Have you ever watched TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” and wondered how in the world they have 20 coupons for deodorant? Or read one of the many wonderful couponing blogs, only to read about more people that use 10, 15, 20 coupons at a time? Where do they come from, you might ask. They can’t really get 20 papers a week, right? Right. They don’t. What they actually do is buy coupons online from sites like eBay. I know, I know what you’re thinking- eBay for coupons, weird!? But it’s true! It can save you even more money, get you even more free things, and is actually super easy! So relax that scared expression, sit back, and read on to learn how to do it and maximize your savings!
How much does this cost, and is it worth it? It seems crazy to pay for a coupon!
It does cost to buy these coupons, of course. But the price, on most occasions, is much less than buying multiple newspapers per week. Pricing varies by a few different factors: Value of the coupon, popularity of the brand, and quantity. A high value coupon bundle is going to cost more than a lower value bundle. Coupons that are matched with a sale that week are going to cost more than ones that are not. And, obviously, the more coupons in a bundle, the more it costs. On average, coupons come in quantities of 5, 10, or 20 coupons. I myself usually go for the 20 if it’s a free item. So, again on average, a bundle of 20 coupons can cost you anywhere from $0.99 to $5. You can also look for sellers that offer free shipping.
Paying for these coupons is definitely worth it. A newspaper costs me roughly $1.50 to purchase. Let’s say there’s a deal that allows me to get free shampoo that week. The newspaper gives me one of those shampoo coupons. On eBay, let’s say we find a seller that’s got 20 of those shampoo coupons and will sell them with free shipping for $5. That’s $0.25 per coupon compared to $1.50 for one. See how it works now? It’s way cheaper, and definitely worth it to buy on eBay! On top of that, imagine how much money you will save in just buying 20 shampoos. You can stockpile them, and donate them!
I do not recommend buying everything online. Since you are buying in large quantities, you want to make sure you will use or donate them. Here are some guidelines for what you should look for on eBay.
– Coupons for a free deal. It’s no problem buying 20 free things, where it might make less sense to buy a large amount of coupons for things you have to pay more for.
– Bathroom items, cleaners, makeup, etc. These type of things both last forever, and have frequent awesome deals.
– Things your family goes through like crazy. It’s a great way to pay a little, save a lot, and not have to pay full price on things you use all the time.
What are some things you should avoid buying? Here’s another list:
– Coupons that expire soon, unless you are planning on doing them all at once. It makes it harder to split them up between store trips if you only have a few days left. They could also expire when in shipment!
– Bundles of perishable coupons. Produce, meats, and dairy don’t get amazing deals as often, and are hard to keep in bulk.
Okay, so I want to try this! How long does it actually take to ship? What if I need it for a deal?
I buy coupons on eBay for specific store deals all the time! It sounds complicated, because the deal only lasts a week. It’s not, though, I promise! Always give yourself a day or two after the stated arrival date, just in case. Keep this in mind with the expiration date as well, make sure it will arrive in time to use it! If you need coupons for a specific deal, order them ASAP. Find the deals on Saturday night with the coupon previews and order the needed coupons by Sunday or Monday night. In most cases, you will be ready to shop by Friday and not miss the deal!
Have I convinced you to check out buying coupons online? I sure hope so! It’s a great way to save a lot of money for your family, and to get extra stuff in your stockpile to donate to those who need it!
