How Do Coupons Work in America?

[Alidar Jarok]

I shop at Sainsbury's so I can go to the cinema free with my nectar points. I have simpler designs

When I was in London, I went to Sainsbury's, but it was so I could conveniently buy large bottles of alcoholic cider. I think I had ever simpler designs

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

We are frugal weirdos so we don't have a car, we went to Costco on the train. With backpacks. And a suitcase thingy with wheels. It was SO MUCH FUN. Like Disneyland for frugal food people.

That is something I would have to do, if there was a costco, but as the nearest costco will be opened in July in Auburn, Sydney. Not sure if travelling on the train from Newcastle is worth it, when it's just me.

As Tulin said, there are two major supermarkets here, as I generally do most of mine at Woolworths. Hopefully as I join their everyday rewards I might get something, but I might take me a while.

 

[RandyS]

I have heard mention of "coupons" in many US tv shows and movies and I recently saw a promo for a show called "Extreme Couponing". They showed someone's grocery bill going from over $1000 to about $8!

How is this possible and how does it work?

We have coupons here in Australia but it's usually like a two for one offer or 10% off or something but nothing this extreme.

How does it work in America and is there a stigma attached to it like I have heard in movies? Why do shops do this when people can get such massive discounts? What is in it for the shop owners?

The stigma you're referring to is about food stamps. Not coupons.

And the way they work is: You hand them to the checker, and you get however much money the coupon is worth off your bill. Nothing to it and nothing to be embarrassed about.

And, most of what you see in our movies is NEVER the way it is for real. It sounds like you're watching some made up game show. We have those too.

 

[infinix]

Indeed - in the first episode there was a woman who bought a box if cereal(IIRC)which offered a $1.00 discount from the shop. The box carried a FULL PRICE rebate for the cost of the item, which I presume had to be mailed in. So after getting the full price back she actually came out $1.00 AHEAD for each box!




Only in America!!!!!!

What brand was the cereal and what store did the woman shop from? I have never seen rebates for ultra small ticket items such as cereals.

 

[Lindley]

What brand was the cereal and what store did the woman shop from? I have never seen rebates for ultra small ticket items such as cereals.

StartSmart (by Kellog) cereals sometimes have a yellow banner across the top saying "Try for free!" or somesuch. You can mail in the thing and get the full price back. However, I think it's limited to once per person, so you can't do it for every box you buy.

 

[Holdfast]

I used coupons to get over 12% off my shopping today, plus extra clubcard points. And hopefullly I'll get a bit a more back after entering the details on pricecheck. I feel so wholesome and pure!

(I will feast on the sinful souls of the corrupt later in order to return to normal)

 

[Anduril]

I think its sad that you have bought so much shit that its overflowing into your bedroom and under your kids bed. TLC is awesome about showing people with compulsions.

I personally believe that some are doing it for the thrills.

Most do donate to food pantries and such, so that's not so bad.

Phrases I've heard from this show, "I'm obsessed.", "I feel like the walls are closing in around me!" You're crazy biatch!

ETA. How funny is that they put this show on before Hoarding: Buried Alive? See my sig.

 

[Sector 7]

The nutcases are just for the shows. Many normal people understand the value of using coupons for things they would normally buy anyway. By compounding sales with coupons, I saved over $1,000.00 last year and have saved almost as much to date this year. In economic times such as these, it is common sense to save money whenever possible. Most normal people would think saving $1,000 to $2,000 per year, without sacrificing nor changing brands, is a very good thing.