Extreme Coupon Show Backlash as Stores Change Policies: Learn Coupon Do's & Don'ts

A recent article on The Consumerist found the TLC show, Extreme Couponing, has sparked a trend of out-of-control couponers who ransack stores with little regard for fellow shoppers. Merchants have taken notice and many major retailers are starting to change their policies. Here are some of the big ones.

Rite Aid
Rite Aid has taken the same steps as Target to crack down on shoppers looking to exploit BOGO coupon offers. The drug store chain has also made other changes including limiting the number of coupons per item to four. If inventory is running low, managers may limit the numbers further.

Target
The biggest change at Target comes to their buy one, get one (BOGO) policy. They now only allow one BOGO coupon per purchase. Previously, customers could "stack" Target printable coupons, combining store and manufacturer BOGO coupons to get both items for free.

Walgreens
Many high tech shoppers have even started to crack coupon barcodes, allowing them to use coupons on products they're not intended for. Walgreens is working to combat this fraud by adopting a new type of barcode. New barcodes will be able to hold more data and can better make sure Walgreens coupons are used for the right product.

Publix
At Publix stores throughout the country they're also limiting the number of coupons that can be used on one product. Their new policy limits couponers to one manufacturers coupon and one store coupon per item.

Shopping with coupons is certainly a smart way to save, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Here are some basic do's and dont's to help you coupon with class.

DO play by the rules. Couponing isn't too complicated and common sense should get you by in most cases. Rules vary store to store, so if you're planning to use a large amount of coupons, it helps to brush up on coupon policies before you shop. This includes making sure you're buying the item the coupon is intended for and checking to see if they'll accept expired coupons or not.

DON'T clear the shelf. In the eyes of casual shoppers, clearing entire shelves of popular sale items crosses the line between couponing and hoarding. If you really want to stock up on certain products, try making multiple trips or call ahead and ask a manager if they'll set aside an order for you.

DO be organized before you check out. It's a nightmare for cashiers and people waiting in line when you hand over a haphazard pile of miscellaneous coupons. It'll be much appreciated if you clip them before hand and make sure they're all facing the same direction. Also, remember to remove coupons for products you didn't end up buying. If you are using mobile coupons, have them ready on your smartphone for the cashier to scan.

DON'T shop during the busiest times. The stress level of those waiting in line during peak times is high enough. Using dozens of coupons takes time and will only irritate other shoppers. Instead, go shopping when business is slow. It takes the pressure off to complete the transaction as quickly as possible for both you and the cashier.

DO be polite to the cashier and fellow customers. Sure, you might have some knowledge other customers and even clerks don't, but it's no excuse to treat others like they're beneath you. If a cashier isn't familiar with coupon policies, stay calm and ask to speak with a supervisor. They're much more helpful if you don't lose your cool. When your cart is overflowing, give those behind you a heads up that you'll be using coupons. If someone is waiting with just a loaf of bread and gallon of milk, let them cut ahead.

DON'T steal coupons! A growing trend turning the tide against couponers is theft. Newspapers and newspaper subscribers are increasingly finding coupon inserts stolen. This is a big no-no and can get you into some serious trouble. Many people will willingly part with their unused inserts if you ask nicely.

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Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch, is available to share "Extreme Coupon Show Backlash as Stores Change Policies: Learn Coupon Do's & Don'ts" with your audience for an in-studio, satellite or skype interview. Andrea has been featured as a media expert source on The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, FOX & Friends, ABC News NOW, MSNBC, Kiplinger Personal Finance, Smart Money and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com.

Teach Your Kids To Coupon - Summer Bucket List Fun

Summer is the perfect time to teach your kids the value of couponing - Begin by creating an organized coupon system that your kids can use to begin learning how to save money with the use of coupons


Click here for one simple idea that I shared over at SC Johnson a few months ago to get you started teaching your kids to coupon and add this to yoru Summer Bucket list of ideas to do with your kids this summer.

Read my full article on Save Money by Organizing Those Coupons over at SC Johnson Family Economics blog. Click here to read now and begin saving money today. Be sure to leave me a comment over there as well

*Eachweek Trisha Blogs on SC Johnson Family Economics website as a paidblogger be sure to read her weekly organization articles.

“Coupons for our Community” Near You

Amy Hannold, 

247Moms FrugalLiving Editor

Couponing, in my community, hasbecome a twice-weekly social event. Back in September of 2010, two people went searching for a coupon clubin our area.  Not finding one, theyreceived permission from a local grocery manager to invite couponers tomeet.  At that first meeting, avolunteer from a local food bank wowed us with how she leads an effort to savethe food bank 75-percent on their grocery staples.  It was then that “Coupons for Our Community” was started, toprovide coupons to both families and local food banks.

Couponing, for the new and theexperienced, is often limited by common obstacles.  Families do not have access to multiple coupon inserts.  The presence of children and a lack of“life-organization”, including little time left to devote to couponing, aresolved with “Coupons for Our Community” We provide the coupon inserts, grocerylist/meal planners and extra arms to hold the babies  We also help to remove the “dumpster diving” connotationfrom couponing; coupon inserts are provided to couponers, no hip bootsrequired.

How Do We Do It?:  As with any event, you have to takecare of the “5 W’s and H”.  Beginwith a friend or two, and network through your circles to find those who canhelp make this happen. 

Why?:  Sharing money-saving tools and camaraderie are the initialrewards.  There are long-termadvantages, as we watch youngsters clip coupons or learn to form a grocerylist.   Military wives find anew community through their participation, which feels like a home away fromhome to them. We’re helping to “cut out hunger” today, and help families eatbetter (and more affordably) in the future.

Where:  Libraries, schools, community centers,restaurants – or perhaps a local grocery store are options.  Your local chamber of commerce is apotential partner, as the club can be an advertising place for localbusinesses. 

When:  Time and day of your meetings may change at first, as you learnthe preferences of your guests. Our club currently meets one weeknight at the grocery store, one weekdaymorning at the chamber of commerce and one Saturday morning a month. 

Who:  Once you have location, you can begin advertising.  Post where couponers are, online andin-person.  This is also the timeto begin finding sources of coupon inserts.  Contact retirement communities, senior centers, withinformation on the coupon insert donation project.  Your flyer can be a combination of advertising for membersand on side two, explaining the program. Once you’re established, you can invite local media to profile the groupand its mission.

What:  Basic supplies for your meetings include several pairs of scissors,paperclips, envelopes, copies of a grocery list and/or menu planner, crayonsand coloring books (or other kid occupation tools), large index card boxes withdividers for guests to donate clipped coupons, recycling bin, garbage can, aclub notebook for guest registration, and coupon insert storage boxes.  At our club, we also supply guests witha “Good Deal Alert” list featuring one partnering grocery store.  This is found on a local money-savingblogger’s website and copies of it are made at the grocery store.  A link to the “Good Deal Alert” is alsobroadcast in the weekly email, giving credit to the blogger and the opportunityfor guests to use the link for printable coupons. 

Optional club features include:select advertising from local businesses, non-insert coupons, freebies, welcomefolders with basic couponing tips, etc.    Creating a weekly newsletter page (featuringclub information, an online/in-store freebie link, local event information,garage sale listings, business promotions, etc.) is also a fun idea.  A weekly email updates guests and thosewith interest in “Coupons for Our Community”, of the project’s activities. Alaptop with internet access can be helpful for using online coupon databases –a great tool for matching grocery lists to available coupons.

At the Meetings:  Arrange your tools and features.  Guests are welcomed, introduced toother guests and to what the club has to offer.  The host(s) and/or coordinator is available to answerquestions from guests and to ensure all are finding what they need.  At closing time, supplies are returnedto their travel boxes and the room returned to its previous condition. 

Coupon clubs and “Coupons forOur Community” projects will vary by the interests and communities theyserve.  There is unlimitedpotential for communities to positively impact families.