Uncategorized

Coupon Etiquette Tip #4: Be Organized

While being unorganized doesn’t break any laws (thankfully, or there are many of us who would be in deep trouble!), it can be a huge inconvenience for cashiers and other shoppers.

Does it irritate you to stand in line for a long time while you wait for someone who lost their checkbook, forgot their debit card number, or is arguing with the cashier about a pricing error? It’s especially annoying when you are in a hurry or have young children who are about 10 seconds away from a meltdown.

First let me say that I don’t think you should feel pressured or uncomfortable at the checkout when using coupons. You have waited in line just like everyone else and your purchases are no less valued by the store than anyone else’s.

The store is reimbursed for all the coupons you use (if used correctly), so your coupons are just as valuable as cash. Don’t be intimidated, rush through your order, and lose track of coupons and savings. If you are organized, your turn at checkout should not take too much longer than any other person who is purchasing the same number of items.

Now, while you do wait in line like everyone else, you do have to keep in mind that your order will probably take a little longer, no matter how organized you are. You might consider letting other customers know that you are going to be using coupons and they might want to consider a different checkout line if they are in a hurry.

You could also let customers who are only buying a couple of items go in front of you. I think this is a great thing to do, even if you are not using coupons!

How to Be Organized at Checkout

  • Have all your coupons already clipped. Do not wait until you get in line to clip your coupons!
  • Have the coupons you are going to use in an easy-to-find location. Storing them at the bottom of your messy purse is not encouraged.
  • Have your coupons stacked neatly. Try to keep them unfolded and facing in the same direction to save the cashier time. If you are worried about them sticking together, trying stacking them in a criss-cross pattern.
  • Group items for “free” coupons together at the beginning or end of the transaction and give the cashier those coupons first. Having them all together at the beginning or end will make it easier for the cashier to look up the price of the items.
  • Use coupons correctly. Make sure you’ve read the terms of the coupon carefully and are following the store coupon policy.
  • Organize at Home. If you spend a little time at home organizing your coupons, it’s a lot easier to be organized once you get to the store. Be sure to choose the organization method that works for you. If you choose one that’s too time-consuming, you won’t do it and you’ll be no better off. Go with what works.

Being organized will not only help keep cashiers from rolling their eyes and other customers from tapping their toes, it will save YOU time and money!

How Being Organized Will Benefit You

  • You will be able to watch the prices of the items as they are scanned. This will make it easier to catch price mistakes and correct them as they happen. This will also save you time because you won’t have to go to customer service later and try to get a price adjustment or refund.
  • You will be able to watch the coupons being scanned and make sure the cashier does not accidentally miss one. If you wait until the next day to look at your receipt, it may be too late to prove they missed a coupon.
  • You will know that you gave the cashier all the coupons you intended. No more finding missed coupons in the bottom of your purse, in your pocket, or left on the counter at home.
  • You will have the opportunity to be a shining example of a couponer. You might even gain an ally in a cashier or recruit a watchful customer who is looking for ways to save money.

Being organized does not take much time, and with benefits like saving money, it’s time well spent!

    16 Comments

  1. I keep my coupons in a plastic folder as well (I don’t need a binder- too big!). Before I go, I put all the coupons I plan to use in the front pocket. If I find a sale that wasn’t in the circular (that matches my coupons), I move those coupons to the front as well. Once I’m at the register, I just hand the stack of coupons to the cashier with a smile on my face.
    The only time I forgot to use coupons was when my husband was rushing me. 🙁
    That’s also where I store my ECBs in the front pocket after I lost $12 in ECBs. I was sooooo sad.

    Reply

  2. One thing I also do is to fill in the amount for any BOGO coupons or for any free so that the cashier has them readily available as well…they are always very appreciative of this! Blessings! Kimberly

    Reply

  3. I start at home with a product list, quantity amount and then pull all my coupons. Keep your coupons in an envelope or zip locked baggie in your purse. It makes your shopping trip and checkout so much faster!

    Reply

  4. Betty Fernandez dmd

    I have a horror story for you.PLEASE READ TIL THE END! Last thursday, I took my binder with all my coupons into shoprite. I had all these plans about the schick razors and all the CVS extrabucks I was going to get. I even had a coupon for a free schick razor I was going to use. I run two tricky trays a year for two of my childrens’ schools. I’d like to get baskets together with great and discounted products. Anyway, I think God was telling me something. I spent about 20 hours for two weeks and practically ignored my family because of couponing . (I had accumulated coupons for 3 months before I started sorting them out and many were expired.)
    At shoprite, I saved 50% on my bill and I was very proud. But like they say, ” PRIDE COMES BEFORE THE FALL”.
    I went to may car and put my groceries in my suv and put my cart back feeling great!
    After I picked my daughter at college, I realized that my binder was missing! I raced to the shoprite. It took me 15 minutes to get there.
    Then, I looked and looked for my binder hoping that it would just be there. NOTHING! I went into the shoprite and asked customer service if anyone gave in a large binder full of coupons but they said no. I left my name and number but no one has called me back.I felt so stupid, I was in a hurry to pick up my daughter and didn’t even realize that the binder was in the cart. I do not think it’s a good idea to bring your whole binder in the cart unless you have someone else with you guarding them. I cried like a baby because it could have been prevented if I left the binder in my car and had just taken the coupons I needed for that shopping trip. Sorry I’ve written too much, but I’ve learned from my dumb mistake. Hopefully, you will to. Bye!

    Reply

    • I take my binder into the larger stores, like Target and Walmart, but never to small grocery stores. Sadly, your story is not the first I heard. My mother told me she heard on the news that a woman had her binder and purse in the cart. She turned around, the binder went missing and her purse was left! Imagine that!

      Reply

      • I use an index card box for my coupon filing system so it’s small enough to fit in my large purse but still on one shopping trip a few months ago I left it at the cashier stand (or so I think). I was horrified when I realized. It had all my ECBs and everything! Fortunately for me though my story has a happy ending, mine was turned in and I was able to get everything back. Lesson definitely learned.

        Reply

        • That’s so great! I have never left my binder but I left my purse in a cart once – thankfully someone turned it in. Times like that really make you appreciate the honestly and kindness of others.

          Reply

  5. Oh my goodness this is HUGE to cashiers. I’ve been thanked so many times for being organized by cashiers who have been stuck with an un-organized couponer. Just the other week at Walgreens, the cashier told me she was super glad I was organized and then told me about another couponer who comes in and literally takes an hour and a half just to check out because she doesn’t even have her coupons clipped. I actually had witnessed the madnes the previous week- I was in and out of the store within half an hour, and the ENTIRE time the lady was at the beauty counter checking out.

    Reply

  6. I generally stop somewhere before I get to check-out and put just the Qs I need next to my wallet in my purse and refile the rest.
    I recently did forget to cut my printed Qs until I was in check-out. I was so embarrassed. Luckily no one was waiting behind me so the cashier was in no hurry. Still, lesson learned.

    Reply

Post a Comment

ABOUT COUPONING101

Couponing101.com is a free resource for all who are interested in learning more about couponing and saving money.  Couponing 101 offers a variety of money-saving strategies that encourage and motivate readers to get creative and explore different savings techniques.

CONNECT & FOLLOW

POPULAR POSTS