Tip of the Day Tuesday: Tips for Coupon Usage

If you’ve been couponing for very long, chances are that at some point, you’ve been faced with a cashier who accused you of trying to commit coupon fraud or you’ve had to deal with frustrated customers behind you in line. Check out these tips which will help to make your couponing experiences a lot easier!

The Unspoken Rules of Coupon Etiquette

Step by Step: The Walgreens Dimetapp/Robitussin RR deal

Yesterday I posted about the awesome overlap in RR deals on Robitussin/Dimetapp at Walgreens.

Here’s the scoop:

The Robitussin/Dimetapp is on sale for $4/each this week (I believe the regular price is $6.49-$6.99)

1. Print five of the $2 off coupons (the links are posted here).

2. Visit your local Walgreens. If you can get your hands on five bottles, you will spend $10 out of pocket after coupons, but you will get $20 in RR (if you buy them before 12/31). After 12/31, you will get $15 in RR.

Based on posts on HCW, the following UPCs are confirmed to be working for this deal: (these are for 4 oz bottles)

Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Cough (3-0031-2234-13-2 = UPC)
Dimetapp Cold and Allergy Elixir (UPC=0031 2235 12)
Children’s Dimetapp Cold and Allergy (UPC=300312235-139)

Adult Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion, Sugar-Free DM3-0031-8686-13-3 = UPC
Adult Robitussin Cough, Sugar Free DM (UPC =3 0031 8686 12 6)
Adult Robitussin Cough & Cold CF (UPC = 3-0031-8616-14-7)
Adult Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion DM (UPC = 3-0031-8685-15-0)
Adult Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion DM Max
Adult Robitussin Cough Syrup CF (UPC=3-0031 8616 14)
Adult Robitussin Night time Cough Cold and Flu (UPC = 0031 8642)

Does not appear to be working:
Adult Robitussin Night Time Cold and Cough 4 oz

3. This week, there is a deal where you earn $10 in RR when you spend $20 on Robitussin/Dimetapp. This deal overlaps with two other catalina deals: (This information came from Common Sense with Money)

*Get $5 RR when you buy three Wyeth products (ends 12/31)
*Get $5 RR when you buy $10 in Wyeth products (ends 1/31)
*Get $10 RR when you spend $20 (ends 1/31)

If you buy the Robitussin/Dimetapp before 12/31, you will get $20 in RR. If you buy them after 12/31, you will get $15 in RR.

A few additional notes:
**If you try to use RR from a previous Dimetapp/Robitussin deal to pay for your out of pocket on the next round, your RR will not print.

**RR are treated as manufacturer’s coupons and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. If you are using a Wyeth coupon for each cough syrup and additional RR (from deals other than the Dimetapp/Robitussin deal), you will need to add “filler” items so that you can use your RR.

**The Wyeth coupons state “one per purchase” not “one per transaction” which means that you should be able to use one coupon for each item you are buying.

**Using coupons should not prevent your RR from printing although plenty of store managers and cashiers will try to tell you this. Before making your purchase, it helps to make sure that the green light on the catalina machine is on. If there is a red light or a flashing light, there may be a problem with the catalina machine.

**If your RR does not print, here’s what you need to do:
A1: The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
A2: 1-888-8coupon, option 3
A3: use the online form: Contact Catalina Marketing
(I haven’t had much luck using the online form and have had the best luck just calling them)

**If your store is out of the Dimetapp/Robitussin, get a rain check for the $4 price. Since the overlap deal runs through the end of January, you can buy them when they are back in stock and you should still be able to get the $15 in RR.

Chick Fil A – get a coupon for Free Breakfast on New Year’s!

Make any purchase on January 1, and get a free chicken biscuit on your next visit. See the details here.

In store deals for 12/30

Aeropostale – $10 off a $40 purchase printable coupon to use online here. (expires 1/4/09)

Bass – Annual year end clearance event. Up to 70% off the entire store.

CVS – Look for clearanced Pantene. Several people are reporting that it is working for the weekly deal where you earn $2 ECB. If you can combine clearance prices with the coupons from Sunday’s inserts, this is a potential moneymaker.

Look for boxes of 6 Soy Joy bars in stores. They are $6 and you earn $6 ECB. The packaging says that the promotion does not start until 1/4, but people are reporting that the ECBs are printing already.

January monthly deals start on Thursday!

Gap Outlet – Save up to 70% off original prices now through 1/22/09.

Kroger – Check to see if your stores are participating in the P&G promotion – spend $25 on P&G products and get an instant $5 off. Plus, save your receipts and use them for the spend $50, get $120 coupon book promotion from P&G.

Target – many stores have their Christmas items clearanced to 75% now. In addition to holiday decor, look for other items with holiday packaging (such as paper products).

Check out the “one” spot – mine was marked to 70% off. Use the Rayovac coupon to get free batteries (and possible overage if your store allows that!).

Be on the look-out for great clearance deals in the baby section. The sale typically starts in late December and extends through February. Some areas have already started marking items down to 30% -50% off. Here are some items to watch for:
*Strollers (people have reported finding the Sit ‘N Stand, Duoglider, and McLaren strollers marked down)
*Graco Pack and Plays (specifically the Emelia and Melbourne designs)
*Baby mattresses
*Baby monitors
*Boppy pillows and covers
*baby monitors
*car seats

In my stores, as the holiday decor clears out, they are putting out value boxes of Pampers and Huggies. Based on my experience from previous years, by February, they will start to clearance these (they usually start out at 15%, then go to 30%…there are rarely any left in my store after that point)

Walgreens – if you haven’t already, check out the Robitussin/Dimetapp deal that I posted about here.

Online deals for 12/30

Banana Republic – up to 60% off plus save an additional 20% online and in store through 1/1/09. To redeem online enter code EXTRA20 at check-out. You get 6% cash back when you shop through Ebates. At the outlet, you will save up to 70% off select styles through 1/4/09 and take an additional 40% off clearance merchandise through 1/8/09.

Barnes & Noble – save up to 50% off in their holiday sale. Get 8% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Bath & Body Works – shop the Semi-Annual sale now. Get up to 75% off gifts online and in stores. $3 body cream (excludes now packaging) and select signature collection – $6 each or 3/$15. True Blue spa items are buy 2, get 2 free through 1/4/09.

Crate and Barrel – save up to 70% off in stores and online.

Crazy 8 – The semi-annual sale is going on now. Save up to 60% off your entire purchase and items are starting at $4.99. Use code FREE10 for an additional $10 off a $30 purchase (if you have already registered on their site, use this link to sign up using a new e-mail address). There are also 20% off codes out there from home mailers.

Disney – Disney is having their semi-annual sale. Take an additional 20% off using coding BONUS20. Create your own fleece nightgowns or throws for $7.99. There are lots of other great prices on marked down items! Get free shipping when you spend at least $89 using code SHIP89. Get 6% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Gymboree – save up to 60% off during the semi-annual big red balloon sale in stores and online. Accessories – .99, tops and knit pants – $4.99, sweaters/jackets/dresses – $7.99. Earn a $25 Gymbuck for every $50 you spend. They are also having the sale at the outlet stores. Remember you can’t use % off coupons at the outlet and you can’t earn or redeem Gymbucks at the outlet stores.

Kohls – save 60-80% in the after Christmas savings and clearance sale. 3 day home specials (good through Sunday): 30-60% off entire stock bedding, 10-20% off selected cookware, 40-50% off entire stock rugs & doormats, 50-70% off luggage collections. Get 4% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Macy’s year end coat clearance – up to 60% off. Boot & shoe sale – 40-50% off. Kids clearance – 40-75% off. Get the details here. Get 8% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Office Max – save $10 off an in store purchase of $20 or more with this coupon here. The coupon expires on 1/3/09. Save up to 70% off in their year end clearance. Check out their buy 2, get 1 free deals here. Get 4% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Piperlime – save up to 40% off during the Piperline Tag sale. See the details here.

Sears – All fitness equipment is on sale (get no payments, no interest until 2/10 when you use your Sears card or 5% cash back through mail in rebate). 50-60% off winter apparel, 20% off all Kenmore Elite appliances, 10% off all other brands. Get more details here. You get 6% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Target – Save up to 75% online. Get free shipping when you spend $50 or more. Check out all their clearance items here. Get 4% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

The Children’s Place: Monster Sale – prices $9.99 and under. Save 15% off your purchase using code CLUBEK81EXAAC8 or print this coupon to use in store here. Enter to win a $1000 shopping spree here (each week until 1/18/09). Shop through Ebates and get 3% cash back.

The Company Store – 50-75% off clearance sale (six days only). Click here for details. Get 3% back when you shop through Ebates.

Walgreens – Save $5 off a purchase of $25 or more online using code CELEBRATE at check-out (Through 12/31). Get free shipping with a purchase of $25 or more.Christmas merchandise will be 50% off.

Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sale is going on now. Save 25-50% off bras (over 150 styles). Get up to 60% off during the panty sale. Get free shipping on orders of $100 or more with code SHIP09. Get 4% cash back when you shop through Ebates.