Can you use a B1G1 AND another coupon together?
Melanie asked…
The other day I was watching that Extreme Couponing Show and one lady on there was purchasing something on B1G1 free and she was also using another coupon with it (not a store one, from what I could tell, but just an additional $ off that item).
I did not think you could use another $ off coupon in conjunction with a B1G1 free coupon, unless perhaps it was a store coupon, or if it was the store's B1G1 deal. Is that something you have ever done?
I have done this and it's a YMMV whether your store is ok with it. Obviously we know the coupon redemption ratio is 1:1 meaning you can use one coupon for one product. However, in the case of a B1G1 coupon you are actually acquiring two products which means that two separate coupons may be used. Since the B1G1 coupon is just one coupon, many stores allow the use of another coupon as well (like a $1/1 or similar type) because you are getting two separate products.
Many people also get confused on using a B1G1 coupon with a B1G1 sale (links to a post I wrote on that topic). That is allowed by many stores also. In some cases you can use a $ off coupon too (as explained above). This becomes a true money-maker!
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I once did that at Kroger. I used my Gillette coupon; buy 1 deodorant and get a free body wash. I then used a $1.00 coupon on the deodorant. I paid $1.09 for the deodorant and the body wash together. The $1.00 coupon also doubled to $2.00 off. I was shocked that it worked, I went back the next day and did it again ( I buy my Sunday papers in pairs). I don’t believe I could pull it off any where else.
Becky, thanks for sharing! I have done this successfully at Kroger too. I wonder how that $1 doubled to $2? I’ve never heard of that happening (around here anyway).
AT Krogers here in Michigan, they double $1.00 coupons up to $2.00. You can use up to 3 on the same product. I think it has me spoiled, because I don’t like to shop other stores. I just don’t save as much money.
I did this once at Walmart. I had a coupon for B1G1F body wash plus $1 off the same product. I’ve attempted this once again for for a B2G1F coupon at same store with a $2 off product coupon. I ended up locking up the register and holding up the line. I was embarrassed and just knew the cashier was thinking horrible thoughts about this “obnoxious customer”. Anymore I will go to the customer service desk of whatever store I shop and ask if such use of coupons is ok. I use maybe 5-20 coupons per weekly trip so I am in no way on the extreme side of couponing.
Roxanne, very good point to ask customer service if it’s allowed. That is my motto in couponing in general. Make nice with management and they will know you’re not trying to pull a fast one over on them!
I’m new to couponing this month. I had two mfrs q’s and tried the BOGO w/a second $1 q and the cashier wouldn’t accept the $1 coupon. I just politely took it back. That was at Target. Yet several weeks prior I scored w/some John Frieda coupons at Target and the older cashier was quite impressed w/my savings (so was I). I will definitely look for her next time I’m there. I signed up w/several bloggers earlier in the month to see what all this “coupon stuff” was about and I’ve embraced it wholeheartedly (I’m probably driving my sisters nuts!). I’m retired and w/gas prices soaring (in CA gas prices went up to $4.25 a gal) it was taking my “mad” money. And boy was I mad! As they say “neccesscity is the mother of invention”. From what I’ve learned and put into practice (and I’m just learning), I’ve reduced the cost of the items I need or use by an average of about 50%, and sometime way more! I read a few blogs and have read some of the “horror” stories w/using coupons and cashier’s attitudes and I just don’t get it. Where would the cashiers be jobwise, if we didn’t shop at their store?
Anyway, Andrea, you are one of my favorite bloggers. You just make so much sense as in “common” and “cents!!! :-)
I actually have to disagree with this. :) I would argue that a B1G1 coupon applies to two products, just like one for $1/2 would. Our Kroger affiliate, King Soopers, has clarified in their policy that you can’t use an additional coupon on a free item; and Target recently clarified their policy on this as well.
I’ve emailed a few manufacturers and the ones that responded indicated that in order to use a B1G1 coupon with a cents off coupon, you would need to get three total products.
Just my 2¢, for whatever it’s worth!
Thanks for the info, Carrie! I guess that goes to show you how we can each get different responses from various stores and manufacturers. Like I mentioned above, when in doubt find out what the store’s individual policies are – that’s all that we can go by!
My Kroger (Dayton Area) used to allow a B1G1 with a $ off coupon for 2 items. Last night when I went however it was not allowed – the register beeped and the cashier returned the $ off coupon to me saying I couldn’t use it. I also bought vitamins – B1G1 promotion and the ekroger cpn did not deduct (have $2 off ecpns for Natures Bounty and Sundown)
Andrea,
I appreciate you answering my question about the B1G1 coupon combined with the $ off coupon! I may attempt this sometime when the opportunity arises! It sounds like it may vary from store-to-store and cashier-to-cashier! :) Thanks!
Melanie
Since you can use a b1g1 coupon and another for $ off on the second item, could you use 2 b1g1 coupons and get 2 free items?
No, you would have to purchase 4 items to use 2 – B1G1 coupons. The ratio always has to remain 1:1. HTH!