Dianne

Product Review- Online Coupon Sites

In today's economy everyone is taking about ways to save money. There have been several news articles on the old trend of coupon cutting getting a new face lift in the form of online coupon sites. The mom-stuff team has received requests to do a product review on www.pinchingyourpennies.com one of the online coupon sites. www.pinchingyourpennies.com is a place to learn and share how to save money in all aspects of your life. A community of members who share a common goal…saving money. They have an online fourm, online shopping deals and codes, grocery guide, coupon list, and some really good advice in the coupon 101 section.

Before you give any site your name, email address or personal information, make sure you read the terms of use and the privacy policy. Make sure you know what they are going to do with your information. I could not find the information on their site giving me their policy of use of name and email. So I emailed them asking if they sell, trade or share their members emails. I received an answer back really quickly (this makes me believe service is really important to them.) The email referred me back to the terms of use policy and the privacy policy. This got my curiosity peaked. Why would they answer me in this way? I told them I had read their policy but wanted more information.

This got me really courous. I checked out more online coupon sites by doing a Google search using the key word coupons, coupon codes and online coupons. I checked each site for the information they required from you to use their site and also read their use agreement and privacy policies. The site www.couponmom.com has the best privacy policy. It explains how the coupon site operates. They give you the option to choose if you want just emails form their site and not from their third party partners. The way it is listed you have to pay close attention!!! The privacy policy says, If you do not wish to have your information shared with third party check the box which says "No, I do not want to receive information and offers from the Company." It does not explain that the Company is their third party partners on the opt in form. At least it is explained on the privacy policy. After further research I found out that following a link from one site to another can put your information at risk. By entering a site through one of their partner's web site and using the site you may be allowing the partners site to view any information you have provided. Some of these sites ask for more information then your email. Some even have a personal profile section.

 My review on online coupon sites: · Read the privacy policy · Do not give out any more information than you really want them to have. Do not give out your phone number if you do not like unsolicited phone calls. · Do not link to other sites from their site if you do not want the link site to have your information. When visiting a partnersite do not click on the link always copy the site address and paste it in to your browser so you are not giving access to your information. · If you want to use their service find one that only requires your email address and first name. Set up a new email address just for your coupons. Check your new inbox when you are making your grocery list. This will be a real time saver and protect your privacy. · The online coupon sites pay for the site through advertising for the companies who give you the coupons. That seems like a fair trade to me. ·

I liked both of the sites in this article but I would like to hear from some of you that have had more real experience than I have had with coupons. I would like to hear from you if you have tried any of the online coupon sites. 

1. Do you save enough money to be worth your time?  
2. Which ones have you tried?
3. Would you recommend it?
4. What advise would you give to others.

I want your opinion so I can share it with our visitors. The Mom-Stuff site wants to help all of our visitors by sharing and supporting each other. Dianne

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