Team 10: 21 Things to to be an Epic Couponer

[Out_of_the_Loops]

I agree trading has been very time consuming for me too. I think once o am done with formula and diapers then I won't need to trade so much.

I agree with you on the stacking at London Drugs. I am so happy to get cheap formula and diapers but they are rarely in stock. I know it is great to get all that stuff for donations but it makes it hard for me to find stuff when I need it.

[Out_of_the_Loops]

I think my coupon train might be missing. It has been almost 3 weeks between stops. As the conductor should I mail a replacement train?

I was hoping my first train would go smoothly but it looks like CP isn't cooperating.

Thanks,

[Giving-Small]

Great questions Dahliagrower and great ideas/responses. This is a "safe" place to say the things we're thinking and have a sounding board.

Trading is time consuming. Stating things very clearly up front helps. I trade with someone who make it clear (nicely) that they do coupons for coupons - nothing else.

I try to be clear - FPCS for FPCs, coupons mostly is my preference but I leave the door open for lots of possible ways to trade at the end. So stating what you'd like for CT up front would speed it all up.

I think many traders are "flexible" on what is a good deal and they'll know it when they're offered it so things are left uncertain.

Cottonelle -- you're comment / reaction made me laugh Dahlia. I'd say it was a bit of bold request but also someone very eager to get TP.


Young Traders -- I know of 2 young traders who are amazing - the ones I know are both at home and not sure of their story. Last year or so there was one young trader who was trying to go from coupons to gift cards to be able to order things.

West and Free Products
- Is it a good idea to get tons of free products ie. 200? Why do people do this?

-Great questions and the answers will range for "it rocks" to "it sucks". We've likely all got an opinion. Personally, I try to stay away from the brag threads a bit to tamp down on my urge to judge. I try to remember I'm not walking in someone else's moccasins and their context and circumstance may make their choices seem crazy to me but if I knew, they'd make perfect sense.

- There are so many reasons that buy 200 -- one is getting carried away by being able to do it and then share their "big story". Kinda like fishing - people like to catch a bigger one. People get caught up in the excitement. It happens.

-Some people are the "go to" person for the extended family so they make up large care packages for everyone.

-There are lots of people who donate a lot - is it right? Who knows? Did they clear the shelves? Who knows? Many LD's let you order in advance so they may have done just that. I certainly have bought a lot at one go for donations -- I try to go near the end of the sale period so if I do take lots and the last ones, there's been chances for others. Is it right? Is it fair? Again it's a point of view. I see myself as a "proxy" for the 75 families at the AIDS/HIV positive drop-in that aren't with me shopping that day and don't have the no how, transportation etc to get to the store to do it.

I think it takes some experience with couponing to know that there will be more chances. It's okay if this deal swims away. There will be more deals/sales etc.

That said - what about the companies? We've seen companies respond and tighten up the wording on the coupons to prevent stacking. We've seen coupon systems that prevent printing 50x one coupon etc. So I'd say there is push back from companies sometimes on using tons of coupons. But then there's new product launches where they send you a free coupon and 6x very high value ones to give to friends so they try it too.

Certainly the more stackers there are and the more coupons get used, the increase will be noticed. But the % of coupons used is so small vs. the number printed that I don't know what that means.

Some might ask is it "ethical" to stack ... that's a tar pit of sticky maybes. If it says "not with other coupons" ... then I'd say the company intended that no stacking happen. Some coupons do say "maybe combined" with other coupons - Playtex, Heinz - but it's rare.

Hi everyone .... I am kind of finding out how time consuming it is keeping a trade list up to date....wow. And some of the recent messages I've had make me question whether it's worthwhile or not.... I had on my trade list that I had the new cottonelle $2 - x 4 .... and I had someone message me "could I go and get 20 more?" as that's what they were looking for..... What's with that? I thought it a bit cheeky!

I've also had some trade requests saying they want CT money in exchange for coupons that were on my wishlist..... I don't collect CT money and definitely don't trade it.... another was for SDM points ..... and although I do have those - I intend on spending them myself.

I've also noticed that the traders are often very young - like 14-17 years of age..... do you think this is because they are on their own and need to survive or just want to help the household? I have a 16 year old and just can't imagine him hunting down coupons to get a great deal on something....

Last point .... on the stacking out here in the West .... I think it's wonderful when it helps people to feed their family for a reasonable price .... but when it's just used to get 200 plus bottles of shampoo/deoderant etc (which they can't possibly use in an entire year) .... is there a point to it? How will that company stay in business when people get so much "free product" .....

Just some thoughts....

Dahlia

Maybe they were asking nicely IF you had CT money, and not actually DEMANDING CT money. There are some people who already have a lot of coupons and are just looking for something different.

ClipClap -- good point. Trading via email is tricky - I often get taken a back and feel like Gollum and his ring and that my coupons are "precious". That trader maybe things "asking never hurts" and they're going for their first choice "first". So I'd say ask for what you'd like too and feel free to say - can't do x this time, but could do y - will that work?

Anyone else been mulling over these same questions?

[Giving-Small]

Oh Loops - that's too bad. I assume you've checked in and heard back from both riders that they've done their part (sent it; check mail recently)?

I'd say wait at least one more week before declaring anything.

Do an update on the train thread letting people know you're checking in with the riders and giving it more time.

Replacing missing trains - rarely done. I have done it most times because it's the way I roll but not always. Only seen it one or two other times.

I think my coupon train might be missing. It has been almost 3 weeks between stops. As the conductor should I mail a replacement train?

I was hoping my first train would go smoothly but it looks like CP isn't cooperating.

Thanks,

[dahliagrower]

Thanks for all the insight Darlene. Absolutely right on the mocassin part. There was a brag that I read about someone having found a deal on Woolite at Walmart .... and basically bought it all and paid next to nothing after coupons.... and the comments that flew back and forth about clearing the shelf etc..... the poor OP answered with sharing her story at the end I thought good for her that she can now spend that money on food/meds rather than cleaners.... My initial reaction was also mixed with a lack of knowledge that woolite is actually a regular laundry detergent .... I had always just thought of it as the gentle wash (wools and fine fabrics) .... but I guess laundry detergent is laundry detergent. Learning not to be too quick to pass judgement.

With the other .... the expectation of running out to find someone more coups .... I had that happen before and did go to see if there was more ... and sent them as a RAOK .... only later to see their huge brag with a multitute of products that ranged from specialty juices to soaps and detergents to bug spray..... Made me think about my intentions a bit closer and I didn't feel all that great about contributing to what seemed like excess. I mean if there is a load of the coups for the other people in the community to also get some then okay but with the tp one ....I had a feeling they were rather difficult to find!

Loops .... I haven't had anything go missing since June ....and the CP strike .... and even then the envies eventually showed up. Is it possible that one of the riders has gotten sick or had to go out of town ..... keep us posted.

Dahlia

[Out_of_the_Loops]

I worried too soon. Train arrived at the 3rd stop safe and sound today

[dahliagrower]

Well another friday --- end of the week. It's been a good week for getting MIRs in the mail -- rec'd the Finish Challenge one and the Physician's Formula one .... and 3 kelloggs gas cards..... I'm going to use my Dad's address for another 5 of the gas cards ... and put them in my son's stocking for xmas ---it's a quick $5 of gas and he needs to start seeing how far that goes (or doesn't go!) ...

One other thing that happened this week is I'm backtracking a bit on the VWL trains .... are they worth it? I just received one this week .... I sent in my package Sept 23 or 24 ... rec'd package back oct 27 -- the conductor apparently sent all the envies out oct 12....mine was postmarked oct 22 (?) the coups are fine ... but way too long to wait .... and some coups that I had agreed to earlie expiry ... are received a couple of days before expiry. So really questioning the whole train thing and whether it makes sense for me. For now I'm back to just individual trades where things get exchanged within 5-10 days! I'll have to resist the urge to join a train (yikes!).

[Giving-Small]

Dahliagrower - that's super long turn around time I think - I guess it's the "last one" to arrive that determines the out date and Canada Post can be variable.

I received gas cards from the Nutrigrain box tops this week and the Physicians formula rebate and the brandsampler so mail wise it was a great week. Took hours to pack up my envelope for a VWT that I joined. Sure like to know how to do that faster.

[Out_of_the_Loops]

I have also been resisting the urge to join trains. They are so time consuming to put together. I am always so excited to know one is on the way in the mail. I think I might be addicted to getting mail! My husband thinks I am crazy but I say he is lucky that it doesn't take much to make my day.

It has helped that my new swagbucks addiction has been distracting me

Next I have to get ready for my October coupon clean up. I can't imagine how sad the December one will be.

[Giving-Small]

Out_of_the_Loops - it does make one happy. Never knew how much I liked mail till I started getting everything. The mail strike definitely effected the mood more on SC than elsewhere.

December is a tough one - so many coupons. I try to start coupon fairying on the 1st of the month although that takes time to be organized too. We do have one coupon exchange box at a grocery store but I don't want to dump tons of the same coupons in there - there tends to be the "unwanted ones" anyway left.

[katie333]

Wow, we've all gotten so quiet. I suspect it's because a) some of us has left couponing b) some of us have left smartcanucks, or just don't check it anymore or c) we've become such uber couponers that we spend our time looking at other parts of the forum.

I'm definitely c (well maybe not as uber as I'd like), but I have really appreciated the advice and these starter groups. Hope everyone is getting their shopping done for Christmas.

[dahliagrower]

Hi Katie .... I haven't gone away.... still loving SC.......

Like loops said earlier - I love getting mail ... I've been very happy with all the Try Me Free and Mail In Rebates and other stuff like the Kelloggs Gas Cards and Conagra Mail ins...... I have to admit I'm always surprised when they actually do arrive (bit of a skeptic I suppose) But I've gotten the PF rebates, the finish rebates and the Lysol one too.... I've also received a couple of packages that I've forgotten I signed up to receive - like a John Freida package and a couple of Kashi bars ....

I have learned so much on here about SDM optimum points (I think I've learned more on here from SC'ers than I ever would in the stores) .... I don't shop at SDM except on their 20x points days (or when there's a really good deal) ... but I have earned enough points to do one of the mega redemptions next weekend. My DS has a PS3 and really only is looking for the "latest and greatest games" ... so I'm doubtful that I will find them at the SDM but I'm planning on taking on my very first redemption day and go to a SDM that I've never shopped at before ( may not be a great idea but I know it's the biggest one in Victoria) ..... I can't believe the stuff I've learned- lke buying the $150 in gift cards for the 8000 bonus pts ... although I only bought the $150 unlike so many that did it several times--- still very pleasantly surprised to see my points added on on the 25th....

And the stacking at LD and SOFs .... I have to admit I don't shop at either place all that much .... but when I do ---- I have a big grin on my face when I'm heading out to the car!

I also have so much stuff for donation hampers and our work christmas family this year --- and all either free or very close to free.... so very happy about that!

So - yes --- still around. I don't post a lot .... learned to do the "rep" and "thumbs up" for posts that I like ... and really just try to post when I do have something to add. I really appreciate some of the people that manage the weekly threads like Anne D. and Opera Bob and of course McMin and 201ontest and Carly and Vov (the SDM experts) ..... and I truly appreciate Darlene and Sheets for guiding us. I make some mistakes (like all the time) ... but I am learning what works for me and I really appreciate the sense of community from other Sc'ers.
Barely started my christmas shopping .... but Mega redemption here I come!

[Giving-Small]

The year has flown by so quick. Hope you are all saving tons of $ for your families in 2012.

I'm asking the mods to expire this thread.

I had a great time - hope you did too .

Good luck, good deals, happy trails.