Serious Coupon Concerns

[shirl57]

I love SC and all the great ideas and great deals and how this is a very good community to learn a lot. At the same time, I am saddened (and scared) that in due course, Canadian couponers will lose more and more, if not all, coupon privileges due to the interaction between couponers, stores, manufacturers.

So tonight I sat down and felt I needed to express in hopes that we can all reflect at the direction we're all headed and see if we can reflect on our habits so as to not lose our couponing here in Canada.

My original post was under Local -Wpg, but I would very much appreciate if all Canadian couponers would be so kind as to read the concerns I have posted there.

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/258677-...ntam-canada-3/

After reading same, if anyone has any good ideas that we can give to each other couponers and relate these to our stores and manufacturers, perhaps we could start a post and come up with various constructive remedies to fix what is somewhat breaking down before it's too late. I myself look forward to any good ideas anyone might have to convince stores and manufacturers that we appreciate them backing us up on our coupons for their many products they manufacture and/or sell by our actions, if some of these actions need to do an about change.

I would be very saddened if couponing became a thing of the past here because we became so slanted by the Extreme Couponoing show. It had it's benefits, it also has done a lot of damage here in Canada (as is reiterated by many American blogs by their very own American couponers).

[Denna b]

Well said. I think it boils down to greed.IMHO.

[Brynhilde]

I agree with Denna b. I had brought this up in another forum on SC and one of the posters (who was bragging about abusing the freebie/coupon system) got really upset. All I was saying was to leave a little something for someone else.

If people don't stop being greedy with coupons, soon we will only be allowed to use one coupon for anything per purchase.

[slayer_glade]

Seems like the only major issue manufacturers are having right now is about stacking.

I'm in Quebec. No stacking here.

While I would appreciate being able to do it, I don't feel the need to make the company pay 100% for my products all the time. If the coupon is $1, then they pay $1 for one item. If I used 3 coupons for $1 each, then they pay $3 for one item. If I buy 10 items, it's $10 or $30 paid. Multiply that by the thousands sold to Canadians and the figure is insane.

Which one do you think they'd prefer? The $1 paid per item.

I'm perfectly happy with my savings as is. I find that it's mostly the people that are losing the ability to stack that are now freaking out. I've never been able to stack so I really don't find it that big of an issue. So you guys need to spend a fraction more, who cares? Let the companies fix their wordings about coupons and hopefully other companies will produce coupons so we can all participate.

Because, let's face it, if a company isn't making enough profit, the coupons will stop. If other companies see that coupons are beneficial, then maybe they'll put some out.

Like the scrubbing bubbles and finish. People were in a panic because, omg, I can't get them for free. You now have to pay a bit on the full price? Oh my, how horrible. Finish not free? Oh dear, I won't be getting those anymore.

I'd rather them stop stacking than stop producing coupons.

The biggest support we can give companies is to BUY their products. Not everything has to be free.

Sorry if I seem harsh, but that's just how I see it. Maybe it's because I'm in a province that doesn't allow it and thus I haven't done it, I don't know. I'm biased, that's for sure.

[ashokia]

To the people who are complaining about ONE ITEM becoming non stackable, I say, suck it up. Most of us can't stack at all. Geez. Wait for a sale and combine it with the best coupon you can find like the rest of us have to.

[Patty Smyth]

To the people who are complaining about ONE ITEM becoming non stackable, I say, suck it up. Most of us can't stack at all. Geez. Wait for a sale and combine it with the best coupon you can find like the rest of us have to.

Ditto

[hollyquaiscer]

Is this a lets bash the stackers thread...thats what seems to be happening here. I'm a little disappointed. There are some of us out there that have stacked coupons for many many years, and there has never been as issue until after the extreme coupon show aired, all of a sudden people started coming out of the woodwork, all claiming to be the best and trying to get everything (most they don't need or will never use that much of) for free, just like the show. People started thinking 1, that we live in the USA and 2, that everyone needs a wall of toothpaste of 700 bottles of shampoo. Nobody seems to understand that it is TV and things are not always as the appear. We have people who are extremely greedy, and people who are extremely rude. If coupons were used PROPERLY by EVERYONE, not just stackers, and we ALL remembered our MANNERS, things would be much better. But we all know that this will never happen.

I don't think it's fair when you make this type of comment " I say, suck it up. Most of us can't stack at all. Wait for a sale and combine it with the best coupon you can find like the rest of us have to. "

I am sorry that in your province stores won't allow you to stack, but you are certainly not being fair by blaming stackers for ruining couponing for others. I resent that statement. I do agree that the whinning about not being able to stack coupons on a particular product is insane (and we certainly don't need 25 threads all saying the same thing), and was most likely caused by greedy people, please don't lump all stackers together like that. It is like me saying if there weren't so many people in Ontario that bought all that Pepsi using every coupon they could get their hands on we would have way more new pepsi coupons out there. Really????

This is just MO and I'm not mad at anyone, but your statement seems truely unfair.

[slayer_glade]

Is this a lets bash the stackers thread...thats what seems to be happening here. I'm a little disappointed.

[...]

The OP made the board and linked to her comment on a stacking finish thread. That is why we're talking about stacking.

The URL for her comment is in her first post.

[DianneS]

I know there is some resentment about our ability to stack out West and I do understand it. However, I become so irritated when I see flyers from Ontario where items are consistently cheaper than they are in BC. Why, in heavens name is toilet paper always on sale for $1.00 per 12-pack less in Ontario than in BC. My next door neighbour works at the local Scott Paper factory where they make the darn stuff! I don't buy the "it's the shipping" factor. This is the same for many, many items. BC and Alberta flyer prices are frequently 20% more expensive for the exact same items. So, I have to say that I would give up stacking in a heartbeat for competitive pricing in my province.

That said, I think that all the signs are there that stacking opportunities are rapidly disappearing. So, yes, we will have to suck it up and pay more than consumers in Central Canada. Perhaps it would be a far better strategy for Western Canadian couponers to pressure manufacturers for fair pricing, rather than complaining to them about coupon restrictions.

[ashokia]

Is this a lets bash the stackers thread...thats what seems to be happening here. I'm a little disappointed. There are some of us out there that have stacked coupons for many many years, and there has never been as issue until after the extreme coupon show aired, all of a sudden people started coming out of the woodwork, all claiming to be the best and trying to get everything (most they don't need or will never use that much of) for free, just like the show. People started thinking 1, that we live in the USA and 2, that everyone needs a wall of toothpaste of 700 bottles of shampoo. Nobody seems to understand that it is TV and things are not always as the appear. We have people who are extremely greedy, and people who are extremely rude. If coupons were used PROPERLY by EVERYONE, not just stackers, and we ALL remembered our MANNERS, things would be much better. But we all know that this will never happen.

I don't think it's fair when you make this type of comment " I say, suck it up. Most of us can't stack at all. Wait for a sale and combine it with the best coupon you can find like the rest of us have to. "

I am sorry that in your province stores won't allow you to stack, but you are certainly not being fair by blaming stackers for ruining couponing for others. I resent that statement. I do agree that the whinning about not being able to stack coupons on a particular product is insane (and we certainly don't need 25 threads all saying the same thing), and was most likely caused by greedy people, please don't lump all stackers together like that. It is like me saying if there weren't so many people in Ontario that bought all that Pepsi using every coupon they could get their hands on we would have way more new pepsi coupons out there. Really????

This is just MO and I'm not mad at anyone, but your statement seems truely unfair.

If you are going to quote someone, at least look at the full quote, and not a snippet. I clearly stated "To the people who are complaining about ONE ITEM becoming non stackable, I say, suck it up. Most of us can't stack at all. Geez. Wait for a sale and combine it with the best coupon you can find like the rest of us have to. "

Where did I once say that stackers were ruining couponing for others?

In no way, shape or form was I attacking every person out there who can stack. I simply don't see why people are complaining about not being able to stack on one or two products when the majority of people on here can't stack at all.

The people who can stack are LUCKY they can do so and yes, I do believe they should be grateful for that simple fact, and not focus on one little negative.

As for the whole Ontario/Pepsi thing, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. The only Pepsi coupons I've ever gotten have been from trades, and totalled four. I still have three in my coupon purse about to expire at the end of this month.

[DianneS]

The people who can stack are LUCKY they can do so and yes, I do believe they should be grateful for that simple fact, and not focus on one little negative.


The vast majority of couponers are very, very aware that they are lucky they can stack, I don't think they need anyone to tell them so. The current concern that is being voiced is, I believe, an awareness that stacking time may be running out. People are disappointed that they cannot use stacks that they have been hanging onto but I don't think people are honed in, or focused on being negative. If you had $1.00 toothpaste coupons that you held onto until you found it on sale for $1.25 -- and the day before you went to use them you found out that the store wouldn't accept them, you would likely be disappointed, too. It's just a little deflating for new couponers who were excited about the opportunity to get a great deal.

[Giving-Small]

I think what we seem to all agree on is that all things in moderation works better than the "extreme".

I think that the original poster was wondering what we could do to move towards are more "responsible" use of coupons that respects the wording etc.

Maybe we could try to simply state what "good practice" is ? It probably sounds a bit like the "Everything i needed to know I learned in kindergarten."

Here's a couple of thoughts to leave you with - it's hard not to share ideas without generalizing a wee bit too much.


We are more prone to generalize the bad than the good. We assume that the bad is more potent and contagious.
Eric Hoffer

All generalizations are false, including this one.
Mark Twain

[ashokia]

The people who can stack are LUCKY they can do so and yes, I do believe they should be grateful for that simple fact, and not focus on one little negative.


The vast majority of couponers are very, very aware that they are lucky they can stack, I don't think they need anyone to tell them so. The current concern that is being voiced is, I believe, an awareness that stacking time may be running out. People are disappointed that they cannot use stacks that they have been hanging onto but I don't think people are honed in, or focused on being negative. If you had $1.00 toothpaste coupons that you held onto until you found it on sale for $1.25 -- and the day before you went to use them you found out that the store wouldn't accept them, you would likely be disappointed, too. It's just a little deflating for new couponers who were excited about the opportunity to get a great deal.

In referencing the first post, which is linked to another thread that does have a lot of negativity, I am merely trying to convey that people should look on the bright side. Maybe I do not seem sympathetic enough over the fact that a few people are not going to get their nine boxes of Finish for free (thank heavens they have ten squirrelled away). Obviously there are some people who do not realize how lucky they are, else they would not be so vocally complaining about the fact that the company is no longer willing to give thousands of dollars worth of product away for free.

I'm not the coupon police. If people can get a good deal, I'm generally happy for them. Do I feel a tiny wee bit of resentment towards people who can stack, well of course I do! I'd be crazy if I didn't! Do I complain and moan that unlike Jenny from the Rock (who is my idol) I can't get free diapers and formula? Nope. I say, WOW, THAT'S AMAZING, YOU ARE SO LUCKY YOU CAN STACK. And does she jump down my throat and say, "I know I'm lucky, you don't have to tell me that." Nope. Not once.

I'm sorry that a few of these new 'extreme' couponers are ruining it for the people who have been stacking for years and years and doing so in an ethical manner. It is really terrible that a few bad apples have spoiled the bunch. Hopefully it stops with the Finish and Scrubbing Bubbles and I'll continue to be able to look at those stacking brags and say, "THAT'S SO AMAZING! YOU'RE SO LUCKY YOU CAN STACK!"

[ashokia]

I think what we seem to all agree on is that all things in moderation works better than the "extreme".

I think that the original poster was wondering what we could do to move towards are more "responsible" use of coupons that respects the wording etc.

Maybe we could try to simply state what "good practice" is ? It probably sounds a bit like the "Everything i needed to know I learned in kindergarten."

Here's a couple of thoughts to leave you with - it's hard not to share ideas without generalizing a wee bit too much.


We are more prone to generalize the bad than the good. We assume that the bad is more potent and contagious.
Eric Hoffer

All generalizations are false, including this one.
Mark Twain

Okay, okay, I surrender!

I remember seeing a few posts just today in this forum section where people were wondering about the wording on coupons and someone said they had contacted the company for clarification. I think this is probably the best way to go about figuring what is the right or wrong way to use that specific coupon.

We need to make sure that we are using coupons correctly because otherwise, it's not just the stackers who will be at risk. It's all of us. If the stores do not get reimbursed for the coupons, they will stop taking them. If the companies are losing out too much money with a coupon they will stop making them.

[Carrla]

I actually came on today to ask for some coupon 'wording clarification' & a few other questions having just recently starting to coupon. I think I'll skip the stacking questions for now as I have to admit - I really still don't get it. :S
I've read through this thread & the other posted by the first person on this one. I've gathered that living 'out west' we are able to stack while those 'down east & especially Quebec' seem to be restricted in this area. I've never stacked because I don't know how to do it. Everytime I read a coupon I'm even more confused - 'How on earth can this be stackable when it says it can't be combined with any other....so on and so forth.'
I would like to ask this - Is EVERY coupon that is ordered from P&G, save.ca, webasaver.ca, gocoupons & LivingWell - considered a MFG cpn even though that little box that says 'Manufacturer Coupon' does NOT always appear???