What don't we use the Internet for these days? Anything from finding recipies, keeping in touch with friends and family, and shopping for all of your needs. The rise of the Internet also created another outlet for coupons. Consumers could find, print, and use coupons right off of the web. However, a recent article I found investigates the story behind some stores not accepting them....
According to “Many grocers reject Internet coupons”, your time of searching for and printing off coupons could be a waste. Author Maureen Wallenfang says it is because of fraud. Coupons may look real, with a UPC code and expiration date, but they could be counterfeit. They might even scan Wallenfang says, but because they aren’t real, the stores do not get reimbursed when they turn the coupon in to the manufacturer.
She suggests to call ahead to the store you will be shopping at before you go. Ask them of their policy before you check-out so you aren’t surprised if they don’t take them. Ellen Eisenchink, head cashier at Larry’s Piggly Wiggly in Little Chute, says it is posted in the store that they don’t accept Internet coupons. Eisenchink also said this was because, “We were noticing quite a few counterfeit Internet coupons coming through before the holidays. We were running into problems because a lot of them were high ticket, like free Crest Whitestrips, $4 on a 24-pack of Pepsi or free Tylenol Arthritis. We had to make a policy because we couldn’t tell the counterfeit ones from the real ones.”
Other chains are also following suit. Stores accepted them when they first came out, but soon realized that forgers could easily change the dollar amounts. New London’s Festival Foods lost a few hundred dollars just because of a $5 Tide coupon. However, they do understand that it isn’t always the customer’s fault. Sometimes consumers just don’t know if they aren’t real. Because of this, many stores such as Festival Foods, will take Internet coupons, with a few guidelines. Mark Skogen, president of Skogen’s Festival Foods, says they will take them for up to $2 off of products because a lot of the fake coupons have been made for more than a $2 savings.
Although it is basically impossible to track fake coupons, there are a few things that stores can do. www.cents-off.com is a tool that stores can use to see the lastest scams. Some stores have also added coupons to their own website so they know they are legitimate. As far as consumers are concerned, if you use Internet coupons be aware that not all stores will take them. Also, traditional coupons from newspapers and magazines are still being accepted. Those should be two-sided, in color, and on a glossy magazine-type paper, making them harder to counterfeit.
In the end, it’s all about saving money. But be careful how you go about doing that. Do it honestly, carefully, and most of all savvy. More on coupons, promotions, and contests to come!
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