CHECK THIS OUT!! TLC's extreme couponer Accused of coupon fraud by American bloggers.

[middleclassmom]

In the past few months since joining SC I have followed the debate in various threads about proper coupon use and various issues of coupon/manufacturer intent such as mulitple printables, multiple brandsaver/websaver/save.ca accounts, taking multiple tearpad coupons, shelf clearing, coupon overages, and other concerns with couponing in Canada.

But I must say I have not seen the extent of issues as is currently debated about supposed coupon fraud that is taking place in the USA on the tv show "Extreme Couponing".

One coupon blogger has taken quite offense to one of the women, J'aimie who is showcased on the TLC show. The blogger claims J'aimie has been using the coupons fraudulently and gives what she says is proof:

http://jillcataldo.com/node/16258

Even the Facebook page for TLC's Extreme Couponing has stated they are looking into it:
http://www.facebook.com/ExtremeCoupo...64715660252671

Very interesting debate.

[Midnightly]

it would be interesting to see what comes of it.. and if TLC gets a backlash becuase of it

[caroman]

crazy, that's all I can say.

[Applepie]

I can't believe it!

[gracesmommy]

its too bad - some greedy ppl are going to ruin it for us honest couponers that are just trying to save a bit of money.

[Chantel]

Glad they're 'looking into it', but time will tell what that really does. They're probably just loving the media attention.

[SmackUTwice]

THAT was always my thing with using that many coupons on these shows and in the USA in general. Cashier is NOT going to look at every single coupon, compare it with the items. ESPECIALLY when there is a video camera THERE that will end up on national TV. They all just assume they are honest... well, guess we shall see if anything comes of this.

Pretty good eye and attention to detail...

[ypperin]

THAT was always my thing with using that many coupons on these shows and in the USA in general. Cashier is NOT going to look at every single coupon, compare it with the items.....

I think what's so compelling is that in the states (where this woman was shopping) the coupons are scannable. Meaning that the machine matches it up so that the cashier doesn't have to. What you see happening is the machine is beeping (when this happens a notice comes up that the item was not purchased) but the cashier is K1'ing it (overriding the system).

Couponing in the states is not like in Canada, where the cashiers have to manually enter each coupon redeemed. That's why when you look at alot of the US policies it states that the coupon has to have a barcode (walmart comes to mind with this), because the barcode holds the manufacturer code, which in turn gets scanned, and the coupon is applied automatically if all conditions are met.

That's not to say that there aren't exceptions. But very compelling.

Further down, below the videos on that thread, you can see the american couponers explaining why her target videos are fraudulent, because, just like us Canadians, we know what is out during that time. I have also heard reference to the coupon database.... not sure where that is, or if we canadian's have one..... etc...

[sacha007h]

that is too freakin' funny. can't believe she did this on national television! guess that is why they don't scan coupons here in canada. harder to get those kind of coupons past our cashiers ! LOL

[mimi-]

wow i can't believe she had the guts to do it on tv and that the tv crew didn't notice or stop her. i wonder if she'll be arrested or sued by the store

[Sherbear609]

lmao i knew i didn't like this show!!!

[Dinobuzz]

There's a discussing going on about this in the Shopping Talk section....there is very interesting points being brought out about J'aime's way of using coupons, on various coupon blogs....I'm just not too familiar with the US 'family zone' coupons and how the UPC codes cover more than one type of product other than what the coupon is intended for.....gonna have to read up on it!

[rutlandgrl]

Not everyone is out to cause coupon chaos.
I firmly believe that both the STORE & the CONSUMER need to work together. In this case there was a coupon zone for 2.00 off Kraft participating products beside a KRAFT non participating item. Can you say COUPON CHAOS??? I fully expected her to say well you just need to read.

I love me a great deal. However I had to share with the Extra Foods today that they have a coupon (Instore) in a location that it should not be in it will cause confusion on both the consumer and the store. They were so surprised at what I said let alone how I explained it. (Its hard to see with a cell phone camera, there is no cream cheese on the participating product coupon should not be beside that item)

Now we meet weekly at the food court right outside this grocery store. The weekend manager chuckled as he walked by us and don't forget to use those great deals in our store. Well now if that is not an open invitation to speak, I grabbed it saying well KEVIN of course we plan on using these coupons in your store and would also like to know if we can film our own savings and shopping experience? Can you guess the outcome? He said you man not film prices and through out the store, however I would be alright with you filming the end part ringing through the till and the coupons used. This will be great four our store.

Its great to see a company care about what we the consumer feel . Know this it is alot easier to get to know the cashiers and managers at the store you shop at to make your couponing life much better. Koodo to Deb & Kevin (Management) and her staff for taking the time to even listen.

[mamaofmany]

Interesting, it's a wonder why stores even accept coupons anymore. The measures to prevent coupon fraud are as difficult as protecting money from being copied. Don't get me wrong I LOVE coupons, but can you imagine what it's costing in trying to keep up with all the tech and fraudsters available to misuse it?
Regardless it's as bad as stealing and the cost is passed directly on to us, the consumer!

[campfire]

I believe this show is going to be detrimental to those of us who want to simply save money. The coupon policies are going to start changing...just wait and see!

That show is ridiculous. Who needs 1000 toothbrushes or 500 bottles of laundry soap??