Buzz
Coupons can be a bit unpredictable, but some stores offer great savings. The best part is that many of these retailers will still accept expired coupons without hesitation. Rather Be Shopping provides insights into which stores are typically more lenient with expired offers.
Kyle James from Rather Be Shopping shares a few helpful tips for using expired coupons. He recommends being polite and not demanding that stores honor your coupon, as they aren’t obligated to. Keep in mind that your experience may differ depending on the location.
With that in mind, here are a few retailers from his list:
CVS Pharmacy
: CVS updated its coupon policy in 2013, becoming stricter about accepting expired coupons. However, it's not an absolute rule, and many cashiers still have the authority to manually accept expired coupons if they choose to do so.
Petsmart
: According to a current employee, Petsmart does indeed accept expired coupons, but there’s a catch. Only Petsmart-issued coupons can be used, not manufacturer coupons. The good news is they’ll accept Petsmart coupons for up to 6 months after the expiration date.
Lowe’s
: Last fall, while installing laminate flooring, I needed a few tools and found myself at Lowe’s with an expired in-store coupon. The coupon had expired only 2 days prior, yet the cashier instantly overrode the system to apply it. I asked if that was standard, and he explained that many cashiers will make an exception if the coupon is within 7 days past its expiration date.
Bed Bath and Beyond
: Bed Bath & Beyond’s iconic 20% off coupon for a single item can lead to big savings, especially on pricier purchases. But if you find yourself with an expired coupon before heading to the store, don’t worry. Use it anyway—either it’ll be accepted, or the cashier will pull out a fresh, non-expired coupon and scan it for you.
Here’s another trick for Bed Bath & Beyond: If you make a large purchase and don’t have a coupon at the time, they may allow you to return later for a rebate once you get coupons in the mail. I used this method once when I bought a lot of curtain panels. They didn’t give me the discount right away, but they said I could come back with coupons and they’d refund the difference, as long as I had my receipt. Keep in mind, your experience may vary.
James has compiled a list of other well-known retailers that may accept expired coupons, so be sure to check it out below.
Image courtesy of Swipp Inc.
