DISCLAIMER:
** I am not a Coupon Queen
** I do not know how to get $100 worth of stuff for 15cents.
** I am a woman who happens to use coupons.
There are a lot of things to watch for if you are new to using coupons, one being to not be fooled by the photo on the coupon.
Sometimes, a manufacturer will release a coupon that can be used for any of their brand of products, but they will put a photo of one of their pricier products on the coupon so the consumer gets programmed (fooled) to buy the one in the photo. This happens a lot! Often times, the consumer misses an opportunity for a really great deal or a free product.
Just a small sampling of examples I've noticed in my own shopping:
KY Jelly had a "$3 off" coupon.
Photo on coupon featured a product priced for around $15.
Not pictured was the KY Jelly 2oz size priced at $2.62.
Apply coupon.
Free product (plus 38
¢ in cash returned to you, depending on the store).
Reach Floss had a "$1 off" coupon.
Pictured was a toothbrush and a floss, each priced for around $2.
Not pictured was the Reach Floss priced at 97
¢.
Apply coupon.
Free product (plus 3cents overage).
Colgate had a couple of coupons for "75
¢ off".
Pictured was Colgate Total priced over $3.
Not pictured was the 3.5oz basic Colgate priced at $1.
Apply coupon. Toothpaste for 25
¢.
Reynold's had a "$1 off" coupon.
Pictured was their new No-Stick foil. That's what they want me to buy.
Not pictured was the regular Reynold's Foil at $1.52.
Apply coupon. Quality foil for cheaper than you can buy at the dollar store!
Cache Valley put out a coupon for "one free product".
Pictured was almost a dozen of their products.
Not pictured was the 5-lb slab of cheddar I was eyeing for waxing.
Apply coupon. Free $15 cheese! The cashier fought me on this one, but I knew the purchase was allowed and let her call a supervisor over who confirmed what I had stated.
M&Ms put out a coupon "$1off two" Valentine's products.
Pictured were about half a dozen of their holiday offerings.
Not pictured was their holiday treats priced at $1.
Apply coupon. Visiting teaching tokens for 50
¢.
These photos sometimes even fool cashiers. I've heard so many times "this is not the product pictured on the coupon." And then I have to point out the text stating "good on any (brand) product".
Remember, READ the coupon, don't let the photo fool you into using the coupon for something more expensive or into not using it at all because you think it's for a product you do not normally use.