Blinkies, Tearpads, and In-Store Deals

by Debbie Clark (DealDebbie) | More from this Blogger

02 Jun 2009 08:28 PM

Sources of coupons are plentiful - you know about the coupons you find in the newspaper inserts, and it's easy to find printables online. You can snag some really great finds in the stores themselves - it pays to look and to discover which stores consistently have the best displays featuring coupons and refund forms.

Stores feature coupons in several types of displays. One is a special display which features a tear pad of coupons or forms. Usually those are targeted to get you to buy on impulse. You might not have planned to get bread that day, but the buy 1 get 1 free coupon entices you to buy it and freeze it. Good deal!

Another display you'll find in many supermarkets is the "blinkie" machine. These feature SmartSource coupons and are named "blinkie" because of their blinking light. You'll see the blinking light - and sometimes the machine will "see" you and dispense a coupon for you to pull out of the machine. Once you pull it, it blinks and dispenses another one. The coupons are usually expiring within a month, and are replenished monthly.

Because the blinkie machine dispenses one at a time, it discourages one person grabbing a bunch of coupons and leaving none for the next shopper. If you want a bunch, you are just going to have to stand there and wait, one by one. There are no such limitations on tearpads, but it is considered rude and wasteful to grab more than you are going to use. Please be considerate, and share the deals!

Sometimes the best in store deals aren't on display - they're at the register. Catalina coupons print at the register, and are usually the result of you purchasing certain items. You may see these advertised as "register rewards" or a promise of a coupon on your next order at the register if you buy certain items. These can save you a lot of money. It pays to be mindful of these promotions - sometimes the register machines don't print, or the cashier makes a mistake and the coupon does not print. If you have difficulty and cannot resolve the matter in the store, you can call the Catalina company at 1-888-322-3814. There are reports that sometimes they will send you the missing register reward coupons in the mail.

Learn more about Debbie Clark (DealDebbie)

I'm a veteran deal hunter with two grown sons. I have been clipping coupons and doubling up with rebates and sales and points rewards since they were babies.

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