After helping families save money for over a decade, I kept hearing the same frustration: “I send coupon requests but never hear back. What am I doing wrong?”
I’d get emails from people who were doing everything they thought was right – being polite, asking nicely, even including their sob stories about tight budgets. But their mailboxes stayed empty while other people were getting responses. The problem wasn’t that companies don’t send coupons anymore (they absolutely do), or that these families weren’t deserving. The problem was they were making the same nine mistakes that get requests deleted before anyone even finishes reading them.
Here’s what I learned from years of testing what actually works and talking to people who handle these requests: most coupon requests fail for completely avoidable reasons. Once you know what companies actually want to see and what makes them hit delete, your success rate improves dramatically. These fixes are so straightforward that you’ll wonder why nobody talks about them.
Generic Coupon Requests That Companies Delete Immediately
The biggest mistake I see families make is sending the exact same message to dozens of companies. Customer service reps can spot these mass emails instantly, and they have zero incentive to respond to someone who clearly didn’t take five minutes to learn about their brand.
Mistake #1: Using the same template for every company “Dear Company, I love your products and would appreciate any coupons you could send. Thank you.”
Here’s the problem: this could be sent to a cereal company, a cleaning product brand, or a pet food manufacturer. It tells them absolutely nothing about you as a customer. Companies get hundreds of these generic requests every week, and they’ve learned to ignore them completely. They want to reward loyal customers who actually buy their products, not people who are just collecting coupons from anyone who’ll send them.
The fix: Show you’re a real customer by mentioning specifics. “I’ve been buying your whole grain bread for my kids’ school lunches for two years” immediately separates you from the mass requesters. Even better, mention where you shop or how the product fits into your routine.
Also See: 15 Product Categories That Always Send Free Samples Plus Coupons
Mistake #2: Asking for “any coupons available” This phrase is the kiss of death. It tells companies you don’t actually know what they sell and you’re just casting a wide net hoping something sticks. It sounds lazy and impersonal because, honestly, it is.
The fix: Research takes thirty seconds. Look at their website or think about what you actually buy from them. I’d love coupons for your Greek yogurt line” or “anything for your powder laundry detergent would help stretch our family budget” shows you know their products and have a specific need.
Mistake #3: Forgetting key information that proves you’re worth responding to Companies are running a business. They want to send coupons to people who will actually use them to buy their products, not someone who might live across the country or never shop where their products are sold. Missing basic details makes it way too easy to ignore your request.
Information that makes companies pay attention:
- Your location (city, state) They want to know you’re in their market area
- Specific products you buy Proves you’re an actual customer, not just someone hoping for freebies
- Where you shop “I usually shop at Target and Walmart” tells them you’re shopping where their products are available
- Brief context for your request “expecting our second baby,” “trying to stick to our grocery budget,” or “just moved and stocking up” gives them a reason to help you
The difference between a request that gets ignored and one that gets results often comes down to these simple details. Take two extra minutes to personalize your message, and you’ll stand out from the pile of generic requests sitting in their inbox.
Why Your Coupon Request Timing Kills Your Success Rate
Timing isn’t just important for coupon requests, it can make or break them completely. Send your request at the wrong time, and even perfect wording won’t save you from the delete button.
Mistake #4: Requesting during companies’ busiest seasons Never send coupon requests in November and December. I learned this the hard way after sending dozens of requests during the holidays and hearing nothing back. Companies are drowning in customer service emails, processing returns, and managing their biggest sales periods of the year. Your coupon request is the last thing on their priority list.
The same goes for back-to-school season (late July through August) when many companies are focused on major campaigns and promotions they’ve planned months in advance.
The fix: January through March is prime time for coupon requests. Companies are planning new campaigns for the year, their customer service teams have bandwidth, and they’re often looking to build relationships with loyal customers. September and October also work well, as companies wrap up summer campaigns and start planning for the next year.
Mistake #5: Following up too quickly or being pushy about responses I’ve seen people send follow-up emails within a week, sometimes multiple times. This is the fastest way to get blacklisted from future promotions. Companies keep track of difficult requesters, and being pushy puts you on that list permanently.
Most companies have internal processes for handling coupon requests. Some review them monthly, others quarterly. Pushing for faster responses shows you don’t understand how businesses operate and makes you look demanding rather than appreciative.
The fix: Wait a minimum of three to four weeks before following up, and only follow up once. If they don’t respond after your single follow-up, move on. Period. Mark your calendar if you need to, but resist the urge to keep checking in.
Mistake #6: Ignoring company response patterns and seasonal preferences Different companies have completely different approaches to coupon requests. Food companies often respond faster during slower sales periods. Cleaning product companies might be more generous during spring cleaning season. Baby product companies are typically more responsive to families with new babies during certain times of year.
Many companies also have budget cycles that affect when they send coupons. Some allocate coupon budgets quarterly, others do it monthly. If you pay attention to when you’ve received coupons in the past, you’ll start to see these patterns.
The fix: Keep a simple log of your requests and responses. Note which companies responded, when you requested, and when you heard back. After a few months, you’ll see clear patterns emerge. For example, you might notice Company A always responds in the first week of the month, while Company B seems to send coupons every three months like clockwork.
Understanding these timing patterns gives you a huge advantage over people who just randomly send requests whenever they think about it.
Professional Presentation Mistakes That Get Coupon Requests Deleted
Even with perfect timing and specific content, your presentation can destroy your chances before anyone reads past your subject line. Companies process hundreds of requests, and they’ve developed quick ways to identify which ones deserve their time.
Mistake #7: Using words and phrases that trigger instant rejection Certain phrases have been overused by scammers and serial requesters to the point where they’re automatic red flags. Words like “desperately need,” “struggling family,” “unemployed,” or “can’t afford” often backfire because customer service teams see them dozens of times per day in requests that aren’t genuine.
The problem isn’t that these situations aren’t real or valid. The problem is that these exact phrases have been used so much by people gaming the system that companies have learned to be skeptical of them.
The fix: Keep your language straightforward and honest without the drama. “I’m working to stretch our grocery budget” sounds genuine and relatable. “Looking to save on products we use regularly” shows you’re a thoughtful shopper, not someone in crisis mode. Companies respond better to people who sound like responsible customers managing their money wisely.
Mistake #8: Formatting that screams unprofessional or spam Your presentation matters more than you think. ALL CAPS SUBJECT LINES make you look like you’re shouting or don’t understand basic email etiquette. Walls of text with no paragraph breaks are hard to read and suggest you don’t value the reader’s time. Using overly casual language like “Hey guys!” or “What’s up!” makes you sound like you’re texting a friend instead of contacting a business.
Some people also make the mistake of using fancy fonts, colored text, or too many exclamation points. These formatting choices make your email look like spam or promotional material rather than a genuine customer request.
Before example that gets deleted: “HEY THERE! I LOVE YOUR CEREAL AND MY KIDS EAT IT EVERY SINGLE DAY CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME SOME COUPONS WE SHOP AT WALMART TARGET KROGER AND BASICALLY EVERYWHERE ELSE THAT SELLS YOUR STUFF THANKS SO MUCH AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!”
Also See: What Do You Do If Your Store Refuses Your Coupons?
After example that gets responses: “Subject: Loyal Customer Coupon Request
Hello,
I’ve been purchasing your Honey Nut cereal for my family for over a year. My kids eat it almost every morning before school, and I typically buy it during my weekly shopping trips to Target.
I’m always looking for ways to make our grocery budget go further, and any coupons for your cereal line would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and consideration, Sarah Johnson Chicago, IL”
Mistake #9: Getting the tone completely wrong for a business request Your tone needs to hit the sweet spot between friendly and respectful. Too demanding (“I deserve coupons because I’ve been buying your products for years”) makes you sound entitled. Too casual (“Got any coupons laying around?”) suggests you don’t take their business seriously. Too desperate (“Please help us, we really need these coupons”) can sound manipulative.
Think about it from their perspective: they’re a business trying to reward good customers, not a charity trying to help people in crisis. They want to work with people who appreciate what they’re offering, not people who act like they’re owed something.
The right tone: Polite but confident. “I’d appreciate any coupons you might have available for your products” strikes the right balance. You’re asking for a favor, acknowledging it’s their choice to help, but you’re not begging or demanding.
Remember, these companies want to say yes to reasonable requests from real customers. When your presentation makes you look professional and genuine, you’re making it easy for them to help you.
Your Next Request Can Be Different
These nine mistakes are the difference between an empty mailbox and actually getting the coupons you request. The good news? Every single fix is completely within your control.
Before you send your next request, run through this checklist: ✓ Specific product mentioned (not “your products”)
✓ Real customer details included (where you shop, how long you’ve been buying)
✓ Professional subject line and formatting
✓ Smart timing (avoid busy seasons)
✓ Respectful, confident tone
✓ Realistic follow-up expectations
Companies want to say yes to reasonable requests from genuine customers. When you stop making the mistakes that get requests automatically deleted, you make it easy for them to help you. Start implementing these changes with your very next request and your mailbox will thank you.