PYP Blog

If you read the forums on Pinching Your Pennies you have probably heard the term "Catalina" Catalina Marketing is a company that works with retailers and manufactures to provide coupons based upon specific purchases. Catalina Coupons are the coupons that print out a checkout. These coupons sometimes are in the form of cents off coupons, freebies, or for a specific dollar amount off your next order (OYNO). Sometimes the Catalina's, as we call them, are tied to store promotion or just generated by an item you are purchasing; say for instance you buy Yoplait Yogurt, at check out you may receive a coupon for Dannon.

Most of the coupons that print will expire within a couple of weeks so be sure to notice the expiration date. Typically the coupons are manufacturer coupons that you *should* be able to use in other stores - but sometimes it is a YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) situation.

Keep an eye on those machines! Not only do they print coupons but they sometimes also print advertisments for upcoming promos or new products.

Catalina machines are typically present in chain grocery stores, Walgreens and Kmart. The following map will help you find stores offering these coupons:

There really is no official place to look online to see all of the promos that are going on at any given time. A couple of places to watch are on the shelves by the price tags you may see tags telling you that if you buy something you will get something OYNO. If you do read something online and you are wondering if that specific promo is running in your area you can call Catalina Marketing and ask them, they only will confirm specific promos though.

Pinching Your Pennies has some threads specifically dedicated to Catalina Promos. A simple search can direct you to these threads. I have linked a few of them here too!
Smith's Catalina's
Idaho Catalina's
Arizona Catalina's
Colorado Catalina's

If you are expecting a specific Catalina to print and it doesn't there are a couple of things you can do.

First you can try going to the store's customer service desk. If the Catalina is listed in their weekly ad or on a shelf tag in their store they should be able to help you. Most of the time if you are expecting an OYNO coupon to print and the store can verify it they will just give you the cash.

If customer service can't help you, you can call Catalina Marketing. When you call be prepared to leave a detailed message and they are really good about getting back to you. When you speak with them please have your receipt and shopper's card handy, they may also ask you to read them upc codes from the items you purchased. They will then research your purchase and if everything is correct they send you the coupon in the mail. The phone number for Catalina Marketing is 1-888-8COUPON (1-888-826-8766). Every time I have called there they are really helpful.

I hope this helps! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!