Using PAPER Coupons When You Order Online

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Lately online grocery service Peapod has been trying to work the frugal angle, with TV commercials touting good prices and easy budgeting (since the site keeps a running total of what you've put in your cart). But whenever my mom friends evangalize about Peapod and other online grocery delivery services, I always resist. "I need my coupons," I tell them.

Then I found out that Peapod TAKES manufacturers' coupons, clipped right out of the Sunday paper. You just give them to the driver upon delivery and they should be credited to your account. I'd love to hear from Wise Bread readers who have taken advantage of this -- do the coupons reliably get credited? What if they're close to or even past their expiration date when you hand them over? What about coupons printed off the Internet? I'm assuming those are a go since the Web site states that "Peapod accepts all manufacturers' coupons."

This is not enough to get me using Peapod right now; I still blanch at the minimum $6.95 delivery fee, and although the site says tipping is optional, it's mandatory for me if I don't want to feel like a jerk. Also, since I only buy specials at my predetermined threshhold prices, I doubt I'd be able to put together the $100 worth of stuff you need to get the lowest delivery price. Their specials look pretty comparable to other grocery deals, but I don't see anything that gets me excited.

However, when I have my third kid this summer, I can certainly see myself resorting to Peapod for awhile until I get my groove back or until the oldest goes off to kindergarten. And at that point, the coupon policy -- combined with any coupon codes I can scrape up -- will certainly soften any budget blow we take in exchange for the convenience of delivery.

As retrograde as it feels to clip or print out coupons and sent them into Web retailers, this paper coupon thing may be a trend. This week I noticed that Diapers.com is also accepting manufacturers' coupons, by mail. That's especially nice to hear since I just printed some high-value Huggies coupons today from Coupons.com that would get me a box of 152 newborn diapers for $30 (or $20 if you are a first-time customer and use the code AFF10).

Has anyone out there noticed other Web retailers that are taking manufacturers' coupons, not just coupon codes but paper ones? I'd love to know.

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Guest's picture
Guest

Peapod doesn't deliver in my area, but I noticed that if you go to their site through UPromise, you get $7 in UPromise rewards on every order. Plus, there's a first-order $15 discount using the code UPROMISE15.

So if you have a UPromise account, you get your delivery fee back in college savings, which is pretty sweet.

Guest's picture
Laurie

I have never had a problem with using coupons with Peapod. Plus, the delivery is discounted up to $2 if you use certain time windows, making the delivery $4.95. This is worth it to me just so I do not have to spend the time in the grocery store. Plus, if your local Stop & Shop (I am in Boston) doubles coupons, Peapod will also. They double up to 99 cents. I would encourage you to try it to see if you like it.

Guest's picture
KateNonymous

If there's a delivery charge, I don't have a problem with omitting the tip. For starters, the delivery charge is generally more than I would tip. And if they're charging for delivery, they'd better be paying the driver out of that--if their charges don't make up for the costs to them of providing the service, the service isn't helping them.

I always tip if there is no delivery charge, and I tip about what I would in a restaurant.

Guest's picture
Sha

I would like try the service but they don't deliver in my state.

Guest's picture
Guest

Are there any other places like this to buy groceries on?

Guest's picture
A

Peapod was a lifesaver when I broke my ankle and could not get to the store. As others have mentioned, you can choose various options to reduce delivery costs BUT on several occasions I ran into the problem where I had ordered over $100--however they were out of stock on items, so my actual order was under $100 and I got charged a higher delivery fee. Not sure if there is a way to confirm ahead of time--I could have added to my order to make up the difference if I had known. But, like I said, with my broken ankle, it was the only way I had of getting my groceries and was well worth the delivery charges. I would recommend Peapod, but warn people to check out all the options ahead of time.

Myscha Theriault's picture

I've never heard of Peapod, Upromise or paper coupons for online sites at all. I wonder if they are in my area. I'm going to go check them out.  I'm looking for additional ways to save time now, so this would be great.

Myscha

 

Guest's picture
Mavourneen

Myscha, If you aren't familiar with Upromise, and have a child for whom you are saving for college, you MUST join Upromise.

In 7 years, with very little effort at all, I've saved nearly $6,000 for my son. Just by shopping online though their site, and registering my grocery store cards with them.

Works even better if you have 2-3 other people ( single friends, Aunts/Uncles, etc ) also contributing to your child's account.

Guest's picture

If you bulk up on non-perishables when they're on sale, and/or do a couple weeks' shopping via Peapod, you should make it to the $100 minimum easy.

The cost of the delivery fee may well be equal to the amount of extra off-list items I see and put in my cart when I visit the store in person, so I would consider the fee somewhat negligible ;) Yes, we always should stick to our lists, but "oh look, X is on sale and I've always wanted to try X, so let me grab one or two..."

mj

Myscha Theriault's picture

I did check out their site briefly, but was wondering how easily it would build up. Six thousand dollars is certainly significant. Thanks for chiming in with the info.

Guest's picture
Rvkma

I used Peapod for 3 months because I had a free delivery for 90 days deal. Not sure how often I will use it now that I have to pay for delivery, I'll be honest. I did tip, usually $3-5. Never had a problem with the coupons, I was tempted to try an expired one once, but didn't. What they do is credit you back your credit card for the amount of the coupons. They always got them correct. I also have to say, one of my issues too was spending the $100. Their specials were some GREAT deals, but the rest of their prices leave a lot to be desired, so I couldn't bring myself to buy something I knew I could get cheaper at Ultra or Jewel.

Guest's picture
Gwen Winkler

Peapod is a very good source. I have used them on and off for the last 10 years. hey do accept coupons, usually a few days after you give them to driver you get an email telling you of credit.

I am disabled and usually shop on my own but in winter I appreciate the service. You will love it when having a new baby.
The charge of 6.95 for orders above $100 and 9.95 under is not bad when you look at cost of gas and your time.

Guest's picture
Jackie

Thanks for the info. Another great site to check out is Bizymoms.com Coupon Center www.bizymoms.com/coupons.index.html
Great source for the latest Free Online Printable Discount Coupons on a wide variety of products including Travel, Cosmetics, Jewelry, Fashion, Home Business Kits, Resaurants, Dining and many more Categories. Discounts as high as 50%.