Here's the scenario - I have several coupons for the same item that expired on 4/05. While the coupons are for a particular type of cereal, I find that the coupons work on the breakfast bars, as well, and that's what I use them for.

These coupons are about 1 1/2 weeks expired, and they are actually for an item that isn't stated on the coupon (but is of the same brand and close to the same category).

Question #1: Do you consider it okay to use coupons that expired if the "automatic checkout" does apply them? I know that the cashiers in this store do try to notice if coupons are expired, and will reject them if they are.

Question #2: Do you think it's okay to use the coupon on a "same brand" item if it works, even if the item is NOT listed on the coupon if the store accepts it? (Like I said, same brand, and the item is a breakfast bar product instead of the box of cereal).


Part of me thinks it's just fine, and part of me wonders if it's actually crossing a line.

Very curious to see what posters here say.

no and no.

I go by the wording on the coupon and the exp. date.

Some people don't have a problem with it, tho, and it is my opinion that this is part of why coupons are scrutinized as much as they are.

Also, if it were "OK" to use a coupon past the stated exp. date, then why circumvent the cashier by doing the self scanner?

JMTCW.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

If the store doesn't accept expired coupons then you shouldn't try to skirt the system by going through the self checkout.

If the coupon is specific for CEREAL, then it should be used on CEREAL. If it said "Any ACME brand" product then it would be ok.

that's just my opinion...

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"Never explain — your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway. —Elbert Hubbard"

So your trying to use them and your area does not accept expired coupons, plus your useing them for something thier not intented knowingly?


Personally, no, they are going to see that a person had used expired coupons when they sort them, those machines may have cameras so they can check times and pull up your image to watch you next time you come in. Another thing would be so many dishonest people ruined Internet coupons stores will hardly accept them anymore. Regular coupons could be next. Honestly do you feel it'd be right?

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I agree with allinaugust (and apparently everyone else)...

no and no

Unfortunatley, there are many people who would use them for the wrong item at the self-scanner. I believe that's why manufacturer's have gotten stricter with dates and specifications on coupons.

No and No!

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

I agree with everyone else. Using coupons when they're expired (and your store doesn't accept expired coupons) and for the wrong items is considered coupon fraud. People misusing coupons is the reason that stores have stricter coupon policies now.

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Don't dream it. Be it.

I understand that while it may be tempting, it is still no and no.

Military bases accept expired coupons. They are allowed to use them up to 6 months past their expiration date. There are lots of sites to send them to if you want to know what to do with those expired coupons.

A little pet peeve I do have is that the writing on the coupons is getting smaller and smaller lately (or am I just needing to up my reading glasses). This past week after cutting out the coupons, as I was sorting them, I could barely see the products on some and had to take out the magnifier to read some. And even with my reading glasses and my cheap (I guess I need a better one) magnifier I still had trouble reading some fine print. I know that once they are all in my coupon binder as I am going up and down the aisle I will probably make a mistake with some.

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The correct statement is that military commissaries OVERSEAS will accept expired coupons up to 6 months beyond the printed date. Stateside commissaries will not accept expired coupons at all.

No, and no for absolutely every reason already posted.

I'm glad to get the input!

It is very tempting to do something when it "works" and it did work. The fact that the cereal coupon worked on cereal BARS was something I picked up on later, and it didn't really phase me, but I can see how others would think it wasn't right.

The part of my scenario that was bothering me afterward was the fact that they were expired by 10 days. It wasn't sitting well with me, and since it wouldn't sit well with anyone else here thus far, then there's my answer.

doesnt a couple states accept expired too? like California and somewhere else?

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Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
www.geocaching.com

Actually there is a store near me with a new policy: they will not allow anyone to use more than 4 "gang-cut" coupons.

I thought that was such an odd term! When I asked the cashier, she said that the corporation was really cracking down on multiple coupon users and, for example would only honor four identical coupons for four bottles of Cascade.

That stinks for stockpilers!

I think this policy, too, is a result of abuse:

1. People who wipe out the shelves....using 20 or 30 coupons at a time.

2. Stores who cut the coupons out of Sunday supplements and redeem them as used by customers.

People employeed to search out coupon fraud look for tell tale signs like:

Gang cutting

+

That is where you put identical sheets of coupons together and do one single cut, say five or eight at a time.

Coupon fraud includes submitting coupons for items that were not purchased ... usually where the coupons are purchased in a large quantity for a small amount of money.

+

So ...

If you are ever purchasing an item, say 10 of them with tehn identical coupons, do yourself a favor and cut those ten coupons differently, to remove all doublt as to how you obtained them.

+

You know the more sheets of paper you attempt to cut at one time, the poorer the cut.

Five at a time is what works best pour moi.

+

Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

Well, I am NO and NO also.

However, I live in the Carolinas and Lowes Foods has a limit of 4 like coupons. The clerks are very good about letting you have multiple orders in one buggy. They allow it so I do it when I have more than 4 coupons for the same product. I seem to, very often, have more than 4 but less than 9 so that is two separate orders.

Do you have a Target? Their store policy is ONE like coupon. The clerks never bend on that one. Target prices are too high for me any way.

As far as expireds, that is up to the coupon user in many cases. Some clerks do not even look at the coupon offer itself much less the expire date and others will eagle eye the expire date and reject it. There are people on My Coupons who, do or can, use expireds because I see them in search of same.
I have more coupons that have not expired than I can keep up with to be trading expireds. I look forward to the major expire dates like March 31st, April 30th, June 30th so I can throw away the expireds as the dates arrive.

Lowes used to have triples now and then and it is over as far as we know. There were some idiots using pieces of paper the shape of coupons in the self checkout lines.

Since when did Target start limiting to one like coupon? I have never had that happen at our local store. Anyone else hear of this?

I was told that my Target employees.............maybe someone should contact corporate for the details.

no and no also

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

My local grocery store mails in their weekly coupons every Monday. So....if there is one that is outdated on a Friday for example, they will still let me use it on the weekend since the whole weeks worth will be mailed in on Monday.

I always double check with them if I have an outdated one to be sure that they still redeem on Mondays.

Someone on this board, many months ago, said that most stores have up to 6 months to send in their coupons for redemption, so expireds are some times no big deal.