A coupon can be a great tool for saving money. However, there is a time and a place for everything. In some situations, trying to use a coupon can be a major social faux pas. It can also be a waste of your time. In some cases, it can even hurt a small business. Before you pull out your coupon binder, you should think twice about using a discount in these eight worst-case scenarios.
1. At a Small, Independent Local Business
A small, family-owned business operates on razor-thin profit margins. They do not have the same purchasing power or financial cushion as a major national chain. When they offer a coupon, it is often a significant financial sacrifice that they are making to attract new customers. While they will honor the coupon, it is a gesture of goodwill to consider paying the full price to support a local business you value.
2. On a First Date
A first date is all about making a good impression. Fumbling with a paper coupon or a QR code on your phone for a “Buy One, Get One Free” entree can send the wrong message. It can make you seem cheap or overly frugal. While saving money is smart, a first date is one of the few occasions where it is worth paying the full price to avoid any potential awkwardness.
3. When It Holds Up a Very Long Line
There is a special kind of rage that is reserved for the person who holds up a long, busy checkout line with a huge stack of complicated coupons. If you are an “extreme couponer,” you should be considerate of the other people behind you. You should choose a time to shop when the store is not busy. Holding up a dozen other people just to save a few extra dollars is a major breach of shopping etiquette.
4. At a Fine Dining Restaurant
A fine dining restaurant is a place where you are paying for a premium experience, not just for the food. Trying to use a coupon in this type of establishment is often seen as tacky. It can be disruptive to the upscale atmosphere. Most high-end restaurants do not even offer coupons for this very reason. If you are on a budget, it is better to choose a more casual restaurant.
5. When It Causes a Major Hassle for the Staff
If your coupon is not scanning or if the terms are confusing, it can create a major hassle for the cashier and the manager. Arguing with the staff over a 50-cent coupon is not a good look. It can be a frustrating experience for everyone involved. If a coupon is causing a problem, it is often better to just let it go and to move on.
6. On an Item That Is Already a Bad Value
A coupon can create the illusion of a good deal on a product that is actually a terrible value. A discount on a heavily processed, low-quality food item does not make it a healthy choice. A coupon for a gimmicky “As Seen on TV” product does not make it a useful one. You should always ask yourself if you would still want the item if it was not on sale.
7. When You Are a Guest at Someone Else’s Meal
If someone else has been kind enough to invite you out and is paying for your meal, you should never try to use a coupon. It can be seen as an insult to your host’s generosity. It can also create an awkward situation for the server. It is a time to be a gracious guest, not a bargain hunter.
8. When the Coupon Is for a “Free” Item That Requires a Purchase
Many “free” item coupons are not really free. They will often require you to buy another, full-priced item to get the “free” one. This can trick you into spending more money than you originally intended. If you had not bought the first item on its own, then the “free” item is actually a very expensive purchase.
The Art of the Discount
A coupon is a tool, and like any tool, it needs to be used in the right way and at the right time. Being a smart and considerate shopper is about more than just saving money. It is also about understanding the social context of your actions. It is about knowing when a good deal is not worth the hassle or the social awkwardness. True savings are about value, not just about the lowest possible price.
What do you think is the worst place or situation to use a coupon? Have you ever had an embarrassing couponing moment? Let us know your story!
What to Read Next
- 10 Coupon Myths That Cost Shoppers Thousands Every Year
- 7 Coupon Stacking Tricks Grocery Chains Hope You Never Learn
- Why Do Coupons Sometimes Cost You More Than They Save?
- Digital Discounts: 6 Coupon Apps That Track Your Location Even When You’re Not Shopping
- What Grocery Clerks Think When You Use Coupons at the Wrong Time
The post The 8 Worst Places to Use a Coupon appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
