Saturday, June 27, 2009

Coupon & Trade Abbreviations

Advertising media use abbreviations (short forms of words) to save time typing. The most commonly used coupon related terms are listed below for you to refer to.

B0G0 or B1G1 = Buy One, Get One Free (this refers to a product which is purchased and a second product is given to the consumer (purchaser of the product) for no cost. Occasionally you will be responsible for the tax on the free item, read the fine print on the coupon or advertisement for details. Smart coupon tip: use a coupon to purchase your item (the one that must be purchased for the promotion) to save even more money!)

B2G1 = Buy Two, Get One Free (this refers to a product which is purchased in a multiple of two in order to receive one at no additional cost to the consumer). Occasionally you will be responsible for the tax on the free item, read the fine print on the coupon or advertisement for details. Smart coupon tip: use a coupon to purchase the items (one coupon for each item= 2 coupons total) to save even more money!)



B3G1 = Buy Three, Get One Free (this refers to a product which is purchased in a multiple of three in order to receive a fourth item in the promotion for no additional cost to the consumer). Occasionally you will be responsible for the tax on the free item, read the fine print on the coupon or advertisement for details. Smart coupon tip: use a coupon to purchase each item = 3 coupons, one per item which must be purchased for the promotion, to save more money!)

FPC = A coupon that allows you to obtain a for product free. (this term refers to a coupon or certificate which is allows the consumer to obtain a product at no cost, however taxes may apply depending on the coupon~ read the fine print on the coupon for each transaction. Smart coupon tip: use an FPC when you are short on cash, when the item is not on sale and you need the item.)

GC = Gift Card (or Gift Certificate) (this is any denomination, any store used in some trades, for RAOK gifts)

HV = High Value (this is a coupon which is considered a higher value during redemption, usually for several dollars off the consumer's product. An example would be: $4 off Carnation Instant Breakfast versus the $1 off coupon. A $4 off coupon is harder to locate and holds a higher discounted value at the checkout).

MIR = Mail In Rebate (this term refers to a form or promotion which requires the consumer to mail something (usually the receipt and UPC) as proof of purchase to the company, in order to receive a rebate back from the manufacturer. These are usually one per envelope and some have per household limitations. Smart coupon tip: purchase the items for the promotion when they are on sale to save more money, use coupons as well and only buy items that you typically purchase and consume. You aren't saving money if you are spending it on items which you don't use.

Peelie = A coupon that is attached directly onto the product and is 'peeled off.' (this type of coupon is sometime used with other coupons in store (if you have your own coupon and a peelie is also attached, sometimes the stores (even in Ontario) will redeem both types of coupons in one transaction). Smart coupon tip: etiquette would be not peeling off additional peelie coupons when you aren't purchasing that product, we all love our coupons but please leave the peelie's on the products when you aren't buying them!)

POP = Proof of Purchase (a proof of purchase could be the UPC on product (the bar code), a receipt, or specially marked area of a product's packaging. Any of which a manufacterer may require to complete a rebate promotion or for a refund, etc).

RAOK = Random Act of Kindness (this is when a person sends a gift to another person which is unexpected (not related to a birthday or other life event) and it is something completely random. 



SCOP = Scanning Code of Practice (this is the voluntary code which stores can 'opt-in' (participate) in order to give their consumers an assurance that their scanning procedures are accurate for each item. For more on the code click here: SCOP: Abiding by a Code. )

Stamps = Canadian, unused postage stamps. (these are sometimes traded for coupons. The stamps must be Canadian, new (never used) and the current minimum postage rate per stamp. Stamps are sold individually, and in sets or books with varying multiples at postal outlets, some pharmacies and corner stores.)

Tear-pad = A pad of coupons. (this is usually on the shelf or display where you tear a coupon off. Search for tear-pads hanging off of shelving, freezer doors and pop-up cardboard displays located in the middle of aisles)

UPC = Universal Product Code (this is the bar code located on nearly all consumer related packaging. This code consists of numbers and a series of black lines with various widths. The numbers can vary from a short sequence to longer 12 digit codes.)

WUB = When You Buy (this term refers to the consumer "you" purchasing an item. An example would be: Save $10 WUB 3 Oil of Olay products. In order to complete the sale promotion and save $10, you are required to purchase (WUB) 3 products. Smart coupon tip: purchase the items on sale and use coupons for each item. If you can purchase two of the items (as in the example) with a coupon/on sale, and the third in the transaction completes the promotional sale you will save more than $10 (as in the example).

2 comments:

  1. Welcome to blogging! Great tips!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi!
    I love your blog. So much great info. I just wanted to pass on the Sweet Blogger award to you!

    Congrats :D

    ReplyDelete