Direct Manufacturer Coupons
The best, and perhaps least utilized, source of coupons is from the manufacturer. Manufacturers appreciate feedback from their customers. Whether you love a product or hate it, they want to know. To reward you, or placate you, or even replace the product, they generally offer coupons and these coupons are often much better than you can find anywhere else.
Customer support departments usually stock a range of high value, even free product coupons, with extended expiration dates (six months or more). Unlike newspaper inserts, which are printed weekly, and in-store coupons, which are printed promotionally, these “in house” coupons are printed once a year or so. They are reserved specifically for customer support staff to provide to customers. If you purchase their products, or would like to, those coupons are there for you.
When & How To Request Coupons
There are some general guidelines which are important to be aware of before you begin.
1. Always remember, the customer support person who receives your email, letter, or phone call, is a real person with a real life. Customer service staff are often low paid, and treated with little regard. They don’t get bonuses for placating customers. They don’t have the power or authority to solve every problem. They do have the power to hang up, lose your email or letter, or put you on a blacklist. You, however, can treat them with respect, kindness, and understanding and maybe reap the rewards.
2. Do not request the manufacturer to send coupons because your local stores will not accept internet printables. While this may be true for you, this is not an issue the manufacturer is responsible for. It is a legal issue stores and internet coupon providers are struggling with. Manufacturers may respond with “once a year” coupon mailings, but generally will cite “fairness rules”, meaning this is a problem for everyone in your area. This also flags your account against future coupons if you have already received any during the year.
3. Do not request the manufacturer to send coupons because you cannot print their coupons through an internet printable provider, such as SmartSource or Boodle. At best, the manufacturer may tell you to contact that site’s technical support. This is a technical issue; the manufacturer will rarely respond with an offer to mail coupons.
