Saying nothing at all! Doesn't make it right.

[Northernlights49]

There was a thread started in the brag section that I posted some thoughts in. That being said, I have been thinking about this for some time and have not taken the initiative to start a conversation about it.
I have lurked here for some time and learned so many helpful lessons on saving money that I can't begin to explain what it has meant to me.(well.... I will begin....maybe not finish) I have been looking for steady
employment since 2009 after losing my job to "restructuring".
I came across this site while searching for ways to earn money from home. Instead I found how to save money, which has turned out to be such an incredible blessing in more ways than one. Reading and learning on here has kept me busy, putting my energies to stretch the little money we have. I remember the first time I got toothpaste for free.....it was shortly after shopping with my daughter when she needed deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I have always shopped sales, but this day nothing was on sale and she needed them. So, I paid over $12 for the things she needed. Then, I found this site.
I coupon to keep food on the table, and the wolves away from the door.
When I first started coming here, there were so many good ideas. I loved the brag and deal section. It seems since Walmart started giving overage on coupons we have had some "extreme couponers" come out of cyber space to take over the brag section.
I used to only shop the sales. There are many, many people who still do. So, clearing shelves to take advantage of overages is just plain wrong. Doesn't matter if you are donating them to yourshelf, family or charity. It is wrong.
Same with scoping out young cashiers to take advantage of them and get a better deal than you should. Just plain wrong.
And for sure....... rushing to pm an error in a flyer is wrong as well. If you did this.....don't post that you did it before knowing. Just don't post it.
If there is a great coupon out, for example the $6 off aspirin. If there isn't a limit "one per person"..... doesn't make it right to print off 60 to buy all the product from the shelf to get overage. The next person in the store may have really, really needed the aspirin and there isn't any. They may have taken a taxi to get there, and had to pay to take one somewhere else. All because you can......... it isn't illegal. But, doesn't make it right. And, I for one don't want to see picture, after picture in the brag section of it.
I thought this site wanted to encourage saving money, but not at the expense of what it "right". I know that is open to interpretation, but everyone in their heart should know what "right" is. Just because you
can do something doesn't mean you should. And.....why would you
want to brag about it........and then get defensive when you are questioned on your actions. It is making it harder on everyone, now to use coupons.

[walkonby]

Glad you were able to express your true feelings here. I applaud your stance on
" just because you can, doesn't mean you should" Bravo!! Hopefully some people lurking or even some members may have a change of heart in the way they shop.

[sarajk]

I completely agree with what you said.
Sadly this has been said multiple times before (usually in this section) but
it doesn't make a difference.
Those brags are still posted and the mods leave them up.

[AmberLab]

I completely agree with what you said.
Sadly this has been said multiple times before (usually in this section) but
it doesn't make a difference.
Those brags are still posted and the mods leave them up.

If they are left up, it's usually because they have not been reported. Members need to make use of the report button. If it was an erroneous use of coupons and reported, one of us would look into it and make a decision. Mods don't read every thread, but we do check reports daily, or as frequently as we can. We *know* spam gets reported. Brags? Not so much.

[pippinelkhound]

And some of them just go off and start their own blogs and conveniently forget that they were taught the basics on this site. They then stop mentioning how they badgered cashiers, profiled cashiers, and were lining up outside SDMs at midnight so they could be first in line for the bonus redemption days.

[Darth Penguin]

Ita

[AimeeJane]

You have great courage for coming forward. I wondered that about all the loads of pictures... Like they have mini marts in their basements with their stock piles. I just have my son and I and I still feel weird stocking up. But our stockpile would be gone in 2 months with a big family. The most I did was buy 8 Pampers at 2 different SDM as my sister is having her 4th kid. I've seen people with like 100 toothbrushes. LOL Won't 4 each person do for a year?

Good point about people that have to take cabs to the mall. I have friends that I always try to include on my shop trips or I call in the throws of a thrilling sale to grab them a couple toilot papers as it is too hard for them to go around shopping and hauling stuff home on a bus. They have to dip in to their grocery money when they cab home with their heavy stuff.

So I always share my coupons at the store too. I will grab 4 laundry soaps and pass a coupon off to a passerby.

I think consideration of others should be instilled in all levels of couponing. It's like a savage competitive sport for some.

I am picky about my cashiers though. A lot don't speak english well at Walmart and they don't understand the wording and it is a real holdup. I don't try to pass off bad coupons because I don't want to be banned from a store like my Mom saw on tv. I expect the cashier to read the coupon but they screw up a lot and I end up having to go wait in line at customer service EVERY time I have a cashier that does not speak english as a first language. There is this rotton lady in paticular. She is very rude and clueless. But overall I agree with your msg.

[couponmummy]

and were lining up outside SDMs at midnight so they could be first in line for the bonus redemption days.

I don't see anything wrong with this. If there are only 5 netbooks available and you really want it for cheap and willing to wait in line, you deserve to get it. I see this like Black Friday or Boxing Day sales. People line up for hours to be the first 100 for door crashers.

[ashokia]

As someone who does not drive and is limited to the stores I can walk to, I find it so frustrating to go planning on getting one or two of an item (because I also don't get out with the baby to go searching for tearpads and rely on what people send me) and find the whole shelf cleared.

I've often sent my DH to Walmart on his way home from work on Friday afternoon to shop the sales and more often than not he comes home empty handed.

People who post their brags often say that anyone who is negative is 'jealous' of their deals. DARN RIGHT I'M JEALOUS! I have one thing of Irish Spring Bodywash left (and I only use Irish Spring or Zest) and when it was on sale at the last Anniversary sale I was only able to get one. And the only reason I got that one was because whoever cleared the shelf left it behind because it was dented!

Now all my coupons have expired and guess what?! No Zest or Irish Spring body wash!

Now granted, it is also the store's fault for not having limits (which we are starting to see come into effect in certain stores finally) and not being properly stocked up on sale items. I see a lot of people complaining about these new limit rules, but I think they are fantastic for those of us who coupon ethically and might actually stand a chance of getting a few deals once in awhile without having to head to the store at the crack of dawn.

[AimeeJane]

I agree stores should have limits. I see several people 3 or 4 carts FULL of pop and the sorts of stuff you would resell at a corner store.... hmmm.....

[Crochetlady]

Totally agree

[sweetmomma]

If they are left up, it's usually because they have not been reported. Members need to make use of the report button. If it was an erroneous use of coupons and reported, one of us would look into it and make a decision. Mods don't read every thread, but we do check reports daily, or as frequently as we can. We *know* spam gets reported. Brags? Not so much.

Honnestly I never knew what the report button was for but I do now For some reason I thought it was more for vulgarity. LOL! I learn something new on here everyday.

[marstec]

I agree stores should have limits. I see several people 3 or 4 carts FULL of pop and the sorts of stuff you would resell at a corner store.... hmmm.....

Having limits may stop some people. You also have others who will buy the limit, take it to the car, go through a different checkout...repeat until they feel like they've bought enough. And why can't they buy it all, it's a free country isn't it?

[Northernlights49]

Having limits may stop some people. You also have others who will buy the limit, take it to the car, go through a different checkout...repeat until they feel like they've bought enough. And why can't they buy it all, it's a free country isn't it?

And why can't they buy it all, it's a free country isn't it?

Yes, it is a free country. And I believe my first post was about right and wrong. Sure, they can go out and back in and clear the shelf. Just because it is a free country ....doesn't make it right.

Right .... in the moral, ethical sense of the word. Of course there are
those that don't think of others when they are clearing the shelves.

I try to think of the ones that go into the store to buy the Degree deodorant at $1.79 because it is on sale. Not because it gets points or they have a coupon for. They are shopping the sales and trying to save that way. There are many, many people out there that do that. And, until I found this site.... I was one of them. There are many people out there that have never heard of the scop, price matching.... they just shop sales.

[geniemom]

Ok so i don't usually say much but..... this time i am because op is right staying silent isn't right. There has been so much talk for the last couple of days of whats right or what's wrong, who can or can't speak, "newbies" vs "veterans".......to me it all seems so crazy. I want be part of SC because i think this is a great site where there is lots to learn! I don't want to get into along drawn out speech so i'll try to keep it short and sweet.
Here's the thing people need to NOT be so sensetive about comments learn to tell the difference between bashing and inquiring questions, or trying to clarifly details not accusing others of wrongdoing. Accepting help when given by people who have been doing this for years they have a wealth of knowledge to impart if your willing to listen. If you don't want anyone to pass judgement on you or your shopping practices then don't judge others yourself! What goes around comes around......i call it KARMA... and it can be a b--ch! Some may see this as me venting, and i'm not i'm just trying to say lighten up this is supposed to be fun and educational. I welcome comments if someone see's that i'm about to or have done something wrong with my shopping! The one thing all this discussion has done is make me change how i'll post my brags in future they are going to include the everdy grocery shops from now on...
I know it's "not sexy" but i think it's important to focus on this as well, as was pointed out by other members that they miss this aspect, and i can understand why
Just my two cents worth