Coupon Backlash in US - Front Page on Yahoo - Article

[ferdo]

Last month I described five reasons to steer clear of extreme couponing, and now I think I have a sixth: It brings out the worst in both consumers and retailers.
Industry watchers say TLC's popular reality show, Extreme Couponing -- which depicts coupon-obsessed men and women spending 30 to 40 hours a week cutting coupons to net pounds and pounds of groceries for pennies on the dollar (exhausted yet?) -- may be causing more harm than good in the real world.
On the retail front, some big retailers -- wary of couponing copycats -- are pushing back on former coupon allowances for ordinary shoppers:
• At Rite Aid, shoppers can no longer combine buy-one-get-one-free coupons or promotions -- a strategy that, in the past, allowed customers to get two free items. The chain is also limiting the number of coupons a shopper can use per item to four, as long as there is enough stock. Before, the store accepted "multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items."
• Target now forbids "stacking," the act of combining manufacturer and store buy-one-get-one-free coupons, in order to receive both items for free.
Meanwhile, viewers are trying to take on the TV show's tricks to no avail -- and becoming depressed by their inability to replicate the savings achieved by the pros on the show. "Is Extreme Couponing Hurting Self Esteem?" asks Leah Ingram on her blog Suddenly Frugal. Phil Lempert, food industry expert and editor of Supermarketguru.com, told her that "shoppers no longer feel good about saving $10, or 10-to-20 percent. They're becoming depressed that they are not able to buy $1,000 or more groceries for 25 cents."
And, believe it or not, some of the coupon-obsessed across the country have reportedly turned to newspaper theft to take advantage of as many coupon circulars as possible. Some subscribers complain that their papers are missing coupon inserts, while some regional newspaper companies report papers have been stolen from coin-operated racks. Now, that's extreme.
Coupon Dos & Don'ts
Still, as wary as I am of coupon mania, I'm willing to concede that there are some smart ways to use coupons -- as long as you're buying something you actually want or need. Many stores still have lenient policies. Here's some advice for tactfully getting the most out of coupons and some coupon etiquette Do's and Dont's.
Do Know Your Limits. Save time, energy and embarrassment at the register by playing with the rules established by retailers and manufacturers. Visit their Web sites to learn if there have been any updates or changes to their coupon policies.
Do Ask Friends and Neighbors to Leave Aside Papers. Some people actually subscribe to newspapers for the articles, not the coupons. It's perfectly acceptable to ask these friends and family members -- politely -- to set aside the coupons for you to pick up at a later time.
Don't Barter for New Papers. According to a report in North County Times, local publishers say customers are asking to return papers for new ones with fresh coupon circulars. I'm all for trading up, but, really?
Do Start a Small Coupon Swap. Rather than stealing your neighbor's Sunday paper to benefit from the extra coupon circular, create a support system through a small, local coupon exchange. Members can meet once a week in person for 30 minutes to exchange coupons for things they actually would buy anyway. (One person's buy-one-get-one-free instant oatmeal is another person's 50-cents-off cold cereal.) Online exchanges also exist at savingsadvice.com and thriftyfun.com.
Don't Copy Coupons. Many stores mention in their coupon policies that "coupons are void if copied, scanned, transferred, purchased, sold …" etc. Again, stick with the official policy. You'll still manage to save a good chunk of change -- and by skipping a long debate at the checkout, you'll also avoid unnecessary delays both for you and the shoppers waiting behind you.
Do Ask Manufacturers to Send Coupons Directly. If you can't find manufacturers' coupons readily on their Web sites, email or call them to request coupons be sent directly to your inbox. That's what many successful couponers claim to do. It sometimes earns them freebies, as well.

[LizCabral]

Great reading.

Thanks Ferdo !!

Seems like the old saying "Everything in MODERATION" kind of sums it up.

[beckyrobinson1]

Too bad some people take advantage of the great things in life.

[ederer]

[QUOTE=ferdo;3577401]

...• Target now forbids "stacking," the act of combining manufacturer and store buy-one-get-one-free coupons, in order to receive both items for free.
...QUOTE]


Well I guess that answers the question if Target was going to allow stacking in Canada.

[Sherbear609]

I found this interesting for the US gets great deals as it is, So the ppl that are getting "something for nothing" are now being told "no" maybe the show did do something positive

[Ramblin Rose]

I saw that on the news last night Target and Rite Aid cracking down on couponers.I cant say that I blame them some people are a little to greedy. Really who needs 54 bottles of mustard?But in defence of American couponers I dont understand why the manufactures make the coupons buy 3 save a $1.00 and so forth.Alot of their coupons are like that,making it so you have to buy a larger amount of that product to use the coupon.Alot of times I go there and the shelves are already picked clean.I dont believe there are extreme couponers hiding around every corner lol.As for the Exteme Couponing show( TLC ) they really should take it off the air its giving the average couponer a bad name.But as a Canadian who has the luxury of cross boarder shopping I will continue to shop with coupons in the States.

[carlyincanada]

Yeah, that show is way too Extreme!! They need to set limits of 4 like we have here! Duh!!!

[kellyanna_99]

I don't understnad why people have an issue with the limits, if you want more, go make another trip. Seems fair to me.

[sugarplummie]

Great Post!!!

[mrsfd]

Great!
Just a another example of how a few have spoiled it for the rest of us..

[ColleenMGorecki]

i believe that everyone has their own limit of what they need for there family. My husband and l use very few products as kids are grown but daughters have families that need more items. As the show says it is EXTREME couponing for a reason, and reason being to get people to watch the show. Every single person on the show has always said quote( l have never had this big of a shopping trip ) so we all know that it is all a put on. lf everyone just does what they feel comfortable with l don't think there is any problem whatsoever if one person need 50 products and another need 2.

[redhdlois]

It's not like everyone's doing extreme couponing. It's too bad that some US stores are changing their policies over a few people taking advantage of it. After all, they get the money back from the manufacturers.

[Midnightly]

Every single person on the show has always said quote( l have never had this big of a shopping trip ) so we all know that it is all a put on.

what i find it doesn't matter what the people say it's the end result of the 4 shopping carts full and paying just a few dollars for thousands worth

alot have said things like this is their biggest haul yet, they spend a large amount of time on it, they do things your average person wouldn't (climb into a garbage bin anyone??) yet they seem to forget this info when the end result is so extreme and then say "hey i can do this"

i've had people look through my binder and say "oh it's just coupons" feeling like they can help themselves to it because "hey it's just coupons, you have lots" but.. those coupons are my income it's how i pitch into our family income (husband makes the dollar i stretch the dollar)

i think this show has made people see a whole new value to "a coupon" but i think it has set a horrible example of couponing and couponers and like i tell my child "the world is not instant" it takes time to build up a coupon stockpile, it takes time and effort to find the coupons

[tdjca]

On the "extreme couping" thread someone looked up the Couponing Information Corp (I Think I have that right) and they had quite a bit to say about the show as well. I'm hoping that TLC listens and takes their advice as the sketchy practices and extreme practices of SOME of the couponers on the show is really creating alot of new restrictions and making it harder for the average couponer. Also as mentioned in the articles it is creating couponers who are obsessed and do alot of questionable things that they normally wouldn't do.

Here's the link to the other post. I believe it is #1119 http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/188198-...ing-canada-75/ Very interesting what they had to say.

[coley3]

Great article. I agree with the show being a bit too extreme for the average couponer. But the show is called Extreme. And we love to watch it. At least I do. Its fun to watch but I would never inflict that amount of time and trouble to a store/cashier at 1 time. It just seems wrong to do cart loads like that at 1 time. There needs to be limits set somewhere. You can get carried away.
As a regular couponer I have limits myself. If I see a great sale I use my coupons and get some. Then I go back the next day and if there is some left then I will use the rest of my coupons and buy some more. That way it gives others a chance at the great deal. And is less time at the cash-out. The Extreme show they don't think of anyone else as they are shopping. Just the OOP at the end. And while it is entertaining. It does not give couponers a good name.