If you are just starting to coupon or if you're an experienced coupon clipper, the information you'll find about couponing is an invaluable resource. Make sure you bookmark this page!
Table of Contents
- Where to Look for Coupons
- Types of Coupons in Canada
- Coupon Acronyms and Lingo
- Online Coupon Sites
- Maximize the Value of Your FPCs
- Scanner Code of Practice
- Tips of Smooth Price Matching
- Making a Price Book
1. Where to Find Coupons In Canada
Brochures - Information brochures about products and/or services may sometimes have discount coupons inside
Calendars - Pharmacy calendars often have tear out coupons in the centre and food calendars may offer coupons too
Checkout Receipt - Coupons can sometimes be found on the back or on the bottom of your sales receipt
Coupon Boards - Some grocery stores and warehouse stores have coupon boards when you enter the store, where you can take the coupons needed for your shopping trip
Coupon Club - Freebies Deals And Rewards offers a FREE coupon club for Canadians
Coupon Dispensers - Smart Source has coupon dispensers that are sometimes referred to as a blink due to having a red flashing light on some dispensers
Coupon Inserts - Found in local and National newspapers, usually on the day the sales flyers are delivered
Coupon Swaps - Local gathering of coupon clippers who trade coupons with one another (can also be considering coupon trading)
Coupon Trades - Refers to online trading of unused or unwanted coupons between couponers. You may have several coupons you won't use and another person will and they have coupons you will use that they won't
Coupon Trains - A coupon train is an envelope of coupons sent by the train conductor and follows a mail route from one couponer to the next, each taking needed coupons and replacing with coupons of the same value they don't need
Direct Mail - Sign up for the newsletters and mailing lists of the brands you use to be included in any potential mailing opportunity, which may include coupons and samples
Doctors & Dentists Offices - Many health products will provide exclusive offers to professionals to provide their patrons. A dentist office will often have toothpaste coupons, a doctors office often has baby formula offers, eye drop offers and more
Friends and Family - Don't underestimate the help you could get from friends and family who do not use their coupons, ask them to save any they get for you
Flyers - Retailers sometime offer exclusive coupons inside their flyers which are not available on the flyers found inside stores
Hang Tags - Can sometimes be found hanging on products, such as around the neck of a bottle with an elastic tie or even a cardboard hangtag
Inside Product Packaging - Coupons can found inside some products in a cellophane package
Magazines - Coupons can be found printed on the pages, you can also find peel-off or peelie type coupons on advertisements and the magazine may periodically come with the Clip N Save coupon circular
Newspapers - Coupon circulars are distributed through newspapers, generally on the day the flyers come out or in the weekend papers. Plus sometimes you can find a coupon within the pages of the newspaper too
Online - At sites such as Save.ca, GoCoupons.ca, Brandsaver.ca, Websaver.ca, Rightathome.ca, LiveWellSaveWell.ca, LifeMadeDelicious.ca, travel sites, grocery store sites, retailer sites, manufacturer sites and social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter. You can find both printable coupons and mail out coupons
On Product Packaging - A large variety of products have on packaging coupons, including cereal, milk, water, pop, meal kits, etc
Product Sampling Events - Grocery stores and other retailers will have product sampling events where you can taste foods and beverages or demo products and they give you coupons in return
Publications - Other than magazines and newspapers, there are many newsletter type publications
Samples - Often samples received through the mail or other methods will come with money saving coupons to save off your next purchase
Shoppers Voice Survey - A Canadian survey company providing coupons as incentive for completing shopping surveys
Tear Pads - Pads of coupons found hanging at product shelves or on product displays that have tear away coupons
Welcome Wagon - If you're new to an area, getting married or having a baby; you can attend a Welcome Wagon party and receive local merchant info, samples and discount coupons
2. Types of Coupons Available in Canada
Printable Coupons - (found online at various sources, like manufacturer sites and social networking pages, retailer sites, etc)
Coupons By Mail - (through Websaver.ca, Save.ca, GoCoupons.ca, Life Made Delicious, SC Johnson Right At Home, manufacturers, sample offers, etc)
On Packaging Coupons - (found on boxes, behind labels, on milk bags/cartons, etc)
Peel-Off Coupons - (that are attached in magazines and onto products)
Call-in Coupons - (requested via telephone, can be ongoing on a special promotion)
Tear Pad Coupons - (found near the products on a tear away pad)
Booklet Coupons - (usually containing recipes or product information with coupons)
Hang Tab Coupons - (found on the necks of bottled products)
E-coupons or Online Coupons - (valid only to use online at a specified website)
Insert Coupons - (Can be found in various newspapers and magazines. Canadian inserts include: Clip N Save, Unilever, SmartSource, RedPlum, Shop & Save)
Mail In Rebate Coupons - (used to request reimbursement of purchase price)
Manufacturer Coupons - (Can be found through samples, surveys, direct mail, social pages, newspapers, magazines, brochures, flyers, on packaging, in stores)
Store Coupons or Store Specific Coupons - (Can only be used at the specific store, some competitor stores may accept store coupons, check coupon acceptance policies or speak with the store manager)
Provincial Coupons - (Can only be used within the specified province)
3. Coupon Acronyms and Lingo
AC - After coupons (referring to the amount paid after coupons were applied)
Addy - Mailing address (usually referred to with coupon trains and coupon trades)
AR - After rebates (could include both instant rebates and mail in rebates)
Blinkie - Coupon dispensers found attached to product shelves, often having a red flashing light, hence the name blinkie
BOGO or B1G1 - Buy One Get One Free (you can use this term in various ways, including B2G1, B4G2, etc)
Checkout Coupon - Coupons found on the back or bottom of a cash register receipt
CNS - Clip N Save coupon insert
Coupon Insert - Found in local and national newspapers, including: SmartSource, Shop & Save, Red Plum, Unilever. Also found in magazines, including Clip N Save
CO - Cents off coupon
Envie or Envy - Envelope (usually used when trading coupons or with coupon trains)
EXP - Expiry or Expiration Date
FAR - Free After Rebate
FPC - Free Product Coupon or Full Price Coupon
FWP - Free With Purchase
GDA - Good Deal Alert
GWP - Gift With Purchase
HT or HGT - Hang Tags for refunds or cents off coupons handing on a product
HV - High Value Coupon
ISO - In Search Of
MFR - Manufacturer (could be used "MFR Rebate")
MIR - Mail In Rebate
NED - No Expiration Date
ONYP - On Your Next Purchase
OOP - Out Of Pocket
P&G - Proctor & Gamble Brandsaver Coupon Insert
Peel-Off or Peelie - Coupons found affixed to magazine pages or on products that you peel off
PP - Purchase Price
Printables - Coupons that be printed online from a manufacturer or store site, through a survey or social networking site
PSA - Prices Starting At
Q - Coupon
RACK or RAOCK - Random Act Of Coupon Kindness
RC - Raincheck
RLF - Really Looking For
RP - Red Plum Coupon Insert
SM or SMP - Specially Marked Packages
SS - SmartSource Coupon Insert
Stacking - This is when stores allow you to use more than one coupon per purchase, you may stack a store coupon and manufacturer coupon or you may just stack manufacturer coupons
Tear Pad - A pad of coupons or rebate forms found hanging from a store shelf or display
TMF - Try Me Free Coupon
UNI - Unilever Coupon Insert
UPC - Universal Product Code (the barcode on products, usually required to be mailed with mail in rebate offers
WQL - While Quantities Last
WSL - While Supplies Last
WYB or WUB - When You Buy
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary, this may be used if a deal is found at a particular store but the same deal may not be offered at your local store
4. Online Coupon Websites
Mail Out Coupons
www.brandsaver.ca
www.gocoupons.ca
www.lifemadedelicious.ca
www.livewellsavewell.ca
www.rightathome.ca
www.save.ca
www.websaver.ca
Printable Coupons
www.livingwell.ca
www.mcdonaldscoupons.ca
www.smartsource.ca
5. Maximize The Value Of Your Free Product Coupons (FPCs)
In-Store BOGO Sales and Promotions
Many retail stores have promotions where select products are buy 1 get 1 free. If you happen to have an FPC for the product, then you can get 2 for free.
Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Program
Use your FPC's when SDM is having a Bonus Shoppers Optimum Points Event on the Product.
Zellers, SPC Card, and HBC Rewards
Use your Tax Free FPCs (valid mostly food items) combined with your SPC card (if you still have a student in the house or were lucky enough to win one of the VIP SPC cards at SPC's Facebook page) which gives you 10% off your total. Then the extra money you saved will be taken off your other purchases, plus use your HBC Rewards Card for extra points too!
Loblaws Chain / Real Canadian Superstore - No Tax Event
From time to time Loblaws Chain of Grocery Stores offers a No Tax Event where you don't pay taxes on purchases over a certain dollar value. This is an ideal time to use your FPC's and save taxes on the taxable FPC's.
Air Miles Program at Your Participating Grocery Stores and Drugstores
Air Miles has some great promotions on specified products. You can use your FPC's on these products and still earn Air Miles Rewards Miles.
6. Scanning Code of Practice or SCOP
Key Features of the Code
The Item Free Scanner Policy – The Retailers’ Promise of Price Accuracy.
If the scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum. When the item has a price tagged, the lowest price applies. When identical items are incorrectly priced, the second one will be sold at the correct price.
What does the Code cover?
The Code covers all scanned merchandise at participating retail outlets where this sign is displayed at the store entrance or checkout.
Scanning Code of Practice
If the scanned price of a non-price item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the first item free, up to a $10 maximum. If a Code of Practice problem cannot be resolved at the store level, please call 1-866-499-4599 to register your complaint.
What is a non-price ticketed item?
A non-price ticketed item is any bar coded merchandise that does not have a price affixed to the merchandise.
What happens if two or more identical non-price ticketed items are incorrectly scanned?
Customers are entitled to the first item free (up to a maximum of $10) and the subsequent item(s) at the correct price.
How can I claim my refund?
Cashiers are authorized to implement the Item Free Scanner Policy.
If you are not satisfied with the cashier’s decision, you may speak to the store manager or supervisor. If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you may register a complaint with the Scanner Price Accuracy Committee, by calling 1-866-499-4599 (toll free). Your complaints and concerns will be addressed with the retailer, and you will be notified of the outcome.
ALWAYS watch the prices as the cashier scans your items to ensure the correct price is charged. I tend to check over my receipt while still in store to be on the safe side. You can take the receipt to customer service for adjustment if you do notice a discrepancy that should have been SCOP'd!
7. Tips to Ensure a Smooth Price Match
1. Gather all applicable sales flyers, a pen or marker and your shopping list pad/paper/iphone app.
2. Circle all of the items in the competitor flyers that you plan to match at your desired store and make your shopping list. You must bring the competitors flyer with the advertised price to get the price match, but it also helps if you circle the item beforehand using a highlighter so you can easily find it at the checkout. I also use the paper clips on the price matched pages.
3. Make a notation on your flyer or shopping list of the matches you intend to do. Before you ask for a price match, remember that you must ask the store to match the exact same item and model number. The advertised items in the sales flyer usually states the size and type. Competitor stores can only price match the EXACT advertised item, so be careful with items that are marked “selected types and sizes” in the flyers.
4. Know your stores' policy and read all of the fine print ahead of time.
5. Separate your price matched items from your regular store purchases on the checkout conveyor belt.
6. Armed with your competitor sales flyers, always tell the cashier that you are price matching items and show proof of the price from the competitor flyers that you bring with you.
7. Have fun saving money!
8. Making a Price Book
1. Make a list of all of the items that you frequently buy. Such as: ground beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables, pasta, cheese, bread, crackers, snacks, milk, etc.
2. Make a separate page for each item. Make 7 columns and title them with the following: Date, Store, Item Brand/Product, Size, Unit Price, and Notes. Make sure that you leave enough space at the top of the page to write down what the item is.
3. Now it's time to add some information. Label each of the price book pages with an item and use any receipts that you have to begin filling in the information. Not all of the information will be on the receipt so you can leave some spaces blank and just fill them in next time you go to that store. In the notes section, write whether or not the item was on sale or you used a coupon.
4. Calculate the unit price by dividing the cost of the item by the amount that was in the package. For example if you bought a 16 oz can of beans for $0.64 then the price per ounce would be $0.64/16, or $0.04/oz. Once you know the unit price, you can compare grocery prices between different sizes of packaging.
5. Alphabetize and categorize your price book so you can easily find the items you are looking for. You can organize it further by alphabetizing each category too.
6. You can also add information from the store sales flyers to your book every week. After you initially make a price book, it's easy to maintain. Just add entries to it as you shop, and change any outdated information.
7. Over time you will be able see which things go on sale and how often. You will also be able to compare grocery prices at different stores so you can buy your items at the least expensive store. When you see a sale, you can check your book to make sure that it really is a good deal. You'll be able to avoid marketing ploys.
It takes a little bit of time to make a price book, but it is definitely worth it. The time you invest will be paid back many times over as you save money over and over again on the groceries you purchase at a savings!
Watch for new information soon about organizing coupons, stacking coupons, contacting companies for coupons and much more!!!
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