Strategic Uses of Different Types of Coupons

There are various different types of coupons presented in the marketplace, all to achieve the main goals of more sales, and higher margins of profits. The various coupon strategies entice potential customers to try something new, get a discount on a regularly used product, and make an impulse purchase while shopping in the store.

Free Printable Coupons:
The newest form of coupon that requires a computer, an internet provider, a printer and paper. These coupons attract "surfers" looking for deals on the internet. These coupons are also available to be emailed to a friend or relative, and even texted to a mobile phone. The strategy works well and has evolved to the "coupon code" where you do not have to download an offer, just enter a discount code in a box and press enter.

Discount Coupons:
These coupons are normally found in your mail box or the newspaper. They are the traditional form of coupon and are often found in a mailed envelope shared by companies who want to save money on postage. (I think it just went up 2 cents again! Will this ever end?) These coupons are often supplied by both new local and national businesses looking to build market share.

Name Brand Coupons:
These coupons offer the user the best of both worlds. When redeemed you get a well advertised product at a discount. These coupons are most often found in the "Notorious" Sunday newspaper, where coupon hunts usually make the hunter money, more than enough to pay for the effort involved and the increasingly high cost of local and national newspapers. These coupons are all over the internet, most often as coupon codes, as in recent years, both newspaper advertising, and circulation has declined.

Manufacturer Coupons:
These coupons are found on specific websites, in the mail and often in large discount stores, such as Costco, or Walmart. These coupons usually have a higher value, and can save you a ton of money, depending on the product and the discount offer being made. Always be on the lookout for manufacturer coupons.

Shopping Coupons:
These are normally the coupons that are found in attractive locations in the store, to get you to try something and buy on impulse. Impulse buying goes against the grain of the disciplined coupon shopper, who comes into a store loaded with specific discounts, with a pre-planned shopping list. And that is the strategic purpose of these coupons. To get you to do something you normally would not do.

Free Sample Coupons:
They are exactly what they sound like. Everyone likes something for nothing, but the underlying idea is to get you to try the product, and more often then not come back another day and buy it. Unfortunately, free sample coupons used to come in the mail, and with the constant postage increases, you do not seem them as much anymore.

Exclusive Coupons:
These coupons are usually for products that you regularly buy. They are offered as a bonus or reward to loyal, repeat customers. These coupons are usually mailed to your home or business with a thank you letter. In the last few year, the exclusive coupons have taken the shape of a plastic gift card that can be redeemed the next time you make a purchase for a specific amount.

These are just some of the strategies and triggers that sellers employ when they decide to distribute coupons. Regardless of the strategy and tactics involved, the consumer benefits from the specific coupon distribution program.