Double Up! Understanding When "Do Not Double" STILL Doubles!

Ah, the beauty of a doubled coupon!

If you're like me, chances are you spend most of your time dreaming about a land where coupons are magically doubled and tripled, and envying the joyous couponers snatching up double deals!  Most of you know I live in sunny south Florida, and here we trade in double/triple coupon policies for sunshine and sandy shores... I guess some would consider it a fair trade!


Don't get me wrong - ANY savings is great (you can read about how I think that even low value coupons are worth clipping here), and I am thankful to get any coupon!  Sometimes it can be discouraging to see other couponers post amazing free toilet paper deals, or 20 ketchup bottles for 50¢ with a doubling or tripling deal, but remember - often times there are regional sales that those people may not get that you do!  In the end, couponing always balances itself out...

Aside from using your low-value coupons in creative ways to score big, there are times where stores like Albertsons and Kmart do Double Days, or will run a double/triple coupon promotion!  These days are few and far between, but I am letting you know that even if you live in a place where coupons don't typically get doubled, you can still benefit from reading this article!  There is nothing wrong with knowing more than you did yesterday, even if you only get to use the info every once and a while!  

Okay, so what is the deal with "Do Not Double" coupons?  You see it printed in BIG BOLD letters at the top of your manufacturer coupon: 

Well, before you write off that coupon and tuck it in your "not-so-important" file, there are a few things you should know about doubling coupons.

1.   Know Your Store's Coupon Policy

First of all, your store HAS to have a double coupon policy for any coupon to double - regardless of the UPC code, and each store is different.  Sometimes different stores within a chain will have different policies, so make sure you have not only the corporate policy, but the policy of the individual stores you shop at.  For example, my sister shops at ShopRite, and there are two close to her.  One store only deducts up to 99¢ (so a 55¢ coupon would double, but be adjusted to 99¢ total discount), where the other store doubles the full value up to 99¢ (that same 55¢ coupon would be worth $1.10 discount at this store).

2.  Learn to Read Your UPC Codes

Those little codes that look like alien computer language are actually a language that not just computers can read.  Even you can un-crack the code and learn what a coupon is actually saying with all of those lines and numbers.

If the coupon has the number 5 as the first number in the UPC code, then the coupon absolutely WILL double at the register (assuming your store's coupon policy allows doubling), regardless of the verbage.  If the coupon has the number 9 as the first number, then it will NOT double at the register because it has been coded specifically NOT to.  Where do these coupons come from?  Well the "5" coupons, are typically found in your Sunday inserts, and Internet Printable coupons, where as the "9" coupons are typically your blinkie or peelies, promotional coupons found in the stores or on products.  By knowing which coupons STATE do not double but start with a 5, you will know which to plan for extra savings at the register.

3.  Knowing How That DND Coupon Magically Doubles - and How it is NOT Coupon Fraud

Now, onto the "Do Not Double or Triple" that is in bold letters at the top of your coupon.  This is a very simple explanation, but to fully break it down, I will split it into scenarios.

          Scenario 1:  Regular MFR coupon 

                 Lets say your coupon is  40¢ off 1 Old El Paso Refried Beans, and it does not exclude doubling

                Purchase:     1 can Old El Paso Refried Beans                                    =     99¢
                        Use:     1 MFR coupon, 40¢/1 Beans                                         =    -40¢
                   Double:     Since coupon does not exclude, MFR doubles value    =    -40¢
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                 18 ¢ OOP

So, since the verbage in the coupon did NOT exclude doubling or tripling, the manufacturer reimburses the store for the doubled value of the coupon - instead of giving the store 40¢, the give them 80¢ plus the handling fee.

            Scenario 2:   DND "5" MFR coupon

                  Lets say your coupon is  40¢ off 1 Old El Paso Refried Beans, and it does not exclude doubling

                Purchase:     1 can Old El Paso Refried Beans                                    =     99¢
                        Use:     1 MFR coupon, 40¢/1 Beans                                         =    -40¢
                   Double:     Since coupon excludes MFR double, STORE doubles    =    -40¢
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                 18 ¢ OOP

You still have the exact same OOP cost, and really nothing changes on your end.  You still redeem the coupon at double value - this is just like using a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon together.  The store stands to it's policy and doubles, but just covers the cost themselves, they are only reimbursed the 40¢ plus handling fee.

Here you can see a 50¢ being doubled - marked at "BONUS COUPON"

SO!  The lesson to be learned here is that when the coupon says "Do Not Double", it is simply telling the store that they are going to be responsible for the doubling of that coupon.  Even though stores will double a DND that starts with a "5", keep in mind, they will NOT double any coupon stating DND that starts with a "9".  

REMEMBER!!! EVERY STORE IS DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE!  My suggestion is that since you understand the way the DND rules work, stop at your customer service center and ask them about their policies.  If they do not know, or seem unsure, ask to speak to a manager to ensure you have the correct information.  To learn more about how to ask for your store's coupon policy, be sure to check back in a couple of days to see a post on requesting coupon policies!