Years ago, I was a fan of an easy coupon program called “Upons.” It was an electronic discount program that provided electronic “coupons” on my store loyalty card. I went to my store’s Web site, viewed a list of available coupons and selected the ones I liked. Because I registered my loyalty card on the Upons site, the coupon values were automatically transferred to it. When I shopped and bought the qualifying items using my loyalty card, the system automatically deducted the coupon amount from my bill.
I liked the program because it didn’t require any clipping. However, I tended to forget what I had put on my card, at the time, I was not organized enough to write down the coupons I had selected. Sometimes I was pleasantly surprised when the store’s register deducted the electronic coupon when I coincidentally bought a qualifying item. As time went on, there were fewer coupons available on the Upons site. Eventually, the sponsor discontinued the program.
I recently went to Kroger’s Web site and saw that they have added an improved version of an electronic coupon program. The program includes several Kroger-owned stores, including Kroger, Ralphs, King Soopers, Fry’s, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, JayC and City Market.
As with any new program, you need to read the fine print to make sure you’re following the instructions correctly. If you don’t, your electronic coupon may not work. I have already registered, and will share what I’ve learned:
First, go to www.kroger.com and look for the eSaver program link. When you sign up for the program you will establish a password and select your store’s name from a dropdown menu. Be aware that you are also signing up for the sponsor’s e-mailed newsletter when you register.
Have your loyalty card for that store handy so that you can register your card number online. Once you’re registered, you can select up to 25 offers from the list of Procter & Gamble name-brand products featured in the program. You cannot select more than 25 offers. Once you use your offers you can come back to the site and add as many new offers as you used. The coupons will begin working at your store an hour after you have made your selections, so allow some time to do this before your next shopping visit. Once you select and load the coupons on your card, you will see a total value displayed. In just a few clicks I loaded $14 of free coupons on my card! I was able to print a list of the coupons selected, and will keep it in the front of my coupon organizer to refer to.
If you happen to forget which coupons you selected, you can come back to the site and check your “active coupon” list. Each coupon has an expiration date, so if you don’t see a coupon you expected to find, check the “expired coupon” section. Finally, the eSaver program has a fun section called “redeemed coupons,” which keeps a running total of the coupons you actually redeemed. That’s a great scorecard for goal-oriented strategic shoppers!
There are some very important points to remember in using electronic coupons. First, even if your store doubles regular paper coupons, the face value of the electronic coupons will not be doubled. Second, you must buy the exact item described for the electronic coupon to be deducted. Read the written description carefully. For example, there were two coupons available for Pringles. The pictures were the same, but one coupon was for a single can of Pringles and the other coupon was for a new variety called Pringles Selects. Had I accidentally clicked the Pringles Selects coupon and purchased the single can of Pringles, the coupon would not be deducted.
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Stephanie Nelson shares her savings tips as a regular contributor on ABC News’ “Good Morning America.” You can find more of her savings tips in her book “The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom” and on her Web site at www.couponmom .com. She can be reached at shoppingmom@unitedmedia.com.
Lifestyles
Electronic coupons help ‘eSave’ your shopping day
Stephanie Nelson, Syndicated Columnist
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