Mail in rebates are a sneaky way to make things look cheaper than they actually are at the point of sale, since many consumers never actually get any cash back. Now New Jersey’s state Assembly is considering legislation that would require retailers to charge shoppers the after-rebate price on goods, instead of forcing them to mail in or submit online requests. If the retailer still wants to take advantage of the rebate, that’s no problem; he’ll just have to mail it in himself. [More]
coupons
Kmart Rejected My Coupon, Saying Deal Was 'Like Cash for Clunkers'
By 5.4.10
Andrey tried to use a coupon at a Chicago Kmart but was denied by the manager, who said the funding for the coupon was all used up, like “cash for clunkers.” [More]
Walmart Manager Hates It When You Donate Loss Leaders To Homeless Shelters
By 4.27.10
At Walmart, no good deed goes unpunished. Lisa said she tried to buy up a bunch of health and beauty supplies at Walmart to donate to local homeless shelters, and instead got a lecture in economics from the shift supervisor. [More]
Coupon: 2nd DQ Blizzard For $.25
By 4.20.10
DQ something the same: get a second DQ Blizzard for $.25 when you buy one with this printable official coupon (PDF). Be a pal or be a glutton, the choice is yours. [via Ben’s Bargains] [More]
Electronic Coupons Are Watching Your Every Shopping Move
By 4.17.10
If you like printing out coupons from the Internet but don’t like for retailers to know too much about you, um, now might be a good time to stop. Coupons sent to cell phones or printed out from sites like Ebates.com or even Facebook can contain info all about who is spending money on what products, how often, and so on and so forth, all in a bid for retailers to better market to consumers. [More]
Tips For Spotting A Fake Coupon
By 4.2.10
The sea of coupons is fraught with peril, but CouponSherpa has some tips that will help you navigate these treacherous waters. [More]
You Can Use Bed Bath And Beyond Coupons At Babies 'R' Us (Sometimes)
By 4.2.10
Did you know hat you can take those super-awesome Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off one item coupons and use them at Babies “R” Us? Blogger John of Baby At Play heard about this coupon swap, and investigated the situation on behalf of all parents and doting friends and relatives. Turns out it can be done…but not all stores participate. [More]
Perhaps You Would Like A Delicious Ham For Your Passover Seder
By 4.1.10
If you’re worried that grocery store loyalty and discount cards let retailers amass a detailed profile of you and use your buying habits for marketing purposes….don’t worry. Safeway, at least, doesn’t actually seem to be paying attention. That’s the conclusion you can draw from the coupon that Steve says printed out during his shopping trip for his Passover seder. [More]
Hey Domino's, Thanks For The Coupon That's Not A Coupon
By 3.9.10
While it’s relatively pleasant to be writing a story about Domino’s that doesn’t involve a robbery, this is still not a good news post. Consumerist reader Tim recently attempted to use a coupon while ordering online from Domino’s, though apparently no one told Domino’s that their coupons should actually work. [More]
Cheaters Ruin 1-800-Flowers Chocolate Box Promotion For Everyone
By 2.12.10
The chocolate box/flowers promotion seemed like a great idea. On certain boxes of Harry London candy sold in chain drugstores, there was a peel-off coupon offering up to $20 off an order from 1-800-Flowers. The problem is that some unscrupulous shoppers went into stores, peeled all of the coupons off, sold some codes on the Internet, and ruined the promotion for everyone. Now 1-800-Flowers has put a stop to the promotion, and is canceling already placed flower orders out from under customers. Not cool. [More]
Target Sent The Dude Who Lived Here Before Me Better Coupons
By 1.25.10
Joanne is awesome because she has no problem admitting her mail thievery. Nothing serious, but if she gets a couple different sets of coupons, one addressed to her apartment’s former resident, she keeps them rather than give them back. [More]
Free Tacos!
By 1.15.10
Taco Bell is giving away printable coupons for free Fresco Tacos. Valid until a million taco coupons are printed. The rules say the manager’s decision is final on whether or not to accept the coupon so if there’s a mad free taco rush and Mr. Stanley doesn’t feel like comping another Fresco Taco, don’t come crying to mama. [More]
South Carolina Cops Rewarding Seatbelted Drivers With Chick-Fil-A Coupons
By 1.7.10
Getting pulled over in South Carolina has its benefits. If a highway patrolman pulls you over and finds you wearing your seatbelt, he can reward you with a Chick-Fil-A coupon, the Greenville News reports: [More]
Lowe's Coupon Invites You To Spend More, Save Less
By 12.24.09
Lowe’s mailed Phillip this coupon, imploring him to deny logic and spend $250 to get what at first glance appears to be the maximum savings. But Phillip used some mathemagicianal reasoning and discovered that it pays more to spend less in the case of this coupon set. [More]
My Bloomin' Onion Coupon Vanished
By 12.8.09
Aaron was so close to a free Outback Steakhouse Bloomin’ Onion appetizer he could practically feel the fried batter clogging up his arteries. [More]
Why Is Sears Being So Sneaky On This Dishwasher Rebate?
By 12.4.09
On Black Friday, Sears offered free installation on select Kenmore dishwashers in the form of a rebate coupon. The coupon is pretty simple to understand as far as these things go–buy one of the listed models, and Sears will pay for the installation. According to William, however, the listed model that he wanted remained out of stock only for the duration of the coupon. When he asked Sears to honor it the next day, they agreed to–but then after he bought the dishwasher they told him he had broken a nonexistent rule and therefore had voided the coupon. [More]
Arby's Coupon Promotion Wastes Trees, Mystifies Customers
By 11.29.09
Mike received this coupon sheet when buying a $5.01 combo at Arby’s. We get it, Arby’s, the combo is such a good deal that you don’t need a coupon. You’ve made your point. We don’t need thousands of useless coupon sheets that will go straight into the trash around to make the point for you. Thanks, commenters–evidently, this is the tray liner, so not so much a waste of paper. But a 1 cent coupon is still inherently silly. [More]
Pizza Hut Says It's Fixed Its Broken Online Coupon System
By 11.23.09
Dave, the guy who get an online Pizza Hut coupon to work, is now an unofficial quality assurance freelancer for the corporation.
