How to get inserts & sales early

[WillUBMyKnight]

I live in a pretty remote section of upstate NY (I say remote because there's probably only a handful of us here at HCW). I don't get the ads or Q's (which NEVER match any lists that come out) until Sunday, so then I'm in a scurry to try and match everything and get my Q order into TheCouponClippers.

I recently found out that the inserts come out on Wednesdays / Thursdays. Here's the thing...

My gas station has them stacked neatly in the corner when they come in and they sit there until Sunday. Is it worth asking if I can "have" one early? How would I ask? Do I wait to ask the "night time" cashier? Do I offer to pay for a paper a couple days early??

I get the paper delivered 7 days a week. Would it be tacky or just plain WRONG to ask my newspaper delivery guy to throw in an insert when he gets them? Do I offer something from my stockpile? I don't want to "offer" toothpaste, deodorant, etc (to me that's a bit rude LoL) but maybe something else. Do I say something like "Hey - I coupon for a living (ha!) would it be possible to get an insert when they come out, and in turn I'll throw you something from my stockpile?"

Obviously there's people out there that get this "inside" information from somewhere just wondering how I can get it for my area.

Thank you!!!!!!

[Anissa H]

Where in Upstate NY are you? Im @ Fort Drum (Watertown) and get my ads/inserts on Sunday too. Actually.. I think most people across the country do. If you are researching and ordering for upcoming deals.. there are a couple of people that post early ads to the board and start planning the best deals together. Just keep your eye on the boards (Click on the New Posts link up top)

[Anissa H]

Oh and you could also go to your favorite stores and ask if you could get the upcoming weeks ad if they have them in. My favorite store always asks ME if I want the new ad, even before it comes out. You could try that.

[WillUBMyKnight]

Originally Posted by Anissa H

Oh and you could also go to your favorite stores and ask if you could get the upcoming weeks ad if they have them in. My favorite store always asks ME if I want the new ad, even before it comes out. You could try that.

I'm in Greene (which isn't as far north as you!!) but still in the sticks.

From where I am it's an hour West to Ithaca (Tops, RA, & CVS), 1/2 South to Binghamton (RA & CVS), and a 1/2 North to Norwich (RA, PriceChopper, and Super WalMart.) We have a RA here in town, but they NEVER have anything in stock (it's TINY!) So I usually start at CVS & RA in Binghamton during the week, then go to PC, SWM, and RA in Norwich on the weekend. It's just a lot of travelling to get to the stores. I wouldn't really say that any of the GC stores "know me" enough to offer anything - now RA & CVS, well they definitely know me!!!

I usually do the CVS & RA deals here on HCW, (THANKS to everyone that posts early!!), but for Tops, PriceChopper, and other GC stores I have to wait for the flyers or check online (where available). And TaylorTown, other Q lists, don't help at all. The Binghamton paper gets squat for Q's, the Syracuse paper is decent, but we started getting the Philly Inquirer (at the gas station) and that's where I hit the mother load - usually all 3 sets of inserts have different Q's & different amounts.

It's just a lot of (what feels like) last minute planning. With a 10 month old, and trying to run a trucking office, by myself - no help at all (not even a babysitter!) it gets to be a bit much. If there was a way I could get even a 1 day extra it would help out TONS!!!

[mfaust]

Sherry usually posts the Tops ad early, Friday sometimes Saturday, in the Tops forum. I know here in the Buffalo area, if you don't get the paper delivered, they deliver a version of the ads section to the mailbox on Saturday. I have not found a good source of inserts, before or after Sunday. :(

[joshmamabear]

a lady who works for the paper company contacts me every now especially if there are future hot sales in our area. the sales ads are delivered to them weeks (sometimes even months) in advance so she takes a peek on what's going on sale at most stores.

she shares some info with me and I prepare by getting my coupons ready and if I don't have enough, I order ahead of time so they'll be ready when the sale comes.

[gh_lover]

I live in NYC and we get the coupon inserts in a packet wit sales flyers on our front steps every Friday or Saturday, which is pretty great for me since I don't have to shell out money to buy a Sunday paper - plus there is a guy at my job who coupons too, he usually takes out what he needs and gives me the rest

[jeep.gal]

In my area, the Sunday "early edition" of the Oregonian newspaper comes out on Sat. and I get that. Also, our sale ads (grocery) start on a Wed, and our local newspaper has them in the paper also on Wed; but the Oregonian (which isn't really "our" newspaper, but the ads are the same- think regional) has the weekly grocery ads in their Tuesday, so I get one. This way I have at least a day's headsup. Mostly I just check HCW to find out things farther in advance.

BTW OP: If I had an "in" of a carrier who I could ask for early papers, I sure would do it. All you can do is ask/offer, and if he says no... oh well.

[mayanfire]

If I were you, I'd just ask your carrier if there was any way to get your coupon/ad insert any earlier than sunday. If he says no, I'd go to the gas station that has them there early and explain that you want to buy the insert from the sunday paper. That's what I do to get an advanced peak. The great thing is, I was told that since I'm not really getting the paper and since they always throw so many way on sundays, that I could have it for free.

[Tomekayf]

When you say you order ahead of time, what do you mean by that? Where do you order coupons? On HCW or is there another source of which I need to be aware? TIA


[she shares some info with me and I prepare by getting my coupons ready and if I don't have enough, I order ahead of time so they'll be ready when the sale comes.[/quote]