Please Read-Coupon Train FAQs~ Great info for all train riders. Updated 10/10/08

[chitownmelli]

Coupon Train FAQ’s

What is a coupon train?

A train consists of a group (generally between 4 and 10 members) who share coupons with each other via a train of envelopes filled with coupons. There are quite a few variations to this to make it fun!

Do all trains operate the same way?

The idea behind all trains is the same but there are several types.

The basic train has only 1 envelope, making its rounds. The member coordinating the train (a.k.a. conductor) starts out the train, with a pre-determined amount of coupons, sending it to rider A. Rider A takes out what they can use and refills it back up to xx amount of coupons, and then sends it on to rider B. It continues in this way until the last rider on the list mails it back to the conductor. At that point, either the train ride ends or the conductor can see if there is enough interest to go for Round 2.

A standard round robin style train is where the conductor picks a number of riders, 4 or 5 works best as this train runs for as many weeks as there are riders. Each member is assigned another member to mail to for the duration of the train. On week one, you fill a full envelope with the set amount of coupons following expiration date rules and what not to include guidelines. This envelope is mailed to the person you are assigned to.

When you get your week 1 envie, you take out what you can use, anything that will be out of the expiration guidelines by the time it arrives to the next rider, add in more coupons to get it back up to the set number and mail #2 off to the rider you are assigned to mail to. Reapeat for as many weeks as there is riders.

On the final week, you are getting back your "original" envie that has visited every other rider on the train.

A simple style train is a one time only mailing train of multiple envelopes. The conductor picks a number of riders. 4-5 works best since each rider has to mail to all members at the sime time. The conductor also picks a number of coupons to be included in each envelope. On the assigned date, you fill the envelopes for each of your co-riders. Be sure to follow the conductors guidelines. They all get mailed on the same day. So, on a 5 person train, you will be mailing out 4 envelopes to the 4 other riders and receiving 4 envelopes from the 4 other riders.

Make sure the train you sign up for is a style and time frame you can commit to. There is always a new train starting. It may be tempting to jump on the first one with an open spot, make sure you can follow the conductors guidelines. Failure to send envelopes out on a train will be considered as a bad trade.


Can I include any coupons?

This depends on the train and how the conductor has set the rules, however, some options are as follows:
a. Anything goes, no specific categories are excluded. often called potluck.
b. Food Only or any other category can be chosen
c. No Pets and/or Baby or any other category can be excluded
d. Non-insert coupons only. (any coupon not found in the Sunday inserts can be included)

There can be a limit of how many of the same coupon, to prevent having multiples of the same coupon in the envelope. There can also be encouragement to add in multiples if you have an exact coupon match from a wishlist. Each conductor will specify how they want the envelopes to be. Be sure to check your train guidelines.

*Please note that although trains are a great way to swap out coupons you may not be able to use for ones that you can use, they are NOT intended to be a way to get rid of those coupons that are considered ‘junk’ by the majority of couponers. Please be considerate to the other riders by including coupons that others will want to receive. In other words, unless someone is specifically asking for joint supplement coupons or something similar, chances are no one will want these and they will take up valuable space in the envelope for the duration of the train. That space would be better being taken up by a more desirable coupon. It is not fun to be on a train and receive an envelope full of worthless coupons that nobody wants to take out!

What if there are expired coupons or soon-to-be expiring coupons in the envelope?

This again is determined by the conductor. In a basic or round robin, some may ask that coupons be taken out once they have expired, while others may ask that coupons be taken out 10 days (or any # of days/weeks) prior to their expiration date. If you pull out the expireds when you have the envelope in your possession, it is up to you to replace them with longer-dated coupons. In a simple style, most will specify no expireds are to be sent.


Is it necessary to have a wishlist to be on a train?

See the train guidelines. Not all trains require this but many do.

The longer and more varied you wishlist is, the more likely you are to get coupons you need. Having a wishlist does not guarantee that you will be getting all coupons you can use, it is just a guideline for making envelope filling easier.

If you are hesitant to make a wishlist because you only want to ride trains and not trade, put right on your wishlist that this is for trains only. Or you can have a section that is for things that are great to include on trains, that you are not actively trading for. Also, if you only want certain values for a particular item like $1/1, say that. Just remember, the more limited your wishlist, the harder it is for others to fill.

When do I mail?

The mailing schedule is one of the most important things as the train needs to be mailed out in a timely manner. Generally within 1 or 2 days of receiving it for the basic and standard round robin, to ensure a quick and successful round. An envelope sitting around means more coupons in the envelope will have a shorter exp. date and less time to be used.
With the simple style trains and other trains with variations on the mailing style, mailing on the set mail date is key. If there is a problem, then communication becomes the key. If you mailed day late, let your conductor or fellow riders know. Mailing late consistenly can cause you to be removed from trains.

Do I have to post in the train thread?

Each train has its own thread in the Hop On Board Forum.


Most conductors require you to post when you mail envelopes and when you receive envelopes. This helps the conductor keep track of where the train is at. Not posting consistently can cause you to be removed from trains for a period.

How do I sign up for a train?

The conductor of the train will put a message in the Hop On Board Forum that they are looking for riders for their train. Read all the rules carefully. Reply to the message and/or send a pm to the conductor as they specify!

Remember, you must be a member of the Trader User Group and have an Itrader rating of 5 unique feedbacks with no negatives to ride a train. You must have a rating of 30 unique feedbacks or higher with no negatives to conduct. Traders in training are ineligble to ride trains.

We also strongly suggest that you ride only 1 or 2 trains at a time until you have ridden quite a few. Trains are so much fun that it is tempting to hop on board every new train that starts.

Because this can be very overwhleming and requires lots of coupons and to let everyone have a chance to ride, we do limit you to 3 train rides at a time. Your ride on a train is considered over when all of your envelopes can be confirmed as received. The train mods will pull you off a train if you try to join a 4th without approval.


Can I start a train of my own?

Absolutely! However, there are a few guidelines to follow. We do require that you have ridden at least 1 or 2 trains prior to starting your own, and that you have at least 30 positive unique feedbacks and zero negatives.

There are other requirements before you run one of your own, please read the CONDUCTOR FAQ'S found HERE.

What else do I need to know?

HCW's Rules for the train forum can be found HERE. Please read them before signing up to ride or run a train.

Trains are super fun to ride. However, sometimes a speed bump does happen. If you are experiencing a problem with a train, please contact your conductor to give him/her time to resolve the issue. If the issue is still not resolved contact both of the train forum mods. Chitownmelli & Dominicsmommy both moderate this forum and are always here to help and answer questions.

We suggest that if you have an issue that you copy both of us in your pm so that it may be handled quicker. If you do not get a timely response, please feel free to PM Bugface711 or Tacatcon who oversee all the Trading Forums.

This info has been compiled exclusively for use at HotCouponWorld. Permission to repost in any part or in its entirety is denied!

Thanks to SBP, Bugface711 Chitownmelli, Tacaton, and Dominicsmommy for working together to post all this info, and to make the train forum here at HCW a great place to ride! Choo-Choo!!