[couponjen]

Ok,

I was in a WAGS today and used two Huggies coupons that I printed from a "bricks" site. I gave them to the cashier, he scanned them, they came off my total and then he started to look at them more closely and said that they were in black and white and, "you could have photocopied them".

I was rather shocked because it sounded to me like he was accusing me of basically stealing. I said, "well these are from Coupons.com and I believe that they have some anti-fraud measures built-in to them". I wasn't sure if they could be photocopied or not but he let me go through the transaction regardless but it was so embarassing to be basically accused of fraud.

I told him that I don't print in color because I only have a laser printer at home and that color ink is too expensive. He didn't seem to care.

So, my question: what sort of "bricks" safeguards are in place so that I can go back and say, "see, if I was a thief you could find me out!"

FYI, I'm an honest coupon user. I go by all the rules and the only times I have more than 2 of a coupon from bricks is because my husband has printed 2 on his computer or if my mom or sister give me some they printed that they can't use.

[JaimeDae]

I'm not sure.

[brook6]

there should be unique numbers under the dot pattern in upper right...no 2 Qs have the same, even if they are for same item

when you print 2 bricks at home, they will both have unique number

[binabodi]

They have unique numbers but can be photocopied. The only reason I know this is because I have once or twice accidentally printed on the backside of another coupon. Usually when that happens I end up wasting one, well there have been a couple of times that they were both great or high value coupons and I have copied one side of the duplicate sided print (with my scanner). (I scribble through the coupon, esp. the barcode on the one that I am not using). I would never copy multiples and use them BUT they do copy and can be copied in color just as easy. How rude of him to accuse you but I am sure that it has happened (sadly) many times with others.

[sar1]

Unfortunately, a copied IP will scan, but the retailer will not be reimbursed for it when it's submitted. Coupons are submitted to a clearinghouse for redemption. If the clearinghouse scans a code that has already been scanned before, they will not reimburse for it.

There should be fine print on the coupon directing the retailer to Coupon Resource Center if they want to check the code number. They just enter the unique code on the upper right and it will tell them whether or not it's valid. (Side note - I actually just did this for the first time w/one I printed this morning and it says INVALID. Hmmm, I'll have to try some more. )

[couponjen]

I talked with the manager of the store and he said it is NOT the policy of his WAGS to refuse coupons that are printed in black and white and that he would have a talk with the cashier about it. He apologized profusely and was thankful I was understanding about it, which was nice.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the coupons!