COUPON DATABASE - General Instructions

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Instructions for the HotCouponWorld Coupon Database

*** Please be aware that QOTH enters most of the INSERT coupons to the database, so it is not necessary for members to enter them till after she uploads them!!!***

(Work in progress as we add features this will be updated)

Where do you FIND the coupon database?

The coupon database can be found in your top toolbar.
Click coupon resources link: (Pic)


That will give you a drop down menu, from which you click on Coupon Database: (pic)


Now you will be taken to the coupon database which looks like this: (pic)

How to search the coupon database

First, familiarize yourself with the fields of the search page:

• Description – Here you will type in what you’re looking for. EXAMPLE: Typing in Betty Cake will pull results for all Betty Crocker cake mixes etc.
• Amount – Type in the amount off that you're looking for. EXAMPLE: Typing in 1 will pull results for coupons that are for $1.00
• Off – Use this in conjunction with Amount to narrow your results. EXAMPLE: Typing in 2 in conjunction with the example above for amount will pull results that are $1.00 off 2
• Source– Choose from the drop down menu to find coupons from a specific source. EXAMPLE: Choosing Blinkie will give you a list of all Blinkies that meet your search requirement
• Expiration Date – Choose from the 3 options to meet your needs. Not expired, expired, or all. This is good for those of you who can use expireds. Or if you want to check past coupons.
• Comments – Search the comment field. EXAMPLE: Typing in DND 5 will pull results of all coupons matching your search criteria that are DND 5 OR Typing in the insert date in this format (mm-dd-yy) and insert type (SS, V, or P&G) --01-02-07 SS-- will pull up that insert.
• Store - Search for store only coupons by typing in the store name. EXAMPLE: Typing in "Albertsons" will pull up results for all Albertsons store coupons.

Tips for searching:

• Check spelling or do a partial word search if you're not getting what you're looking for.
• Forget apostrophes. It’s easier to search without them. EXAMPLE: Type in Furmano instead of Furmano’s

About the results page:

• Results are limited to 200 coupons per search. If you don’t find what you're looking for please narrow your results.
• Printable coupons and forms are clickable links that will take you directly to the site for your printing pleasure.
• Sort your result page by clicking the header at the top of the column. This will sort in ascending or descending order. Great for helping you find just the coupon you are looking for.

Report a bad coupon:
Each coupon in the database has a symbol next to it >> . Click that icon to send a report via PM to me. Either I or another member of the Super Mod team will get that coupon either fixed or deleted from the database.

Add a coupon:
(pic)

Here is some rules to help keep the database clean.

• To prevent some forms of attack, some characters (*, %, ^, &, etc) have been restricted from being most fields.
• Description (required) - Just like on the coupon. If you encounter a bad character (see above), please work around it.
• Amount (required) - No dollars signs. Use .1 or 1 or B1G1 or Free. Only letters or numbers.
• Off (optional) - Pick one or none.
• Source (required) - default is blinkie, but change it to what it is.
• Expiration Date (optional) - If you leave it blank it will assume a rolling date. Normally it will be blank only for printables. It can also be NED.
• Source (optional) - If you use a hyperlink make sure you put http:// in fron of it. Also, watch those characters.
• Store (optional) - A new feature on the database. Please be specific.

Remember, it will be about 24 hours to get a coupon rolled over to the live database. Sometimes we get them live in less time and sometimes it takes longer. If you have made an error in entering in a coupon sometimes you will receive a PM asking for clarification or further details.

If you have any comments or complaints please PM Mark or Queenofthehivemomof5

Note about the Store feature. The store feature of the database is for store ONLY coupons. You can search for store only coupons by typing in the store name when searching. When adding coupons please only type in the store name if the coupon or rebate is only good at that store. Please do not put the store where you found the coupon!

Note about entering in "Buy X Get X Free" and "Free" coupons: Buy this to get this free coupons are not free coupons. You must make a purchase to get the item free. If your coupon states buy X to get X free please enter it like the example below:

Example:

Brand: "Feline Pine Cat Litter Free Up To $2.00 WYB any Friskies Cat Food 3 Lb. +"
Amount: "B1G1"
Off: "2"
Source: "Booklet"
Expiration Date: "02/27/2008"
Comments: "DND 5"
Store: "Albertsons"

If the coupon requires you to purchase 3 items to get 2 items free (or other's) you would enter B3G2, or...B2G1, B10G3, etc etc etc. Always enter in the total number you must purchase in the Off section. B10G2 = 12, B1G1 = 2, B4G1 = 5 Ect.

Free coupons should only be entered in as free if the coupon or offer is totaly free. An example is below.

Example:

Brand: "Nature Valley Granola Bars, Any Up To $1.99"
Amount: "Free"
Off: "1"
Source: "Peelie"
Expiration Date: "02/25/2007"
Comments: "Found on Select General Mills Cereals"
Store:

If you have questions about how to enter a coupon, rebate, try me free, etc in the database please do no hesitate to post your questions here in this thread or PM one of your super mods.

As new features are added to the coupon database we will update and bump this thread.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Bump for additions to the OP!

You may now officialy add coupons to the database! Mods can now verify them and get them added. It will be about 24 hours maybe sooner, maybe longer before your coupons are live in the database. All previous entries have been verified. Some were messed up so they got deleted. So if you added something, and its not in there..ad it again.

If you come across any errors while adding or searching the database please PM Mark and let him know.

If there are bad links for printables please PM me. Right now we do not have the report a bad coupon feature just yet!

Check out my note above on store coupons too.

Thanks!

[sbp]

Bumping!!

***New Feature! Store coupons. In the search field you can type in the name of the store and find store specific coupons! Also in the on the ADD page you can add store specific coupons. Please don't put what store you found the coupon at in the store field, only if a coupon is store specific!!

[MrsPinecone]

Hi, everyone! Thanks for entering your non-insert finds into the HCW database!

One thing-- the box for STORE. This box is not for the store where the coupon was found. You need to enter the store name into this box ONLY if it is a store-specific coupon. If it is a manufacturer's coupon that was found at a particular store, you can add that info in the comments section.

EXAMPLES:
CVS coupons that arrive in the mail
Coupon from Publix Evacuation Route flyer that is redeemable ONLY at Publix

Thanks again for making the HCW database so great.

[MrsPinecone]

If you are searching for or entering military-only coupons in the database, here are a few helpful bits of info:

• Commissary-only coupons will be entered as Military Commissary in the store field.
• Exchange-only coupons will be entered as Military Exchange in the store field.
• If the coupon came from a booklet/insert type thing, the full name of the booklet will (or should be) entered in the comments field. EX: DECA Coupon Connexion September 2006.
• If the coupon is in a military outlet, but is a MFR coupon: Enter the coupon as you would a normal MFR coupon, but in the comments field make sure that you expand on the details... "MFR coupon found at Commissary" and enter Military Commissary in the Store field. That way, non-military shoppers won't tear their hair out looking for that coupon in regular stores, and military shoppers will be able to find the coupon in a search of the Store field.
• As usual, please do a quick search before entering a new coupon!!! Duplicates will be deleted by the verifying mods.

Thanks for your cooperation! Entering the coupons in a consistent format ensures that you will always be able to find them in later searches!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Noticing that some people do not know how to enter a Free item coupon or BxGx free coupons. Thought I would post a reminder on how to add Them.

The Following is an example of how a free item should be entered into the database:

BRAND:Contessa Specialty Seafood, Any up to $2.00
AMOUNT: Free
OFF: 1
EXPIRATION: 01/15/2007
SOURCE: HOMEMAILER
COMMENTS: Received by emailing company

The following is an example of how a BXGX free item coupon should be entered into the database:

BRAND:Stove Top Stuffing, any 6 Oz. Free Up to $1.75 WYB any (3) Packages of Stove Top Stuffing
AMOUNT: B3G1
OFF: 4
EXPIRATION: 01/31/2007
SOURCE: Tearpad
COMMENTS: DND 5

Note: Please add the Up To value of a free or BXGX free coupon if there is one.

Note: If you need to purchase 5 items total please make sure you pick "5" from the drop down box in the add page of the coupon database. Just because you are getting 1 item free does not mean that you pick 1 if you have to buy multiple items. And BXGX coupons are not considered Free coupons. They are B1G1, B2G1, B4G1, B10G2 etc (ie Buy 10 get 2 free etc.)

If you have any questions please do not hesiste to ask!

YOU are what make the hotcouponworld coupon database cool. Keep on entering in those coupons. But remember our staff has to verify the coupons so, make our job easier by entering them in correctly.:Poke:

[MrsPinecone]

To search the database to find out what coupons in a specific insert are or are not expired ~ Enter the date in the comment field & hit search.

EX: 06-24-07 V