# Does anyone here use coupons to eat at restaurant or buying stuff at a store? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014 "2013-11-15T21:29:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/81 "2013-11-25T20:03:48Z")
Just this weekend I went to Harbor Freight Tools and got a 7 piece screwdriver set, a mini flashlight, and a tape measure for free plus 25% off the most expensive item I purcahsed. All of these were coupon specials. Are they the best screwdrivers? Nope. But they’ll be fine for my son to use around his house. ---
**Author:** ![jrsone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/82 "2013-11-25T20:21:22Z")
Sometimes. Usually grocery coupons are stuff that I don’t normally buy but I tend to use a lot of CVS percentage off coupons and Extrabucks stuff. Rarely otherwise do I use coupons. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/83 "2013-11-27T02:37:45Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > … > Oh! And I definitely use the Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons…love those. 20% off is a lot on a $250 item. A hint: If you have one, and it expires - THEY WILL STILL TAKE IT!!! When we were outfitting my son for college last year, we put out a call to the neighborhood and went in with a stack of 'em. Saved us a BUNDLE. Our biggest problem is remembering to bring them along. I use Kohl’s Cash if I remember (I think they also will take expired coupons). Like you, I don’t usually bother with the smaller stuff, but I do it when I remember. I’ll also use Groupon and Amazon Local - not quite the same as a coupon, but especially if it’s a place I wanted to try, or a place I frequent anyway, yay! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/84 "2013-11-27T03:24:25Z")
Having worked in retail, and having seen how much you can save using coupons, I believe you’d be crazy _not_ to. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/85 "2013-11-27T04:58:17Z")
All this talk of Willys and pick ups is getting a bit suspect. I wouldn’t use a coupon on a date, but every time I order something on line I will google for coupons. I ordered a pair of basketball boots and using my google fu managed to get a further $25 off, so that was good and no human interaction so no embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/86 "2013-11-27T14:41:00Z")
The only time I’ve ever used coupons was when I worked at a chain restaurant that had them. I’d make extra money waiting tables by applying them after people had paid their bills and left. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/87 "2013-11-27T17:18:00Z")
And you’re proud of this?! ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/88 "2013-11-27T22:16:07Z")
You’re getting a lot more out of those two sentences than I put into them. I don’t know that pride or shame really need to make an appearance in this scenario. I’ll admit, I’m curious where you find the injustice. I just don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/89 "2013-11-27T23:16:59Z")
> [@Lowdown](#): > > The only time I’ve ever used coupons was when I worked at a chain restaurant that had them. I’d make extra money waiting tables by applying them after people had paid their bills and left. > [@Kimballkid](#): > > And you’re proud of this?! > [@Lowdown](#): > > You’re getting a lot more out of those two sentences than I put into them. I don’t know that pride or shame really need to make an appearance in this scenario. I’ll admit, I’m curious where you find the injustice. I just don’t see it. I’m not clear on what transpired. Do you mean that you took the coupons that people left and used them yourself? Or cashed them in yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/90 "2013-11-28T00:37:23Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’m not clear on what transpired. Do you mean that you took the coupons that people left and used them yourself? Or cashed them in yourself? I’d have a couple coupons in my apron, something like $5-off dinner for two or whatever. People would come in, I’d wait on them through dinner. They’d get the bill, then leave cash on the table and continue with their evening. When closing them out in the system, I’d take one of the coupons I had and apply it, thereby decreasing their bill by $5, and increasing what I’d keep for my tip. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/91 "2013-11-28T00:46:59Z")
Ah, I see. Clever. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014/92 "2013-11-28T01:04:12Z")
But you didn’t give them the coupon, therefore THEY actually paid full price, correct? You didn’t use the coupon until they left, thus keeping the extra money for yourself. :dubious: Niiiiiiice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-use-coupons-to-eat-at-restaurant-or-buying-stuff-at-a-store/674014.md?page=4)