Contacting Companies for Coupons

[bodiva]

Is it just me, or is it becoming harder to request coupons from various companies. I did a major e-mail request to the companies I use the most, and many of them are either saying "we offer the lowest prices and do not have paper coupons" or are saying "due to the many requests we receive, we cannot honor them". This is a totally different response than I received 3 months ago. I am always sure to be very complimentary and thank them for their time. Is anyone else experiencing this?:shrug2:

[DakotaSommers]

I'm getting that response from some of the major companies, but it seems to vary by person. My sister got some great coupons from Van's, but I only received 1 $1/2 when I emailed them a couple of weeks later. I picture them drawing names out of a hat to decide who to give the good coupons to. :rofl1: Or maybe it depends on who reads the email?

I've started emailing some of the lesser known or newer companies - sometimes it's been a hit and other times I've been told they don't use coupons at all, possibly because they are too new of a company.

I imagine there are many more people emailing for coupons than they did a year ago though. The words gotten out...:shock1: (I've always wanted to use that little guy for something. He cracks me up)

[sandyks]

I'm having pretty good responses. I'm wondering though if it's because you contacted them 3 months ago and it's been 6 months for me. Instead of saying we send out coupons twice per year, they just say no sorry?

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I agree with Sandy, most companies only send coupons once or twice a year. I also have noticed more companies switching to IP coupons, which is a bummer as I don't have a printer.

I recently walked through our local store and took notes on brands I have never tried before and then contacted them for samples and coupons. I have had about 50% success.

[DakotaSommers]

I recently walked through our local store and took notes on brands I have never tried before and then contacted them for samples and coupons. I have had about 50% success.

That's what I did too, with about the same success rate! I used my blog as an excuse once too - a review in exchange for a free product coupon.

[bodiva]

Maybe I will have to try that...look for lesser known brands.

And I'm sure my last requests were longer than 3 months ago now that I look back. I joined here in July and requested shortly after that (I'm sure I wasn't requesting around the holidays).

I am very thankful for IP's, but it seems like every time I go into the grocery they have made a change to their policy and restrict it a little bit more. I can only use IP's valued at $2 or less (used to be $3) and only one of the same coupon per visit, no B1G1. I understand the store's point in trying not to get fraudulent coupons, but so many sites allow up to 3 prints.

[Mrs_Koehn]

I've had so-so success based on the last train. I've noticed though, the organic/natural and esp smaller companies are more likely and more generous than bigger ones. Esp the conventional brands. Some of them don't even bother answering.

I do think it depends who reads your email though. I would imagine each person has a box or ream of coupons and allotment of samples. Whatever they have in their desk is what you get.

[sandyks]

Definitely the larger brands that also do conventional and that you see lots of IP's for don't send out coupons, and IF they do send they only will send one tiny one. For example, Cascadian Farms is owned by General Mills and they frequently have IP coupons and put out coupons in booklets like Heathly Clippings. They never send out. Same with Muir Glen, Horizon, etc. (Horizon did send me ONE coupon.)

Also I have MUCH better success with organic companies than conventional ones. Conventional companies often times don't send out coupons since they frequently advertise in the circulars, etc.

[rbunnymom]

I have been contacting a lot of companies lately and am having pretty good results. Perhaps this time of year is good to try contacting companies.

[Mrs_Koehn]

Probably, new year, not just new quarter. They have new coupons sitting in boxes. I just heard from Honeysuckle White for Sandy yesterday. I didn't even get an email last time.

[sandyks]

I never heard from Honeysuckle White either Tracy. Not even an email. I found that so unlike the previous year. Since you heard from them yesterday, maybe there is hope for me then! Woot!

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I just received coupons for Honeysuckle White for the wishlist train. It took about 2 weeks, maybe I was lucky?

[Mrs_Koehn]

Hold on to your hat, Sandy, they're rolling in for ya!: )

[sandyks]

Woot! Woot! :carrot1: Thanks all! I'm desperately in need of them, too!