Coupons

Want a gigantic mansion but just can't stand paying list price? The owners of a 15,000-square-foot waterfront beauty in Florida want to talk to you. Rich Ricciani and his wife, Linda, know how important it is to make every dollar count in this down economy, so they've issued a coupon for $1 million off their European-style manse, where the kitchen alone takes up 650 square feet.

Teri Gault stops in her tracks in the personal care aisle at Ralphs when she learns someone has never heard of a BOGO. "How about peelies or blinkies?" she asks, with disbelief.

A strategic change in the marketing and pricing policy at Ralphs Grocery Co. in June may have dealt a blow to avid coupon clippers, shoppers said Tuesday.

I love grocery coupons. And I hate them. I love saving money and getting a deal that someone else isn't getting. There's nothing like standing in line at the store and hearing the groans from other shoppers when you pull out a big wad of paper, followed by the gasps when the checker knocks $20 or $50 off your tab.

Today may be the last time that shoppers can double the value of a manufacturer's coupon at Ralphs supermarkets for more than 50 cents. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles-based chain is expected to eliminate bonus valuations on coupons for $1 or more and will only double the value of coupons for 50 cents or less.

The coupon has gone cellular. Using a free service from a new company called Cellfire, shoppers can download coupon numbers onto their cellphones, show the code number to a salesclerk and get the same price break as the person clutching those ragged old paper coupons.

WHEN did the coupon clipping club start? Well, let's see. Erma Bronn, 87, joined after she saw it listed in the Beverly Hills Community Services Department newsletter two years ago.

Google Inc. on Tuesday started offering printable discount coupons to local shoppers in a bid to drive online shoppers using its Google Maps service to visit stores.