What is a Blinkie? and Other Frequently Asked Questions

[flash]

"Blinkies" are coupons distributed in stores by SmartSource Coupon Machines; the nickname "blinkie" refers to the machines blinking light designed to attract your attention while walking down the aisles. Machines typically provide a coupon directly in front of the product.

New Design (in stores approx 7/15/07):




Old Design:


Blinkies may be taken and used any time before the expiration date at any store that accepts manufacturers’ coupons. The machines typically have a slot on top for consumers to replace them if they are not interested - coupons in this slot are also available to anyone.

Coupon machines are placed in the stores approximately once a month, and are refilled periodically, often weekly, by an employee of SmartSource. As with the SmartSource newspaper inserts, coupons and values will vary by store and region.

Other types of "blinkies" coupons include those distributed by the SmartSource Box:




and the SmartSource shelf take one box (frequently rebate forms):



Q: Are blinkies manufacturer's coupons or store coupons?

A: Blinkies are generally manufacturer's coupons, but occassionally they are Store specific coupons (For example at Publix, occassionaly Publix coupons will be put into the machines. These have no bar codes and can only be used at Publix or at a store that accepts Publix competitor coupons.)

Q: Can I use a blinkie in conjunction with an insert coupon or another type of manufacturer's coupon?

A: As mentioned above, blinkies are generally manufacturer's coupons and so are not able to be stacked with other manufacturer's coupons. In the occassional instance when a blinkie is a store coupon, stacking would depend on the policy at your store.


Q: Which stores have blinkies?

A: Grocery stores generally have blinkie machines. The machines have also been spotted at Walgreens, CVS, and Kmart.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Tip for blinkie machines:

Take coupon and pull out

As the next coupon is rolling out of the machine grab ahold of the coupon and hold coupon in place, not letting it fully spit out coupon. Hold in place untill you feel the machine start to draw the coupon back in, then pull. A new blinkie coupon will spit out.

Continue to hold the next coupon in place till the machine starts to draw it back and pull. Repeat...

This will usually let you get 5 or 6 coupons without having to wait for the machine.

[meen]

what does dnd5 or 9 means??

[scoobytrec]

Thank you so much for the info - I hate waiting:)

[MrsPinecone]

I don't know if QOTHs tip works with the new style of blinkie machine. It worked like a charm with the old ones.

[gvt611t]

HI,

I never seen this blinkie ,where exactly blinkie standing in wallgreens ,cvs pharmacy?, thanks for the information.