Coupon stacking is the art of combining multiple discounts on a single item. It is a powerful way to achieve massive savings. However, retailers are not fans of these extreme hacks. They have been quietly updating their computer systems and their store policies to close the loopholes that make these deals possible. The golden age of coupon stacking is coming to an end. Retailers are now fighting back against these seven popular hacks.
1. Stacking a Digital and a Paper Coupon
This was a classic and a very effective hack. A shopper would load a digital manufacturer coupon to their loyalty account. They would then also use a paper version of the same coupon at the register. The old systems would often accept both, leading to a double discount. New, updated checkout software now recognizes this duplication. It will almost always reject the second coupon.
2. Using a BOGO Coupon on a BOGO Sale
A “Buy One, Get One Free” sale is a great deal. A BOGO coupon is also a great deal. In the past, some store systems would allow you to combine the two. This would result in you getting both items for free. Retailers have now closed this loophole. Their checkout systems are programmed to only accept one of the BOGO offers, not both.
3. Creating “Overage” with a High-Value Coupon
“Overage” is when the value of a coupon is higher than the price of the item. In the past, some stores, like Walmart, would apply that extra credit to the rest of your bill. This meant the company was paying you to take the item. Most retailers have now changed their official policies. The coupon’s value is now limited to the price of the item, which eliminates any overage.
4. Using a “Category” Coupon on a Trial-Size Item
A manufacturer might release a coupon for “$2 off any product from Brand X.” A savvy shopper would then use this coupon on the cheapest possible item from that brand. This was often a small, travel-sized product that would then become free. In response, manufacturers are now making their coupons much more specific. The fine print will now often exclude trial and travel sizes.
5. Abusing the “Competitor” Coupon Policy
Some stores have a policy of accepting coupons from their local competitors. An extreme couponer would use this policy to their advantage. They would combine a competitor’s store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon to get a huge discount. Many stores have now ended this generous but very costly policy to stop this kind of stacking.
6. Stacking with a “Catalina” Coupon
A “Catalina” coupon is the long, receipt-like coupon that prints at the checkout. These are often for a dollar amount off your next purchase. An extreme stacker would try to combine this with other paper and digital coupons. New software is now better at enforcing the “one per transaction” rule. This limits this kind of massive, multi-layered stacking.
7. Exploiting Manual Overrides
In the past, a friendly cashier could often be convinced to manually override the system and to accept a questionable coupon stack. As retailers have become more serious about fighting coupon fraud, this is no longer the case. Cashiers are now trained to follow the computer’s decision. The system has the final say, which removes the human element that stackers used to rely on.
The Couponing Arms Race
The battle between couponers and retailers is a constant arms race. As shoppers find new loopholes, the stores will work to close them. The trend is clear. Retailers are moving toward a more controlled, digital-only system. This gives them the power to limit the extreme stacking that was once possible. The days of getting a full cart of groceries for just a few pennies are largely over.
Are you a coupon stacker? Have you noticed it getting harder to use these kinds of hacks at your local store? Let us know your experience!
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