People, Extreme Couponing is AMERICAN

[dianabb]

It seems that some Canadians are trying to emulate the show Extreme Couponing. this is just rediculous! That is an American Show and couponing in America works different than in Canada. For example (at least in BC) I would say that all the grocery chains here do not do double or triple coupon days (with a possible exclusion of maybe one that does it once per year or so, Pharmasave). Also this type of couponing is more known to the grocery stores and they accept that. Do you notice that you rarely see them price match. That's because the stores are adding their own in-store coupons as well. Other than LD and RCSS I don't know of any other store that carries in-store coupons. And not only that but our policies here are much different.

On the show you will see a family that has stock piled so much stuff that they are good for at least a good year. Not only that but much of what they have accumulated has expire dates. Do you really need 50 bottles of pop? or 100 toothbrushes? or 75 packages of toilet paper? They keep accumulating so much that they are unable to get through the first stockpile.

Personally I get what my family needs. Remember there are always more coupons coming out.

Sorry just had to vent!

[chris33]

bravo! I totally agree with you......I like how they total up 500 dollars worth of groceries sure..........97 packages of croutons (who wants to eat that everyday for 4 months ) 100 bottles of pop and 300 bottles of pain reliever.......they really only get a few items........its not like they got everything for free its usually under 10 items and way too much of it. The only people I like to watch on there are people who donate stuff. I think they really give false expectations to people in canada. They should be showing the problems with cashiers and stores when you try to use the coupons like we have here.....Id love to see one of those couponers try to walk out of walmart with 500 dollars worth of stuff. after fighting with the cashier who has to punch in each coupon by hand after reading them and calling the manager over lol It wouldnt happen.(walmart isnt too good at stocking up )

[melodi]

I just came back from a recent trip to the states and made sure to make use of some coupons. I came upon a $5 off any Physicians formula make up product, which with sales turned most items up for free.
I was in joy with how easy it was for cashiers to just scan the coupons, less stress for them and less for us too.
Until cashiers can just scan coupons attempting an Extreme Couponing show in Canada would be impossible.

[MercuryBlue]

I stock-pile stuff that's cheap or nearly free- rarely ever food because I require a lot of variety in my diet. I get bored easily. My stockpile grows very slowly, though. I have never spent as money/bought as many products in one trip as some of those women have there.

[BC Gal]

Prices of regular necessities have gotten absolutely ridiculous the last few years. There is no reason we here in Canada should be paying twice as much for the same product as the US. It is near impossible to get free items here other than on rare occasions (and don't forget the tax).

[tdjca]

I agree the show gives alot of false impressions and creates alot of misguided expectations in the viewers. Remember almost every single one so far has stated "this is the biggest I have ever done". They knew they were going on the show and they prepared an extravagent shop for the show.

Again we have different circumstances concerning coupons here and we may be able to get some stuff for free but not the variety or to the extent they can in the US. Trying to force it here will just end up with stores hating couponers and policies coming into effect that limit how and what we can save on.

As for stockpiling. There has to be a realistic limit. I am building a stockpile of products/items that my family needs and uses. What my limit depends on shelf life and expiry date for food items. We have a family of 6 as well as I shop for my parents and in-laws to help them out. DH's work is seasonal so we are never sure of how much money will be coming in each month. For this reason I do stockpile and that way I KNOW no matter what I will still have everything my family needs to get us through any tight times. It's when greed and the NEED to beat your biggest savings come into play that things get out of hand.

[iceblueraven]

I shamefully admit I 'stockpiled' 6 months worth of pasta because it was on for 88 cents (reg. 1.99)...HOWEVER...

We will eat it all. We really like pasta.

That show is glorifying some seriously out of control behaviours. There is NO WAY those people will use all those items. And to see it stored...well, everywhere! I mean, I like my kids to have toys under their beds, not toilet paper.

I do store stuff, and if there is a great sale, I will stock up for the amount my family will use for a given period of time. If it's a really great sale, I will go six months max depending on perishability. Mostly, it's three months.

I also have an emergency stash of emergency food and water, but I think that's just prudent, not obsessive.

And even without coupons, US sales are sometimes FAR SUPERIOR to Canadian sales I was just mentioning this on another thread. It's so much easier to use coupons as well. I have no desire to extreme coupon...but I do like to save money!!

[Midnightly]

agreed.. we don't get nearly the amount of coupons in canada as they do in the states.. we also have significantly higher prices... i don't think i've ever seen bacon on-sale for a buck!! and cases of pop less then two bucks oh heck no! heck it's rare to find a coupon for 50c off a case! i think i'm just as shocked by the cheapness of the prices then by the coupon deals

[redhdlois]

?Ashamed for stockpiling....don't be silly!
Stockpiling was a way of life long before extreme couponing came about....and these days when one doesn't know if you'll have a job/income from one month to the next, stockpiling is a responsible way of looking after your family.
Buying things when they are on sale and you have a coupon is a smart way of shopping, and loading up when it's cheap is much more sensible than waiting until you need something and have to pay shelf price. Alot of people in the US are in serious financial trouble, as some of the EC shows state; their spouses or themselves lose their job and have to come up with a creative way to save money. Yes, sometimes they go overboard, but maybe they've been scared to death after losing a job, or some other crisis and they need to prepare to take care of their family just in case....that's my opinion!!

[hmnewbie]

I was in extra foods the other day and found some gilette products for 50% off and I used a buy one get one free so i paid about 1.79 for both and the cashier says "are you an extreme couponer?"!! I bought two items!!

I do enjoy watching the show, but I will never be that intense, thats there jobs! They dont work, they coupon! I'm all for saving money, thats my plan. I'm not aiming to build my own store, thats insane! I admit I stockpile but its only bathroom stuff.. toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, shamppoo etc etc! That stuff can't go bad, but one of the extreme couponers bought 57 bottle of malox, and she admits she doesnt need it but it was free. Thats rediculous!

[ProudMomma25]

I get a kick out of the show personally, and my jaw drops every once and awhile, I appreciate viewing the show when the shoppers are shown donating their stashes to the food bank or another organization, because I too one day (once my little one is out of diapers) hope that couponing will allow me to save a family a few dollors, or help out some community members when they need it.
I have to agree with most users, although I appreciate a free product (of any kind), buying out the store, or taking more than you are personally going to use (and keeping it, rather than donating it) just does not make much sense to me, I cant tell you how many times Ive seen expired items at the food bank (I once worked for a company that organized a weekly food bank) and its disheartning to find old stale , expired products being given to families who just need a helping hand
*a little off topic I know*
Although the show gives mixed impressions of couponing, I think those of us who coupon responsibly get the "humour" in the show, and those that dont and try to attempt the same, will be deeply embarrassed at the tills some day.

[tdjca]

I get a kick out of the show personally, and my jaw drops every once and awhile, Although the show gives mixed impressions of couponing, I think those of us who coupon responsibly get the "humour" in the show, and those that dont and try to attempt the same, will be deeply embarrassed at the tills some day.

I agree! Even though I don't agree with how they (mostly) go about couponing I do watch it and shake my head alot lol but I also sometimes get little tips on how to streamline and save myself some time or some other little tidbit. I think the only one that I completely got and pretty much agreed with was the mom on the first show who had a stockpile of 6 months to a year in her garage. She made sure she rotated all her food so that nothing expired on her and she planned her shops by how much her family used. The one thing that really gets me on the show is when they say "It's me against the store, cashier etc." We aren't in a battle and if we treat the staff/stores like we are then they aren't going to want to co-operate with us either.

[Lunamoth]

I'm new to couponing but with a small child with medical issues I turned to couponing to save money for medical equipment that insurance doesn't feel is important but helps him to live life the same as any other child. I have a stockpile but never anything we will not use and the new product is put in the back and oldest in front. I have a stockpile of deodorant, dishwasher tabs, laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, paper towel and other personal hygiene and paper items. I refuse to take over my Childs room with toilet tissue or take over his playroom with stockpiles of food that will expire before we get a chance to eat them. The show is Extreme and it says that in the title. People buying diapers for kids they might have in the future is a bit much and things like that I don't agree with. They are the ones who are making companies relook at coupons and make it harder to use. Not the person who buys enough pasta on sale for 6 months. If your family enjoys pasta then stock up. I know I did as well.

[cheekysaver]

Remember... the tv show pushes them to do a extreme trip far bigger then normal... they always say i am doing my biggest shopping trip ever... personally i think that much stock is crazy... one buggy product could contaminate a stock pile and make it worthless... who needs a stockpile of soup as tall as they are?... i know i go thru 2 cases of soup in a year. when stocking a product you have to concider... how much am i really going to eat.. i don't want 40 cases of soup even if they are free lol my space is valuable too!

[amanda4]

There is nothing wrong with a stockpile This show is really causing alot of problems. There is nothing wrong with a stockpile This show is really causing alot of problems. I wish they would cancel it... These people are not couponers. They are hoarders!!! A stockpile is good. If you don't want a huge stockpile then look at it his way. On average things go on sale every 3 months. So if you have enough for at least that long you are good. . But a 3-6 months stockpile is good. Like I said these people are hoarders!!!!! There is no need to buy stuff you don't use. The only time I buy stuff I don't use is for family or friends. Diapers for a future child!!! Come on now. Ican't wait for the next gala at work. I really hope TLC sends a rep. Usually it is just a rep from Shaw media b/c the represent all the channels they own but back in oct of last year they sent there own rep. they will again soon. I have a huge stockpile myself. I love looking at it LMAO