This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
for the first time.

Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:

"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"

I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
of all coupons. M

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed
it
> for the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
> effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
> Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
> stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
> cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the
end
> of all coupons. M

Just a guess, but wouldn't online coupons be much more subject to
fraud, counterfeiting and abuse than the ones that are clipped from
newspapers and magazines? I haven't noticed any similar sign in any
stores where I shop. I quit using coupons a long time ago.

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it for
> the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
> for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
> Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
> don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome enough,
> though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all coupons. M
>

Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.

Jack Fake

Jack Schidt® wrote:
> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it for
>>the first time.
>>
>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>
>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>
>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
>>for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
>>Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
>>don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome enough,
>>though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all coupons. M
>>
>
>
> Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
> probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.
>
> Jack Fake
>
>
Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the
website when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you
wanted. If you don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so
ridiculous. Why would you need "good graphics software and a good
printer" if you could just print them? Remember Laura, my next door
neighbor? She would like to know. You will see her on the 6th, I hope.

On 10/14/2004, Margaret Suran wrote:

<snip>

>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"

<snip some more>

>Perhaps this heralds the end of all coupons.

I've never used an online coupon, but your post prompted me
to look at the "SmartSource" (I think) website. I've seen their
coupons in paper form in Sunday papers for years. I was in-
terested to learn that this is a Newscorp. (Murdoch) operation.

On 10/14/2004, Margaret Suran wrote:

<snip>

>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"

<snip some more>

>Perhaps this heralds the end of all coupons.

I've never used an online coupon, but your post prompted me
to look at the "SmartSource" (I think) website. I've seen their
coupons in paper form in Sunday papers for years. I was in-
terested to learn that this is a Newscorp. (Murdoch) operation.

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 06:19:12 -0400, Margaret Suran
> wrote:

>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
>effect for some time.

Grocery stores in my area (Atlanta, GA) have not accepted online
coupons for approximately the past two years.

Tara

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 06:19:12 -0400, Margaret Suran
> wrote:

>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
>effect for some time.

Grocery stores in my area (Atlanta, GA) have not accepted online
coupons for approximately the past two years.

Tara

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Jack Schidt® wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
>>>for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
>>>Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
>>>don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome
>>>enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all
>>>coupons. M
>>>
>>
>>
>> Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
>> probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.
>>
>> Jack Fake
> Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the website
> when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you wanted. If you
> don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so ridiculous. Why would you
> need "good graphics software and a good printer" if you could just print
> them? Remember Laura, my next door neighbor? She would like to know.
> You will see her on the 6th, I hope.
>
>

Margaret, CoolSavings.com is on online coupon site. My guess is that people
just reprint the coupons continuously, thus the policy. There are other
online programs too.

kili

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Jack Schidt® wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
>>>for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
>>>Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
>>>don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome
>>>enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all
>>>coupons. M
>>>
>>
>>
>> Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
>> probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.
>>
>> Jack Fake
> Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the website
> when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you wanted. If you
> don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so ridiculous. Why would you
> need "good graphics software and a good printer" if you could just print
> them? Remember Laura, my next door neighbor? She would like to know.
> You will see her on the 6th, I hope.
>
>

Margaret, CoolSavings.com is on online coupon site. My guess is that people
just reprint the coupons continuously, thus the policy. There are other
online programs too.

kili

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Jack Schidt® wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
>>>for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
>>>Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
>>>don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome
>>>enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all
>>>coupons. M
>>>
>>
>>
>> Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
>> probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.
>>
>> Jack Fake
> Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the website
> when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you wanted. If you
> don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so ridiculous. Why would you
> need "good graphics software and a good printer" if you could just print
> them? Remember Laura, my next door neighbor? She would like to know.
> You will see her on the 6th, I hope.
>
>

Depends on the coupon, as you'd want to create a good facsimile. As for the
printer, yes, that wouldn't matter.

I haven't seen the ones you speak of so I dunno. They may just look like
these posts!

Jack Text

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Jack Schidt® wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in effect
>>>for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as Online
>>>Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in stores that
>>>don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards cumbersome
>>>enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end of all
>>>coupons. M
>>>
>>
>>
>> Or not. Somebody with really good graphics software and a good printer
>> probably counterfeited coupons, hence the new policy.
>>
>> Jack Fake
> Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the website
> when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you wanted. If you
> don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so ridiculous. Why would you
> need "good graphics software and a good printer" if you could just print
> them? Remember Laura, my next door neighbor? She would like to know.
> You will see her on the 6th, I hope.
>
>

Depends on the coupon, as you'd want to create a good facsimile. As for the
printer, yes, that wouldn't matter.

I haven't seen the ones you speak of so I dunno. They may just look like
these posts!

Jack Text

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
> for the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
> effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
> Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
> stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
> cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
> of all coupons. M


Why didn't you simply ask the manager about it?

Jim>

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
> for the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
> effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
> Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
> stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
> cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
> of all coupons. M


Why didn't you simply ask the manager about it?

Jim>

James A. Finley wrote:
> "Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>for the first time.
>>
>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>
>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>
>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
>>effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
>>Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
>>stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
>>cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
>>of all coupons. M
>
>
>
> Why didn't you simply ask the manager about it?
>
> Jim>
>
>
Ask him what? Whether all coupons are on the way out? Otherwise,
there was nothing to find out, as I am familiar with every word on the
sentence: "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted". )

Thank you Jim all others for your answers. I was just curious. I
guess that Online Coupons are used more than I realized. While I do
not like any kind of coupon, I used to love the Green Stamps, Plaid
Stamps, S & H and others, so popular about thirty years ago. What a
great sales incentive they were. M

>Margaret Suran writes:
>
>James A. Finley wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" wrote:
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
>>>effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
>>>Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
>>>stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
>>>cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
>>>of all coupons. M
>>
>>
>>
>> Why didn't you simply ask the manager about it?
>>
>Ask him what? Whether all coupons are on the way out? Otherwise,
>there was nothing to find out, as I am familiar with every word on the
>sentence: "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted". )
>
>Thank you Jim all others for your answers. I was just curious. I
>guess that Online Coupons are used more than I realized.

Many retail stores don't honor on-line coupons, they are too easy to fake...
and even if legit they need to be forwarded to a clearing house other than the
one for direct coupons, then the store is lucky if they get reimbursed that
year, or if at all. Smaller stores don't do the volume to cover their butts
for loss of coupon revenue. D'Agostino's are usually located in high rent
districts, their prices are high to begin with but if they were regularly stuck
with losses from unredeemable coupons then they'd need to further increase
prices and just who do you think would pay. Years ago I used to use coupons,
but for many years now I just don't bother.... it's been many years since I've
seen a coupon for an item that I actually use. Coupons are invariably for
newly introduced products, usually weird stuff like yet another overly
sweetened kiddie cereal, "Wacko Jacko Licorice Banana Flakies".


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

>Margaret Suran writes:
>
>James A. Finley wrote:
>> "Margaret Suran" wrote:
>>
>>>This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
>>>for the first time.
>>>
>>>Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>>>
>>>"Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>>>
>>>I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
>>>effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
>>>Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
>>>stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
>>>cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
>>>of all coupons. M
>>
>>
>>
>> Why didn't you simply ask the manager about it?
>>
>Ask him what? Whether all coupons are on the way out? Otherwise,
>there was nothing to find out, as I am familiar with every word on the
>sentence: "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted". )
>
>Thank you Jim all others for your answers. I was just curious. I
>guess that Online Coupons are used more than I realized.

Many retail stores don't honor on-line coupons, they are too easy to fake...
and even if legit they need to be forwarded to a clearing house other than the
one for direct coupons, then the store is lucky if they get reimbursed that
year, or if at all. Smaller stores don't do the volume to cover their butts
for loss of coupon revenue. D'Agostino's are usually located in high rent
districts, their prices are high to begin with but if they were regularly stuck
with losses from unredeemable coupons then they'd need to further increase
prices and just who do you think would pay. Years ago I used to use coupons,
but for many years now I just don't bother.... it's been many years since I've
seen a coupon for an item that I actually use. Coupons are invariably for
newly introduced products, usually weird stuff like yet another overly
sweetened kiddie cereal, "Wacko Jacko Licorice Banana Flakies".


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

"Margaret Suran" > wrote in message
...
> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
> for the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
> effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
> Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
> stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
> cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
> of all coupons. M
>
Most of the stores in my area posted similar signs earlier this year. With
graphics tools and a little tinkering it isn't hard to make any sort of
coupon you like which can then be easily distributed to and printed by
others.

Margaret Suran wrote:

> Jack, what are these coupons? I assumed you printed them off the
> website when I saw the sign and you could do it as often as you
> wanted. If you don't, how do you get them? The sign looked so
> ridiculous. Why would you need "good graphics software and a good
> printer" if you could just print them? Remember Laura, my next door
> neighbor? She would like to know. You will see her on the 6th, I hope.
>


Here's one source:

http://www.smartsource.net

There are others...some of which ask you for "demographic" or "lifestyle"
data, this supposedly helps them tailor the coupons to your particular
preferences. I tried this with one site and they kept coming up with
coupons for stuff like pet food, baby care products, fast food - type
offerings, breakfast cereal, etc. Needless to say I'm petless, childless,
don't buy junky food items, and I've never bought a box of cereal in my life
:-\

You might enquire in the newsgroup misc.consumers.frugal-living , there is
often discussion of such coupon sites there. Or just google "online
coupons" or some such I guess...

I *have* used online coupons but not for food items - I have downloaded 20%
off coupons for purchases at Tower Records and Borders (these are
periodically announced by posters on the rec.music.classical.recordings
newsgroup and they are good for *anything* at those stores IIRC) so you
really *can* save some money if you search around. But I've really found
nothing much for food items per se...

--
Best
Greg

PENMART01 wrote:

> Many retail stores don't honor on-line coupons, they are too easy to
fake...
> and even if legit they need to be forwarded to a clearing house other than
the
> one for direct coupons, then the store is lucky if they get reimbursed
that
> year, or if at all. Smaller stores don't do the volume to cover their
butts
> for loss of coupon revenue. D'Agostino's are usually located in high rent
> districts, their prices are high to begin with but if they were regularly
stuck
> with losses from unredeemable coupons then they'd need to further increase
> prices and just who do you think would pay. Years ago I used to use
coupons,
> but for many years now I just don't bother.... it's been many years since
I've
> seen a coupon for an item that I actually use. Coupons are invariably for
> newly introduced products, usually weird stuff like yet another overly
> sweetened kiddie cereal, "Wacko Jacko Licorice Banana Flakies".
>

And a lot of coupons are low - value, e.g "25 cents off for THREE cans of
whatever!" so are not worth the bother.

That said I've recently used coupons for Progresso soups, Paul Newman stuff,
Lime - Away, and batteries. But those items have to be on sale already for
the coupns to be worth much of anything...then you can save a coupla bux,
enough for a cheapo beer at the corner tap...15 cents off three cans of
Campbell tomato soup just don't cut it...

Apparently lots of grocery stores have "double coupon" days or whatever but
I've never seen them in the places I frequent here in Chicawgo...

--
Best
Greg

In article >,
Margaret Suran > wrote:

> This may have been in effect for some time, but yesterday I noticed it
> for the first time.
>
> Shopping in my neighborhood D'Agostino's, I saw a sign that said:
>
> "Online Coupons Are Not Accepted"
>
> I wonder whether this is something new or whether this has been in
> effect for some time. I didn't know that there is such a thing as
> Online Coupons, as I don't bother with coupons. I shop mostly in
> stores that don't accept any and I find the Supermarket Store Cards
> cumbersome enough, though I do use them. Perhaps this heralds the end
> of all coupons. M

You can thank hackers for this. The problem with online coupons that
use bar codes is that the coupons can be changed so that they give
a greater discount than the merchant intended. This has nothing to
do with the traditional coupons that are found in newspapers and
other print publications.

An article on this subject was published in an issue of 2600 magazine
within the past year that explains exactly how to tamper with online
coupons to misrepresent their value.