I notice a lot of people are afraid to use coupons, and usually it's because of the stores people redeem them at. So many times have I used coupons, only to be fought with by the cashier to contest what the sayings on the backs of coupons mean. They will often tell you it means one thing, when it means another. So you go into a line, hand them a coupon and then the cashiers fight with you, making you feel demeaned and meanwhile there is a growing line of disgruntled customers behind you. You are steadfast in your interpretation, and she calls the manager, and more often then not the manager corrects the cashier, you got your savings, but a lot of burnt holes in your back from the annoyed customers.

COUPON USE IS NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE IN STORES

This is not fair, but the truth is it shouldn't hold you back from saving your hard earned dollars. Most of the time, it isn't even your fault -- I admit, sometimes I've been wrong in what a coupon means, or the interpretation of some particular wording. But more often then not it's the fault of a mal-informed cashier or lack of coupon knowledge. Most companies don't overly train on redemption of coupons, or some companies simply think it's too passé. What's wrong with saving my money I ask?

COUPON VALUE MORE THEN THE PRODUCT

Another common occurence I find is you'll have a coupon worth $2.00 off a product, but while it's on sale the price is only $1.77. Cashier says they can't use the coupon because the coupon is higher then the amount of the product, and they'd have to give you money back. But, this isn't the case. Coupons ARE valid on products that are less then the value of the coupon, they just have to enter the amount of the coupon as the same price the product is being sold at. This has been done for me in many places, including Shoppers Drug Mart and No Frills here in Ontario. Cashiers always seem so amiss as how to do this, and they will fight you left right and centre. Do not be discouraged, this is your money you're saving.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR COUPONS

There are common phrases on the back of your coupons, they usually state something to the effect of "One coupon per purchase", or "One coupon per item purchased" also "One coupon per customer". "One coupon per purchase" means per item, but often times cashiers get this confused with one whole bill, as in your whole purchase of items at one time. This is not true, and the companies that make these coupons outta be advised that thier wording should be changed. The "One coupon per customer", means you can only use that coupon once per visit. Or you could pass it off to your friend, and give her the money. In all honestly, these sayings on the coupons should be more clear, so they could save their customers a headache and the annoyed customers waiting for the statement to be interpreted.

So those are the most common problems I've encountered, hopefully you won't be dissauded by cashiers being mis-informed or simply un-informed. I've had just as many good experiences where cashiers have been extremely curious as to how I save so much money with coupons. Sometimes I'll pass a few coupons to the people waiting in line behind me -- usually stops the burnt holes in my shirt, from the evil glares!