The 6 Coupon Rules

Shops, both on and offline, always offer great deals under the form of coupons or discounts. These are really great, as you can get a good deal on something you want or wish to try out. When it comes to coupons, these usually come in magazines or newspapers and need to be clipped and presented at checkout. However, there are digital coupons that work for eshops as well. Some websites, such as Frugaa.com offer a wide range of coupons you can use on different websites to obtain coupons and deals.

Coupons might be a great shopping adventure, but, before you do any shopping with coupons, there are a few things you need to consider.

Here they are:

Both manufacturers and stores want to sell you the most expensive version of their product. This is why, it is very important to read the conditions of the discount code or coupon very carefully. Sometimes, the offers apply only to certain products and not to any products of the brand or to a certain size or another element.

This is why it is crucial to pay attention to the wording.

While, as we said, sometimes there are certain conditions that apply, in some cases there are many restrictions that apply as well. For example, a coupon or code can be used only in a certain area; it might be available only if you buy two products, and so on. Make sure you get all the restrictions before investing your time into buying something.
While the very basis of coupons is to offer you a deal, that is not always the case. Sometimes, the deal you get gets you to pay more than the initial price. For example, there are museums or galleries that require a donation at entrance. They suggest a price, but this doesn't mean that you need to pay that exact fee. Even though the price of admission is flexible, you will sometimes find coupons that allow you to visit the museum for a fixed price, which can be higher than what you would have paid without it.

Also, just because you see a deal on a coupon, doesn't mean that's the lowest price you can find for an item. Sometimes, a quick Google search will let you discover lower prices for the same item that was promoted on the coupon.

While digital coupons are not possible to copy, some people believe that they can copy print coupons and use them several times. While you might be able to do that physically, that is not recommended, as it is illegal and can result in prosecution. Would you really be willing to go all the trouble and risk for a discount?

Most coupons have an expiration date attached to them. Make sure you check it before you do your shopping, as you don't want to waste time and energy, only to find out you can't shop the thing you wanted at a discount, especially if you are on a budget.

Some stores accept coupons even six months after they have expired, so make sure to check the policy of the deal - you might be in a surprise.

When you are clipping out a coupon, you should check whether the discount is offered by the manufacturer or the sore. A store discount is a reduction in price offered by the seller, while a manufacturer discount is one that is offered by the maker of the product.

Manufacturer coupons are usually easily identifiable, as they have the words "manufacturer coupon" printed on them.

Store coupons are issued by the retailer and usually have the company's logo on them. Also, many times, stores allow you to us more than one coupon per item. This basically means that if you have a stack of coupons, you can make massive savings.

Sometimes, a bit of detective work might get you a double discount, if you can find two complementary coupons (which you may also use together).

Additional information

One more thing that is pretty obvious, but still needs to be said is that just because you have a coupon, doesn't mean you should use it. There is no sense in spending even a small amount of money on something you don't need or want and that you'll end up throwing away - that is just money that's gone.

This being said, you should always consider the fact that coupon deals might make a great investment when you are buying gifts or things in bulk, such as party souvenirs.

So whether you are looking for designer clothing, home décor, gadgets or anything else, it's always worth it to search for a coupon or a discount code. Checking a few things before using a coupon will definitely give you a better experience, which is why you should always take the things we've mentioned into consideration. Because, in the end, there's nothing like a good deal.

Fraquoh and Franchomme

Further reading:

The best ways and times to shop 8 reasons to shop during sales

P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you use coupons? What type of goods do you use them for? Do you use print or digital coupons? What is the biggest deal you have ever gotten due to one or more coupons? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!