What so bad about internet coupons again?

[TiffanyHope]

As I've been reading here and there I've seen people mention that the internet printable coupons (you know the ones that pop up on my screen everywhere while I'm trying to navigate the internet) are not always, or usually accepted by a lot of stores and to be careful.

I'm curious about that because as I've been reading the different store coupon policies (Walmart, Albertsons, Smiths, etc) they all say that they take internet printable coupons as long as they specify an amount and date, and have a readable barcode and address. I haven't printed any coupons out myself yet (want to make sure its a good deal before using my printer ink) but have looked at them on webites like *********.com, coupons.com, redplum.com, and ********.com. Has anyone tried using coupons from any of these sites? Do they print out with the barcode and everything needed?

I would love your feedback, both the good and the bad before I get sucked in to this seemingly easy way to get coupons. Thanks so much!!!

[vannfamily5]

redplum, smartsource, coupons.com and websites like Kraft all print with barcodes, expiration dates and look like a normal coupon you would find in the paper - just on paper from your printer.

Some cashiers are not properly trained in their stores coupon policies, so it's best to carry a copy printed from their website, or one you've gotten by emailing the store's customer service department.

Hope that helps,
Lori

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Check the HCW coupon database. We check over all the printables before they go live to make sure they are legit. We feel that SmartSource, Coupons.com and Red Plum are highly reliable and safe. Bricks coupons are good too and any others that use print limit technology. Printable coupons have come a long way and as long as you know where they are coming from you should be good to go. Printable coupons for free product are rare and should always be questioned for the legitimacy. We always scrutinize (much to some of our members dismay) anything that is in PDF or other formats that allow unlimited prints. Sometimes these are not legit and sometimes they are.

[TiffanyHope]

Oh, so they actually limit how many coupons you can print.... That's interesting. Do you think that's from each computer? I wonder how that works. Makes sense though. Thank you. I think I'll try it!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Most sites that make you download a software in order to print their coupons limit you to printing 2 coupons per computer. That is per computer. So if you want more than 2 of those coupons then you can print from another computer. I use my husbands computer and my kids computer to get extras.

It sounds like you have the same stores I have (Walmart, Smiths and Albertsons) and all are pretty good at least here about accepting printable coupons provided that they scan and are not for free items. I ran into a local store yesterday Don's Supermarket here where I live that told me that they do not accept printable coupons due to "So many coupons that are fake" what is funny is that this is a pretty small town and I am pretty much the only "hard core" couponer in town. I doubt that they have gotten any fake IP's ever but instead have heard about them and decided to just not take them. It's OK I don't shop there because they are too expensive anyways and the other stores will take my coupons without a problem. I told them yesterday when I went in for salad because I was on that side of town that I would just take my printable coupon to Walmart and walked out.