Trading Coupons on the Web
Save Money by Exchanging Coupons Online and in Your Community
Oct 9, 2007
Say you have a coupon for brownie or cake mix but you’re watching your weight. Simply trade it for Lean Cuisine or low fat yogurt. Who needs a drawer full of unused coupons when you could trade them for ones you really need?
How do online coupon trading forums work?
Popular sites include Coupon Forum, Frugal Village, Deal Catcher, Coupon Chix and Just Mommies. Most will require you to register. Make sure you check out their privacy policy before you enter personal information. Most are free, but a few charge a fee of five dollars or less to participate. Some of the boards are divided into categories like groceries, health and beauty aids, etc. Some even have a section for local or regional coupons. Read the site’s rules and frequently asked questions before you begin.
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.
Coupon clubs in the physical world:
If you don’t like trading with strangers online, a local coupon club may be for you. Not only do you get to see the person you’re trading with face to face, but you’ll also get a chance to meet new people. These clubs are social events in many communities. You’ll find meeting notices on grocery store bulletin boards and at community centers.
Finally, try not to get carried away with coupon trading! It’s easy to get addicted. Members of the Coupon Chix site call themselves "obsessive compulsive coupon traders!"
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