Important Store Policies Regarding Coupons, Sales, and Rebates

Many stores have policies regarding price matching, coupons, and more. To help sort through the problems here is a list of policies from the major chains. As I find more or when policies are updated, I will add to the list.

If you see something listed but without a hyperlink, it means I am still trying to find the information to bring you the most accurate and up to date information. 

If there is a store that you feel should be added to this list, please let me know and I will find the correct information for you.  Thank you!

Drug Stores

CVS

• Coupon Policy(Updated September 2011)
• Extra Care Reward FAQs
• Return Policy

RiteAid

• Coupon Policy
• Return Policy
• Single Check Rebates

Walgreens

• Coupon Policy
• Return Policy

Electronic/Office Stores

Office Depot

• Coupon Policy (contacted through email)
• Price Matching 
• Return Policy
• Worklife Rewards

Staples

• Coupon Policy (contacted through email)
• Price Matching
• Return Policy
• Staples Rewards

Super Stores

Kmart

• Coupon Policy (contacted through email)
• Price Matching (contacted through email)
• Return Policy
• Shop Your Way Rewards

Target

• Coupon Policy
• Price Matching
• Return Policy

Walmart

• Coupon Policy (Updated March 2011)
• Price Matching
• Return Policy

This post can always be found on the menu bar for easy access.

Descriptions of the Labels

Note: This post is no longer being edited.  You can find the new list on a page for Descriptions of the Labels.

When you look on the left column of Shopping4Deals you might notice a list of labels.  You can click the label on the left to see only posts in that category or you can click the label at the bottom of any post to find similar posts.  Here is a description of each label that I currently have on Shopping4Deals.  Some are self explanatory but I listed them all anyway.

Below you will find a master list of labels I use on this site.  I have limited the amount showing on the left column, but here you will see every label I use.  As I add more labels, I will try to keep this list updated.

In addition to the labels listed below, you can also sort posts by stores and/or websites.  If a deal is exclusive to a specific store, it will be labeled with the store's name.


article - Posts that link to reading material or important information from an outside

contest - Any post that involves a prize of some sort

coupon - Anything that involves a coupon either from the internet, newspaper, or other source

deal - Something that is not free but shouldn't be passed up

download - Something that is downloadable; most likely music, video, or ebooks

entertainment - Deals that involve entertainment outside the house such as movies, concerts, and shows

extra mile - Deals that are under $1 or charitable in nature.  See the first Extra Mile post for more details.

facebook - Posts involving information from a facebook page or deals for becoming a fan of something on Facebook

footnote - Posts that are linked on the footnote section of Shopping4Deals

free - Anything that is free including samples, rebates, and more

grocery - Deals and coupons that involve groceries

informational - Posts that contain information regarding a website or program

in-store - Deals that take place in the store

magazines - Subscriptions deals for magazines

mail-in - Deals that have a mail-in form or rebate

menu - Posts that are linked on the menu bar of Shopping4Deals

money maker - After coupons, rebates, and other offers these deals will end up putting money back in your pocket

music - Posts that are for songs, playlists, albums, and more

online - Deals that you can find on a website

pet - Offers that benefit the non-humans in your house

restaurants - Deals for when you want to eat out or just get a snack

site info - Posts that are related to Shopping4Deals and not a specific deal

sponsored - Posts that have been sponsored by a company through either compensation or by providing a give-a-way prize

travel - Anytime is a great time to travel when you can get good hotel rates, cheap food, or free entertainment

Social Networking / Automatic Updates

Most of you already know about our Facebook page, but I have now created a Twitter account as well.  These social networks will assist me in getting the information out to you faster, especially when a deal is time sensitive.

Facebook

Twitter (MakingCentsOfIt)

YouTube

RSS Feed

Rules of Coupons

There will be times that you print a coupon off the internet and are so excited by your great find, only to arrive at a store and find out the coupon is not valid.  Even valid coupons are turned away because stores are tired of fraudulent coupons being used.  My local grocery store will not accept any internet coupon worth more than $5 or for a free item (even BOGO) because of fraud.


Newspaper Inserts

Every Sunday your newspaper comes full of advertisements and coupon inserts.  The two major coupon inserts you find are the same as the internet coupons: Red Plum and Smart Source.  Additionally you might find company specific inserts such as Proctor & Gamble or General Mills.  These coupons are the least likely to give you problems in stores because it is obvious to cashiers that they are real and valid.


Internet Coupons

Through websites such as coupons.com, redplum.com, and smartsource.com you are able to print out additional manufacturer coupons to use in stores.  You can also sometimes find internet coupons on companies' specific websites.  Stores are often nervous about accepting these internet coupons because it is easier to fake than the newspaper coupons.  Red Plum has a resource that will help stores determine if a coupon is valid.  The coupons can be printed in black & white or color.  I recommend setting your printer to black ink only, unless your local store gives you trouble.  While the colored coupons look more "official," colored ink costs more and would negate the purpose of printing coupons which is to save money.

Most online coupon sites will limit you to two coupons of a kind.  It is considered fraud and is illegal to photocopy the coupons to give yourself more copies.  Remember when I mentioned that stores are more hesitant to accept internet coupons?  This is why.  When people redeem photocopied coupons, the barcode still scans but the store will not be reimbursed by the company.  The store then loses that money.

Before you say to yourself "I don't care if the store loses money as long as I save" you should realize that they can determine where the fraudulent coupons came from.  (1) Most retailers have the bonus cards that you use to get special prices.  They can run a quick computer search to determine who used the copied coupons.  (2) If you look closely at the coupon, you will see that the border is actually small print which gives the details of the coupon along with the IP address of the computer that printed the coupon.

If there is a really good internet coupon, talk to your friends and ask them to print extra copies for you.  This option will only work if they do not use coupons so it might be difficult to find someone like this.  If you have multiple computers in your house, you should be able to print two per computer.  I'm not positive if the sites use IP addresses, cookies, or something else to track the printing.


Store Coupons

Sometimes you will find coupons in a grocery store's flier.  Other times, stores like Target have coupons on their website which are specifically for purchases in Target.  If the coupon has the words "manufacturer coupon" other store might accept them but it really depends on your local area.


Stacking

You might think you're going to get a great deal because you found two different looking coupons for the same item.  Unfortunately it doesn't work like that.  However, if one coupon is store specific and the other is a manufacturer coupon, you can do what is known as stacking.  For example, you can use a Target coupon for a specific item as well as a manufacturer coupon on the same item (so two coupons for the same product) to double your savings. 


Note About Making Cents of It and Deals Involving Coupons

I am currently only posting coupon deals that involve internet or store flier coupons.  I know that not everyone gets the newspaper and I don't want to confuse anyone by trying to tell you which insert a coupon is in.  Any deal posted on Making Cents of It will provide you with a link to print the necessary coupons or instructions on how to print if a direct link cannot be provided.

If in the future, my readers would like me to begin posting deals involving coupons from the newspapers, I will.

Last Updated: July 27, 2012

Contact Me and Public Relations

Did you find a deal that you want to share with the Making Cents of It readers?  Do you have a question you need answered?  If you are sending in a deal, please give as much information, including links, that you have so I can verify the information.

If you are a representative from a company and feel your product would interest the readers of Making Cents of It, I would love to hear from you. I am more than happy to consider your product for a review on the site. I do not charge for writing reviews, however I request that you send me at least two of the product to review – one for my use to write the review and one or more to giveaway as a promotion with the review.

Any product reviews I write will have my honest opinion of the product. Sponsored posts are marked as such so that readers know what they are reading. A copy of the review can be sent for approval prior to being posted. Making Cents of It will not write reviews for products that do not fit the theme of the blog. So please consider if my readers would enjoy your product when considering Making Cents of It for a product review.

Product reviews on Making Cents of It is a great way for your company and product to receive coverage.  If you would like to see previously sponsored posts, please click the sponsored tag on the left menu. We have a strong readership that is growing daily through word of mouth referrals.

If you would like to discuss featuring your product on Making Cents of It, please send me an email and I will respond quickly.

Anytime you want to get in touch with me, you can feel free to email Cori@MakingCentsofIt.com.

Go the Extra Mile

I found a similar idea on givemeneither.com and thought it was a great idea to mention to my readers.  Go the Extra Mile will be our way of using our coupon and discount knowledge to help others.  When you find items under a dollar, consider purchasing two so you can donate one to a local food bank or community center.

I recently donated a large amount of non-perishable food to my local family services' office.  Everything you see on the table cost under $5 (total) after coupons.

Besides food banks, many communities have a place that helps people out with regular household items.  So if you see a sale on things like soap, toilet paper, or anything else, please think about those in need.  I'm not telling you to go spend a fortune, but a dollar here and there will really add up over time to help people.

As always, when I find great coupon I will post them here.  If the object is under a dollar I will tag it with the extra mile label.  Please consider the idea and help others in your community.

Click here to see all the posts tagged for Go the Extra Mile

Happy Birthday Freebies

Note: This list is no longer being updated.  Please check the new Birthday Freebie Page for the updated list.

It's your birthday and there are tons of restaurants and stores that want to help you celebrate.  Here is an ever-changing list of mailing lists that you will want to sign up for before your next birthday.  Deals can be good for the day of your birthday or the month of your birthday.  Please note that many places will ask for proof of your birthday such as your license, so make sure you use the correct date.  Check the details of a specific deal to find out.  If I've missed a good one, please leave a comment.



Free Appetizer

On the Border - Join the Cantina Club and you will get a free appetizer on your birthday.  You will also get a free appetizer when you sign up.

Outback Steakhouse - Sign up for the mailing list and you will get a free blooming onion on your birthday.

Texas Roadhouse - Sign up to be a VIP and you will get a free appetizer for signing up and a free appetizer on your birthday.



Free Dessert (Or Snack)

Baskin Robbins - Join the Birthday Club to get a free ice cream cone on your birthday.

Cold Stone Creamery - Join the Birthday Club to get a free ice cream.

Friendly's - Become a Best Friend of Friendly's (BFF).  You'll get a free sundae for signing up and on your birthday.

Krispy Kreme - Become a friend of Krispy Kreme to get a free donut on your birthday.

Melting Pot - Join Club Fondue and get a free chocolate fondue for two.

Rita's - Join the Birthday Club to get a free ice.  You will also get a free ice for signing up.

TCBY - Joining the eClub will get you a free waffle cone for signing up and a surprise on your birthday.



Free Meal

Benihana - Join the Chef's Table for a complimentary Benihana Birthday Dinner certificate worth up to $30.

Denny's - Join Denny's Rewards and get a Grand Slam on your birthday.

Houlihan's - Sign up for the mailing list to get a free entree on your birthday.  You will also get a free appetizer just for signing up.

Old Country Buffet - Join the eClub and you will get a free Buffet meal for your birthday.

Red Robin - Join the eClub and get a free burger on your birthday.

Ruby Tuesday - Join their mailing list and you will get a free burger on your birthday.



Other Freebies (Or Specific Gift is Unknown)

CVS - Get $3 in Extra Care Rewards.  Just register your card online and make sure you put your birthday in your account.

Joe's Crab Shack - Sign up for the mailing list and get a coupon on your birthday.

Red Lobster - Join the club to get a birthday surprise.

Sephora - Become a Beauty Insider and get a free gift for your birthday.

Uno's Pizzaria - Become an insider and Uno's will send you a birthday surprise.

Great Sites to Check Out

Often times, I am asked about my favorite sites for finding great deals and coupons.  Here are sites where I often look first.  I will be adding more links to this post, but you can always find it on the top navigation bar.

                        

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I am going to reorganize this page. Please stay tuned to the changes. The changes will be posted below here and the top will be removed once I am sure nothing is missing.

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About Me

Hello to all my readers.  My name is Cori and I started this blog to help everyone find good deals when shopping.  Many of the blogs currently around the internet are geared towards parents.  This one is geared towards everyone.

Many of my friends come to me before making a big purchase.  Why?  Because I have a reputation for finding the best deals or loopholes in a store's policy to get the best deal.  While I can find these big deals when looking, I find smaller deals all the time.  It is these smaller deals that I will be sharing with you on this blog.  I will be posting here whenever I find an everyday bargain for you.  If it is something that requires a coupon, I will tell you where to get the coupon online. 

If you ever find a deal that you would like to share, please post it on the Shopping 4 Deals facebook page.  I will update the blog as soon as I see it.

My promise to you:

• I will always link back to the source so you can check the fine print of a deal.
• If a coupon is required and I can't link directly to the coupon, I will tell you where to find it.
• I will tag all posts so that you can easily look through the labels to sort older posts.
• I will only promote items and websites that I know are trustworthy.  If it's something I've just heard of and haven't used myself, I will tell you that right in the post.