Coupon Clipping Services – What are they and who are the best?

In the opening of all of my store matchups you will always see something along the lines of this “If you don’t have a coupon listed here or you need additional coupons you can always use a coupon clipping service. My favorite is Virginia @ My Coupon Hunter or Coupon Carry-out.”

Both of these are links to coupon clipping services that I recommend. Many people are unaware that there are such services. So what is a coupon clipping service? Basically, they are companies that have access to thousands of coupons and for a small fee you can order coupons from them. You are paying for their time gathering, cutting and clipping and not the coupons themselves.

Why would you want to pay for coupons?

Often times coupon values and even the coupons that are offered can vary from region to region. A prime example of this was the recent Finish coupon. Many areas only received $1/1 but then other regions received $2.25/1. Huge difference in value.
Some region will receive a geat coupon but other regions will NOT even get that coupon in their insert
If I want 20 of a particular coupon to get 20 newspapers is going to cost me $40, not a very frugal choice
There may be an awesome sale and you want to purchase 15 of that particular item but only have 5 coupons

There are many clipping services out there to choose from and you can even buy coupons on Ebay. I have used several in the past but have come to the conclusion that Virginia @ My Coupon Hunter and Coupon Carry-out are the best. I have been using My Coupon Hunter for about a year now and is the main place I go to go extra coupons. What I really like about Virginia is she does subscriptions. I find this to be the most economical option. The way it works is you pay her a set handling fee for “x” amount of coupons for 90 days and then you choose which coupons you want and how many and she sends them to you and standard shipping is free. She many different plan sizes to fit everyone’s needs. Comparing an average month of coupons I order I save at least half by using her monthly plans compared to paying per coupon prices on other sites. Virginia usually has the new coupons for the week posted by Friday evening and she is very timely in getting orders shipped.

I caution the use of Ebay for coupons as I caution the use of Ebay for anything. Yes, there are plenty of good Ebay sellers but there are also plenty of unreliable ones too and if a problem does arise I find Ebay to be NOT so helpful in resolving the issue. I have ordered coupons on Ebay before and have never had any major issues but I have had problems with other Ebay purchases in the past so I am always very cautious when looking to buy something there. I also find the coupons on Ebay to be more expensive than coupon clipping services. If you do choose to purchase coupons on Ebay I advise only using sellers with Top-Rated Seller status.

You really have to weigh the cost of purchasing coupons versus’s the savings you will receive from the coupons. It isn’t economical to pay $10 for coupons that are only going to save you $15 but if you can get $150 in free items or savings from the extra coupons and only paid $10 to get them then yes it is worth purchasing them.

Comments

Sara Armor says:
June 21, 2011 at 1:34 pm
looking to get multiple coupons
Kristi says:
August 12, 2011 at 11:39 am
I love ourcouponclippingservice.com they offer free shipping, and it is very fast! They also have whole coupon inserts as well. I have used them lots and love them!
Christin says:
September 24, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I am building a new program right now to help guide people through thrifty shopping, to pay for it we are starting with a clipping service. As I have been telling people it has become obvious that people either just arent aware or dont trust these types if businesses, so thank you for this article.
I would add that using a service that uses paypal is the safest payment method as well as pointing out that many cliping services are moms trying to afford to stay home with their children, but as with any business there are scammers. Dont judge the rest of us from these few.
Thanks again, ThriftyCupboard.com
Teila says:
October 11, 2011 at 6:27 pm
How do the people that offer these clipped coupons come up with so many. People all over the United States order from them. They can’t ONLY be getting them from dumpsters, friends etc…..
Gigi says:
October 16, 2011 at 6:22 am
Telia, I’ve had the very same question and concern for quite some time and have come to the conclusion that they are stolen, the purveyor is married to and/or related to the newspaper distributor, or they are that part of the leary shadow government who intends to undermine the sinister corporate capitalism and their blood-sucking bankers and skinflint lawyers via the Sunday circular.
I really haven’t a clue be so many I’ve asked are tight-lipped about it. I believe it to be unfair that I have to peruse every one of the 30-50 newspapers I purchase each weekend JUST TO GET THE REALLY GOOD COUPONS when the these pirates ACQUIRE, clip, and present for sell 100s-1000s of the very same REALY GOOD COUPONS for cents upon the dollar + a processing fee!
It sucks but what are we to do… buy ‘dem coupons of course!
Ashley says:
October 16, 2011 at 11:45 am
I am guessing that many of these people have contacts with the paper companies but don’t know for sure.