Buzz
Couponing may seem straightforward, but with a bit of ingenuity, rules like expiration dates, exclusions, and quantity limits can often be bent or even completely disregarded to maximize your discounts. Here’s what you should keep in mind.
Expiration Dates Aren’t Always Set in Stone
Online and in-store coupons typically come with a clear expiration date. If you miss that date, you’re usually stuck paying full price. However, that’s not always the case. Some well-known retailers have been known to look the other way when it comes to expired coupons, allowing you to still use them for savings. While no store officially claims to accept expired coupons, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they might make an exception. Here are a few stores that have been known to accept expired coupons.
Bed Bath & Beyond: Don’t toss out your old BB&B coupons—they’re known for frequently accepting expired ones. I found this out when I successfully used a three-month-old “20% off any one item” coupon I found in our junk drawer (a situation many can probably relate to).
Michaels: Don’t throw away those expired Michaels coupons—they often work even after they’ve expired. My wife, a regular Michaels shopper, has used expired coupons on several occasions. She even once used a coupon from a competitor that had just expired (though results may vary—her Jo-Ann Fabrics coupon had only expired a day prior).
Lowe’s: I was frustrated to let a “$10 off $50 or more” Lowe’s coupon expire, but instead of tossing it, I decided to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised when the cashier honored it, even though it was past the expiration date. Maybe my charm worked, or maybe she just felt sympathetic, but I’m glad I asked and ended up $10 richer.
Target: Some Target locations will still accept expired coupons. In my experience, the policy varies between stores, so it’s always worth asking when you check out.
CVS: Certain CVS stores have been known to accept expired coupons as well. For instance, I was able to use a $5 off $25 coupon that had expired two months prior at my local CVS without any issues.
While this list of stores is helpful, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll accept your expired coupon, nor is it a complete list. The main takeaway is: if you have an expired coupon, don’t toss it out. Regardless of which store you’re visiting, bring it with you and politely make your case. This is especially effective if the expiration date was just within the last week, as you’re more likely to get some understanding. In many cases, the employee may have the authority to bypass the expiration or might have a similar valid coupon they can scan for you. However, if they say, “Sorry, can’t accept it,” gracefully accept their answer and move on, knowing there will be more coupons in the future.
When using expired manufacturer coupons, always try to use them at checkout. Often, manufacturers allow a grace period beyond the printed expiration date. This grace period could be anywhere from a week to a full month. Once the cashier scans your coupon, you’ll know instantly if it’s still valid or not. You can also use the QSeer Coupon Reader App ($1.99 on iOS and Android) to check the exact expiration date and whether there’s a grace period.
Exclusion Rules Might Be Flexible
It can be really frustrating when a coupon is declined because the item you want to buy is excluded. For instance, I recently tried to use a 25% off coupon at Sports Authority to buy a new set of golf clubs, but the list of excluded brands was so long that I couldn’t find any brands that qualified. Other stores with similarly restrictive exclusions include Staples, Golfsmith, Macy’s, and Office Depot.
The good news is that many stores are willing to bend their exclusion rules in order to keep you happy. Here are a few examples I’ve witnessed:
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Just last week, I was at Dick’s with a coupon in hand and had no trouble purchasing a brand that was typically excluded. The employee scanned the coupon and nothing out of the ordinary happened. It seems their system might not recognize exclusions, or maybe the staff is empowered to override the coupon restrictions and honor the discount. I’ve had similar success at Dick’s on previous occasions as well.
Guitar Center: The exclusion list at Guitar Center is so long that it might seem impossible to use a coupon on any of their guitars. But the good news is that the employees are aware their exclusion list is somewhat excessive, and they typically accept coupons on nearly all new guitars. If not, they’ll often offer you a lower price just for showing them the coupon.
JCPenney: JCPenney’s exclusion rules are a bit different from most. While they exclude brands like Nike, Levi’s, and Sephora, they also include categories such as baby products, kitchenware, and athletic shoes. However, employees have told me that when it comes to these general categories, they’re usually more lenient and will still honor the discount for you.
Coupon exclusions are often the result of brand requests, not store policies, as brands prefer not to be seen as “discounted.” Since these exclusions come from the brands themselves, not the store, many retailers choose to overlook them and let you use your coupon anyway, or find another way to help you score a deal. The takeaway: always try to use your coupon and see how much the retailer values your business.
“Quantity Limits” Can Be Circumvented
Many coupons feature a “Limit 1 Coupon per Transaction” clause, especially for manufacturer-issued ones, which can restrict your savings. If you’re purchasing only one item, this isn’t an issue, but what if you want to use two manufacturer coupons? One simple workaround is to politely ask the cashier to split your purchase into two transactions, allowing you to use one coupon per transaction. Aside from a few annoyed looks for holding up the line, most cashiers will oblige. If they refuse, simply move on and try again during a quieter time.
A more clever workaround is known as coupon stacking. This is when you combine a store-issued coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item. Instead of splitting your purchase, you buy two of the same product and use both coupons. This way, you still get two items, often with the same or greater savings, and save time at the checkout without getting those dirty looks from other shoppers.
Target is a prime example of a store offering a variety of store-issued coupons that can be stacked with manufacturer coupons, allowing you to double your savings. Additionally, if you frequently shop at CVS, Safeway, Walgreens, Publix, or Whole Foods, always keep an eye out for opportunities to stack coupons.
Stores are eager to retain your business and are often willing to adjust their coupon policies to keep you satisfied. The more you understand which rules you can leverage to your advantage, the easier it becomes to save a little extra money on your next shopping trip. Just be cautious not to fall for those coupons that might trick you into spending more.
Photo by Carol Pyles
