You have just finished a long and successful couponing trip. You feel great about all the money you have saved. However, your job as a savvy shopper is not over yet. A grocery store receipt is a complex document, and errors are surprisingly common. The use of coupons can actually make it more likely that a mistake will be made. By taking just a minute to check your receipt before you leave the store, you can protect yourself from these eight common and costly errors.
1. To See If the Coupon Scanned at All
The most basic error is that the coupon simply did not scan. The barcode might have been wrinkled, or the cashier might have just missed it in the shuffle. If you do not check your receipt, you will have no way of knowing that the discount you were counting on was never actually applied to your bill. You will have done all the work of clipping for no reason.
2. To Check If the Coupon Value Was Entered Correctly
If a coupon’s barcode will not scan, the cashier has to manually enter the discount amount. This is a moment where a simple human error can cost you money. The cashier might accidentally type in a lower value than the coupon was for. A quick check of the receipt is the only way to catch this common mistake.
3. To Make Sure the Coupon Applied to the Right Item
A “Buy One, Get One Free” coupon is supposed to deduct the price of one item. However, if you bought two different flavors of the same product at two different prices, the computer system will sometimes apply the discount to the cheaper item. This is a subtle error that can cost you a dollar or two if you are not paying attention.
4. To Catch a Double Scan
When you are focused on ensuring your coupons are being applied, it can be easy to overlook another common error: a double scan. A cashier might accidentally scan a single item twice. This is one of the easiest mistakes to miss on a long, complicated receipt. A careful review is your best defense against paying for something twice.
5. To Ensure a Digital or a Paper Coupon Did Not Both Apply
In some rare cases, a glitch in the system might cause both a digital coupon and a paper coupon to be applied for the same item. While this may seem like a lucky break, it is technically a form of coupon fraud. If the store notices the error, it can cause problems for your loyalty account in the future. It is always best to be honest and to point out the mistake to the cashier.
6. To Verify the Final Sale Price
The use of coupons can sometimes distract you from checking the underlying price of the items themselves. You might be so focused on the coupon that you do not notice that an item did not ring up at its correct sale price. You should always check the original price of each item on the receipt first, and then check to see if all your discounts were applied.
7. To Spot an Incorrect Sales Tax Calculation
Sales tax on a grocery bill can be surprisingly complicated. In many states, food items are not taxed, but non-food items, like paper towels and cleaning supplies, are. A cashier can sometimes make a mistake and apply the sales tax to a non-taxable food item. This is a small but important error to look for on your receipt.
8. To Get Your “Catalina” Coupons
The “Catalina” coupons that print from a separate machine at the checkout are often the most valuable deals of all. A busy or careless cashier might forget to hand you these important coupons after your transaction is complete. You should always check the area around the register to make sure you have not left any of these valuable, money-saving slips behind.
The Final Step to Savings
A successful shopping trip is not over until you have reviewed your receipt. This simple, final step is your last chance to catch a costly error and to ensure you have received all the discounts you are entitled to. It is the hallmark of a truly disciplined and savvy shopper. A careful review of your receipt can be the difference between a good shopping trip and a great one.
What is the worst error you have ever found on your grocery store receipt? Do you always check your receipt before you leave the store? Let us know your habits!
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