Beware of Extreme Couponing

Posted by The Popular News Today on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

By Robert Mann


At first glance, coupons seem to be a wonderful thing that everybody should make use of, and when they are used correctly, that's true. But consumers can make mistakes while shopping with coupons that can ensure they are wasting money instead of saving it. When shopping, all should be really cautious when using coupons so that money is not lost on the deal.

One of the most common mistakes with coupons is buying something that is really is not needed or wanted. The temptation to save on a product can be strong. However if the buyer has never purchased the product before and does not have a strong desire to try it, they should pass on the item regardless of the discount.

Another problem is buying too much of a product even if the buyer uses it regularly. If the buyer already has a full supply of a product then it shouldn't be purchased. If the coupon requires you to buy more than one item first consider if the quantity is required or needed. The buyer is often pressured into making hasty decisions because of expiration dates on coupons. The buyer should remember not to buy something if they already have enough of it on hand.

Another area where money can be wasted is when a coupon causes a customer to stray from their chosen brand to save money on a different brand that may not satisfy the buyer's needs or meet their anticipated level of quality. While trying different brands is not necessarily a bad thing, one must be sure to not sacrifice quality or features by using a coupon for a product that is not the equal of a regular brand.

The last thing to remember is that just because you have a coupon for a product that doesn't automatically make it the best deal. One should check sale papers and ads from local merchants to see if the same product is available at a cheaper price. It's important to be familiar with general prices too because they can be lower in some cases.

Coupons are not a bad thing, but one must remember that they are a tool used by manufacturers trying to promote their product. Their purpose is not to save the consumer money but rather to get the buyer to choose their brand that is being advertised. Whether printing coupons or taking scissors to the paper, the buyer must make wise choices in their use of coupons to make sure that their goals are met rather than those of the seller.




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