Tips & Tricks for Making the Most of Expired Coupons
Coupons are excellent for saving money, but expired coupons are useless. Right?
Not so!
When you glance at the expiration date listed in the fine print of a coupon, you may think it's a hard number, where, after that date, most stores will not accept the coupon anymore.
That is true in some cases. However, there are clever workarounds to ensure you can gain the best savings – even on older coupons.
In this article, we’ll discuss these tips and tricks, so you know when the expired coupon is truly worth throwing out.
How Can You Take Advantage of Expired Coupons?
With expired coupons, just make sure you:
Don’t Cut Off the Expiration Date
Don’t hide the expiration date, either by crossing it out or cutting it off. With fresh or expired coupons, stores need to see the expiration date. They’re prone to rejecting any coupons that lack this, no matter the situation.
It might be tempting to try to hide the expiration date. Being honest, however, can ensure the expired coupon is still useful to you, even after its ‘best by’ date.
Check If the Coupon Has a Grace Period
Several manufacturer coupons have a grace period of a few days. The companies understand that sometimes you just can’t get to the store in time.
Be sure to check the fine print at the base of the coupon, or research the coupon online at the manufacturer’s website. If they say a few days are fine, then don’t throw out your coupon early!
Ask If the Store Has a Grace Period
Many stores are lax about coupon expiration dates. So long as only a few days have passed, they may be willing to accept it.
For example, Bed Bath & Beyond is well known for accepting already-expired coupons. In addition, Michaels, Staples, and Petsmart typically accept expired coupons as well.
However, keep in mind that stores are more likely to accept their own coupons over those from a manufacturer. Be sure to call the store in advance and ask whether or not they are willing to accept expired coupons of any kind.
After all, they can be lax in their own policies, but some manufacturers disable the codes once a certain date has passed.
Ask for a Coupon Exchange
If the store and manufacturer are both strict about expired coupons, you may still be able to save money. Just show the cashier your coupon and ask if they have an updated version.
Popular deals are often recycled throughout the month or week, so your coupon from yesterday may have a newer, non-expired version today. As such, the cashier can swap out your expired coupon for a valid one.
Just remember: every store has different kinds of management, and not all cashiers are comfortable with accepting or exchanging coupons. They may not be allowed.
Plus, the cashier does not have to let you use an expired coupon, so don’t push them if they say no.
If you are nice to the cashier, especially if you are a frequent customer, they may go the extra mile to help you find a new coupon instead!
Help Your Troops Using Expired Coupons
Military commissaries outside of the United States will often accept manufacturer coupons for up to six months after their expiration date! This means that American troops and their families overseas can still make the most out of expired coupons - for up to half of the year.
If you live in the United States, you can use the Troopons program to send your expired coupons to military bases around the world. Your expired coupons will turn into a gift for our troops and their families!
Be sure to follow the instructions before you send the coupons, to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
What are the Inconveniences of Using Expired Coupons?
Rejection
It can be very annoying to ask cashiers if an expired coupon can be used, only to be rejected. Asking for leeway or an exchange can even feel like begging, just because you were a few days late.
Wasted Time
It’s possible that no store near you will accept expired coupons. You may end up running all around town, trying to find a way to make the most of your coupons – with no luck!
Wasted Paper
It can feel like a waste to throw out too many unused coupons. That’s especially true when you spent so much time collecting newspapers and newsletters, clipping the coupons in the first place.
Fortunately, there’s a better way to make the most of the expired coupons: ordering coupons online!
How Can Online Coupons Eliminate These Inconveniences?
Online coupon services can help you eliminate the inconveniences of expired coupons. Here's how!
Easy Expiration Date Research
Several manufacturers include links on their website that take you right to the coupons. You can download these coupons to use online, on a phone app, or even print them out and take them to the store.
In addition, you can easily read their policy and determine if they offer leeway on expiration dates.
No Need to Exchange for Updated Coupons
There are coupon package services that allow you to order coupons online. By getting them in bulk packages, you’ll always have the latest versions – without needing to exchange them at the store!
As a plus, these services take all of the hassles out of hunting for coupons. They allow you to pay someone else a small fee for finding, clipping, and shipping the (unexpired) coupons to you.
Constant Access to Avoid Missing the Expiration Date
Forgetting you have a coupon, forgetting to bring it with you, or struggling to use the right coupon at the right store is a hassle. These mistakes often push coupons past their expiration date without your noticing.
Luckily, many of these services are available on your phone, so you can always have your coupons with you. Some offer expiration notifications within their apps, or via email, so you’ll never forget if a coupon is about to expire.
You can also collect the coupons you don’t use from these services and send them to overseas troops!
Why Sunday Coupon Inserts?
If you want to avoid the hassle of expired coupons, you should check out Sunday Coupon Inserts.
This coupon packaging service brings you all the unexpired coupons you need with their Weekly Subscription program. You can choose how many subscription combo packs you want, as well as start or stop your subscription at any time, without any cancellation fees.
Are you ready to escape the deadlines imposed by expiring coupons? If so, then sign up for a Weekly Subscription at Sunday Coupon Insert’s website today!