Do Online Printable Coupons Double or Triple?
I have been using an awesome system for saving at least 50% on my grocery bill every week. But it requires me to purchase the Newspaper each week for the coupons. We don’t get delivery in my rural area, so I have to go find a machine somewhere. It’s kind of a pain, but worth it to save so much money every week!
Have you ever missed getting the Sunday paper, then tried to find the coupons online? In my rural area, 
we cannot get the paper delivered to our door, so I have to go buy it each week at the machine. I really don’t mind; it’s worth it to me because I usually save at least 50% on my grocery bill using only newspaper coupons.
But most online printable coupons have a big Strip with the words “DO NOT DOUBLE” at the top. And since my entire grocery saving strategy depends on doubling coupons up to $0.99, that really messes me up!
This week, I found myself with an empty pantry, and no coupons! You see, I have been traveling so much that I hadn’t gone shopping, nor had I picked up the paper in about a month. I was basically, in a word, screwed. The thought of buying groceries full priced makes me literally sick to my stomach!
So, in a panic, I called my awesome friend Jenn, from SuperJenn.com. She is a coupon rock star, and I knew she would have the scoop! I had heard that printable coupons will sometimes double, even though they say not to. But others responded to me saying theirs didn’t double.
Jenn told me that the words ‘Do Not Double” are usually from the manufacturer, meaning that they will only reimburse the store for the face value. Most stores *will* double the coupon (as long as the bar code will scan)! So I took my printed coupons to the local Harris Teeter (my favorite store), and decided to put it to the test.
The customer service manager informed me that they can’t tell if the coupon will actually double until they scan it. Another gamble, but I had to get some food in the house, before my kids started eating their clothes!
To my delight, they DID double ~ Every single one of them! On that shopping trip, I saved $147 and spent $112. I stocked up on Shrimp (buy 2, get 3 free, 2lb bags), pork chops, and split chicken breasts.
This revelation has changed my grocery shopping strategy forever. I will still get the newspaper every week and use the Grocery Game, but I will supplement with printable coupons whenever I can!
Here is my advice for you:
- Test your store by bringing in a few printed coupons to try. Ask first, because if the answer is no, there’s no use trying.
- Make sure there is a bar code and a photo on your printed coupon. Most stores will not take them without these security measures.
- Only download coupons from trusted sources. I will always trust are Coupons.com, Smartsource.com, or Redplum.com
Here is a great, comprehensive article about printable coupons from Stretching a Buck. And by the way, you can print coupons from Coupons.com straight from your HP Web Printer!
So now you can click here and print some coupons!!
Comments
By Suzi D on March 6th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
I was so happy when they started putting coupons in the Mtn Times, but it has been two months since I have found any there – so today I too printed coupons online before heading for groceries. I didnt’ notice the Do Not Double, but sure enough, my good ole Lowes Foods in Banner Elk doubled every one of them! But I may need to head over to HT for some of that shrimp – lol!
By Sarah on March 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I actually called the Mtn Times about that. They said SmartSource had just stopped sending them inserts. They are really trying to get them back, so call and tell them to add your name to the list of people who want the coupons back.
Great! I always recommend HT or Lowes for their doubling policy. Those cents sure do add up!
By Athalia Critcher on March 6th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I {heart} coupons!
And am clueless on how to really use them. Thank you for the crash course!
By Amber on March 8th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Just to let you know, when the coupon people switch to the new coupon bar codes, when it says “Do not Double” it will not double anymore. My husband works in the field. There will be a code in the new coupon “bar code” that stops them from doubling. The new coupon code will also will not coupons to be used past their dates as well.
By Mallory on March 11th, 2010 at 9:41 am
My advice to every fellow couponer I meet is to stop paying for the grocery game each week and use an online coupon forum. My favorite is http://www.afullcup.com. On there, they do shopping lists (just like the grocery game) and members from all over the state post good deals that are noticed. You can also trade coupons on the site, auction off your stockpile of stuff (like from Walgreens or CVS deals), and much much more! If you do register, please include that shanesgal05 referred you!
Also, you can look at the barcode of any coupon and tell if it will double or not. If it begins with a 9, it will NOT. If it begins with a 5 it will scan and double!
By Sarah on March 11th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Mallory, those forums are a good choice, but the grocery game still saves me so much time. I’ve tried free options like couponmom.com, but the way the grocery game does it just seems more intuitive to me. It’s worth it for me.
But I know LOTS of people that plan their shopping trips with forums and blogs, and do very well.