penguinbar

You get money off when there are sales here. The coupon is just an added bonus. At Costco you don't need the coupon even though they have a coupon book. They automatically take it off.

I understand where you are coming from but I feel like a few of you have knocked it when I am trying to help someone who will be new to the USA and especially to New York City.

Jerseygirl

You usually have to clip coupons to get discount in lots of stores...especially department stores. Many mall shops give you a coupon to use with your next purchase.

Exactly.

aml1982

Yeah, we found that in Canada, too. There are other, regular "in store" deals to be had, but to save the real money you need the coupons. I worked in retail while I was at uni (Iceland, previously home of BOGOF, although I think they've moved away from that now), and every couple of weeks we would receive a brand new package with hundreds of new tags for the incoming promotions. Over here, the system protects the retailer much more because lots of people either don't get the coupons or forget they have them - instead of everyone getting the deal, maybe only half the shoppers do.

aml1982

I don't think people are "knocking" it per se - it's just that the system in NA is a little more time consuming for the shopper, and can at times be a bit of a faf. There's still money to be saved, and it still makes sense to do it.

Nutmegger

We're at cross purposes -- I was talking purely about groceries. I think every supermarket around here has "clipless" coupons these days, but as I said, I will use a manufacturer's coupon for a product I regularly use, especially as the supermarket usually doubles the amount.

Jerseygirl

I usually ask the cashier if they have any promotions before she ring the items up. Once I was told by a cashier in a major dept store that there was but I would have to line up at customer service for a coupon. What's that about?

penguinbar

I combine the store discount and the manufacturers.

nethead

I used to love taking my mum grocery shopping, she'd pick up something on BOGOF and say, I'll buy these and you can have the free one bless her.

Jerseygirl

What I do like about US supermarkets is if they overcharge you...you usually get the item free or half price. Or at least they do around here.

penguinbar

Unfortunately they don't double them in Manhattan. I have done pretty well though. If some people don't want to bother than that's fine. I'll keep couponing!

Nutmegger

Here too, I love that! Got myself a flat of annuals last week because it was wrongly marked.

Bob

but they figure most won't, so they can advertise a lower price and look good doing it and know it won't make a difference.

It annoys the snot out of me, but I do look out for coupons, mostly for nappies and the like...but some stores do make it a lot easier than others.

Sally Redux

Yep.