Lately I’ve been assisting a lot of people with learning the ropes via couponing. It seems like most newbies to coupons fall into one of two categories: “the former users, learning the new online and reward systems” or “the completely new to coupons-how-do-I do-this”?
My best friend recently called me, having viewed a coupon site to ask what an acronym meant. Much of the hardcore, coupon sites have what looks to the layman, a series of jumbled jargon. “BOGO”, “1/$2”, “AR”, etc. What the heck does all that mean anyway?
In the interest of coupon community service, I’m posting a list tonight for those of you learning the ropes, just to clarify what these common savings or coupon acronyms mean.
Here’s the secret code for deciphering coupon jargon:
- AR – After Rebate.
- B&M – Brick and Mortar, a real, physical store, not an online store. Some coupons are exclusive to these and can’t be used online.
- BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One Get One.
- BOGOF- Buy One, Get One Free (Also BOGOFREE)
- BVG – Best Value Guarantee, offered by some credit cards.
- CC – Credit Card
- CSR- Customer Service Representative
- CPN – Coupon
- ECB or ECB’s- Extra Care Bucks, which are printed coupons from the register after a special purchase at CVS drugstores. Use like cash on future purchases.
- EXP – Expired coupon or deal.
- FAR – Free After Rebate- ( May require a mail in rebate or a MIR, also)
- GC – Gift Certificate
- GDA – Good Deal At
- IR – Instant rebate
- MFG – Manufacturer
- MFR – Manufacturer
- MIR – Mail in rebate
- OOS – Out of stock
- P & G- Proctor and Gamble- the company that produces a lot of family favorites, Tide, Downy, Bounce, Pantene, etc. Coupons are widely sought on these brands, which is why you’ll see a lot of references to them.
- PM – Price Match. In other terms, outside of savings sites, also means “private message”.
- RB-Rebate
- RP- Red Plum Coupon from either Sunday insert or online @ redplum.com
- RR- Register Rewards- which are printed coupons from the register after a special purchase at Walgreens. Use like cash on future purchases.
- SASE – Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
- SI- Sunday Insert (the coupon booklets in the Sunday papers)
- SS- Smart Source Coupon from either Sunday insert or online @smartsource.com
- S/H – Shipping and Handling
1/$1- Means one coupon (or one product) at a dollar off. Numbers will change, but that’s the essence.