COUPON LINGO & COUPON POLICIES

Common Coupon Lingo and Acronyms-

B1G1, BOGO, B1G1F – Buy 1, Get 1 Free or B2GO, B2G1, B2G1F - Buy 2, Get 1 Free

.50/1 - Fifty cents off one item or $1 /3 – One dollar off 3 items

Blinkies - Coupon dispensed near product, in the store (usually from a “blinking” red box)

Catalina or CAT - Coupon dispensed at the register at the time of purchase (on separate paper)

ECB - Extra Care Buck (CVS)

ESR - Easy Saver Rebate (Walgreens)

HT- Hang tags

IP - Internet Printable (a coupon you print off the internet)

IR – Instant rebate

IVC - Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens store coupon, found in Walgreens Easy Saver Catalog and on in store tear pads)

MFR or MFG - Manufacturer

MQ - Manufacturer coupon

MIR - Mail in Rebate

OOP - Out Of Pocket

OYNO – On your next order

PA – Price adjustment

Peelie - Coupon that you peel off the package

PG - Proctor & Gamble Sunday insert coupons

PSA – Prices starting at

Q - Coupon

RC – Rain check

RP - Red Plum Sunday insert coupons

RR - Register Rewards (these are the Catalinas that print out at Walgreens)

SCR- Single Check Rebate (rebate system at Rite Aid)

SMP – Specially marked packages

SS - Smartsource Sunday insert coupons

SRP – Suggested retail price

STACKING – Using store coupon with manufacturer coupon

Tear Pad - Pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display

TQ – Target coupon

WYB - When You Buy

CRT: Cash register tape

PSA: Prices starting at

________________________________________________________

Target Stores Coupon Policy


Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping with us, and it's easy to use them at our stores.

• Target accepts one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item (unless prohibited)
• Super Target coupons can be used in any Target store if the store carries the item
• We gladly accept valid internet coupons

Because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target.

When accepting coupons, we use the following guidelines:

• We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued.
• We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.
• We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.
• We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.
• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier while you're checking out.

Target Coupon Policy Link: http://www.target.com/Coupon-Policy-Store-Merchandise-Information/b?ie=UTF8&node=2223357011

________________________________________________________


CVS Coupon Policy/Emailed Information


Our registers are set to allow one CVS coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item. However, the staff should be allowing customers to use Extra Bucks in combination with other CVS coupons since these are coupons you have “earned.”

In addition, they should be allowing the use of one “offer at the register” coupon which would be an open offer of $3 off of $15 or a certain dollar amount off of a specific item. Since our registers are programmed to only accept two coupons (one CVS, one manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased a member of management will need to assist the cashier in processing the coupons.

CVS/pharmacy will accept coupons printed from the Internet. They must have a legible barcode that scans at the register. If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should politely inform you that we are unable to accept your coupon. We do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet. CVS/pharmacy will not accept offers printed from unauthorized internet postings or reproductions, copies, or facsimiles.

CVS/pharmacy does not accept competitors coupons.

When an item is on sale for buy one, get one free and the customer has a buy one get one free coupon for that same product, the coupon will be accepted and both items will essentially become free (plus any applicable sales tax).

Also, two manufacturer coupons can be used on a buy one get one free purchase as long as two items are scanned at the register. The system logic sees two items scanned and will allow two coupons.

________________________________________________________


Walgreens Policy/Emailed Information


As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.
Guidelines:


General

• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
  
• Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
  
• Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
  
• Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
  
• Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
  
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register Rewards^TM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
  
• Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.
  

Sale Items

• Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.
  
• In the event that any item's selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.
  

Multiple Coupons

• When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
  
• The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).
  
• When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.
  

Buy One, Get One Free Coupons

• When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.
  
• Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.
  

Internet/Print at Home Coupons

• Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.
  

Register Rewards^TM coupons


Earning Register Rewards^TM

• Register Rewards^TM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.
  
• Register Rewards^TM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.
  
• There is a limit of one Register Rewards^TM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.
  
• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
  

Redeeming Register Rewards^TM

• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
  
• Refer to Register Rewards^TM coupon for expiration date.
  
• The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.
  
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
  
• Register Rewards^TM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.
  
• Register Rewards^TM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.
  
• Register Rewards^TM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Ineligible items include but are not limited to:
  
• 
  
  
  
  • Prescriptions
    
  • Tobacco products
    
  • Alcoholic beverages
    
  • Dairy products
    
  • Lottery tickets
    
  • Money orders/transfers
    
  • Transportation passes
    
  • Special event/entertainment tickets or passes
    
  • Postage stamps
    
  • Gift cards/phone cards/prepaid/Green Dot^TM cards
    
  • Prescription Savings Club" memberships
    
  • Health care services, including immunizations
    
  • Any items prohibited by law
    

Link: http://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/generalhelp/coupon_policy_main.jsp?_requestid=37856
________________________________________________________


Rite Aid Coupon Policy



Rite Aid gladly accepts manufacturer coupons, Rite Aid coupons and certain Internet/Print at Home coupons in all stores as detailed in these coupon acceptance guidelines:

GUIDELINES:

Multiple Coupons

· Rite Aid accepts manufacturer coupons and Rite Aid coupons for the purchase of a single item. However, no coupon’s redemption amount can ever exceed the price of the item.

· Only one manufacturer coupon is accepted for each product, unless coupled with another manufacturer coupon found in a Rite Aid circular.

· Rite Aid may accept multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers within the store manager’s sole discretion.

· Rite Aid reserves the right to limit bulk purchases of items if the purchase will deplete our supply for other customers.

Buy One, Get One Free Coupons

· When items are featured on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the item being purchased.

· Buy One Get One Free coupons cannot be used in conjunction with a Buy One Get One Free promotion.

· Be advised that the cash register will compute any sales tax due, which sales tax varies and is defined by applicable state law.

Internet/Print at Home Coupons

· Rite Aid only accepts coupons printed off the internet from manufacturer’s websites, emails and coupon websites up to a maximum of $5.00 off per item as long as the coupon redemption amount never exceeds the price of the item.

· Rite Aid coupons are not considered internet/print at home coupons, even when they are printed from an internet site or an email, and therefore these coupons only are not subject to the $5.00 limit.

Total Purchase Coupons

· From time to time, Rite Aid may feature total purchase coupons which discount the total purchase amount based upon meeting specific requirements. For example, $5 off a $25 purchase price threshold coupon.

· Any manufacturer coupons that may be presented with a total purchase coupon will be deducted after the purchase total has been determined.

· Rite Aid may accept more than one total purchase coupon as long as each total purchase coupon is used in separate transactions with each transaction meeting the minimum purchase requirements. Rite Aid reserves the right to limit the number of total purchase coupons that may be used by a customer in a single day.

Sale Items

· Rite Aid will accept coupons for an item that is on sale.

· In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Rite Aid will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.

General

· Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash

· Competitor coupons are never accepted at Rite Aid.

http://content.riteaid.com/stores/CustomerCouponAcceptancePolicyAugust2010.pdf
________________________________________________________

Walmart Coupon Policy New 3/6/11 edited 3/23/11



We gladly accept the following types of coupons*

• Print-at-home internet coupons
  
  
  
  • Must be legible
    
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
    
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
    
  • Must have a valid expiration date
    
  • Must have a scannable bar code
    
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
    
  • Are acceptable in black and white or color
    
  • May not be duplicated
    


• Manufacturers' coupons
  
  
  
  • For dollar/cents off
    
  • For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
    
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
    
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
    
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
    
  • Must have a valid expiration date
    
  • Must have a scannable bar code
    
  • May not be duplicated
    


• Competitors' coupons
  
  
  
  • A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
    
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
    
  • Have a valid expiration date
    
  • Are acceptable in black and white
    


• Soft drink container caps
  
• Checkout coupons ("Catalinas")
  
  
  
  • Printed at our competitors' registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
    
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific item requirements printed on them
    
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
    
  • Must have a valid expiration date
    
  • Must have a scannable bar code
    
  • Are acceptable in black and white
    
  • May not be duplicated
    

We DO NOT accept the following coupons:

• Checkout coupons
  
  
  
  • Dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase
    
  • Percentage off the entire basket purchase
    


• Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
  
• Competitors' coupons
  
  
  
  • Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
    
  • Percentage off
    
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without a specified price
    
  • Double- or triple-value coupons
    

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
  
• Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
  
• Only one coupon per item.
  
• Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).
  
• There is no limit on the number of coupons per transaction.
  
• Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
  
• If
  coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to
  the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.
  
• WIC or SNAP items purchased in a WIC or SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
  
• Great
  Value, Marketside, Equate, Parents Choice, and World Table coupons have
  no cash value and are ineligible for cash back or application to the
  basket purchase.
  
• The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
  
  
  
  • 40 coupons per transaction.
    
  • A coupon of $20 or greater on one item
    
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction
    

Print a copy: http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

________________________________________________________


Albertsons Coupon Policy/Emailed Information



The Albertsons Corporate policy states the following:
 Valid coupons are accepted if the customer has purchased the necessary merchandise.
 Coupons must be redeemed at the time of purchase of the specific product. Coupons may not be redeemed after the transaction has completed.
 Expired coupons are not accepted.
 Coupons cannot be converted to cash under any circumstances.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dollar General Coupon Policy

Dollar General is pleased to accept Manufacturer’s Coupons and Dollar General Store Coupons at any of our more than 8,700 stores. These coupons come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, print-at-home (internet), direct mail, product packaging, and in-store coupon boxes.

Our coupon requirements are as follows:

Dollar General will accept coupons, including Internet Coupons, provided they meet these requirements:

1. Coupons must be original (no photocopies)

2. Coupons must have a scan-able barcode

3. Coupons must have an expiration date

4. Coupons may be used only on products sold at Dollar General, and must match exactly to the item as it is packaged and sold at Dollar General.

5. Coupons must clearly say “Manufacturers Coupon” or “Dollar General Store Coupon”

Dollar General will NOT accept the following:

1. Manufacturer’s coupons that do not scan, or Dollar General Store Coupons with an invalid promotional code

2. Expired Coupons

3. Coupons for products not sold at Dollar General

4. FREE Item coupon if printed from the Internet, unless a purchase is required (example: a “buy one, get one free” is acceptable).

5. Coupons from other retailers or coupons that may be used only at other retailers

In addition, unless the coupons state otherwise, you may use multiple coupons in one transaction. You may also use a Dollar General coupon along with a Manufacturer’s coupon for the same item, as long as neither coupon states otherwise.

Ref: http://www.dollargeneral.com/OurStores/Pages/CouponPolicy.aspx

!!!!! !!

Thanks! This is very useful information!

Priceless information!

Wanda....thanks so much for the info. I've used the CVS & Walmart policy already as they used to give me a hard time....no more thanks to you. Going to use the Dollar General one today....never been there but I'll be "armed & ready" with the policy if they give me a hard time.

I actually wrote to CVS, to see if they would send me a copy of their CVS coupon policy and they replied with that is information they can not send out from the Corporate Headquarters and that I should inquire with the store manager at the store I frequent.

Sounds to me like its up to the individual stores descretion? That would certainly account for why we all don't get the same reactions when using coupons at different CVS locations. That's kind of frustrating I think.

well that is good to know!

Walgreens has posted their coupon policy, so I have updated it here and added a link

thanks Wanda!

Walmart has new coupon policy, I have updated it and posted the new link so you can print it if you like.

Two big changes:

* You should now be able to use Walgreens Register Rewards (they are a “catalina” manufacturer coupon)!
* “Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.”

They also state that they accept competitor coupons that have an actual price for an item. This is not a $1 off coupon, but a coupon that states that the item costs $1. We get A LOT of coupons like this in the Walgreens weekly ad.

Walmart has changed their policy again...you can not use register rewards per their new policy.

updated RiteAid coupon policy with link!