Missing coupons...

kevindanielbrown · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 09:14 PM

I've just started couponing and noticed that here and there a certain coupon that is supposed to be in my inserts are not there... Now I get a pretty cheap local paper that's not very big but it does have the seemingly standard red plum, smart source, etc inserts. My main question is is there a difference in the amount of coupons you receive in the smaller papers vs the larger ones? My wife has the theory that since we receive a smaller local paper the inserts maybe are smaller and are missing some of the coupons larger papers would have. Is this true?

I live in Georgia so if you go to the coupon database and choose Georgia you will see the following coupons NONE of which I have in my inserts:
1. 09-13 S2 V8 Splash or Smoothie Beverage -V8 Splash, Diet V8 Splash, V8 Splash Smoothie $1.00
2. 09-20 RP Del Monte Fruits, Vegetables or Tomatoes 11-15.25 oz or Fruit Cups 4 pk $1.00 Off 5
3. 09-20 S 11-01 Bic Soleil Disposable Shaver any $3.00

Please help me figure out why I am missing so many good deals... Thanks in advance.

Bear · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevindanielbrown

My main question is is there a difference in the amount of coupons you receive in the smaller papers vs the larger ones? My wife has the theory that since we receive a smaller local paper the inserts maybe are smaller and are missing some of the coupons larger papers would have. Is this true?

Your wife is correct, you usually get the most coupons in the largest circulated paper in your area. Even though you are getting all of the inserts they may not include all of the coupons. Even the largest paper may not have all of the coupons, because some coupons are regional.

CMUGRAD · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:49 AM

and to add to what Bear said.....there is also a difference in coupons in the larger papers too.

for example....we have Grand Rapids Press and Detroit Free press around here....both high circulation papers.....but the Detroit Free Press will have different or less coupons than the Grand Rapids Press does.

You may have to trial and error until you find the best paper in your area.

Kathypoo · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:18 AM

Even with large, city papers, the coupons can be different. For example, I get the Philadelphia Inquirer and The NJ Courier Times. Both large, well circulated papers. Coupons can be different within the papers - Both the Red Plum and The SS inserts are always better in the Phila. Inquirer - not only in quantity, but sometimes in value of the coupon. If you have a choice, always go for a city sunday paper.

kteach99 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathypoo

Even with large, city papers, the coupons can be different. For example, I get the Philadelphia Inquirer and The NJ Courier Times. Both large, well circulated papers. Coupons can be different within the papers - Both the Red Plum and The SS inserts are always better in the Phila. Inquirer - not only in quantity, but sometimes in value of the coupon. If you have a choice, always go for a city sunday paper.

I used to think that it was a given that the big city paper would have more coupons. I am in the San Diego area and get both the San Diego Tribune (big city paper), and a smaller, more local paper. Recently the San Diego paper has stopped carrying the Red Plum inserts while my local paper still has them. I finally called customer service to see what was going on, and I was told that they no longer carry them, and that if I wanted to get them, I would have to request them! I find this rather strange, and will eagerly await next Sunday to see what happens.

PSCmom · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:16 PM

I also live in GA. You need to purchase the double AJC on Sunday mornings. The double is 2.50 (Includes the early edition(Saturday) and the Sunday morning edition). The single paper is 2.00. Remember the papers on a holiday weekend do not have coupons. I live in a small town too and our paper has only a few of the coupons that the AJC has. Until you get your coupon inventory built up, you may want to use a coupon clipping service. I have had good results on Ebay.

couponmomma5 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathypoo

Even with large, city papers, the coupons can be different. For example, I get the Philadelphia Inquirer and The NJ Courier Times. Both large, well circulated papers. Coupons can be different within the papers - Both the Red Plum and The SS inserts are always better in the Phila. Inquirer - not only in quantity, but sometimes in value of the coupon. If you have a choice, always go for a city sunday paper.

I 2nd this. I live in the Orange County-L.A. County metro areas of southern california and there will be differences between the LA Times and the OC Register - oftentimes the OC Register being the better one. weird.

nurse397 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 09:44 PM

Yes if you life in GA then you need to get the AJC if possible, this is where the list of the Q's for that week come from in the database. I occassionally get out local paper and you can tell a big difference in the Q in it and the AJC.
Good luck.. and welcome to the boards.