Tips And Tricks For Using The Coupon Database

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I am just going to use this thread to post tips and tricks for using the coupon database as I come across them and notice issues that we see as we are verifying entries in the database. Members please feel free to post your tips, tricks and questions here.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Entering your coupon: Start the coupon with the brand name. Do not enter the coupon entry with "Save", "Any", "On" or anything other than the brand name of the product.

Example (Wrong): Save $2 on any cereal WYB 2 Dixie Ultra Bowls, any count

Example (Correct): Dixie Ultra Bowls, Any Count (1) And Save $2.00 On Any Cereal


Why....because when the coupons are listed on a members have or wish list they are displayed alphabetically, thus making the coupon easier to find. However, when a coupon entry starts with something other than the brand name, it is listed out of order. In the example above instead of being listed in the D's for "Dixie" this entry would be listed in the S's for "Save"

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Entering your coupon: Do not include how many items that you need to purchase unless there are multiple values.

Example (Wrong): Clearblue pregnancy or ovulation test, any ONE

Example (Correct): Clearblue Pregnancy Or Ovulation Test, Any

Why...because the value of how many you have to purchase is already in the value field for example the above coupon is $1.00/1. Putting the "One" in the description field is redundant information since that is displayed in the $1.00/1 value field.

However...if you have a coupon that is for multiple values you would need to list those out in the description field.

Example: Kraft Cheese, Any (1) 16 Oz. Package Or (2) 8 Oz. Packages (Value would be listed as $1.00/1, because you always use the lesser number in this case off 1 and not 2)

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Searching for coupons: Always leave off all punctuation when searching for coupons. Not everyone is good about putting in the correct puctionation when they enter their coupons so it is best to search the database with out it.

Example (Wrong): Kellogg's Or L'Oreal Or Hershey's

Example (Correct): Kellogg Or L Oreal Or Hershey

Why...you will just get better search results!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Reporting A Coupon Entry: If you find a coupon that is a duplicate, is entered incorrectly or has missing or incorrect infomation you may report the entry to the Database Admin team and we will correct it as soon as possible. However we get a lot of reported entries that do not tell us what the issue is or what is wrong with the entry. This causes us a delay in getting all the reported entries fixed in a timely fashion.

You may only report a coupon is you are a registered member and are logged in, this is required so that we know who reported the coupon. If you are logged in, you will see a drop down menu next to each entry in the database. One of the options will be "Report" select report and you will get a dialog window that will have the entry you are reporting. In the report fix the fields that need fixing. And if you have a message for the Database Admin team enter it in the "description field" for example if the coupon is a duplicate just type that in the description field and we will go and look for the other entry and merge the two together. If a coupon link (printable coupon) is dead, just put "Dead" in the description field.

If you do not fix the coupon in the report dialog box or give us a message the report shows as blank for us and we have to either guess what is wrong with the entry or we simply mark the coupon as normal and move on. However blank reports slow us down. So please fill out the report dialog box. If you have made a mistake and clicked report by accident, just click cancel and the coupon will not be marked as reported.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Categorizing your coupon: Eggs are "Refrigerated" not "Dairy"

Dairy is for products that come from a cow (or other milk product)

'Nuff said

[shelleyf]

Thanks Heidi for all the helpful tips. I didn't know some of these so this is awesome of you to let us know.

[PurrMinn]

Thanks Heidi, this is really helpful!!!

[ssfkat3]

cows don't lay eggs? I tried to tell mom I needed to spend time on my aunts farm, dang city raising is for the hmmm, birds?

seriously though, the few times I've reported a database item, it never has given me any option to put in any info, I click report, and that's it, nothing else happens.

(kidding on the eggs...Even I know they come from the Roosters!)

[ssfkat3]

TIP: when entering your have's, type in first word, second if need be, they will show up on the list, just need to match up rest of info ie exp date, quantity, price. Makes it quick when you get right down to it.

also, if you try to enter something already ON your have list, it will tell you so when you try to enter it again. (after choosing the right one as above)

WISH: Now if only there was a easier way to match those have's with other's wishes...One at a time is ok, but if the same person has more than one wish for what you have, it would be far easier to have them all come up at once, vs clicking thru each item's drop down menu to see if that member is listed on anything else...not sure that got explained very well, its late!