How much do you save on your shopping using coupons?

rozeepozee

Felicity wrote:

I am also doing an experiment this month to see how much I will save. I've done 17 supermarket shops already (large and small amounts) and have saved 69% which I am really pleased with. Yes, I AM keeping a spreadsheet and my till receipts.

I am getting a good idea now about which supermarkets accept which different types of coupons and will post more at the end of the month, so please keep your replies coming (no abusive posts though, or posts shouting 'greed')!

If the replies to this are positive I will keep posting more, if not, I will just disolved into the background!!!!!!!!

Felicity, I'm AMAZED at your savings and think you are sensible, not greedy - BUT, I still can't get my head round this thing - it seems too good to be true.

Can I just ask any of the experts out these to confirm if I've got this right:

Supermarkets will accept vouchers from other supermarkets?

They will accept vouchers for items you haven't even bought? (sometimes limiting the amount you can use?)

So, I have this month's Somerfield Mag (freebie) and it has 9 vouchers for soft drinks, one 80p, one 50p and mostly less. If I take this into Somerfield, they'll accept the vouchers even if I haven't bought any of the soft drinks? Could I use them at other supermarkets?

I've also got a load of Pampers and Huggies vouchers as I'm due to have a bub soon and have registered with them. Can I use these vouchers (mostly £1 and 75p) at the supermarkets even though I'm not buying the products they relate to (they're disposable nappies and wipes and I intend to be more eco-friendly and MS than this!)

I often get Supersaver vouchers from Somerfield but then do my next shop at Tesco and by the time I go to Somerfield again, the voucher has expired. Could I have used it at Tescos and got the money off there? Can I use my Clubcard vouchers at other supermarkets.

Apologies again for the essay and seemng so dim but I just can't believe these money off techniques are available and I didn't know about them (what else don't I know - the mind boggles!!!!:rotfl: )

Felicity

Hi,

Well, yes and ... no. Unfortunately the supermarkets don't all have the same policy. Different areas, different cashiers, all different policies I am afraid.

My advice is to just try it, if they accept them it's a great bonus, if they don't - then don't complain and just try next time.

Huggies vouchers are pretty universally accepted so give them a go.

I think I have been very lucky, you will see on this forum about people who only get away with 1 coupon per shop but you will also see people who are getting 50 - 100% off.

I'm probably pushing it at the moment and if my supermarket(s) ask me to stop using them, then of course I will but if they accept them .... well hey ho!

rozeepozee

Felicity wrote:

Hi,

Well, yes and ... no. Unfortunately the supermarkets don't all have the same policy. Different areas, different cashiers, all different policies I am afraid.

Thanks, I'll give it a whirl. I've got loads of supermarkets near me: Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose, Somerfield, Netto. I regularly go to them all. I have no loyalty at all- or rather, I'm loyal to the cheapest price So I'll do some trial runs and see how I get on

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi roozepooze.....why dont you start off with a couple of vouchers and see how you go.... your confidence will grow, and so will the pile of vouchers you hand over...i started with just a few vouchers....and each time i went shopping i handed over more....but a word of advice.....dont go to the middle aged.... posh looking check out operater.......as they do only except one per type of voucher...go to the kids.....especially the spotty ...i dont really want to be here...i cant be bothered....looking lad.... they are the most likely to accept all your vouchers............i dont personally hand over other supermarkets money off vouchers, i only use products vouchers with no store specific........as my thought there is ...at least with products vouchers they will get their money back....if too many other supermarket vouchers get into their till, then maybe they might review they policy on all vouchers....

good luck....we will soon make you a voucherholic.....:rotfl:

Coupon-mad

rozeepozee wrote:

Thanks, I'll give it a whirl. I've got loads of supermarkets near me: Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose, Somerfield, Netto. I regularly go to them all. I have no loyalty at all- or rather, I'm loyal to the cheapest price So I'll do some trial runs and see how I get on

Happy shopping! Don't be put off if you find a cashier who's miserable about coupon use, just go to a different one (maybe a different branch) next time.

Yes, your understanding of it all in your previous post is correct. Don't be embarrassed, once the cashier tells you your total, hand over your good old Tesco Clubcard first (yes you get FULL points on the Original total!) then just smile and ask if they could scan some coupons please?

My Top tips:

Don't bother going to Sainsbury or M&S (except to buy a Sainsburys magazine or two)!

Don't try using the ones with the 'Tesco logo' at Tesco, the 'Somerfield logo' at Somerfield, etc (unless you are buying the product. Use them at their competitors where they won't care if you buy the product as these are a.loss-leader anyway...they cannot reclaim the money on these). However you sometimes need to try a few times to get these accepted, put them with other manufacturer's coupons (cut from newspapers or weekly mags, etc.). You are doing nothing wrong as their tills could easily be programmed not to accept competitors' coupons - they just want your business from their competitors.

Try to get in the queue for a young male cashier (not older ladies) this can be v. important as you will find.

Look for stuff like the Chicago Town Pizzas which are apparently BOGOF at Tesco at the moment, and the pizza box has more coupon-value on it than the pizzas will cost you! So then you've got some coupons in hand for next time!

Cut out coupons as you see them (e.g. before putting pizzas away I would put them in a freezer bag with the cooking instructions only, having pocketed the lovely money-offs!). NB: those vouchers in daily newspapers - eg off Cosmopolitan magazine, etc, are usually only valid for a week or so!

Keep them in the car in date order, sort them out regularly once you've accumulated loads!

Have fun and think of every saving as a bonus, not a right!

rozeepozee

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote:

...go to the kids.....especially the spotty ...i dont really want to be here...i cant be bothered....looking lad.... they are the most likely to accept all your vouchers............

Thanks. As I live in a city with a large student population, that will be all the check out operators in my stores then :rotfl:

Thanks to Coupon Mad too. I think this is gonna be fun!

Felicity

Also, try shopping at the w/es and evenings, particularly if you live in a University town/city! You get a high student population working the tills who are far more likely to accept the coupons!

Tibbie's_mum

Has anyone used the Quick Read £1 off vouchers in Tesco without buying a book successfully?

I am always embarrassed about using vouchers and always make sure I've bought the goods, but this thread is bringing me round slowly.

Will have to summon up some courage for this weekends shop!

Chell

I didn't think Netto would accept any coupons. I'm sure my Mum was told this when she tried to buy soap powder with a dicount coupon.

rozeepozee

I was wondering about Netto. Does anyone have an answer, please?