FAQ/Basics
BASIC TERMINOLOGY:
Coupon Types
Blinkie: A Coupon found in a Smart Source machine- usually attached to a shelf or freezer- and usually has a blinking light.
CRT: Cash Register Tape- sometimes coupons print out at the bottom
Hangtag: Coupon found hanging from a tag around a bottle or jar.
IP: Internet Printable Coupon
Peelie: Coupon found on the package of a product that can be peeled.
Tearpad -these are coupons that are on a tearpad usually located on a display or shelf near the item.
Coupon Inserts found in The Sunday Newspaper:
PG: Proctor and Gamble
RP: Redplum
SS: Smart Source
GM: General Mills
Other Frequently Used Terms
$1/2 etc: One dollar off two items. The number next to the dollar sign represents the discount and the second number represents the quantity required to receive that discount.
BOGO (or B1G1): Buy One Get One Free
PC: Price Cut
GC: Gift Card
RegP: Regular Price
ETS: Except Trial Size
B2G1: Buy Two Get One Free
MIR: Mail In Rebate
OOP: Out of Pocket. The amount you actually spend.
Q: Coupon
MFR or MQ: manufacturer coupon
TQ: Target Coupon
WYB: when you buy
TMF-Try Me Free. Form that usually require you to mail in proof of purchase for a full refund.
UPC= The bar code that is scanned to determine pricing. Often needed to fulfill MIR’s.
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary-this means that it may or may not be the case in all instances.
GDA: Good Deal Alert
Gift Card Deals
Gift Card Deals are deals where an incentive of a Gift Card is offered in return for buying a specified product or products. When doing gift card deals be sure you are buying the right items that will prompt the gift card (especially when there are several types/flavors/etc of the product included in the GC Deal). You can verify this by taking your items to one of the price scanners located around the store, and scanning the bar code. If the item is prompting a gift card- it will say so right up on the screen. Gift Cards cannot be used in the same transaction you earned them, however they can be rolled into the next transaction. If you do more than 1 GC Deal in a transaction you WILL receive both Gift Cards.
TARGET POLICIES:
Target Coupon Policy
*Target will accept one manufacturer’s coupon and one Target Store Coupon for each item unless either coupon prohibits this use.
*A Super Target coupon may be used at ANY Target store as long as the store carries that item.
*Valid Internet Printable coupons are accepted.
*If the item value is less than the coupon value, Target will not give cash back. In this situation the coupon amount may be reduced to meet the price of the product.
*Target does not accept competitor coupons.
You can print the coupon policy out HERE.
Target Price Matching Policy
Target has a price matching policy which they refer to as a Low Price Promise. I have listed what I feel are the most important points of this policy, but you may view the full policy HERE.
Target will honor any local retailer’s price published in a printed ad- the following exclusions apply:
*Any Online prices, Web-Advertised Prices or Mobile Prices (must be a printed ad)
*Early bird, door busters or other special limited time, limited quantity sales
*Membership club or loyalty programs (no BJs, Costco etc that require a club or loyalty card)
*Coupon-required advertised offers (ie- items advertised with a price AFTER an in-store coupon)
*Prices advertised as a percent off or $ off or BOGO sales
*Items advertised as Clearance or closeout
*Product Service Offers like warranties, assembly, etc.
*Going-out-of-business liquidations
*Non-branded items (some produce, etc)
*Expired Ads
Applying Coupons to Price Matching:
*Target coupons will be applied BEFORE the price match is made. Once the Target Coupon is applied if the price is still lower then the price match will
be made.
*Manufacturer coupons will be applied AFTER the price match is made.
FAQs
There are many places to get coupons, starting with your Sunday paper inserts. I usually purchase several copies- most often the savings offered in them pays for the paper and then some. Also take note when you are in the stores and look for tearpads and Blinkie machines. Even if you might not ever use the product the coupon is for- you just never know when it will come in handy! You can also go through a clipping service or search for coupons
Why don’t I see the coupon you list in MY insert?
Insert coupons vary by region, so you may find that your insert has the coupon but at a different $value off OR you may not find it at all. I am constantly envious of my Mom’s inserts as it always seems like when I get $.50/1 she gets $1/1!
When you list more than 1 manufacturer’s Q- does that mean I can use all of them?
You will often see more than one MQ listed for an item, however, Target will only accept one MQ & 1 Store Q per item. It is my task to let you know all the coupons that are available to you, but your task to pick the best one out of the bunch if you have more than one
. I too had serious issues trying to install the coupon printer and it was driving me crazy!!!! Here’s what worked for me:
Download the coupon printer. Be sure to “save” it to your desktop and not to a local directory. Do not directly “run” the installer after it is downloaded. Instead, once you have the file saved to your desktop- close each and every window you have open. You should not have any open applications at all. Now try double clicking on installer file on your desktop and going from there. I hope this helps but if other readers have different solutions- please feel free to e-mail or post and I will add it to this page
.Tips on Price Matching
1. Always bring the complete ad in with you & make sure the ad shows the sale dates
2. Check out at customer service- you will more than likely end up there anyway- so why not start there. (they should not refuse to check you out at CS either. You can explain to them why you are there- because you don’t want to wait in 2 lines!)
3. You are entitled to a gift card regardless of a Price Match. There is no rule that states otherwise in their policy to date. The only time I think this could be argued is if the ad specified you spend a certain amount of $ to get the gift card. So for example if it was Get a $5 GC wyb $10 worth of Oreo Cookies- and Oreo Cookies were $2.00 each at Target, but $1 each at Wags… if you wanted to price match- you would now have to buy 10 packages of Oreos instead of 5 in order to get the gift card.
4. If you are told that you are not entitled to a gift card- ask to speak to the manager. Many problems are solved by requesting a member of management. Not all, of course, but if you are still given a problem about getting your gift card- ask why and could they please show you where it says that you are not entitled to it if you price match.
5. If you feel there may be issues surrounding your purchase because of previous problems- locate the manager before you shop and express your concerns. You may as well know up front if management will refuse you and you get stuck purchasing something you normally wouldn’t if it weren’t for the incentives. But still ask that they validate the refusal by showing you this policy in writing.
6. If you are refused by management- although it is frustrating- my suggestion would be to e-mail corporate. You could call- but a written reponse that corrects the problem, can be printed out and taken to the store and shown to management instead of just taking your word for it.
Can I use all of the Brita Q’s from target and All You in the same transaction?
no you will have to choose 1 MQ & 1 TQ. I just try & list all the coupons available.
I was in Target today and tried to use the $1Q on the travel Johnson&Johnson baby shampoo. The register kept beeping and she told me that it is because I was buying the “trial” size and on the coupon it says “excludes trial size”. Is there a difference between “travel” and “trial”? Thank you!
no they are one in the same- if a Q says excludes trial size that means travel too.
Hi, just a quick question….when doing MIR’s can you send a copy of your register receipt if it says original or does it have to be the original? I goofed up and bought several things that could be used for MIRs in the same transaction!!! UGG! Thanks so much!
HI Amber- I always send in the original and don’t like to risk it. You can call both companies and ask- if they say a copy is alright I would get a name and include a short note with your rebate saying that you spoke to such and such of (company name) and they indeed let you know that a copy of a receipt was acceptable. You can also do a return and have them re-ring. I heard Target does duplicate recepts too but I have never done one there, unfamiliar on wether it says duplicate receipt at the top (which would probably be condiered a copy) or if they can pull it up after the fact. wish I could be of more help.
Thanks so much Kerry! You were more help than you know, I appreciate it very much!
How do you use the mobile coupons?
Just wondering how come I see some of the deals that quote prices, but when I go to my Target, those prices are different? How can they differ so much from region to region? Thanks!
Hey Laura- most regular prices vary by region and I usually note that on a lot of my posts. usually price cuts are more in line nationwide. It just depends upon where you live unfortunately.
Hey Margaret- you pull them up on an internet-capable phone and the barcode is scanned from your phone instead of a paper coupon. hth
Question: I was in Target Saturday eve. and was told that I could not use 2 of my $3 snuggle coupons (1 Q per bottle) – that I could only use 1 at a time, in separate transactions. The cashier told me that because the Q says “1 coupon per purchase” I can only use 1 of the Q’s and she’d have to ring them up separately. HUH??? I was attempting to buy the 2 Venus Embrace razors to get the $5 gift card – using 2 $2/1 coupons – but, she wanted to ring them separately and I would NOT get the gift card. Eventually she and the manager said “just do it”… I was a bit perturbed, to say the least as I’ve done SEVERAL great coupon runs there in the past 2 weeks and all have gone through JUST FINE. Just wondering if you are hearing ANYTHING on this. They said it’s from the manufacturers. How would the manufacturer’s know who’s buying how many??? I don’t get it. Thanks for any insight you may have. Perhaps it was just the wrong night, wrong cashier and wrong floor manager. Ugh. Blessings.
Hey Joy- I would cross my fingers that it was just a bad night- one coupon per purchase means one coupon per item- there is major confusion at some stores over this- so if you continue to have a problem- you are going to have to take it up with corporate. I will cross my fingers that it was just a rough night for you!
Thanks Kerry! I’m hoping too it was just a bad night. Very strange though! Thanks for all of your hard work.
Went to Target today and my cashier would not let me use any coupon where my item rang up for less than my coupn. I tried to buy clean and clear face wash .97 and had a $1 any clean and clear product and she wouldn’t let me because my item was less than my coupon. I asked if she could just ring up my coupon for .97 and she said no. ?? I haven’t ever had them do this to me before?
hey Hayley- all you can do is show your store the policy where it says they will adjust it down. if they refuse you need to call corportae and try and get it worked out with them.
Milk Bones essential plus are on sale this week for 2.38. I had a bogo so I got one free. Then a catalina spit out for 2.00 next one. I ran back and got another. Then another. Then another. Had a friend with me she couldn’t believe it. Paid .38 for a box of bones.
I purchased the Nikon camera S570 on 04-18-2010. Next week it will have a 30.00 gift card
with purchase. If I take my receipt to Target will they give me a 30.00 gift card because I
recenlty purchased the camera? I did not see any information of their webpage.
I was in a super target last night & found some marked down baby clothes & i took some pics to send to you…how do i contact you?
kerry @ totally target dot com (remove spaces)
Hi, love your site. I have a question reguarding printable coupons from any site. Five days ago my computer’s hard drive failed, had it fixed at our local Best Buy and the guy that fixed it said its a very bad idea to download coupon printers from coupon sites because viruses come into your computer through them, he said my computer was loaded with viruses and was pretty sure thats why the hard drive failed. I also had virus blockers on my computer but I guess it didn’t help much.
So my question is how do you keep your computer safe and still print coupons off the internet? I have been couponing for about a year now, and Love it! Unfortunatly our local news paper has very few coupons, so I rely on printables. Any info about this I would greatly appreciated Thanks
Hi Shelly- you have to do what your gut tellys you but if it makes you feel better- I would call and get a second opinion if that guy’s advice is sticking in your head. I think it also depends on what software you use to protect your computer and to be sure that you update it and run scans often. If you have virus protection, it can be of no use unless it is kept current. Personally I have never had a problem –knock on wood– buit if any other readers have- please share your opinions. You may also just want to stick w/the big ones- RP, SS, coupons.com, betty crocker, target etc. and let any of the little ones that come around that want to install something pass you buy. jmo hth
Hi Kerry,
Does Target accept using B1G1 coupon and a $off coupon together? I tried to buy 2 OFF! clip-on today, and I had one B1G1 coupon and one $2off coupon. But the manager told me when I use B1G1 coupon to get 2 same items, I am allowed to use only the B1G1 coupon. So I cannot use the $2off coupon. I looked up Target coupon policy from your blog, it doesnt say anthing about B1G1 coupon. Is it true?
Hi Kerry I tried to use a manufacturer coupon and a target coupon for a purchase of some detergent and the target coupon would not scan from their web site it said target web coupon on top and they would not accept it. The cashier/manager said that if it doesn’t scan they can’t take it. Do you know if this is true I have not had this problem before? Thanks
Hi Vicki- curious to first know if it was because it was a clearance item and if the amount of the Target coupon was greater than what the remaing balance was after the MQ was scanned?
Hi Kerri no it was for seventh generation detergent that was on sale and I had a manu. coupon and a target web coupon. I still would of paid a few dollars for it with both coupons applied but the girl told me because it wouldn’t scan they would not take it. Thanks
I just wanted to let you know of the problem I encountered a week ago at Target. My aunt and I were using our coupons as we always have. The cashier had a ? abt one and called a Sup over. She was VERY rude to us. I never said a word to her. We got almost done and my aunt asked the cashier if she minded counting her coupons. The Sup looked over at the other and said, she wants us to count them b/c she thinks we missed one. I then asked her why she was being so rude. She then stated that we could do “what we were doing this time, but we wont be allowed to do it in the future.” WHAT!!! Are you serious!! I asked her if using coupons was wrong and what were we doing wrong. She said, we know what you are doing! I asked for her name, the Store Mgr’s name and the name of the district mgr. I called and made a complaint abt her and the store mgr. Needless to say, after a few days I received a call from the Dist Mgr and then from the store mgr with an apology. I told him I have never felt like such a criminal just for using coupons and that if this was not rectified I was contacting the local news station for an interview. The store mgr did confirm that you cant use a coupon on free item that you may get w/ a b1g1 coupon, but did not tell me you couldnt use a cents off coupon with a b1g1 coupon. I figure, if you are still getting 2 items and the b1g1 Q is for the free item, you should still be able to use a cents off coupon for the one you purchasing. In any case, I just wanted to share what happened to me. CRAZY!!!
I have had several bad experiences at my local Target, including the feeling that they were treating me like a criminal for using coupons. In fact one supervisor stated to me that they were going to contact their securities department about me using coupons. I tried to contact their corporate office, no response. I spoke to the store manager, he states one thing, they do what they want the next visit. I take in their coupon policy, they ignore it. In fact, a supervisor told me that they were separate from their corporate office. My last visit took an hour and a half to check me out in the line. I am so frustrated and humiliated that I have not stepped foot back in my store. Any suggestions on who I should speak to in order to rectify this situation?
Hi Kerry, how can I find the printed coupon policy stating that we can use a B1G1 coupon and a $off coupon together for 2 items? If we cannot prove that we can use both, how can I argue with cashiers and managers next time they refuse to let me do so? I dont think that’s YMMV thing, is it? If we are legal to do so, why are some of the Target stores starting to refuse to take both coupons? I really need your help!! Please!!!!
Hey Jennifer- more and more it has become a ymmv unfortunately. And while I usually mention it on my recent posts- I need to update this page to reflect that. Unfortunately Target doe s not address it in their policy and therefore we are at the mercy of the store.
does target match ads to stores like walgreens? i notice that walgreens has their toilet gel things on sale starting tomorrow. id rather shop at target than walgreens.
Do sometimes the target coupons go away after you print them? I printed the $3/2 Armor All products one time (using your idea scenerio this week, thanks) . The next day I checked 5 times and it was gone. My mom checked on her computer and it was on page 11.The confusing part is that I did see 3 other coupons I had printed, even more than once. Thanks for all your help.
Hey SHirley- you’re not going bonkers
most coupons on the Target site have a print limit and once that is reached by your computer they will disappear. It varies how many you can print of each- some are one or two some are many. If it’s gone then you’ll know you’re maxed. hth
I am confused, a coupon for kleenex hand towels printed at the register when I bought them, is this considered a manufacturer coupon or a target coupon?
Hey Meghan- look at the top and see what it says- if it says Target coupon its a store coupon. of not it will say manufacturer’s coupon. hth.
It does say manufacturer at the top, and redeemable at target. so i don’t think they would take it along with a coupon from the paper right?
Hey Meghan- nope – not if it is already an MQ. BUT it can be stacked with a Target coupon. If you’d like- I i’ve got a post here: http://www.totallytarget.com/2010/03/02/target-store-coupons-vs-manufacturer-coupons/
that may be helpful to read. hth
That was very helpful, thank you so much!
Target really needs to get through to their associates about coupons that need to be priced down… and how to read a coupon. as couponers, we are suppose to know how to read the coupon – so that we dont waste cashiers time arguing why it should go through ….. then in the same they should understand…
i gave up trying to use any b1g1 coupons at my 2 local targets, neither of them know how to put them through correctly.. and i was also told that when i “purchase” 4 of 1 item i can only use 1 coupon for the whole transaction – not one on each…and that they cant price match and use a manuf coupon… becuase price matching is an “offer” and they cant combine offers …
Just one quick question, are mobile coupons considered manufacturers coupons or target coupons?
They are Target store coupons and can be stacked with MQs
I went to Target with a MQ for Band-Aid and a Target coupon for Band-Aid. The cashier told me I could not stack coupons. I said okay because I thought maybe their policy had changed. Just one more reason to try to have a store’s policy in print with you at the store!! So annoying!
Could you please tell me where I can find info about how to decipher coupons fine print? I know that you have put down that one could go and buy Kleenex hand towels and use both TQ and MQ. But on the MQ it states “limit one coupon per purchase”. Doesn’t that mean you can only use one coupon per hand towel? I have tried to use MQ and TQ on some items but have been denied because of the fine print and would like to be well-informed before trying it again. Thanks for helping us save money.
Maybe I have missed this somewhere, but how do you get on the Target home mailer listings to get all these target Q’s that you use? I know how to do the printables, but how do I get the home mailers?
How do you enter to win in the giveaways?
Hi Lynn- just leave a comment on the Giveaway post. hth
Just like you left a comment on this page- do the same thing but on the Giveaway post that interests you.
I was wondering if you have encountered this problem, or maybe I am not seeing it on my receipt. Whenever I purchase an item that gives a gift card and I’m using manufacture coupons, I notice that it isn’t taking out the manu coupons. On my receipts, it will have a list of the items that I bought for the gift card. It also lists the manu coupon amounts. But when it says how much I paid, it doesn’t seem to factor in the manu coupons. I have had this happen a few times and I don’t know if these coupon amounts can show up in other places on the receipt. I want to get a good deal, but I hate the feelings I get from the clerks when I try explaining it to them. Thanks!
Hey Alexis- the registers at Target can be very odd. For me- the easiest way I feel like I can monitor that coupons come off is to count them up before my transaction and then count them up right after I get my recipt while I stand there. This way if there is a problem I get it fixed right then and there. You ALWAYS have to check your receipts at Target- it is not just you and it is not just on GC deals either.
hiee
can you please let me know how can i get target home mailers? like the flip, clip & save?
Hi! Im new to target…I printed coupons from the target website, but they didnt have the Target logo or any mention of Target. Are these still only for Target?