Coupon Problems! Newpaper Ones Don't Wanna Scan
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
United States
April 29, 2012 9:43am CST
has anyone ran into this problem? i always figured the ones i printed off the internet would be the ones not wanting to go through especially when my printer acts up and seems to make things look like they were printed twice (it looks like the same coupon but the print and barcode a little off so it looks like its shadowed or doubled printed) but nope they go through GREAT! i give them newspaper coupons and every shopping trip there are a few if not almost ALL that will not scan normally and sometimes require managers to use their power to enter them etc.
i also thought it could have been because i bend the coupons to fit them in the plastic slots for my binder and that maybe that screwed up the barcode but it does it on the ones i didnt!
at least the newspaper ones dont look like fake or be easy to fake because im always worried when i hand over the ones online because their has been some scams out here with fake coupons.
anyone have this problem? anyone know WHY this is a problem? any idea on how to stop the problem? other than the bending of the coupon which is not crumpling them up but smooth bending to fit they are never damaged and like i said its done it on ones that havent been bent. WHATS GOING ON?!?
2 people like this
4 responses
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Apr 12
I think the same way you do, that the newspaper coupons would scan easier than the ones we print from our printers.
The only thing I can think of is that it is that particular store's scanners, assuming you're having this problem in only one store. If it's more than one store, then maybe the manufacturer's of these coupons should be notified that the ones they have printed in the newspapers aren't scanning.
Maybe the scanners are color-sensitive? (I'm almost tempted to say bigoted. lol) Newspaper paper is not white, you know, it's almost a beige color. Could be the scanners have a hard time with the contrast between the color of the paper and the ink. Maybe the older scanners didn't have this problem. I know this sounds like it's pretty improbably and it most likely is.
Maybe a short letter to the newspaper to let them know about this problem is in order if this is happening in all stores and not just one.
Funny, I was just thinking earlier that I'd love to move back to Baltimore (or just outside Baltimore) because they have a terrific newspaper with dozens of coupons every week. Out here in the boonies, even though we're very close to Winchester City, there aren't any big newspapers with all those great coupons. I have to rely on what I get online or from magazines.
Hey, have you tried any coupons from magazines? If so, how to they scan?
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Apr 12
I knew I typed that too fast. I meant, How DO they scan?
Don't you just love seeing your typos after you've hit the post comment button? Maybe, one day, I really will start to proofread my responses but I think that's what caused my issue in my neck so I'll probably just pass on that and risk seeing my typos after the fact. 
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
30 Apr 12
I have not had this problem with the newspaper coupons. I have had problems with the printed coupons however. I know several people that use coupons and no one has said anything to me about stores having problems scanning them. I am sorry this happened to you. I hope that it does not keep happening.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Apr 12
I have never had this problem. I don't think I've ever seen anyone scan a coupon up here not in the local books I usually use. I just give them the coupon, and they recognize them, and take them.
@kareng (62072)
• United States
29 Apr 12
Oh my. I have to say that this hasn't happened to me before. That is certainly a downer. I hope the situation is resolved. Maybe you would write to the manufacturer and let them know there is a problem with their coupons not scanning. They will probably send you new ones or some for free products. I always find that bringing the problem direct to them gives nice results! Good luck!
Oh does this happen at just one store or at multiple stores? It could be the store's computer!
