You are cleaning out your wallet, and you find a great coupon that you forgot to use. The only problem is that it expired yesterday. Most people would throw that coupon in the trash, assuming that it is now a worthless piece of paper. However, in many cases, that is not true. A surprising number of major retailers have an unwritten and unofficial “grace period” for their coupons. By being a polite and savvy shopper, you can often still use a coupon that is a few days or even a week past its expiration date.
The Unofficial “Grace Period”
Many large retail chains empower their cashiers and managers to accept recently expired coupons as a gesture of goodwill. They would rather keep a loyal customer happy than argue over a 50-cent discount. This unofficial grace period is usually for about one week after the coupon has expired. It is a way for the store to provide excellent customer service.
The Power of Being Polite
The key to getting a store to accept an expired coupon is to be polite and to ask nicely. You should not try to sneak the coupon past the cashier. Instead, you should show them the coupon and acknowledge that you know it has just expired. You can then politely ask if they would still be willing to honor it for you. A kind and respectful attitude will go a long way.
The Store Manager’s Discretion
If a regular cashier is not able to accept the coupon, you can always politely ask to speak to a store manager. The manager has a much greater level of authority to override the system and to make an exception for a good customer. Again, a polite and non-confrontational approach is the best way to get a positive result.
The Military Commissary Exception
This is a little-known but amazing perk for military families. The commissaries on U.S. military bases overseas will accept manufacturer coupons for up to six months after their expiration date. This is a special program that is designed to help military families who are serving abroad save money. The coupons are then sent back to the U.S. to be processed.
A Simple Question
The old saying “it never hurts to ask” is the golden rule of using an expired coupon. The worst that can happen is that the store will say no. The best that can happen is that you will save some money. By being a polite, honest, and informed shopper, you can often turn that “worthless” piece of paper into a valuable discount. It is a simple but effective way to stretch your grocery budget just a little bit further.
Have you ever successfully used a coupon after it has expired? What other secret couponing tips do you know? Share your experience and your advice!
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The post Here’s How You Can Still Use Expired Grocery Coupons appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
