Coupon Trading
When it comes to saving money, technology wins again with online coupon trading groups. These groups are made up of people who have coupons they don’t need and who need coupons they don’t have. If another member has something they need, or vice versa, a deal is struck and coupons are exchanged via snail mail (AKA, United States Postal Service). A couple of the online groups, such as www.couponforum.com and www.frugalvillage.com, require registration, however, they all appear to be free.
Here are some tips for using online coupon forums, as listed on suite101.com:
Tips for online coupon trading:
- When you post a message, give a detailed description of the coupon or coupons you want to trade. Include the exact discount, brand name and expiration date.
- When you receive a response, you should try to reply within 24 hours, even if you are rejecting the offer. People appreciate prompt responses and they remember courteous traders.
- When you agree to trade with someone, mail your coupons that day or the next.
- Make sure you put enough postage on the envelope!
- Consider setting up a post office box for privacy.
- Don’t post the same message on more than one forum at a time.
- Don’t ever try to sell coupons! These sites are for trading only.
- Be on the look-out for popular coupons. If you receive a coupon for baby food, but your kids are college-age, save it. Infant formula is expensive and those coupons are highly sought after on the forums.
- Check the forums often. A lot of times people will post notices of “hot deals” at online stores.
I trade coupons with my family. My mother and grandmother both purchase the newspaper on Sunday, so I get the benefit of two sets of picked-through coupons and they get the benefit of mine.
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© Copyright 2009, John A. Simpson. All Rights Reserved.
