For Today’s Frequently-Asked-Question, let’s look at one from Carrie who works as a cashier at a grocery store…
Question:
“Hi, I work as a cashier and many times I have seen people come through my line with coupons that are photocopied. They will have like ten of one coupon and they will all have the same security code. Isn’t that fraud? I love a deal just as much as the other, but I don’t commit fraud to get it.“
Answer:
Carrie is right! It is fraudulent to photocopy coupons.
I get LOTS of questions about printable coupons so here are some of the most important facts you need to be aware of:
Important Facts About Printable Coupons
Before Printing You Must Download & Install Printing Software
You can print coupons from these individual websites; Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, RedPlum.com, Target, CommonKindness, and Hopster, and each has their own “coupon printer” software to allow you to print coupons that will be accepted at the store register.
You will only have to install the coupon printer the first time you visit each site. After that, you will be able to print coupons!
You may need to configure your firewall to allow these sites. Any site you are directed to from True Couponing has been verified as safe.
Each printable coupon has a unique security number.
Your IP address, or a unique identifier, is printed on EACH coupon for added security. When the coupon is sent to the manufacture to get scanned to reimburse the store, your IP address is recorded. If the same IP address comes up with the same security number more than the 2 allowed times, it is recorded. Your IP address could be flagged and you might not be able to print more coupons later.
Here is a visual explanation:
You might wonder when you print from different computers why the Barcode is the same?
That’s because it SHOULD be the same. That is not the unique identifier… that is hidden in the border (or sometimes found in teeny tiny print underneath the expiration date):
Interesting right? You have to remember, you are printing legitimate money and that needs to have some kind of authenticity.
You Can Print TWO (2!) Coupons Per Computer.
If you are printing a “Bricks” printable coupon (it will say “Bricks” in the URL of the coupon when you go to print it) After your first coupon prints, simply close that specific window and click the same link you originally did and another unique coupon will print. This is NOT fraudulent, as the security number is different for each coupon printed.
Printables Are Included On The Store Shopping Lists.
When there is a printable coupon available for an item on sale in one of our grocery store lists, the link to that coupon is built right into our list for you!
Simply click on the word “printable,” and you will be taken directly to the printable coupon.
Printable Coupons Are Limited In Number.
There are not unlimited prints of coupons. The manufacturer only releases a certain number of them, and once the print limit is reached, the coupon will no longer be available unless the company releases more.
Sometimes you will see “Print limit is reached” or “Campaign is over” when you try to print a coupon. This is why.
Beware Of Coupons In Email As PDF Attachments.
If you receive a coupon as an attachment via email, it is most likely fraudulent. But if you see one we have linked to on TrueCouponing, you can rest assured it is valid.
We ONLY link to approved, verified PDF coupons.
You will probably find one on our store lists about every other month.
Save Your Color Ink
You Do Not Have To print your coupons in color. Black and white is fine, stores accept them…so save your color ink!
Select gray-scale and the lowest quality print setting.
IMPORTANT: You need to set your “printing preferences” before you hit the “print” button because usually the printing software sends the coupons directly to the printer without the option to choose Black & White.
Printing Troubles?
- If you cannot get any printable coupons to print, you may need to update to a new version of Java.
- If you are having trouble printing coupons, try a different web browser. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari are all free to download and use. (We recommend using Firefox and Chrome)
I hope this clears up most of the confusion regarding printable coupons. It can be so frustrating to want to use printable coupons and find that you have done something wrong when you go to use them!
~Happy Couponing!
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