Types of Coupons

Coupons may be in electronic or hard copy form, and may be issued by the store (retailer) or manufacturer.

Electronic Coupons

Electronic coupons are available from grocery store apps and websites, and may also be available on the website of the manufacturer.

Generally electronic coupons are downloaded to an iphone so that the bar codes on the coupon can be scanned from the smart phone at the checkout counter.

In some cases the electronic coupons may be available to print.

Additionally, offers for coupon or discount codes may be available through retailers and manufacturers.

Coupon or discount codes are most commonly used during the checkout process when buying items online.

Coupon codes may be obtained in promotional emails received from retailers, various online coupon sites, through social media, or on a retailer’s website.

Paper (Hard Copy) Coupons

A paper coupon is one that can be found on paper-type sources such as newspapers, on the outside or inside of food packages, store flyers, ads, and mailers.

These generally come in the form of a “vendor/manufacturer” or “store coupon“.

The difference between a vendor and store coupon is that the store name should be noted somewhere on the store coupon itself and generally can only be used only at that store, as opposed to a vendor coupon that may be used at any store that accepts coupons.

Handy Tips

A store may accept a competitor’s store coupon.
Often times a vendor coupon can be used in combination with a store coupon.
Whether electronic or paper, coupons almost always have a duration of time that they can be used. So remember to check the fine print for the start date and expiration date.