Mobile coupons aren’t a new thing. They’ve been around for a while now. Companies like Cellfire and Yowza offer them for services and restaurants, plus companies like Redbox, Victoria’s Secret, and even Moe’s Southwest Grill offer their own savings via text message.
Target, however, has taken mobile coupons to a new level, releasing the first scannable mobile coupon. Of course, with new technology comes confusion, so here’s what you need to know to save with Target’s mobile coupons.
To participate, you will need a mobile phone with internet access and text messaging. You can head online to register your phone or text “COUPONS” to 827438. You’ll receive your first coupons within 2 weeks of sign up. Keep in mind, by signing up, you are agreeing to receive up to 5 text messages a month and standard text messaging rates will apply if you don’t have unlimited text messaging.
You’ll receive a text message each month when the old coupons expire and new ones are available. This text will include a link, which is only accessible by your mobile phone, where you can view the coupons. Just bring your phone into Target, pull up your coupon via the link provided, and show it to your cashier to get your discount. The cashier has a device that will scan the barcode of the coupon on your mobile phone and the amount will be deducted just like with standard coupons. It’s that simple.
While you will receive multiple coupons each month, each coupon can only be used once per mobile phone. You can get multiple coupons by signing up your spouse and other family members too, but you’ll have to have their phone with you to use them. There is a limit of one identical mobile coupon per transaction.
So far, all the coupons available have been Target store coupons, which can be stacked with manufacturer coupons to save you even more. But that doesn’t mean a manufacturer’s coupon won’t pop-up in the future.
Target also offers the following mobile services:
While you can make up the cost of a newspaper subscription with the savings you’ll receive from the coupon inserts, scannable mobile coupons won’t make up for the cost of an internet enabled phone with a text messaging plan. However, it could happen one day. JCPenney is also testing a new similar mobile coupon and it looks like other stores may be following suit.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s Target Deals and the Ongoing Target Deals available.
Beth from In Good Cents is the Deal Seeking Mom Store Expert for Target. At In Good Cents, she teaches her readers the skills they need to dramatically cut their own grocery budgets.
