to be entered in the "Gift Certificate" or "Coupon" space upon checkout.
Are they available to everyone?
Usually the answer is yes! Some special savings are offered only to those who have become "members" of a particular site. The trick is to find the coupons for the products that you are most interested in purchasing.
How long are they good for?
Most coupons have an expiration date which will be posted, when known, along with the listing, here on this site. If the expiration is "unknown" go ahead and give it a try! Many time the value pages are left "live" by the retailers but they are not actively promoting it.
Why did my coupon come up 'expired'?
Sometimes, coupons expire before their posted expiration date. Retailers allot so much in dollars per promotion.
Often, they under-estimate and the special is far more successful than they expected. If, for example, a retailer
offers a "free pen" with each purchase and they run out of pens earlier than planned, then they must make the decision
to inactivate the offer.
What we, the consumer, may view as fraudulent advertising, is more a case of poor planning regarding that particular promotion, by the retailer.
It is for that reason that if you see a super good coupon offer posted, we encourage you to use it quickly.
How Do I Use Them?
It depends on the type of coupon. The most common two are special links to hidden pages on the retailer's website, or
a special code to be entered in the "Gift Certificate" or "Coupon" space upon checkout.
If the coupon is a special link, then that page will explain what you then need to do. Often times the discount will
automatically be applied to your purchase at checkout.
If the coupon has a "code" you will need to supply this code generally at time of checkout.
Look for a space called either "Gift Certificate" or "Coupon." Enter the appropriate information and a new screen showing your adjusted amount will appear.
Prior to finalizing the transaction, verify that your savings have been adjusted to your total purchase price. If the code is rejected you may receive the opportunity to use another code, if applicable.
What are the restrictions?
Generally, coupons are restricted to one coupon use per household. If there are five coupons for a particular retailer, you can use each one once.
Often times there may be "first time purchasing" restrictions. Most do not allow for more than one coupon or savings per item or what is referred to sometimes as "piggy-backing" coupons which means if an item is already discounted at a special price, the coupon may not be eligible..
| 
FAQ
