Since there has been talk of legitimate couponing I thought I would touch on a subject that drives me crazy! I was in my store the other night as a woman gave multiples of the same IP. When it was my turn to check out the cashier showed me the coupons and they were all copies. They were all bad copies actually–it was clear that they had been copied MULTIPLE TIMES as the ink was barely visible!Â
So–I am going to go on the assumption that maybe some people don’t realize that you are not supposed to make copies of a printable coupon. Most internet printables have a limit of two prints per computer. They limit the prints for a reason. The company that issues the coupon only want to allow so many to be redeemed as they are the ones that will have to pay the store when it is time for the coupon to be reimbursed!Â
By using copied coupons you are creating coupons that should not exist! Manufacturers are not obligated to reimburse these coupons as they are copies!  I know many of you are asking how will anyone know it is a copy…well, each coupon has a unique code that appears on the coupon. I have circled the number in red to show you where you will find the number (click the picture to make it bigger if you need to)
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Would you make a copy of a coupon from the newspaper? Making a copy of a printable coupon is no different! Print limits exist for a reason. If you read the fine print on the coupon it says that the coupon is VOID IF COPIED! If we want stores to continue to accept printable coupons we have to make sure that we use them appropriately. Remember…a few can spoil it for many!
Here is an example of the location of the pin number on SmartSource coupons:
I agree completely with Michelle. I never make copies of printed coupons as I want the stores to continue to accept them. I am so scared that a few people are going to ruin this for all of us. This website has literally helped me save hundreds of dollars this year, and every dollar I save is one more I can put towards vacation, retirement, etc. Keep up the good work and thanks for informing people of the proper and honest use of coupons.
There is also a number in the ITTY BITTY writing AROUND the coupon as well as around the expiration date. Those numbers contain your IP address. So they will know WHERE that coupon was printed – the EXACT location. They will know where to find you to charge you for being fraudulent.
I think it is our responsibility as good couponers to inform people we see with coupons like this. It is very possible that they do NOT know they shouldn’t copy them. I also try to tell all the management and cashiers at the stores I shop at how to spot a fraudulent ip. Because they won’t get reimbursed for those- and I don’t want those people to ruin it for me! By educating the stores on which coupons are not legit, we help them ensure only the good ones are used, which helps us in the long-run. I sincerely hope that when people do this it’s is lack of knowledge and not people knowingly committing coupon fraud.
Also, a small note that there are still some legitimate pdf coupons out there that will not have the identifiers, so multiple prints of those are allowed. But a coupon should never be copied.
I hope everyone would take heed. An not abuse the coupon system.
I would never copy a coupon. I don’t think anyone is in such need that they have to go to such lengths; and if they are I would hope they could get with a positive couponing group to help. I ask my sisters and others I know if they will print off, or allow me to come over and print off, any coupons they won’t use. My problem is when I do so I try to print in black ink because color ink is so expensive. I have had questions raised about the black/white printed coupons. It is rather embarrassing to have to explain, “I’m not copying, I’m just too broke to afford color ink.”
This same thing happened to me at Walgreens the other week. It was a deal with the Frappacino drinks. Between the IP and the store coupon they ended up being $0.20 (or something close). I was chatting with the lady behind me about the deal the man was doing. I very loudly said that stores can tell if internet coupons were photocopied based on the numbers on the coupon and that photocopying is illegal. The cashier also showed me his coupons and they were all copied (same exact numbers and security code). Sooo frustrating!
For this reason – copied coupons – is why Wal-Mart will not take them. I know Corporate says they will, but getting a local store to take them takes an act of congress. I know some of you are thinking why even bother with Wal-Mart, but I do shop there for other items and if I NEED somthing that isn’t on sale, it is usually cheepest there. Anyways, when I can’t use a IP it becomes frustrating.
Deena, I too have been asked about black and white coupons being copied. My ink is actually running low right now and I am worried that the last few coupons I printed may not be taken. So, I understand about the black and white coupons!
I have done a few couponing classes in my area and have made a huge point to let them know that the stores can tell if the coupon has been copied! T
Thanks Michelle for bringing this up.
Cashiers should be educated to check multiples of IP coupons to see if they have the same unique number and refuse the copied ones. This wouldn’t stop the cheaters from using them at multiple stores. There are other numbers on the IP coupons that uniquely identify the computer/account that was used to print the coupon.
I heard that when the store sends in the coupons to get reimbursed, the manufacturer sees when a person (can tell based on your IP address, which is printed small on the coupons) copies coupons and can BAN that IP address from ever printing their coupons again. Another reason people who copy should not!
I have to admit….when I first started couponing, I didn’t realize this…I printed out numerous copies of each coupon (my printer has some advanced features that allow it to save/reprint a printout). I thought it was okay…but soon realized (thanks to the forums) that if the coupon has the same pin number….it’s an invalid one. I immediately stopped but feel terrible that I had perpetuated the problem of coupon fraud. Thankfully, they never came after me and I now know better. I can’t believe I was so naive to think I could just re-print them.
Fortunately, there are blogs/forums like this that help educate the newbies of the proper way to do this. While I am sure there are some folks that know better and commit fraud anyway, keep in mind there are some new folks who need to understand the ground rules.
this may be a dumb question- but shouldnt their computers be updated so they reject these copied coupons? seems like a software program would be able to do the job much more efficiently than a person, and wouldnt add extra time to my trip. i agree with you that this copying of coupons is wrong and I too am afraid they will stop taking these printables if people continue to take advantage. I also know that in this day and age some computer person could whip up a program that would solve the problem in no time. Makes you wonder why that hasnt already been done…
It’s despicable that people would do that! These companies are offering the coupons as a marketing tool that really helps us save money. Abuse of this “gift” could lead to it being taken away eventually. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
Kudos for posting this information.
I have a question. I do coupon from internet printables and when I go to hotcouponworld.com to print the target printables it has the same barcode. That is not photocopied but you just put the number of how many you would like. So are my coupons from Target not legit or are we talking about manufacture coupons?
I have never had an issue giving black and white coupons. Why throw out money using your color cartridge when you can use your black one. I go to the same Publix multiple times in the week and they know me there. I, however, always have legitimate coupons and can prove it with the codes being different on each coupon if I am ever questioned about it. I do hope that the ones that are committing fraud by copying coupons do not spoil it for us. I have saved SO much money since I started couponing and EVEN more by printing online coupons. My savings would go down if my stores stopped taking printable coupons.
My Publix often takes my IP coupons to the managers desk and they do something on their computers to check the numbers/scan bars (not sure) to make sure they are legitimate. I’ve had one manager come up to me after she checked and said, “I’m sorry but we have to check. We had a real bad case of coupon fraud this week that is going to cost us a lot of money.” Since I have access to so many computers at work, I often have 12 or more IP coupons for the same product. So I’m happy to have them check and find that they are all legitimate. Still, it’s the cheaters who photocopy who make cashiers and managers wary of anyone with coupons.
I was listening to wayfm the other day (It’s a Christian radio station) and they were playing a game “Are you cheaper than a Zack” This lady called in and said she had copied her NEWSPAPER COUPONS on her color copier using newsprint FRONT AND BACK so they’d appear that they were printed by the newspaper.
THe DJ did call her on it and he said something like “You aren’t cheaper than a Zack – you are just a counterfeitter!!” i just wish people would realize this is a form of FRAUD – i believe it may possibly be a felony crime….it’s not just “oh look i saved an extra 50 cents” it’s a serious, serious offense!!!
My ex-husband used to try to encourage me to photo copy internet coupons and i was like “Um no – why would i do that?” and he said ‘SO you can get more cheap stuff.’ i said “I think that’s illegal!” and he said ‘It’s only illegal if you get caught” yeah great guy – no it’s illegal all day long – it just makes your day really crappy when you get caught (it’s not IF you get caught – it *IS* when!!!)
Normally when people at the store are confused about my multiples of IP’s (I have five computers connected to a network printer so i could legitimately print 10 copies if I bothered to…BUT I figure – why bother – it’s just me and the kids – i don’t really NEED 47,000 cans of soup )
I haven’t really paid attention… but do the coupons that you print in pdf form have the same barcode numbers too? What about those? How would you explain how you got so many of those since you can print as many as you need?
Thanks for scanning in these images. I linked to you. Smartsource coupons also have different barcodes.
We get such great deals at Publix there is no need to steal by coping coupons.
I have never and will never use copied coupons. I am thankful for the ones I do receive. And I don’t want to see the store I shop at run the chance of not being paid for them. They work on such a narrow margin as it is.
I to admit when I first started to coupon, I did copy if I saw a really good deal. Then I read somewhere its considered fraud, and IMMEDIATELY stopped. I felt SO incredibly bad that I was cheating the system.
Sarah, The copied ones, they won’t scan, so the cashier has to manually enter as a coupon. So the Computer knows, but the cashier just assumes the scanner wont work for some reason.
My fathers friend often wants me to print coupons for him, which I don’t mind. However, I didn’t know until yesterday, he goes to the the Library and makes 50 copies of EACH! It annoys me to no end. People like him ruin it. I have told my father to tell him that we will no longer print coupons at ALL for him. If he wants it, he’ll have to use his own computer. I have sent him the link for this post
Quiana-the Target coupons, are store coupons, so like PDF coupons, don’t have a IP address incoded, and are meant for multiple prints. We are talking manufacterer coupons.
Thanks Michelle for bringing this up!
I have a random question on that note. The unique code – when you do your second print on your computer, does it have the same code as the first? I print them on my work computer and while it does limit me to two, it prints the same code on both, which to me makes it look like a photocopy.
Ignore that – I wasn’t looking at the right spot!
I’ve never copied coupons but I was accused of copying when I was at a pet store a few months ago. I didn’t know about the different numbers at that time or I would’ve pointed that out. She rejected them because 2 were lighter than the others and on different paper. I tried to explain to her that I printed two at home and 2 at work and that my work printer is set on economode to save ink. She didn’t believe me and said I could take it up with the manager. I did, in fact, take it up with the manager and ended up gettin $25 to that particular store but the experience itself was completely humiliating. It makes me so mad that there are people out there who do this and make it that much harder for the rest of us to use legit coupons.
That is just terrible ppl knowingly copy coupons?!! I love love love printing coupons and getting great deals. So pls stop doing that so you do not ruin it for the rest of us! Thank you Michelle for calling them out on it. 🙂
Thank you for this. I’m new to printing coupons and now I will have an answer at my Publix when they ask me about my faded ink. They can check the numbers. My favorite cashier does a great job with q’s but I’ve had misinformation from other cashiers. I’m always afraid they’re going to start rejecting them because I’m saving my ink.
OK,
Lets clear some of this up I thought that in the past when my husband and myself not on the same computer, his at work and mine at home,printed coupons they had the same code. So I just printed 2 coupons from RP they are the same. When I tried on the SS print they are not the same. So lets hope that when we go into the store that someone does not call fraud b/c we use a coupon with the same code. You should look at this because managers of stores might be reading this and we could all be in a lot of trouble. Try it and see.
Thanks
I had a clerk refuse an internet printable coupon for $.50 off ground purchase that I printed once from a legit website. It is the one that has been blogged about on several sites lately for Kroger. The cashier took the coupon and went to the manager only to come back a few minutes later and tell me that my coupon was copied. I tried to explain to her that I printed this from my home PC printer and not a copier, but she didn’t even give the time of day to explain. I didn’t feel that it was worth a fight to go to the manager myself over $.50, but I feel like I will be viewed as a “criminal” if I go back into that store again. I never copy or would even dream of doing that…I wouldn’t last a second in jail!
I just wanted to make a quick comment. Not everyone who uses internet printables that do not scan should be accused of using fraudulent copies. Up until a month ago we only owned a printer that is almost 8 years old. It will print great but the barcodes are a hit and miss with the scanner at the store. I can print two of the same coupons and one will scan and one will not. I did buy a new printer recently on sale for a really great deal just because I got tired of the “LOOK” after giving my Q’s and some not scanning and the cashiers having to manually enter some (after manager approval of course). I completely agree with everyone here, a few are going to ruin it for everyone.
This also goes for those who steal coupons out of the Sunday Paper racks. Someone else is taking a loss for that.
Michelle-Could you scan in a SmartSource coupon as well to show differences? May be helpful.
Isn’t it wrong to print out several sets of coupons for yourself from different computers? Like use your home to print 2 then your work to print 2? Isn’t that greedy and causing others to miss out on that deal?
I just would feel wrong because that is CHEATING others who are struggling just as you are.
This week at Publix I used my Black and White coupons without any problems after I explained to the cashier that my color ink was out. He said that if they “beep” I will have to see a manager about it. No problems at all. 🙂 He was very nice too.
I happen to know someone who copies a ridiculous amount of coupons to use with the sales at Publix and Publix only. He/She knows that copying them is wrong, but does it anyway. He/She then will use these 20-30 at a time, sometimes more. I shop at this same store and I personally use a lot of LEGIT! IP’s! I asked my husband and a fellow coupon buddy what they thought and they both told me I should tell the manager. So, I did. I showed him examples of how to tell the difference on both a Bricks and Smart Source coupon. He said that he knew whom I was speaking about and that they had figured He/She was up to something and felt they were losing money on them. However, I know for a fact that this individual has been back to this same Publix with more copied coupons! I don’t want them to loose money and take the use of them away totally, but I just don’t know what else to do here!
I also want to say something about the coupons that are put on the site links that are pdf’s are they ok to use? The .50 off off beef was one of the coupons and when you choose your store it prints. I has the same number every time its not ss or rp.
I am thinking that managers read this and we need to make sure we are clear about what is correct. I had a manager talk about the target coupons and the food lion coupons.
It is hard to tell a manager how we are allowed to print some more than others.
By having folks make copies of IP the stores can totally forbid customers from using them. THis happened when we were living in Atlanta. It was quite frustrating for those of us that were using them legitimately.
By having folks make copies of IP the stores can totally forbid customers from using them at all storewide. THis happened when we were living in Atlanta. It was quite frustrating for those of us that were using them legitimately.
I will not use any pdf coupons after being asked about that one and they told me there is coupon fraud.
FYI The beef coupont was put on the link to print for the the publix list from one of the sites last month.
Great post, thanks for bringing this up. I was told at Kroger a few weeks ago that I could only use 2 IPs for fruit snacks, even though I was buying 5 boxes, because they have been having issues with fraudulent coupons. I tried explaining to the cashier how to detect fraudulent IP coupons, but they didn’t seem to care. How sad that they would rather punish the good customers rather than educate themselves. Yet one more reason to shop at Publix!!!
In my opinion I do not think that saving 50 cents is worth going to jail!!! I know there are people who copy IP’s and I believe they know exactly what they are doing and probably do it several times with their coupons…if not with all of them. I think that honesty is the best policy and that there are enough FANTASTIC deals that there is no need to copy! I find it shameful!
The .50 beef coupon was put out by Cargill…I personally called their corporate headquarters to confirm it was indeed a good coupon. In the fine print that coupon was only good one per person per visit.
Thanks for for touching on this subject.I would love to still be able to use coupons for as long as the companies/stores allow!
My mom works at Publix and said one of their customers always comes in with tons of copied coupons and isn’t ashamed to say that she did it. It is very frustrating to me b/c as you said, a few can ruin it for all of us! I often have many copies, but I have five different computers I can use, so I don’t feel like that’s wrong.
I used “copies” in the wrong sense – I have many different printed ones that have unique codes – you know what I mean!
In reading other people’s comments, I hope that the coupon manufacturers do ban the IP addresses of those who photocopy coupons. It would make it much safer for the rest of us to use our legit ones!
I don’t typically get involved with online discussions but I feel like some of us are missing the point here. How is it really any different if you are using multiple computers to print more coupons? I mean, manufacturers give a limit to two coupons for a reason. I would think their intention would be two coupons per customer, not two coupons for each computer that you can print them off of. I think it is a little sneaky to just log on to a different computer and print more coupons. A red flag should go up when someone walks into a store with 10 IP coupons for the same item. I enjoy using coupons, but I get pretty miffed when I’m trying to buy my two items at the store and there are none left because the person before me bought ten because they printed off 10 coupons from 5 different computers. I think some of us are taking things a little too far and getting a little too greedy. Sorry, I know I have probably offended some people here, but let’s take a step back and ask ourselves is all of this worth it if they just stop taking IP’s all together?
What do you think —- I can print one set of coupons from work and one from home. Do you consider that fraud? Just curious……
My publix has no competitor stores around that they accept and I am still able to keep my grocery bill down to about $40 p/wk for a family of 5 only using newspaper and the 2 printables I get per… (sometimes it will let you print more or it resets, but you know.. it’s usually 2!)I don’t copy Q’s!! My store has even started putting all of the booklets and advantage buy flyers at CS! You have to go to CS and ask for them.
I agree with Kay. The manufacturers limit the number of online coupons. If you have five computers and take 10 coupons, that’s 8 less for other people who are trying to save money. So, although it’s not “legally” stealing, you are stealing from those people.
So I personally don’t think that printing from multiple sources is necessarily a bad thing. It, to me, is no different than buying extra copies of the papers. Also, it would be no different then riding a coupon train and getting extra IPC’s that way. If you can legitimately obtain them, then I say more power to you. Also, few people have access to five computers. Most have one at home and possibly one at the office. 🙂
Also, I wonder if maybe all of us on here who use IP’s correctly should ban together and send a letter with examples to the managers of our Publix’s and Kroger’s. Maybe if they realize enough of us are doing right and would like to continue to do right and would like to share our “knowledge” and how a quick scan of the coupon can quickly determine if it is legit. It isn’t people printing extra legit sets wiping off the shelves, it is those who sit with their two and make 50 copies!
Kay — I use many IP coupons that I can print from multiple computers because 1.) I also shop for my mom and my sister plus my elderly home-bound neighbor sometimes; 2.) I shop for things to donate to the Atlanta Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House; 3.) The store is not losing ANY money as long as the coupons are legitimate. The store will be reimbursed in full PLUS a small handling fee. And I never clear out shelves. Never. If I see they are running low on something for which I have 10 coupons, I’ll only take 4 (or whatever) and shop for the remaining items at another Publix later in the week. I don’t think it’s wrong or unfair to use more than 2 coupons just because you can only print 2 coupons from a single computer.
I think people will differ on the case when you print two coupons from a couple computers. I respect those people who would not do that as it conflicts with their own morals….I also respect those people who print off multiple computers. I would not expect my morals to work for you nor would I expect yours to work for me.
as my ink gets lower, my print gets lighter as well…although, i have never tried to use a coupon that was so light it was vague, i have used them that were a little on the light side….main thing is that the code bar is scannable…..i have NEVER photo copied a coupon….but i would be hard pressed to visually tell the difference in those i print on my HP printer from those copied on a good Xerox….
Agree with Coupon Crazy…
If you print from two computers (work and home) to get four of a coupon, how is this any different than buying multiple papers? If I’m out of town or don’t get to the store on time I have a hard time getting a Sunday paper with the inserts. Should I blame the people who buy more than one paper and “stole” my opportunity to buy one?
I am relatively new to couponing and typically use a mix of both IP and newspaper coupons. As long as the IP coupons are legitimate, I don’t think there should be a problem. I have access to three computers so I could print and on occassion have printed up to 6 legitmate coupons at a time for things that we need and use on a regular basis. As I buy for three seperate households and regularly collect items to give to the local food bank, if I need to buy 6 items and I have 6 legitimate IP coupons then I use them. Although the IP coupons I use are legitimate, I have had cashiers question some of them because my ink cartrige or laser toner lessened and the coupons did not come out as dark as when they were new. Although having them questioned is inconvenient, I understand and know that in the end I have nothing to worry about because they are legitimate. I and the other families m pay for the ink and paper to print the 2 coupons/computer and as long as they are legitimate, I think it is acceptable to use them and to expect them to be honored.
Why did the cashier accept them then? That is crazy.
I have never used all five computers to print coupons, and if the intention is to limit the # per customer, then they would force you to log in before printing, which many sites do now. That way, no matter how many computers you have, you can’t print more than your personal limit. I agree that printing multiple copies from my home computers is not any different than buying more than one paper.
I work for Publix. A few days ago my co-worker and I both seen a customer making mulitple photo copies of coupons. The customer came through my line and I apoligized and told her we did not accept photo copied coupons. She insisted they were not even though we watch as she made copies. I too use coupons and love to save money. Publix does not get reimbuesed for photo copy coupons. Please don’t abuse the use of coupons. My store manager has done away with alot of competitor coupons as many were abusing use of competitor coupons. I would not be surprised if my store manager did away with INTERNET coupons completly. Please keep this in mind
What about the PDF coupons? Where you can print as many as you want.
Jodi–Limiting the number of IPs per computer IS the manufacturer’s way to limit the number of coupons per person. There’s no way a “logging on” system would work to prevent one person from printing more than the allowed number of Qs. That would be easier to get around than the current system. They just haven’t found a better way to limit.
I am also knew to couponing. Yesterday I went to Krogers to get some items that were on sale and the cashier was able to scan my printable coupons with no problem. Then I finished my shopping at Publix when I got to the counter the cashier was obvoisly having a bad day. She scanned all of my items and then I passed her the coupons. She says that we don’t take copied coupons. I explained that I print my coupons from the internet and the thought to copy a coupon has never crossed my mind. She called for her manager and explained that she would not continue with my order because I was using copies of coupons. I politely explained that I had just left Krogers and the young lady was able to scan each coupon with no problem. I am very confused and I wan’t to know how I could explain myself if this situation arises again.
The person that made the copies at Publix and then tried to pass them off as valid is an idiot. What kind of a person does this? It gives legit couponers a bad name.
I am glad this was posted. My printer has suddenly in the last week started printing multiple prints of everything. I was keeping the coupons not realizing that it was a printer error because I knew you could usually print at least two per site. I wasn’t going back and checking the site to see if the print limit was reached.
I would not willingly copy coupons because I would not want my stores to stop accepting them. I had the fun task of going through all my coupons and getting rid of any that were multiples. Luckily it seems to do it more on the Food lion and Target sites. I also would not want my IP address to get banned. Hopefully I haven’t used any of these coupons. I don’t think I have as it just started doing it this last week and all my coupons scanned last trip to Publix.
Thank you so much for this post. Now if only I can figure out what the heck is up with my printer. It actually printed a 42 page document twice. Talk about a waste of ink!
You have your printer setting default set to 2 copies. Hope that helps
Okay, but if I use bettycrocker.com or pillsbury.com or any of the recent ones in which you’ve had to submit e-mail address and/or name and/or address, it limits you to one or two prints no matter how many different computers you do it from.
I guess if you used a bunch of different names and/or e-mail addresses, you could “get around” it, but that WOULD be cheating the system.
This is definitely a topic worth discussing…I recently touched on the topic on our blog recently when a fellow cashier came across the same issue with another shopper.
What we can all agree on is that copying IPs is wrong, and thus should not be done. However, it seems unlikely that we will agree on how many coupons, whether IP or coupons obtained from inserts and/or other sources an individual(s) should use at one time.
Personally, my family size dictates the quantity of items I need to purchase at a given time. What pp Kay stated about sticking to her limit of 2, works for her and her family…the same goes for another who requires additional items to feed his/her household…neither individual is wrong in his/her beliefs/values as (s)he is simply being guided by what fills the need.
We would be at the store way too much and out of food extremely fast if I was to only purchase two of an item, as, for an example, we use two jars of Ragu when preparing a meal that requires said sauce. Thus, I purchase more than two, and need access to more than two coupons. So, again, if the coupons are obtained in the manner in which the manufacturer laid out, then it should not matter if a person has to purchase 4-6 jars of sauce compared to 2…but, in our world something of everything matters to everyone, for one reason or another…I say, simply make sure it’s all legal.
Reaping In Abundance,
Kay
How is my mom giving me her 2 IP coupons from her computer any different than her giving me coupons she clipped from her paper? It’s not different. If that were the case then anyone who bought more than one paper would be wrong because they should of only had 1 coupon for something. Is trading coupons wrong because you should only have 2 of each? No! And what about when the delivery person accidently adds an extra insert every now and then. DO you call the newspaper and give it back? NO. I get one paper delivered to my house. I clean 2 homes where the home owner leaves me their coupons because they have no use for them. If I didn’t use them, they would go straight to the trash for nobody to use. That is not stealing. My mom also coupons, but she doesn’t use all the coupons she has access too, but if it is something I would use, she gives them to me and I do the same. I never would make copies. and have never been accused of making copies. Manufactures have to set a limit or everybody would print 20 of each and they would loose money. Most of the time I don’t have more than 4 of any coupon, and that is plenty for my size family. Manufactures want us to use coupons because it stimulates business to their product. The majority of people that use coupons will save $1.00 on something at full retail just to give it a try and then will continue to buy it regardless of whether or not they have a coupon because they like the product. That is what Manufactures count on. They offer an incentive hoping you will add their product to your list every week. I get my coupons legally. Let’s just all play by the rules when it comes to making copies. IT IS WRONG! If you are upset because someone has 2 more extra coupons that you didn’t get it’s probably because you don’t have a way to get them, and probably not because the print limit has been reached. Out of all the coupons I print, I would say only about 5% come back Print Limit reached. There really is enough for everyone out there. Let’s hope a few don’t spoil it for the rest of us.
I am new to this so forgive me if it’s a silly question but I noticed while printing the target coupons today that when you print more then one the same number is under the bar code(ie I printed 4 of the Kellogs coupons and they are all the same). So is this okay? I am following the link provided on this site. I appreciate any input.
Allison, If that ever happens again just show them that the codes are different on each coupon. Look at the top of the post to see where they are located for each coupon.
I too am glad this has been brought up. It fires me up to see folks abusing the system! Those people are and will ruin it for the rest of us who are doing things the honest way. I also get peeved and this just happened the other day and the cashiers were hot about it, and that is someone wiping out a fully stocked shelf of an item because they have 20 coupons. Please consider the rest of those shopping who would like to have some. You can shop differnt times of the week to give others a chance or shop a different stores. Those individuals will also ruin how many of a coupon we can use as people are getting tired of it. Thanks
Coup – Store coupons (Target, Publix, etc.) usually come up in a PDF file and you can choose how many you want to print. Yes, the bar codes are all the same for that coupon, and that’s okay. The actual manufacturer Qs that you print from the internet are the ones that should have a unique ID number on each one of them. Hope that helps.
Anyone who views printing more than two (using different computers) coupons is stealing from others….Do you also feel that printing just two from one computer is stealing from others since that also depletes the total supply available to others vs. printing just one? How about printing one? If you print one, that also depletes the supply. There are a lot of these gray areas in couponing….things that are perfectly legal and legit but different people’s morals drive different views. Other examples include:
+ “Shopping” for Rain Checks….meaning looking for out of stock sale items with no intention to buy but instead use for trading or just a future great deal.
+ Using rain checks beyond a certain timeframe (when they have no limits on expiration)
+ Selling coupons or coupon books (like on ebay)
+ Using “Try Me Free” promos for products you’ve already tried (hence, not in the spirit of the promo)
+ Pulling peelies off products you aren’t buying at the time
+ Shelf clearing
+ Taking more than one coupon from a tearpad or more than one coupon booklet from a display
+ etc.
There are many things that are legal but some folks feel are wrong and others don’t feel are wrong. Likewise, I don’t expect my religious beliefs, political affiliation, sexual orientation, etc. to work for you. The best thing we can do is to respect eachother’s views, even if they don’t match ours.
To all…lets all work together and be honest, so we can all continue to get great deals from a great store for a long time to come!!! Great work Michelle….Thanks for all you do!!
Also, I would like to add that just about all the FLIP’s and Target coupons say right on them limit on per person or transaction. I can’t remember the exact verbiage, but it is clear from the wording that you can only use one at a time. However, I have seen many many times people using more than one. I personally don’t because to me this isn’t legit couponing. Now, if you want to print 10 FLIP’s and go to Publix 10 times, that is your prerogative I suppose.
As for those of you with inkjet printers, I understand that your coupons may look questionable as your ink starts to fade–lol, but those of us with laser printers have an entirely different problem. They print nice and dark and look like copies even when they aren’t! lol
My two cents on PDF’s is that a lot of stores are going to be leery of these right from the start because the differ from the IP’s they are accustomed to. I say here you should only print what you would normally use. (2, 4, etc.) I also think that this is going to vary depending on your own personal convictions.
I still think that we, who use IP’s correctly, need to contact our managers and provided examples and, in a sense, “train” them so that they don’t continue to loose money on people how are cheating the system and fraudulently couponing!
The border of ‘bricks’ coupons prints out EXACTLY who you are, you can view your isp, your computer’s registration number and your zip code in the fine print. If you were to get caught photo copying them and redeeming them in multiple quantities, you could be fined or sent to jail for fraud! The processing plants catch these things, not all the time…but they do.
I have access to several computers so I can print tons of coupons. I once ran into a person who made copies of her coupons and know she is no longer allowed to print certain coupons from her computer. When we register to print coupons we give them our info. The coupons get scanned when they go through the clearing house and can be traced back to the computer they were printed from. Be careful about giving IP’s away as well.
I get embarassed sometimes because I print my coupons on a black ink printer (no color at all) and I feel like cashier’s feel like I made copies of the coupon, when really it’s just my ancient printer. I don’t but too many of one item just because of the clear fact that most of the time I go to publix for a good deal, the deal on that shelf is usually completely gone…literally, zilch. Completely out. So I try to stay in only my family’s means.
I know not all printers will do this, but sometimes you can smudge the ink to see if it’s a copy or not. I can spot a copy a mile away, it loses the clearness of the watermark in the background. It irritates me to see copies, but I do use 4 different computers to print up to 8 coupons, and if its something I use alot, I will ask hubby to go to the link and print 2 more. Why would that be wrong? I dont’ think it is, I’m certainly not making copies of the stuff, that will definately put an end to the online coupons!
I just wanted to add to this discussion that because of fraud my grocery trip took me an extra 45 minutes at the checkout today. Someone else had been copying coupons (IN THE PUBLIX AT THEIR COPIER EVEN!!!!) and also using more coupons than what they actually purchased… so they now have to take the coupons at the beginning of the trip, run them as they run my items, count EVERYTHING I purchase, and then take the $/$ coupons in groups. So instead of the money coming of my bill before coupons which saves me more, they run them in pieces: every time i spend $30, then they will deduct $10 AFTER they have run the coupons for the items. I am now saving less because someone decided to cheat. It’s very confusing, very time consuming, and very difficult and I was met with a bunch of hostility today. By the grace of God, the cheater (whom I know because she works in the same plaza as the Publix) walked in while I was there and I happily pointed her out and also explained about internet coupons, IP addresses, and how we only get 2 per computer. The workers there appreciated my honesty and took my $10/$30 coupons even though they have now stopped the policy thanks to her cheating.
Cheaters never win. Thanks Michelle (of this blog) for this great info and helping my family get through me being laid off and times being difficult.
John — I have never even heard of, or thought of all the things you listed that people do to cheat the system. I must be naive because I was shocked.
Great post. I appreciate the effort to educate people on proper use of IP’s. If you have access to multiple computers then you have the right to print multiple IP’s. If you photocopy a coupon it is just plain WRONG. It hurts all of us to try to do things legitimately.