So far, I’ve posted a bunch of things with our Starting Fresh in 2012 with Couponing Series. If you have missed them, you can read them below one at a time and get caught up:
- Starting Fresh in 2012 with Couponing: Organization is KEY!
- Starting Fresh in 2012 with Couponing: Time, Time and TIME! Is it Worth My Time??
- Starting Fresh in 2012 with Couponing: What Do I Do with Expired Coupons?
- Starting Fresh in 2012 with Couponing: Bring Your Arsenal to the Grocery Store
Now that we are Organized and ready to head to the store, I thought another really important thing to discuss is checking out at the Grocery store.
When you first start couponing, you might feel that nervous/excited feeling as you near the checkout line. Maybe you are worried that you will have problems with the coupons, the cashiers, or maybe make a mistake on how many items you purchased. Just to let you know… we ALL feel that way. Or have at least a few times before. I will say that the more you go couponing, the more confident you become. Then that feeling definitely isn’t as strong! But, yes, I still get that excited feeling when I check out.. hoping that I didn’t make a mistake and everything is accounted for in my cart. But, as long as you are organized and prepared at the checkout line, you should be just fine.
If you didn’t read the Bring your Arsenal with You post, make sure you do that right now. You definitely need each store’s coupon policies with you each time you shop. That will help with being organized and having everything you need when purchasing your items.
What is the Best Way to Checkout with Coupons?
I’m sure everyone has their own way of checking out efficiently with coupons. But, I would love to share with you what I do and what I find that works.
I’ve seen women at the store, standing at the register frantically looking through their envelopes of coupons, or coupon binders trying to find all of the coupons they need for the items the cashier just scanned. They get panicked because everyone else in line is frustrated and annoyed that they aren’t ready to check out.
For me, I try my hardest to make my check out go just as fast as a check out without coupons. And, you can definitely do that by being prepared. I just hate people waiting on me, or getting the wrong idea about coupons. If I can get through checkout quickly and efficiently, then it makes everyone happy!
Step 1: Whenever I add something to my cart, I take the coupon that is needed and put it in my coat pocket or pants pocket. If something gets taken out of the cart, then the coupon comes out of my pocket immediately too. If you can do these things at the same time, then you won’t have an extra coupon at checkout, or accidentally purchase something without a coupon.
Step 2: When checking out, I personally like to have at least one person in front of me in line. That way, when they start to checkout, I have time to get all of my items on the conveyor belt and can be ready when it is my turn.
Step 3: Watch each item as it is scanned. If you see a discrepency in price, or the amount of items scanned, this is the time to catch it. So many honest mistakes can be made. So if you can keep from distraction, that will help a lot. Also during this time, I will be taking all of the coupons out of my pocket and separating them into groups on the payment stand.
Step 4: I like to hand my coupons to the cashiers by items. So, if I purchase 5 Dole Fruit Cups and I have 5 coupons, I say “I have 5 of these coupons”. The cashier takes them from me, and I make sure there are 5 beeps while handing the next set of coupons to her. I’ve found that cashiers have appreciated this because they know that those 5 coupons I just handed them should all be taking off $1.00 each. If I just hand my entire stack to the cashier, they have to make sure each coupon is being scanned correctly at the correct price and almost always a coupon is stuck together with another and doesn’t get scanned. For me, I personally like to hear each individual beep and make sure they went through.
Step 5: After you have finished checkout and have your receipt, check it right then and there as you are slowly walking out of the store. Even with watching the coupon scans, there have been times when the computer didn’t take the coupon off. If you can catch the discrepency before you leave the store, just head over to customer service with your receipt and they should be able to give you cash for the difference of the coupon that was missed.
If you forget to check your receipt and find the mistake later, more than likely, you won’t want to drive all the way back to the store just to get money missed for 1 coupon. It would cost more in gas than what the coupon(s) were worth.
So, that is what I do when checking out. But how I have found to work best for me, may not be the easiest way for you. I’m sure with a little practice you will find a way to be consistent so you can have less of those “heart pounding in your chest” moments at checkout.
mandi
when a store has a “buy 10 items get $5 off” sale going, i make marks on my hand (gasp) for each item that qualifies for that sale so i can make sure and get the exact number needed.
EFritz
As I buy the items that match coupons, I take the coupons out and paperclip them to my list. I always have a few paperclips.
I also have all my coupons for that trip separated out already and when I do not buy that item it just stays in the envelope. I am not to the binder shopping yet.
Mostly I just take my time, if there are items I really want/need I get those first them I go slowly through the rest of my list. If it is sold out then I just move on to the next item.
I like having everything ready before check out as well. For example at Harris Teeter there are a bunch of couponers and the poor cashiers get a ton of crap. Be polite and always be patient yourselves!
I have not had a bad experience with coupons yet (I also try for off hours whenever possible)
Barb @ getupandplay
Ha ha, I love Mandi’s idea.
This is so helpful, Melea, because this is the part of couponing that is a little scary. 🙂
lynn
I have found it be helpful to tape the coupon right on the product. Use a small piece of tape and don’t cover any expiration dates and bar codes. That way I don’t have to sort anything later and everything goes right into the cart. If I get a really good cashier that wants to double check everything, it’s all right there together.
Audrey
I keep a couple spare envelopes in my coupon binder so as I take coupons out I put them in the envelope which I can keep in the cart without losing any.
Gretchen
I have a coupon checkout question. On Sat. I went to Walmart to price match the General Mills cereal sale from Maceys. I used the coupons that I had printed at home from the links you provided. My cashier asked me if they were photocopied or reprinted because they were missing a barcode. He still honored my coupons but gave me a polite “warning”…has this ever happened to you with printable coupons? Thanks!
Leigh
I’ve had the same thing happen to me but, I’ve never been accused of fraud. They told me that a barcode was missing but Wal-Mart has never honored them!!
Jenn
Today I was told by a wal-mart CSM that it is now utah county walmarts policy to longer accept printable coupons if they will not scan on the register or their hand scanners.
Penny
Before I shop I take all the coupons I will be using and put them into an envelope. This saves a lot of time while shopping, so I don’t have to keep flipping through my binder. As I put items into my cart I take the coupon for that item out and paperclip it to my list. That way all of my coupons are out and ready when I get to checkout. I always bring my coupon binder with me, also. You never know when you will need a coupon for an unadvertised deal!
Lynne
I also get all coupons out for what I am planning on purchasing before heading to the store. If I am in a hurry I only go for those items on my list. If I have extra time I will take my binder and so if I see any other good deals I am able to take advantage. Then before I hit the checkout line I try to find an area of the store that is not too busy (so I am not in anyone’s way) and double check my coupons to make sure I have everything ready. If I am price matching I also make sure to line my items up on the conveyor belt in the same order as I have them written down so I am not having to search on my list. I am also a big fan of paperclips and always have a few to help me have everything organized.
Nancy
At home I prepare my list on the back of my (recycled) envelope, inside are all the coupons I need for what is on my list. I have a piece of paper inside that separates the coupons in front of paper that I have gotten and behind the paper is what I need to acquire yet. Then I have them all ready to hand to cashier when I get there.
p.s. I open my mail using a envelope cutter and save my envelopes This works for me, I hope others can use it also.
Debra Needles
Nancy…thanks for the great tips!
kim
Thank you.
Meredith Harker
When price matching at Walmart, I always put my “non priced matched” items on the belt first, then all the “priced matched” items on in the order they appear on my grocery list. This saves me and the cashier so much time. Every thing is in order and I know just how much to tell the cashier to price match each item for and what store it came from.
Megan Rogers
Well, I have one question, DO ANY OF YOU DO YOUR SHOPPING WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN TOW? LOL, because I do! And while I do my best to use coupons, sometimes things get missed or forgotten. I used to fret over it, but now I don’t. Worrying just isn’t worth a dollar. 🙂
Thanks for all your tricks and tips!
Nicole
HAHA I totally get frustrated when my daughter is in tow and wrecking havoc on who knows what!!! I dont fret over forgotten coupons.
Allyson
I like to make my list on the front of an envelope filled with my coupons with the amount of each product and Price match price if necessary. In the store I only look at my list on my envelope first and bring sticky notes and a sharpie and label each item as it comes into my cart with the Price Match price.
Tiann
Thanks for the advice. I had to do that a couple of times. One item I bought did not give me the sale price. I check the receipt after purchase and was able to get back the money owed to me. At Safeway with U Rewards, I can get free items each month. One of the items, I was charged. Again I went to customer service to get my money back.
Teresa
I think walmart Just needs to update there computer system..I never had any problem with coupons at Target..But walmart sure is a stinker with the coupons..I told them straight out that there computer system is old and dated and they need to get with the program..I HATE WALMART!
stephanie
Thanks so much …. i do my list before i go and do different envelopes for the coupons with t he order number on it because our store only allows 20 coupons to double per order. i also have a plastic “pencil protector” keeper like we used to use in elementary school in my binder. I have the coupons in the envelope when I start and as i use them I put them in the plastic holder. when i complete that order, i move them back to the envelope.
Trina
i tend to take a shopping list with me when shopping and as i pick up my items i write the price next to the item that im getting it def helps me remember what all i have picked up and helps as im watching things ring up i know the correct price. i do pick other things up as i shop and i just write the item down and put the price next to it.