Choo Choo! Coupon Train

Basics

A coupon train is basically an envelope of coupons which is sent to a list of 'passengers' or 'riders' (people who have coupons which want to participate).

The train is first advertised (on my website Coupon Train area to show we're taking passengers).

A conductor (the person responsible for organizing, initiating and monitoring the train) asks for people to participate with the upcoming train 'ride.'

The conductor adds coupons to the envelope and the list of passengers and addresses is usually also included.

The first passenger receives the train and follows whatever 'rules' the conductor has established during the initial advertising of the train. (for example: no save.ca coupons, no coupons under a specific value, etc).

The first passenger removes the coupons which they them self, will personally use. It is not generally acceptable to take coupons for other trades.

After removing the coupons from the envelope, the passenger totals the value of coupons selected. (This is a dollar and cents total, plus any additional special value coupons like B0G0, FPC, etc.)

From the passenger's personal coupon collection, they select coupons to add into the train envelope. This total is primarily based upon the total which they have removed, including B0G0, FPC, etc. The passenger has the option to add more coupons to the train above the amount they removed.

Optionally, the passenger may add coupons for other passengers either as "RAOK" or as a wish list addition.

A "RAOK" is when a passenger/conductor adds coupons for other train participants as a Random Act Of Kindness. This type of addition does not count towards the value of the train or what the passenger has added to the train as the replacement value which they removed. These are a GIFT for the intended people on board; they are not replaced by their value when the receiver of the RAOK gets the train.

A "wish list" type of addition is when a passenger/conductor adds to the train a coupon (or more) for a specific person because it is a coupon which that person desires (by means of a wish list). This coupon (or coupons) is added to the train with the person's name on it, in hopes that it will be taken out by the person 'wishing' for it. Occasionally, a person has a wish that is very easily filled and the recipient just can't use more of that coupon, and has the option to take it or leave it in the train. When you receive a wish, you replace it's value just as you would with the remainder of the train.

The train is sent to the next person on the list (usually a passenger list is included onboard the train) and information is sent to the conductor.

What A Conductor Likes To Know

Each conductor is different in what information they ask you to update them with in regards to their train. I have found that many conductors generally ask for the following about their train:

When you received the train (this is the date you got it in the mail).

When you sent the train to the next passenger (this is the date you dropped it in the mail box).

How much you removed from the train (this is the total value you took out, NOT each specific coupon) Plus: any speciality value coupons like B0G0's etc.

How much you replaced in the train (this is the total value you put in the envelope to replace what you took out, NOT each specific coupon) Plus: any speciality value coupons like B0G0's etc.

Any expired or near expiry coupons need to be mentioned to the conductor and a decision will be made if near expiry coupons will have enough time to travel to the next person on the list or not.

You are NOT responsible for replacing the value of the expired coupons, but telling the conductor is important.

Role of a Respected Passenger

A good passenger will be someone with a collection of coupons with reasonable expiry dates and values to add to the train.

A respectful passenger is someone who follows any rules or guidelines, themes, etc. which the conductor has established prior to the train boarding.

A responsible passenger is someone who gets the train weighed and mailed in a reasonable amount of time (usually 48 hours maximum).

If you have questions ask the conductor, it is their train and their job to make sure you understand how it works and what is acceptable to them.


A Great Conductor

A conductor's role is to inititate, supervise, stay informed and keep passengers up to date and knowledgable about the train's rules, location, etc.

Each conductor is different; each conductor's train is unique. Even with two identical trains leaving on the same day to the same list of people, the train will never really be the same for very long.


Who Can Start A Coupon Train?
Anyone could start one. Basically you don't need any special training  for being a conductor, you don't even really need to have been a passenger before on another train. What you do need is coupons, lots of coupons.