We look for then in Sundays paper…we search through our daily mail for them…we find them in magazines…and they come to our door as flyers…we may even find them under our windshield wipers at the mall…I am talking about the coupon phenomenon that has swept the country like wildfire.
Coupons are not new to the sales landscape. In 1898 a clerk in Louisiana passed out 2 cent coupons to be used when buying a glass of cola in his drugstore.
The cost of a coupon is less than 1 cent of the value of the product being purchased. Coupons that are doubled and tripled are covered only by the merchant above the first level.
Ladies have been known to stampede to their sewing room or kitchen to grab their favorite pair of scissors…which is the necessary tool for coupon success. Lord forbids she shows up at Wal Mart with ragged edged coupons…A sage coupon clipper has in her possession a coupon folder with alphabetical section for quick access. They come in a variety of colors and designs.
Some interesting facts about the coupon craze:
Who uses coupons: 80% are women with one or more children at home. 70% of the single male population use coupons.
Methods of distribution:
Bounceback (BB)-are coupons sent at consumers request requiring proof of purchase.
Color-Run-Of-Press (CRP)-Multicolored coupons printed on a news paper page.
Direct Home Delivery (DHD)-Coupons delivered to a consumer’s home by mail, door hangers, leaflets or plastic bags.
Direct Mail Solo (DM)-Coupons delivered through the mail directly from a manufacturer.
Direct Mail Co-op (DMC)-Coupons from different manufacturers mailed in the same envelope.
Direct mail With Samples (DMWS)-Coupons mailed through the mail with a sample of the product.
Electronic Checkout (EC)-Coupons printed on the receipt to encourage the consumer to return.
Electronic Frequent Shopper (EFS)-Discounts given at the check out for frequent shoppers…such as a SAM’S card or a Winn-Dixie card.
The people who print coupons on the internet make up less than 1% of all coupon users.
Where coupons can be found:
Free standing Inserts (FSI)-Multi-colored Coupons inserted in a Sunday news paper.
Hand Out In-Store with Samples (HSS)-Coupons that are handed out with samples…such as Sam’s or other outlets that employ ladies cooking and giving away samples.
In-ad (IA)-Coupons printed by a retail store and redeemable at that store only.
In-Pack (IP)-A coupon found inside a product package.
Instant Redeemable (IR)-A coupon that can be removed and used instantly at the check out.
Magazine-On-Page (MOP)-A coupon printed on the page of a magazine.
Newspaper Co-op (NCC)-Coupons printed in a group in the newspaper for more than one manufacturer.
Newspaper Run-of-Press (ROP)-Black and white coupons printed in a newspaper.
On-Pack (OP)-A coupon printed on a package that must be cut out to be redeemed.
Sunday Supplement (SS)-A coupon printed in a Sunday newspaper supplement magazine.
If you decide to jump into the crazy world of coupon clipping, there are several things you should know:
(1) The purchase requirement for you to be able to use the coupon.
(2) The expiration date of the coupon.
(3) Know the terms and value of the coupon.
I have either totally confused you or I have ignited a burning desire to be a part of the crazy world of coupon clipping…go for it…you just might be able to put a dent into that food budget…
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Reviewed by 000 000
1/16/2009
I use coupons...and love the 2 for 1!
Enjoyed the article!
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