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The Deal Finder: One Scan Away From Savings

December 10, 2015 Leave a Comment

shutterstock_174403448Reposted To Help Save You Money: A few years ago, while out shopping, I kept seeing some little black squiggly boxes. I would also see people taking out their phones and aiming them at them. I thought to myself “what the heck are they doing?” Curiosity got the best of me.  I figured out what they were and how to “scan” them and I quickly learned the secret to scoring deals! So, what am I talking about?

Ever hear of a QR codes? The dictionary defines them as “A barcode-machine-readable label that is attached to an item and that records information related to that item,” but I define them as little gifts sent from heaven to help you with your shopping.

How do I get a scanner? Easy. Go to your app store and type in “QR reader” or “QR scanner.” Pick one that you want (I use RedLaser with my iOS and have never had any problems).  See a QR code, just open your app, aim it and click.  The website or the “coupon” will show up right there on your phone!

Here is one example of how I saved money from using a QR. I was at a local “make your own sandwich” restaurant and there were about 10 people in front of me. I saw a small card on the table as I was waiting in line. I scanned it. It asked for my email address to which I gladly obliged (I have a thing for getting my coupons emailed to me). I ordered my sandwich and by the time it was made and I was at the cash register, I heard “ding” telling me I had a new email. I clicked on the email and TO MY DELIGHT, a coupon for a FREE sandwich! The cashier let me use it right there and then! Thanks for the free sandwich!

Another way I used it just recently was just the other night at Kmart.  I was looking for Christmas gifts and naturally like a good bargain shopper, I went over to the big flashing “clearance” section. A sign said, “another 20% off clearance.”  Well, not wanting to do the math at 8pm on a Tuesday night, I simply turned the toy to the UPC code and scanned it with my QR reader.  This time, it gave me what the price would be at the check out, easy peasy!  I also took it one step further and clicked on “deals.”  It took me straight to the online coupons that were being offered. Another $5 off when I spent $30. Ok, I will take that!

When you scan a UPC code and the item comes up, you can actually scroll down a bit further and it will tell you if you can get a better deal at another store or even online! Several stores will price match so if you take that message to the check out cashier, often times they will adjust their price to give you the best deal! This way you can be assured you are getting the lowest price.

One last thing, my QR reader (RedLaser) also has something called “store alerts.” When you click on that, they automatically alert you to any deals on local stores if we are within a certain distance away! How cool is that? Just be careful of traffic if you have to make a quick u-turn to get to the store you didn’t even know you had to go to!

These are the amazing “save money” deals you can get using QR codes and QR readers, but teacher friends, they are amazing tools in the classroom, also!  Comment below if you would like to find out how!

Kristi Reinke, 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher in Minot, North Dakota

Image Credit: leungchopan / Shutterstock.com

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