21 Things to be an Epic Couponer (full)

[new2savings]

1. What did you think of the interview format for sharing information?
It was good to hear someone else's experiences with couponing. Thanks so much Darlene and Susan!

2. Tell us about some of your first experiences couponing and an obstacle or issue you had to deal with. What did you do and how did it work out?
My first experience couponing was at London Drugs...and of course apprehensive about the whole stacking idea...Went to customer service and the lady there helped me out and eased my mind about using coupons.

[$power]

Hi Darlene..well it was a little strange to hear my voice coming out of my computer but I think it went pretty darn well.

What I reallly hoped people would take away was simply " know before you go ". Also, that thinking about something can be way scarier than actually doing it.

I am really looking forward to hearing everyone else's stories

[susan.h]

Good morning everyone!
Here are my responses for the assignment:
1. Well first of all, awesome job Darlene and Susan! Thank you! And I love to hear about other people's shopping (with coupons) experiences.
2. First experience using coupons was at RCSS...I think I used a $0.30 off coupon on the PC Brand sparkling water...I thought I was getting such an awesome deal! Oh my...couponing was so foreign to me at that time (not that long ago!), but now I know better. And I was so stressed about the checkout (making sure I had the right items etc.)...but I just used the self-serve lane & gave the attendant my coupons...no problemo! Now I have to tackle my fears & try some coupon stacking at LD (when I have the right coupons of course.)!

[eltada]

Thanks for the condolences Darlene...it feels a little quiet around here without her but we are adjusting.


1. What did you think of the interview format for sharing information? Actually I liked it...it was neat to hear that Susan went through a lot of the same stuff as me. So it was nice to find out as a newbie, that you aren't alone!

2. Tell us about some of your first experiences couponing and an obstacle or issue you had to deal with. What did you do and how did it work out? I started off small and used a few coupons at Walmart where they seem to be the most easy going. As I built my confidence, I branched out to different stores and used more coupons plus I added in price-matching which I had never done before. I remember not too long ago I went shopping at SDM and though it wasn't my first time using coupons there, I had only done so a few times. So I was buying the sunlight dish detergent on for $0.99 with a coupon for $1. So you can guess what happened next, she refused it saying that she couldn't use a coupon for something that was over the price. I was so flustered that I didn't push it. In hindsight, I should have spoken with the manager to see what that store's policy was and if the coupon could be adjusted (I learned later that many canucker's suggest this to the cashier). However, that incident has made me actively seek out the "negative" experiences posted here to see how they were resolved so I could use similar techniques. Since then, I have had a few cashiers balk at my coupons and I hold my ground when I know I am right (even waiting for them to call a manager). I always support the cashier when I can and tell them I understand when they have to check it out and seek clarification. By even just saying, "I know coupons are confusing...they all seem to have different rules" tends to put them a bit at ease and more willing to help me if they can.

[Giving-Small]

As you were browsing through tradelists you probably noticed the first post or two in a thread listed all of the items.

This was followed by some posts that just had the word bump.

So what does "bump" mean? <hr style="color: rgb(227, 227, 227); background-color: rgb(227, 227, 227);" size="1"> Threads are listed on the page for Trades or Coupons in reverse chronological order. Last updated thread rises to the top.

So if you post your trading list today and then 50 more people post or update theirs by adding a new comment, your post moves down and down.

So you go to your post, hit reply button and put the word "Bump" which means bump up to the top again. This also makes your post/thread look "unread" again and it shows up in bold font.

[$power]

Darlene, I'll bump to that !!

Also "peeps" this fellow member is awaiting your first time coupon stories

Not much else to do as the snow falls yet again

[Gemini06]

Received the train today -will post later how much I took out and put back in - should either have it out in the mail tonight or tomorrow.

Still time for a last minute ticket before it departs tomorrow.

Missed the train info -- look here.


I'm going to do 2 trains so everyone gets a train faster.

So the questions:

1. Do you want me to include a few Brandsaver March 31 expiries for the first rider or two - you toss when expired?

2. After the train does the first loop ....do you want me to route it to the rest of the riders, so we'd have two trains then chugging along all the way.Here's our proposed routes:

Train #1

Gemini06 Mississauga ON
Eltada Oshawa, ON
LovelyLaeticia Perth ON
greeke33 Niagara Falls ON
new2savings Sherwood Park, AB
susan.h Calgary AB
$power Salmon Arm B.C.
Giving-Small Saskatoon


Train #2


$power Salmon Arm B.C.
susan.h Calgary AB
new2savings Sherwood Park, AB
greeke33 Niagara Falls ON
LovelyLaeticia Perth ON
Eltada Oshawa, ON
Gemini06 Mississauga ON
Giving-Small Saskatoon

[Giving-Small]

I was wondering how long Canada Post would take before it popped this one out. Today is the 8th working day to go from Regina to Mississauga.

So does the time it takes surprise any of you?

Received the train today -will post later how much I took out and put back in - should either have it out in the mail tonight or tomorrow.

[Gemini06]

I thought it would never get here Canada Post is so unpredictable - sometimes it will get there in days other times in weeks......go figure!

[Gemini06]

Took out $12.50 and put in $42. Will be out in tonights mail!

[Giving-Small]

Awesome Gemini06 - thanks for the update and the generosity.

[eltada]

Looking forward to getting this train! I have just organized my coupons (got my new coupon organizer in the mail this week!) so I am all ready to go!

[susan.h]

Looking forward to getting this train! I have just organized my coupons (got my new coupon organizer in the mail this week!) so I am all ready to go!

I've also just received my coupon organizer from glowgirl, and I've transferred all of my coupons into it. These organizers are amazing! I haven't received any train yet...I'm *patiently* waiting for the first one to arrive!

[$power]

Susan...I put in the post late Sat pm (Mar 5 )

It would have left Salmon Arm Mon am (Mar7)

Will be interesting to see how long it takes !!

[eltada]

Ok gang, I have a question for you. I have three Astro yogurt pins for the DriFit shirt promotion. The package says that it is a $50 value when you send in 6 pins. So I am trying to figure out the value of these pins for trading. Here is my reasoning...tell me what you think...

$50 item - $2 s&h that the couponer has to send in with the pins = $48
Divide the $48 by 6 (the number of pins needed) and each pin is worth $8.
If I have 3 pins, then their total value is $8 x 3 = $24.

So do you think it's reasonable to ask for $20-25 in coupons in exchange?

I thought so -- I am thinking that if the shoe was on the other foot and someone had stouffer pins for example (which I would like to collect) - I would happily trade away quite a few coupons for them since if I don't, I'll end up throwing out the coupons anyway when they expire (assuming they are in my "trader" pile).

Does this make sense? Am I missing something?

Thanks for any advice,
eltada