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They now accept debit cards for purchases of $7 or more.
They do not accept coupons but occasionally offer % off Q's through various credit card companies. So be sure to look through the extra ads in your credit card statements when they come in. I think Discover was the last CC company to send a % off Q out for DT.
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There marketing strategy is to dislike receiving .08 handling fees for each coupon?
Nope, their marketing strategy, in part, is to keep their overhead as low as possible (hence the initial $7 requirement to use a debit card) so they can keep their items $1. They also do not give refunds, only exchanges.
The clearing house does reimburse them .08 per coupon, but according to NCH (one of the leading clearing houses) most retailers spend on average 20 hours a week handling coupon adjustments -- 1080 hours a year. Assuming that's for the entire Dollar Tree chain and the person making the adjustments makes $20/hour (that's an arbitrary figure, I know, but I think probably reasonable), it would take 270,000 coupons redeemed to make up the difference in adjustment cost alone.
They always clearance their Christmas stuff on Dec 26th. 50% off. When the wrapping paper's regular price = $1, you can't go wrong with 0.50 paper on the day after Christmas. And, most people don't think to shop there that day b/c who would think the Dollar Tree would mark anything cheaper than $1? One year, their Christmas paper included red and green solid, which I stocked up on to use as birthday wrapping paper.
Nope, their marketing strategy, in part, is to keep their overhead as low as possible (hence the initial $7 requirement to use a debit card) so they can keep their items $1. They also do not give refunds, only exchanges.
The clearing house does reimburse them .08 per coupon, but according to NCH (one of the leading clearing houses) most retailers spend on average 20 hours a week handling coupon adjustments -- 1080 hours a year. Assuming that's for the entire Dollar Tree chain and the person making the adjustments makes $20/hour (that's an arbitrary figure, I know, but I think probably reasonable), it would take 270,000 coupons redeemed to make up the difference in adjustment cost alone.
Not all contracts between smaller stores & clearing houses are the same. Often the clearing house keeps the .08 HF for their service. Depends on volume. To gain business they create a highly exaggerated estimate of labor costs the retailer would incur if they redeem directly.
Some more modern retailer POS now create a direct report which the manufacturers accept for reimbursement without even requiring the coupons. I believe Safeway now has this system.
There are also automated systems that scan & sort for bundling coupons by the 5 digit manufacturer code.
I think the marketing benefit plus the .08 HFs would offset any upfront investment of equipment and labor. Of course Dollar Tree may not see it that way or I guess they could be AP tight for immediate cash.
Dollar Tree ~ FAQ 
Love many, trust few, harm none 
re: Dollar Tree ~ FAQ 
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