Reader Question: Doubling and Tripling Coupons

I have a question about coupons that say do not double or triple. Why does the manufacturer put that on coupons? The way I see it, they may lose out on the sale of the item if I can't double it. Isn't the double or triple coming from the store? 
~Tracy

None of my stores double or TRIPLE(!!!) I know if a coupon starts with a 5 .. or is it a 9... it is not supposed to double, plus those with it expressly written. I assume a lot of manufacturers don't want a high priced coupon to double... it could make the coupon have overage and I am certain THAT is not their goal to get you to buy.


However, Kay at ReapingYourHarvest was much more thorough!

You're correct...coupons that begins with a 9 (do not double) and ones that specifically states this one coupons are, at times, supressed from this "bonus" feature. All coupons that begins with a 5 will automatically double.

Now, in regards to the company placing the "do not double/triple" on a coupon. Many believe that it's largely due to the company not wanting their products to go out of the stores for FREE or very close to it. When manufacturers offer coupons for specific items, they usually do so knowing that their item will still cost around or a bit more than the store brand items. In short, they don't want their products to be viewed as a "cheap" buy when a customer is allowed to obtain it while it's on sale, using a coupon that doubles/triples, nor, or rather, especially for FREE!

Stores do eat the additional amount over the value of the coupon as an incentive to keep customers coming in the door. Which does not hurt the manufacturers in any way, however, again they are viewing what this feature does to the preception of their brands. I, for one, would never buy some of the things that we have, and especially in such large quantities as I have, without the use of coupons, with or without the doubling feature (our Piggly Wiggly does not double but a couple of ladies in GA have a store that doubles us to $0.50), AND especially if Publix didn't take competitor coupons. Our military coupons are usually the same as those that comes in the Sunday inserts...makes for much more savings! (BTW remember I said I wanted 20 packs of Quilted Northern by today? Well I'll grab the final four today, since I didn't go yesterday!)

Manufacturers know the cost of production for their items, how much the stores will generally mark them up to for profit, and don't want to "lose" a product to a customer for FREE...this essentially protects the manufacturer.