Last week I tried printing out a great $3/1 coupon that was available online, and guess what message popped up? “You have already printed this coupon the maximum number of times allowed.”
Um… no I haven’t!! I know that many of you have this same issue from time to time, so I want to tell you what I did. Instead of giving up on that high-dollar coupon, I decided to call the manufacturer. I very nicely explained to the customer service representative the situation and then said, “I’m not sure what to do now… is there anything you can do to help me?”
Within the next week, I will be getting a $6 coupon in the mail (instead of a $3 coupon), plus more of their company coupons, PLUS I was put on their list to participate in focus groups. SWEET! I’m glad now that my coupon didn’t print! 
Calling when you have a coupon problem isn’t the only way to get FREE manufacturer coupons, though! Here are a few more ways:
1. Call/Email the company with a compliment – Do you love a particular brand? Let the company know! Many times they will send you coupons (and sometimes free product coupons) as a thank you.
2. Call/Email the company with a complaint – If you are frustrated with an item that you bought, let the manufacturer know (nicely) exactly what is frustrating you about it. As an apology, most companies will send you coupons to try their product again. (Only call/email with LEGITIMATE complaints! We want companies to continue giving out coupons!)
3. Call/Email the company to ask for coupons – Remember my “It Doesn’t Hurt To Ask” post a couple of weeks ago? The same thing applies for asking for coupons. Just send an email, or make a phone call to the manufacturers of the products you use often and ask. Some of them will not send coupons, but MANY of them will!
What has been your experience with calling or emailing companies? Have they been good experiences? Have you had any negative experiences? I’d love to hear! Feel free to leave a comment below with anything you would like to add!
I’m astonished at how well this works, not just for coupons but for all sorts of things. When my Method O-Mop broke after just a few months, I received a coupon for a replacement AND a spare, and a bunch of Method products. (We don’t use a ton of conventional cleaning products, but I’m a big fan of Method.) We’ve also had great luck with Totes (they really do replace their umbrellas, no questions asked) and Radio Flyer (again, they sent us replacement wheels for my son’s trike, no questions asked, no charge – even though I went to their website looking to BUY replacement pieces.)
I’m quite loyal to all three brands listed above – and (obviously) happy to tell the world.
I sent a email to ziploc telling them how much i liked their steam and fresh bags and got a coupon for a free product. I did the same with birds eye veggies letting them know how much their steam fresh veggies make it easy for my family to have a easy veggie with every meal esp on the busy days and they sent me 6 coupons off their veggies.