Saturday, August 27, 2011

KOOPONZ Review

     Recently I've spotted ads for a new coupon booklet called Kooponz.  These sell for $2.95 and are now available at select retailers in the Richmond area.  Although I ocassionally pick up an extra Sunday paper, I don't normally pay for coupon booklets.  It's probably not a shock to anyone that I like to stay on top of these things, so I flipped through a booklet at Walgreen's today.  Enclosed was a 1/2 priced Sunday Richmond Times-Dispatch.  ("Only $1 with coupon", but the paper is normally $2.25, so this may not be accurate.)  Three such coupons were included, so I determined I could at least get my $2.95 back, plus I'd get a chance to let each of you know whether or not you should rush out and pick up a copy.  

Here are my observations:

  1. Coupons have a very short life.  Most in this issue expire on 9/7/11.
  2. Many of the coupons are targeted to a very specific market.  If you're planning on spending $50 or $100 at Gander Mountain, your child will be joining a class at Romp and Roll, you'd love to eat a free hot dog lunch (valid with a round of golf) or you're heading to Pocahontas and would like a free child's admission, you should consider paying $2.95 (plus tax) for a book. 
  3. If you dine out frequently, there are quite a few $5/$25 coupons.  Again, these expire in less than two weeks.  Also, you may find equal or better coupons at the restaurant's website or in a flyer delivered right into your mailbox, without a fee.  If you'd like to "pay" for coupons, check out the Entertainment Book which may be as high at $35, but will have many more coupons, which will not expire for months to come.  Another option is to purchase restaurant gift certificates through restaurant.com  , which frequently offers $25 certificates for as little as $2. 
  4. What about those coupons for the Richmond Times Dispatch?  Turns out these too have restrictions.  The expiration date is 8/28, so I'd have to use all three to get this Sunday's paper.  (Not a problem because this Sunday's paper will include three huge coupon inserts.)  Coupons must be redeemed at Walgreen's.  (Not on my path back and forth to church, but just a couple of miles from my house.)  The real negative is "One coupon per customer", so no scooting out for a few minutes of peace and quite.  Half my family will have to venture off to Walgreen's to make the most of these coupons.    
   The cover of the booklet includes this statement "keep some money in your pocket".  Unless the publisher starts to include more valuable coupons or reduces some of the restrictions (like the $5/$25 Quaker Steak and Lube coupon, valid only on Thursdays), I'll me keeping my $2.95 in my pocket in the future!