Scanning coupons

[christinaabc]

Does anybody know why, in Canada, stores are unable/unwilling to set up a system to be able to scan coupons like they do in the states?

[bekki3]

I've wondered about that too. Stores say the coupon has to have a bar code but the cashiers never scan it! Good question!

[onceling]

I totally agree, talk about behind the times. The whole industry seems to be living with 30 year old technology.

Even in the states I have heard that UPC's are not unique so sometimes people scam stores with "incorrect coupons" by choosing products with the same UPC but wrong for the coupon use. That is also ridiculously behind the times, there's no limit on unique numbers, manufacturers and stores need to stop being lazy and invest in some real tech.

[hollyquaiscer]

It is very expensinve to upgrade the tills with new computer software required to scan coupons, so at this time, most stores don't find that it is worth it, as in Canada only a very tiny fraction of people actually use coupons. It is a lot different in the states. I am however curious to see when Target comes in what system they will use, as they scan coupons in the states,so will have to wait and see.

[sarah_300c]

It is very expensinve to upgrade the tills with new computer software required to scan coupons, so at this time, most stores don't find that it is worth it, as in Canada only a very tiny fraction of people actually use coupons. It is a lot different in the states. I am however curious to see when Target comes in what system they will use, as they scan coupons in the states,so will have to wait and see.

I agree. It would be VERY expensive for the stores to upgrade all of there systems. It would not be worth it because so few use coupons in Canada.

[tomparkar]

This is true that in Canada very few people use coupons for purchasing any kind of product. So the owners of the stores are not getting more interested to upgrade there system for coupons. I am agree that technology is expensive but it will be cheaper now day by day to use.

[MercuryBlue]

I'm gonna agree with PP's.... there aren't as many couponers in Canada as the US. Scanning equipment is a costly investment, so a store would really need to see a demand for it before they'd bother. As more people come in using coupons, and more lines are being held up, they might consider it in the future to save time and money. In the meantime, I think the logic is 'it's working fine, why spend the money'.

Of course, we couponers know the current systems aren't 'working fine' but try telling that to them.

[Snowbirdie]

According to the latest statistics, 57% of Canadians use coupons:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8502648.htm.
Based on our population thats 17,000,000 people using coupons in Canada. How many do we need to get the technology? As for upgrading our systems and the costs, I don't get that. Coupons in the USA have a UPC just like all the other products in the stores. Coupons.com in the USA is worth $1 billion now and people printed 38,000,000 coupons from them last month alone.....and they are in 12 European countries!!! Something doesn't make sense here.

[lekate]

According to the latest statistics, 57% of Canadians use coupons:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8502648.htm.
Based on our population thats 17,000,000 people using coupons in Canada. How many do we need to get the technology? As for upgrading our systems and the costs, I don't get that. Coupons in the USA have a UPC just like all the other products in the stores. Coupons.com in the USA is worth $1 billion now and people printed 38,000,000 coupons from them last month alone.....and they are in 12 European countries!!! Something doesn't make sense here.

I get where you're coming from, but to update the POS at most average-large stores is a HUGE undertaking. Even updating for the new chip software for the debit/credit machines is taking longer in larger stores. Replaing one POS at a small store is easy, try the 20+ at the larger stores. I'm sure in the years to come the large stores will implement a system.

And 17m might be using coupons, but they're probably like me, not very many, maybe a couple here and there.

[Midnightly]

it's all about $$$ they don't feel the money put out is worth the gain they will make

[Michelle1981]

Im hoping maybe Target will bring this tech with them when they come *crosses fingers*

[Johane]

I'm a grocery cashier, and it is tedious to ring in the coupons individually. Some of the cashiers total them up and ring in the total to save time.

As long as it takes though, it gives me time to chat with the redeemer to ask where they got some of the coupons!!!