Coupons returning to JCPenney? Company provides first promo code, paper coupon in months

Faithful JCPenney shoppers got a rude awakening in February 2012 when the company implemented a huge change to its marketing strategy. Instead of weekly sales and a variety of coupons and promo codes, JCPenney instituted what it called “fair and square pricing.” The basic idea was that shoppers would get the stores’ best prices all the time and wouldn’t have to wait for a sale.

The strategy appears to be an epic fail thus far, with news reports showing large drops in sales at retail stores and online. My recent visits to my local JCPenney store seem to confirm this, as the place looks like a ghost town. The sales and marketing disaster may have played a role in the resignation of the company’s president this summer.

It appears things may be changing at JCPenney. For the first time in months, I’ve seen a money-saving promo code for use on the company’s website. You can use code EXTRA30 to get 30 percent off clearance items, along with free shipping on orders over $50. Since February, the only coupon codes I’ve seen the company offer have been for free shipping when you spent a specified dollar amount online.

I also recently received a paper coupon in the mail from JCPenney. It offered me $10 in an attempt to woo me back into the store to view the company’s new in-store boutiques devoted to various brands, such as Izod and Liz Claiborne.

Were you a JCPenney shopper before the new marketing strategy? What do you think it will take for the company to get back on track?

Photo print savings at Mpix

Use coupon code SALE2012 to save 25 percent on photo prints at Mpix. The company’s photo prints finished second in my photo comparison test, and I personally prefer its prints to the winner, Snapfish. This offer is only good through 11:59 p.m. tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 24).

Save big at Snapfish with promo code

Use coupon code SURPRISE50 to take half off your purchase at Snapfish through Tuesday, Oct. 23. Start your shopping at Ebates.com, and you’ll also get 20 percent cash back. That’s what I call a great deal!

The offer excludes store-pickup items and some themed products, such as Disney and Sesame Street.

Snapfish was the winner of my photo comparison test, beating out Shutterfly and other photo printing vendors.

Get half-price photo enlargements at Mpix

Have an awesome summer photo you’d like to enlarge and frame? Now’s the time to do that at Mpix. Through Tuesday, Sept. 18, you can get 50 percent off all photo enlargements. Mpix finished second in my my photo print quality comparison test, but I actually prefer its prints to the winner, Snapfish.

Use promo code SEPT8X10 to score the savings.

Where to find promo and coupon codes to save money online

I’ve been an online shopper for many years, and I always take advantage of special offers that can lower the costs of my order, including free shipping or discount codes available on a retailer’s website. But it’s only recently that I’ve developed the habit of actively seeking out promotional (or “promo”) codes for retailers before I place my order.

It’s easy to get many promo codes and special offers delivered to your inbox. Just sign up for the email newsletters and sales ads offered by retailers like JCPenney, Kohl’s and Inkjetsuperstore.com. But even if a retailer hasn’t recently emailed you a promo code, you may still be able to find one online. The fastest way to do this is to type in the retailer’s name and the words “promo code” into a search engine. For example, searching “JCPenney promo codes” reveals a list of websites claiming to have these valuable codes.

Sites I’ve found to be reliable in delivering promo codes that work include Retailmenot, Dealigg, and DealsPl.us. When checking for codes on unfamiliar sites, I avoid those that require me to click a link to “reveal” the discount code, as I worry this could initiate a viral attack on my computer. While there are times I cannot locate a code to apply to my deal, I am able to track one down most of the time.

Promo codes aren’t just for clothing, shoes and printer cartridges. The other day, I saved $6.50 off the purchase of water filters for my refrigerator by using a promo code I found online for ABT, an electronics and appliance reailer.

To maximize your savings, remember to use promo codes in combination with other rewards programs, such as Ebates. Also, be sure to do some online price comparisons for the item you are purchasing; in some cases, you may get a lower price without a promo code by purchasing from a different retailer.

Have you found other reliable sources of promo codes besides those listed above? Please share your sources so others can learn and save!