manufacturers issue coupons because...
♥ coupons increase sales of their product
♥ coupons encourage consumers to try a new product
♥ coupons encourage consumers to switch brands (this is why coupons print at checkout when you buy a competitor's product)
♥ coupons are a form of advertisement (Even if you do not actually clip or use a coupon, you see the advertisement that contains the coupon, which helps build brand and product recognition.)Stores accept these coupons because...
♥ it's profitable. In addition to the face value, the store usually receives an eight cent fee for accepting a manufacturer's coupon. this covers the cost of processing the coupon for redemption and then some.
coupons accepted are sent to a clearinghouse for processingcoupons are sent in plastic bags or pouches to the store's corporate headquarters, typically once a week.
corporate headquarters then boxes all of the bags of coupons (still separated by the individual stores from which they came) and ships them to a third-party clearinghouse.
The clearinghouse has to sort all coupons by manufacturer and separate the non-scannable coupons (with UPC codes that are torn, smudged, etc.)
One system places scannable coupons face up on a conveyor belt, where they are moved along under a scanner that reads the UPC codes. Damaged coupons that can't be scanned have to be sorted by hand and added up separately.
The other system is to do the whole thing by hand. some clearinghouses outsource this work to other clearinghouses - in Mexico, for example. In football field-size warehouses filled with long tables, computers and numbered boxes laid out in grids, thousands of people, almost all of them women, empty sacks of coupons that arrive from the United States by the truckload. They then sort and scan the coupons.The clearinghouse submits the coupons and an invoice to the manufacturer
The clearinghouse is paid a certain amount per coupon by the retailer, plus shipping and handling.
in some case the manufacturer pays the amount of the invoice to the clearinghouse, and the clearinghouse pays the retailer after deducting its payment. in other cases, the manufacturer will pay the retailer directly, and the retailer then pays the clearinghouse its fee.
In some cases, the manufacturer will recount the coupons to avoid fraud - a process that may send the coupons through another clearinghouse! The whole cycle takes about a month.
problems with this process
FSI (free standing insert, sunday newspaper insert) coupons are usually considered very secure because they are printed in color and on glossy paper. however, A simple color copier and glossy paper can make copies of coupons that are virtually undetectable. Since FSI coupons do not have unique coding, manufacturers and retailers are unable to easily detect counterfeits.
internet printed coupons have unique security codes that can be verified. however, this verification is not performed until after the coupon has been redeemed!
While consumer misredemption seems to be the major concern we hear about in the news, most manufacturers are more concerned with retailer fraud. under the current system, manufacturers are reimbursing stores for coupons without knowing who redeemed them, what product was purchased with the coupon, and when and where it was redeemed. dishonest retailers may simply add unredeemed coupons to the coupons submitted for reimbursement.
more opportunity for corruption exists at the clearinghouse level. clearinghouses can manipulate coupon submissions, deductions, charge-backs or adjustments to the retailer and/or manufacturer. this is what international outsourcing services did, resulting in $250 Million in coupon fraud!the future of coupons may be Electronic Coupon Clearing
electronic clearing systems have been proposed that would enable retailers to scan and validate coupons immediately. when the coupon is redeemed by the consumer, the system would capture the consumer's name or id #, the product purchased, the cash receipt number, the date, the time, and the store location. all of this information would be transmitted to the manufacturer electronically and coupons would not need to be sent to a clearinghouse. paper coupons would then be stored for a certain amount of time in case of any need for an audit.
another system seeks to eliminate clipping coupons, with a key chain size scanner branded and distributed by retailers to customers. the customer scans a coupon with the push of a button, or downloads it to the device from their home computer. later the consumer can dock the Coupon Scanner at the checkout lane to redeem the coupon. The device could also be used to redeem paper coupons for online shopping. the software would keep track of the number of redemptions by a customer and only allow them to redeem a coupon the number of times specified by the coupon.my sources:
howstuffworks.com | all about coupons | pbase.com | washingtonpost.com | Electronic Coupon Clearing - White Paper By ScanAps | couponsurfer.com
see also:
IOS LLC responsible for $250 Million in coupon fraud, not us!
everything you need to get the best deals at cvs
how manufacturer's coupons work
july 2009 clipfree coupon book
view ad: html or pdf
♥ Bayer Breeze2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System $19.99 get $5 eb Limit 2eb are not printing for the breeze monitor as of 7/26! (looks like the sale being advertised this week is overriding the eb.)
-$19.99 Breeze2 or Contour Meter, up to $30.00 off RP 10/26/08, RP 02/01/09, or SS 3/22/09
♥ Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System $19.99 get $5 eb Limit 2-$19.99 Breeze2 or Contour Meter, up to $30.00 off SS 3/22/09
Accu-Chek Aviva Diabetes Monitoring Kit $14.99 get $5 eb Limit 2Fuze 18.5oz or Nestea Iced Tea 20 oz get 1 eb wyb 3 Limit 5
Gatorade or Propel 6 packs, assorted varieties get $3 eb wyb 2 Limit 5
Lipton Iced Tea 16-20 oz get 1 eb wyb 2 Limit 5
Precision Xtra Advanced Diabetes Management System $14.99 get $5 EB Limit 2
Acidophilus Pearls 30 ct Save $2
Alaway Antihistamine eye drops .34 oz Save $3
AlcoHAWK Slim Alcohol Tester Save $5
Always Infinity Pads 14-18 ct Save $.70
Always Infinity Pads 28-36 ct Save $1.80
Anbesol Liquid .41 oz or Gel .33 oz Save $1
Answer Pregnancy Test 2 ct Save $2
Benadryl cream 1 oz or Cortaid Cream 0.5-2 oz or spray 2 oz Save $1
Biggest Loser Supplement Protein Powder 10 oz or packets 8 ct Save $2
Bio Ears Antibacterial soft silicone earplugs 3 ct Save $1
Bufferin Regular or extra strength 130 ct Save $2
Coppertone NeutraShield Sunscreen Lotion 3-6 oz Save $1
CVS/pharmacy Protective Pantyliners 44 ct Save $1
DenTek Floss Picks 35-90 ct Save $1
Digestive Advantage Lactose Intolerance, IBS, Crohn's & Colitis or Gas Prevention 32 ct Save $1
Durex Condoms 12 ct Save $2
e.p.t. Pregnancy Test 2 ct Save $2
Evian Natural Spring Water, 1 ltr 3/$3
-$1 off 2 Dasani or Evian 1 liter bottles reinventing beauty magazine
Excedrin Menstrual Complete Express Gels 20 ct Save $2
Excedrin Migraine or Extra Strength 250 ct Save $2.50
Fleet Saline Enema Twin pk., 4.5 oz each Save .50
Flexitol Heel Balm 4 oz Save $3
G.U.M. Super Tip Toothbrush 4 pk Save $2
ICE Medical ID portable emergency medical information card Save $2
Ivarest Poison Ivy cream 2oz or cleansing foam 6 oz Save $.50
K-Y Intrigue Personal lubricant 2.75oz or Yours+Mine 3 oz Save $2
Kank-A Soft brush gel 0.07oz or mouth pain liquid .33 oz Save $.50
Kerasal Exfoliating moisturizer foot ointment 1 oz Save $2
Lactaid Fast Act Easy Caplets or chewables 60 ct Save $2.50
Lady Speed Stick Clinical Proof 1.5 oz Save $1
Lamisil AT Cream 24 g or Gel 12 g Save $4
Lanacane First Aid spray 3.5oz or anti-itch cream 1 oz Save $2
Life Fitness Life's DHA Complete, Energy or 50+ Multi 90 ct Save $8
Life Fitness Premium digital body scale Save $10
Little Tummys Gripe Water 4oz, laxative or gas relief drops 1 oz Save $3
Lotrimin Ultra Antifungal Cream 24 g Save $2
Lumene Time Freeze - Day Cream, Night Cream, eye stick 1.7oz, mask 2.5oz, serum, wrinkle treatment or eye cream .47-1oz $19.99
Maxell 8mm or VHS-C camcorder tape 3 pk Save $1
Mederma Skin care for Scars .70 oz Save $3
Mederma Skin care for scars 1.76 oz Save $5
Mega-T Green Tea 30-90 ct, Effervescent Packettes 14 ct or plus 30 ct Save $2
Monistat-7 7 day cream with applicators or combination pack Save $2
Murine Ear wax removal system .5 oz Save $4
Murine Earigate 3.3 oz Save $4
Nad's Facial Wand .2 oz Save $2
Nature's Tears Eye mist two 1 oz bottles Save $4
Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave Kit Save $2
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator Save $5
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator puffs refill 24 ct Save $2
Oasis Moisturizing mouth spray 1 oz Save $2
Orly Nail Color, Tea Tree Oil 0.25oz, Callus Away or Healthy Hoof protein treatment 1 oz Save $1
Pedi-Scrub Foot Butter or Spongeable Applause Hand Buffer Save $1
Preventin-AT Save $5
Reclear AF Antimicrobial Nail Solution 1 oz Save $2
Red Bull Energy Drink 2/$5
Refresh Eye Drops Redness Relief 0.5oz or eye itch relief .17 oz Save $4
Renu Origional or Multi-Plus 12 oz Save $2
Revlon Fing'rs or Nailene artificial nail kit Regular Retail $5.99 or more Save $2
Right Guard or Soft & Dri Deodorant Spray 6-10 oz or Right Guard Twin pk 20 oz total Save $1
Skin Zinc Seborrheic dermatitis & dandruff or Actifade Skin Lightening system Save $5
Sleepinal Capsules 32 ct Save $2
Smart Mouth Long-Lasting mouthwash 16 oz Save $3
Splat Rebellious Colors Color, Bleach & Peroxide Kit Save $1
Stayfree Pads 24 ct or Carefree Pantyliners 38-60 ct Save $1
-Stayfree product, excluding Jumbo bogo (up to $6.99) SS 06/28/09
-$1 off 2 Carefree products (34 ct +) SS 06/28/09
Stim-U-Dent Plaque Removers 100 ct Save $.50
Styli Styl Eyeliner pencil, eye shadow or 5-pc pencil sharpener set Save $1
Sun Effects SPF 45 Continuous Spray 6 oz Save $3
Thera Breath Oral rinse 16oz or toothpaste 4 oz Save $3
Ultra-Light Rollatore (supports up to 250 lbs) Save $35
Wartner Plantar wart removal system 10 applications Save $3
Vagistat-1 1 pre-filled applicator Save $2
my sources:
slickdeals
06/21 - 06/27 weekly deals
view ad: html or pdf
♥ Frank's RedHot $1 -$1 Franks Redhot Sauce SS 5/17/09
♥ sobe lifewater 20 oz or gatorade 32 oz bogo-sobe bogo
♥ SoyJoy Bars 4/$4 get $4 eb WYB 4 Limit 5Peanut Chocolate SoyJoys do not count towards this deal
-$2 off 10 SoyJoy SS 5/31/09
-$1 off 2 SoyJoy (bogo up to $1.39) SS 5/31/09
-$1 off 5 soyjoy
♥ Thermacare Neck to Arm Wrap 1 ct $2.49 get $2.49 eb Limit 2 Thermacare Neck shoulder & wrist wrap 1 ct is also $2.49 and generates eb
-$1 ThermaCare lower back & hip, or neck & shoulder, or menstrual Heat wrap V 4/19/09
-$1 thermacare, any
Almay Pure Blends Foundation or Face Powder $13.99 get $10 eb Limit 3-$1 Almay cosmetic product (exp 06/21/09) SS 5/17
-$1/$3 Almay color cosmetic, any CRT
Aussie, Pantene or Herbal Essence $5.99 get $2 eb Limit 4
Aveeno get $10 eb WYB $20
Clairol Perfect 10 $11.99 get $2 eb Limit 1
-$5 Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor RP 6/21/09
Clearcare $8.99 get $2 eb Limit 2
Coppertone Suncare $8.99 get $2 eb Limit 2
-$1 coppertone, any
-$5 coppertone nutrasheild
Crest, Fixodent or Oral B Multipacks (PSA $4.99) get $3 eb Limit 1
Depends 14 - 20 ct $11.99 get $2 eb Limit 1
-$2 depends 14-40 ct or poise 12-72 ct
Gain 2x or Tide 2x Detergent $12.99 get $3 eb Limit 1
-$1 Gain detergent (by mail)
L'Oreal Extra Volume Mascara $7.99 get $2 eb Limit 1
-$1 LOreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara or any other Eye Product V 4/19/09
-$1 LOreal Mascara Eye Shadow or Eyeliner SS 6/14/09
Mitchum Deodorant $2.99 get $1 eb Limit 1
-$.75 Mitchum or Mitchum for Women product SS 6/21/09
Nexxus get $5 eb WYB $10 Limit 1
Pepsi 2 Liters 3/$4 get $1 eb WYB 3 Limit 2
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip Eye Shadows $10.99 get $5 eb Limit 1
Tampax Pearls 41 - 45 ct 2/$14 get $4 eb WYB 2 Limit 3
Tresemme get $5 eb WYB $10 Limit 1
Tylenol 20 - 24 ct $4.99 get $2 eb Limit 3
-$2 off Tylenol Rapid Release crt
always pads 20-48 ct or dri liners 68-80 ct $4.99
always infinity 28-36 ct also ringing up $4.99
-$4 Always Infinity ,28 ct+ P&G 6/7/09
Bayer Quick Release Crystals 20 ct $4.99
-$2 Bayer Quick Release Crystals 10 ct V 5/31/09
-$2 Bayer Quick Release Crystals 10 ct + CRT
Digiorno Pizza For One or Red Baron Deep Dish Singles $3
-$1 off 2 Digiorno Pizza for one SS 6/14
-$.75 Red Baron Singles SS 5/10/09 or SS 4/19/09
Nature's Bounty or Flex-a-min bogo Limit 6
-$6 Flex-a-min Joint Care RP 6/21/09 (use 2 coupons)
♥ FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System $9.99
-$9.99 FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System, any 5/17/09 ss
-$9.99 mir included in package
French's Mustard $1
-$.50 French's Mustard
-$.30 Frenchs Classic Yellow Mustard SS 3/29/09
-$.50 Frenchs Classic Yellow Mustard SS 5/10/09 or SS 6/21/09
Friskies Canned Cat Food 2/$1
-$1 off 15 Friskies Canned Cat Food SS 4/26/09
Huggies $8.99
-$3 Huggies Pull Ups Training Pants, Jumbo Pack or Larger (exp 6/21)
Kraft BBQ Sauce $1
-$1 Kraft BBQ Sauce (from coupons.com, no longer available)
Starbucks Coffee $6.99
-$1.50 Starbucks coffee 10 oz. or 12 oz. bag
my sources:
slickdeals
hot coupon world