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How To Stack Coupons
Stacking coupons to get items for free, or close to free can be confusing, but if you follow a few simple rules, you can do it! (YES, even IN Canada!!)
There are a few basics you need to know about couponing, read below....
Prohibitive Wording
First, let’s go over the ‘prohibitive wording’ found on some coupons which make them UNSTACKABLE.
- ‘Cannot be combined with any other COUPON offer’
- ‘Use of more than one manufacturer’s coupon per product purchased is strictly prohibited’
Different Barcodes
Coupons that LOOK the same but have different barcodes can be stacked together, as long as they don’t have ‘prohibitive wording’. For example, the following 2 coupons came from 2 separate Smart Source newspaper inserts. Note that the coupons look identical aside from the different barcode numbers. They can be stacked together to DOUBLE your savings on diaper wipes. This is also an example of how it can pay to be patient when coupons come so you still have them when the next batch is released. Just be careful to watch for expiry dates.
Different Sources
Coupons from different sources can be stacked together, as long as they don’t have ‘prohibitive wording’. For Example, here is how I recently paid .74c a box for the Huggies wipes:
a) I looked for the BEST advertised price I could find at the time, which was Superstore at $3.49. I took the Superstore Flyer to London Drugs and asked them to PM the wipes to the Superstore price from their price of $3.99, so I’ve taken .50c off the London Drugs price before I even get started. Keep in mind that most stores will have a limit on how many items you can purchase with a price match.
b) I used the 2 smart source insert coupons along with a .75c coupon from the Smart source printables website www.smartsource.ca to make my TOTAL savings 2.25 ( .50 on PM, and 1.75 with coupons) $3.99-$2.25= .74c/box.
Ask Questions, Start Small
If you are at all unsure, don’t be afraid to talk to someone at customer service about what you are planning, and go over the rules. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, at least you haven’t spent hours picking things out just to be disappointed.
Be Organized, Patient and Friendly
I try to organize my ‘stacks’ in advance and place one with each item to make it easier for them. Remember that the rules and coupons out there are changing all the time for them too, and it can be terribly confusing for staff. You may have had all day to plan out your shop, and they may be seeing this combination for the first time and need to look things over carefully. I always tell them that I understand when they apologise for taking so long to read everything on your coupons. They are just covering their ‘butts’.
Be Ready
As always, keep a copy of the coupon policy (if available) for that store handy so you and the cashier can refer to it if you need to.
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How To Stack at Save On Foods
Although the stores are part of a corporate chain, each SOF store manager has been able to dictate the specifics of their coupon policy. We learned this by discussing couponing with the manager of one of the Sherwood Park stores. Some are sticky and will not accept stacked coupons if they say 'cannot be combined with any other offer. Others accept stacks as long as they don't read "cannot be combined with any other coupon offer". Just ask your SOF to find out what their policy is.
Officially, to stack, you have o have coupons from different media ie. one from a coupon insert, one from the internet, one in-store coupon, etc.... However, we have stacked different barcodes from the same media many times and w have never had a problem.
How To Stack at Safeway
There has been a bit of controversy over stacking at Safeway recently. Officially, they don't allow you to stack, but we have found that each store seems to have their own rules and nuances. Some of these suggestions may or may not work at your Safeway...
BOGO- You can use a coupon on each product. For example, say crackers were on B1G1 free and each box was $3.00. If you have two $1 coupons, use one on each box and then you essentially get two boxes for $1. Safeway should till get their money back from the manufacturer.
How To Stack at London Drugs
LD is FANTASTIC about stacking coupons/ First, they would prefer if stackers came during 'off hours'. Avoid the store between 11:00 - 2:00 and 5:00 - 7:00. Couponers also have to go to customer service to make their purchase as the regular cashiers can't ring in the stacks. They also want to avoid holding up other customers (pretty smart if you ask us).
LD usually accepts stacks as long as each coupon has a different bar code and none of the coupons read "cannot be combined with any other coupon offer". Many great deals can be had by price matching from a competitor flyer and then stacking at LD. Note: you can only buy 4 of a proce matched item at a time at most of the LD's out there. London Drugs will also order product in for you to avoid shelf clearing. If you see a sale coming up and you would like to buy in bulk, simply call ahead and get them to order the quantity you want!
