One of the things I have noticed since I started Addicted to Saving is that many of you have awesome tips on everything from couponing to cooking to gardening to finding deals, etc. So, I thought I would start a new 5 day post where every afternoon, I ask a common question that I get in my email inbox. I will attempt to answer the question and then all of you can chime in with how you would answer the question! The goal of this is for all of us to learn from each other. In order for this daily post to be a success, you all need to leave comments with your thoughts and ideas. I can’t wait to hear them!
Let’s Discuss: What do you do when you see people using coupons inappropriately?
My Thoughts: I remember two summers ago I was speaking with a woman who was telling me how she was able to use a Pretzel M&M’s coupon at CVS on Peanut M&M’s. This is despite the fact that the coupon specifically said BOGO Pretzel M&Ms. I listened to her tell me how the register didn’t beep so what she was doing was okay. What did I do? I went into my schpeal telling her that we always have to read the writing on the coupon and then follow it because while the register may not beep, the store will not be reimbursed on a coupon in this situation. Even after this, she was extremely insistent that she didn’t do anything wrong. No, I didn’t get into an argument with her – I let it go. Here is the thing. We all make mistakes. But when people knowingly misuse coupons and make excuses for this, we are setting our stores up for not getting reimbursed and our stores will then crack down on all couponers – whether they follow the rules or not.
Your turn: What do you do when you see people using coupons inappropriately? How do you handle the situation?
For a list of all of the topics we have covered in 2012, click below where it says “click to continue”
Let’s Discuss Topics:
1/18/12: Protecting your personal information online
1/19/12: How do you deal with people using coupons inappropriately
1/20/12:
Thanks for coming to Addicted to Saving! Here’s a little bit about me so you can know who’s behind all these posts!
My name is Liza and I began my money-saving journey in the Spring of 2009 as a way to stretch a limited household income. I had lost my job and my hubby was self-employed. I launched Addicted to Saving in November of 2009 and it has grown by leaps and bounds. Since then, my hubby and I have struggled with the ups and downs of two failed adoptions and are now LOVING being parents to our little man Asher who we brought home from Ethiopia in August of 2013. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help you save money. My goal is that you will have FUN and become empowered to save more and more money each week..
A friend of mine new to couponing posted a coupon of facebook for a $9.00 tide coupon, she made 30 copies and purchased 20 paying only $1.19 with her coupon for a full size Tide detergent, when I told her that Tide does not email out $9.00 coupons and that the coupon was fake she got upset with me, telling me that I was jealous that I didn’t use the coupons to get such a great deal, umm actually no not jealous, upset because your ripping the retailer off of over $270, the response, well the cashier accepted the coupon so it’s their problem. I ended the relationship with that response, if people continue to take advantage of these retailers, they might stop taking coupons all together making it harder for the honest ones to save where we can.
Omg that story corin posted makes my blood bubble! I have had situations where people tell me the same kind of story as you Liza, they used their coupon on a different item other than the one stated. I too tried to explain to them how they were knowingly committing coupon fraud and that a few cents isn’t worth a huge fine or jail time. I do occassionaly add the whole “it’s people like you who make us honest coupon users suffer” but I try not to do that instead I try to educate them.
yes, one lady told me that she copies the coupon. Either she was doing it in ignorance or did not want to know when I told her that if she continues, she will get caught and that it gives us couponers who are honest a bad rap. I told her that we are allowed two per computer. I had to tell her two times, for it sink into her head. I think she did not want to hear it. Amazing…and they wonder why Publix is now starting to eyeball the coupons!
When I first started coupoing I almost photo copied a couponing but I was lucky I found addicted to saving from a friend of a friend and it was my very first question and liza explained it to me. Thank god I never did it because I would be very guilty.
Once a had a coupon that stuck to another and gave it to the cashier by mistake and she scanned it and it took I noticed it in her hand and made her take it off and she told me that when their stores do audits they could get in trouble for it and was grateful we caught it. Stealing is stealing no if and or buts about it. Ive seen so many peoples lives ruined because of a stupid mistake its not worth it.
I also learned that your ip addressed can be traced to you from a coupon. So far I havent seen anyone miss use except for the stealing of all the books at publix. I wanted to but 20 bottle of the sweet leaf tea but I did not want to take ten books so I went to the manager and kindly asked if I could just give the cashier one lu coupon instead of taking so many books. He actually said it was ok and thanked me. Dont forget the manufactures can always stop issuing coupons if there is so much abuse. just not worth it!
I haven’t seen admire anyone miss use them, I have accident given the cashier some for products I did not buy and got dirty looks when it was discovered. I just learned to go earlier in the morning so they are less likely to be sold out and the little one is not so close to map time that his.being cranky distracts me. I always feel horrible when I screw up, the looks I get make it worse.