Saving Big with Online Coupons
Coupons – A Rich History
Do you go through your Sunday newspaper or your mail fliers, look at the coupons, and mutter,”Ho,Hum,” as you toss them in the trash? Do you think the average person does that? If you think so, think again! As a matter of fact, studies have shown that a full seventy six percent of the United States population uses coupons as a money savings device on a regular basis. This amounts to eleven and a half percent saved on the average grocery bill or three billion dollars per year.
Do you think the history of the humble coupon is boring? Think again! The coupon’s history is rich. The redeemable coupon was invented in 1894 by Asa Candler. Asa, as you might or might not recall, was the druggist who purchased the Coca-Cola formula for a whopping $2,300. He handed out handwritten coupons for a complementary glass of his new fountain sensation. Who was next to use coupons as a savvy marketing tool? Does the name C.W. Post sound familiar? It should, he sent out the first grocery store coupon valued at one penny to promote his cereal, Grape Nuts.
Modern Coupons
Today, as we mentioned above, you will find coupons in newspapers and bundled in your daily mail. But since most households today have at least one computer and a printer, coupons have found a completely new venue in which to operate. It all began as a way for companies that provide coupons to issue them and bypass all the expense of printing, buying newspaper space, etc. These are the modern equivalent of coupons – online printable coupons. Even web sites have sprouted up which consolidate all the manufacturers coupons for you before you shop. Online coupons act as a central repository of online coupons to make your search easy when you are in the market for something.
You will find many reputable and top brands on these consolidation sites. Are you looking for general household goods? A good bet might be Target coupons; you can find a Target in most of the communities around the country. Are you shopping for a new computer? You can surf over and look at the Dell coupons. If you really want to do comparative shopping, you are not set on one brand or model, and you need to see all the discounts currently offered, you might want to look at the index of all the companies offering coupons.
The pet market has been booming during the past few years. If you watch TV commercials at all you know about the mail order prescription companies for your pets. But did you know you can get Petsmart coupons online to use while shopping at your local Petsmart store? Just check them out and see if they have a printable coupon for something you were going to purchase anyway.
Coupons for Fun
Who said coupons just have to be for business? Coupons can be fun as well! After all, the whole purpose of a coupon is to hold a piece of paper so that you can redeem it for something. Sure, everyone likes saving a dollar on deodorant, but how about a coupon to give to your child to redeem for a treat when he or she has made good grades? Kids like participating in the concept of exchanging goods and services and this is one way to do it while rewarding good grades or behavior. These coupons are online as well for printing.
Beware of Coupon Scams
It has been with us forever – as soon as someone figures out a way to benefit consumers and promote merchandise, the crooks will step in with some scheme to fleece gullible consumers and folks just looking to make a few extra dollars. And the coupon market is no exception. What are some of the scams associated with coupons? Well, generally the scam artist will entice you to market coupons or clip them. Common sense would tell you that this is wrong because everyone knows that coupons are free to begin with and there is no margin built in for a middle man. By their very nature, the manufacturer takes a slight hit in order to have you try his product; he cannot afford to go beyond that. As a general rule of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true; it probably is.
The Federal Trade Commission has to deal with these fraud issues all the time; check with them and the local Better Business Bureau before doing any business with any individual or company that wants you to work with coupons. And then remember to clip your own coupons, it you don’t you are throwing money away.