[forevergrateful]

I have a very important question about IP's. I'm still pretty new to couponing & AFC.

I have printed IP's from the internet; where I've gotten 2 at the most for anything, as I only have access to one printer.

I had received a RAOK from a very generous person on AFC, who is "well established" here & definitely knows what she is doing. I trust her 3,000 percent.

I had just come from a Shop Rite store that isn't my regular neighborhood one, but one that I pass & have used maybe a handlful of times or less a month for fill in items; a couple at a time. Whenever I have tried to use an IP there, they scrutinize them like crazy; but it is obvious they don't even seem to know what they are looking at, as they just stare at them for a long time; & even have said they're not sure what to look for; other than a web site address & the expiration date.

They have always let me use them, though. For every IP, the cashier has to call a Mgr/Assist Mgr. I have dealt with 2 of them, & again, they always wind up putting them through after staring at them forever.

Today I was going to use 4 q's that this lovely young lady from AFC had sent me. They were from Smart Source. The Mgr I got was one I never had before. She & the cashier (mind you, the cashier was totally clueless) were discussing them; & the cashier said they were counterfeit because 2 were in color & 2 were in black & white. I told her I was trying to save ink, but you were perfectly allowed to print in black & not color. The Mgr said there was no web address; but I told her that I have used numerous coupons without web addresses printed on them; & that this was from Smart Source; which it clearly stated all over, as well as having some "lighter" Smart Source emblem of box printed in the background; almost like what I would describe as a "watermark". The cashier further said that all coupons should have a green circle in the upper right hand corner on them. ?? I have never seen that on any q's that I got.

Her (the Mgr's) other problem with the coupons were that she said they were all the same numbers; & should be different numbers. I pointed out where there were "Pin Number"(s) and they were different. She said she didn't know about those; but what they went by were the UPC numbers. (Excuse my lack of knowledge, but wouldn't the UPC numbers have to be the same, since that is what is scanned & recognizes the item/product? I obviously have no clue; I am asking now on AFC?)

Bottom line: the Mgr said they're counterfeit or copies (counterfeit because of no web site address & because of them being the same numbers; & copies because of the B&W); & she said they have a whole book on counterfeit ones. I realized after that I should have told her to check these in her book.

As I said, the person who gave me these is well known on AFC; contributes to AFC; & most definitely knows what she is doing.

I am not doubting the person I got these from. I believe the Mgr. didn't have a clue as to IP's.

I am just asking; what was the Mgr talking about, with the numbers supposed to be different? I need to learn & understand, obviously, since I am using coupons. When I would print 2 coupons from the internet, I never thought of looking at the numbers to compare them to each other.

I have to leave the computer for a few hours, but will check back later for any responses. (I mention this now in case someone wants to ask me something about the q's I am referencing; & I can't reply right away.)

Thanks in advance to everyone; any help is greatly appreciated!