Coupon frustration!

[NYCDiane]

Okay, ever since that show "Extreme Couponing" aired, things have changed with coupons. I've noticed more and more coupons that say "DO NOT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE" on them and the cashiers are scrutinizing coupons so closely, it's embarassing!

I'm always on-point with my coupons and would never try to "get over" on the store and it's kind of embarassing when you have a cashier reading every single word on your coupon as if you're trying to cheat the store out of 35 cents!

Also, I'm just curious as to why manufacturers are now putting "DO NOT DOUBLE" or "DO NOT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE" on their coupons? I used to love the Colgate coupons that were 50 or even 75 cents because when they doubled, you could practically get the toothpaste for free. Now? Not only has the coupon value dropped to 35 cents, but they've printed "do not double" right across the top. I'm just so annoyed and I plan on switching brands once I run out of colgate simply because of their "do not double" thing.

Does it hurt the manufacturer when a store doubles? I always thought the store picked up the extra cents off and not the manufacturer. For example, if the coupon is 75 cents, the manufacturer pays 75 cents plus 8 cents handling to the store and the store itself eats the other 75 cents for doubling. Am I wrong?

It's just too frustrating for words. The prices of everything is going up and salaries are staying the same. I love to be able to save money however I can and couponing does save me a lot, but now I'm getting to the point of going all "no name brand" just so I don't have to use coupons and screw the manufacturers who want to increase their prices, drop coupon values, and not let people get double coupons!

 

[lts862]

Okay, ever since that show "Extreme Couponing" aired, things have changed with coupons. I've noticed more and more coupons that say "DO NOT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE" on them and the cashiers are scrutinizing coupons so closely, it's embarassing!

I'm always on-point with my coupons and would never try to "get over" on the store and it's kind of embarassing when you have a cashier reading every single word on your coupon as if you're trying to cheat the store out of 35 cents!

Also, I'm just curious as to why manufacturers are now putting "DO NOT DOUBLE" or "DO NOT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE" on their coupons? I used to love the Colgate coupons that were 50 or even 75 cents because when they doubled, you could practically get the toothpaste for free. Now? Not only has the coupon value dropped to 35 cents, but they've printed "do not double" right across the top. I'm just so annoyed and I plan on switching brands once I run out of colgate simply because of their "do not double" thing.

Does it hurt the manufacturer when a store doubles? I always thought the store picked up the extra cents off and not the manufacturer. For example, if the coupon is 75 cents, the manufacturer pays 75 cents plus 8 cents handling to the store and the store itself eats the other 75 cents for doubling. Am I wrong?

It's just too frustrating for words. The prices of everything is going up and salaries are staying the same. I love to be able to save money however I can and couponing does save me a lot, but now I'm getting to the point of going all "no name brand" just so I don't have to use coupons and screw the manufacturers who want to increase their prices, drop coupon values, and not let people get double coupons!

Sadly, I feel your pain. Couponing has become big business and many stores as well as manufacturers are clamping down. Where I live, our store only doubles up to a dollar. If you have a 50 cent coupon, they will double to a dollar. If you have 75 cents off, they round it to the dollar, etc. that is because there are really only two big chains in the area with no competition and no incentive to get you in the store. Now one of the chains that is here will double and triple in other areas.

 

[MIannie]

Yes, that show is an extreme pain for the every day couponer. If you have more than one coupon the cashier gives you a look like"you're one of those" even though I have been using coupons for 39 years. I live in an area that has no double couponing stores, but usually only see DO NOT DOUBLE on coupons that are in boxes in front of the products on the shelf. I have noticed that the coupons on sites like coupons.com aren't as numerous as they were before the show. The program is so staged, and its basically the same story every episode. Hope it ism't renewed.

 

[NYCDiane]

Yes, that show is an extreme pain for the every day couponer. If you have more than one coupon the cashier gives you a look like"you're one of those" even though I have been using coupons for 39 years. I live in an area that has no double couponing stores, but usually only see DO NOT DOUBLE on coupons that are in boxes in front of the products on the shelf. I have noticed that the coupons on sites like coupons.com aren't as numerous as they were before the show. The program is so staged, and its basically the same story every episode. Hope it ism't renewed.

I know what you mean!!! I've been couponing for years --- at least 14 years --- and people in the store will always stop me and ask about my coupon binder and if I'm an "extreme couponer". I tell them no, I just use coupons and like them to be organized so I can save money. They then ask how much I save. I tell them it depends but, on a big shopping, I can save anywhere from $50-$60. They say that's great but how do the "extreme" people save $1000? I tell them by buying 500 bottles of vitamin water and 200 tubes of toothpaste and 400 boxes of pasta! LOL!!

 

[stauncie]

I would LOVE to see an extreme couponer come to my area and try to shop.
There is only 1 store that doubles coupons in a 70 mile radius from me, BUT
you can only use 2 'like' coupons on the same order. No more than 15 coupons TOTAL PER ORDER, and they only double coupons with a face value of $0.50 or LESS. All others are AT FACE VALUE.

I wish we had more grocery competition around here.

 

[livndisney]

No stores here double. Heck a lot of time it is hard enough to get a store to just accept a coupon!

Just today at CVS I had two items, two coupons. Cashier said "I can't do this." I said why? He said you don't have enough items.

Supervisor came over and starts reading every word on coupon. Says he will need to see the manager. Manager refused coupon because it would make the item free. (Hello-it is a manufactors coupon for a free item I met all the requirements). I explained that I had asked CVS CS and was told I could use the coupon. Manager said "do you have that email?". Nope, I expect you to know your stores policy. Totally my fault LOL.

He did not even want to give me the coupon back. I told him I would shop somewhere else and he wanted to keep my coupons.

Went down the street to Walgreens and used my coupons with no trouble

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I told him I would shop somewhere else and he wanted to keep my coupons.

If this guy would have tried to keep my coupons (which are like cash to me) I would have threatened to call the police because he is stealing from me!!!

I cannot stand when cashiers and supervisors treat the average couponer like a common criminal for using a coupon properly... it drives me insane... so much so that I stopped couponing.

We have switched to eating mostly perishable fruits, veggies, and lean meats and buy very few processed/boxed foods. The coupon for perishables are few and far between in my area although I know other areas can get them. I actually spend less now (and am 91 lbs lighter) now that I have stopped couponing and buy mostly perishable, fresh food items.

I now save my receipts and am doing Beer Rebates because I live in a no beer purchase required state.

 

[Kycha]

I have been couponing for years and haven't experienced any more negativity towards my couponing now as opposed to before the Extreme couponing show. Also, the Do Not Double coupons have been around for a long time. Like a pp said, most of the ones I see that say "DND" are from the blinkie machines. And a little tip for you, look at the barcode on your coupons. If the barcode begins with a "9", then the coupon will not double. If the barcode begins with a "5", then it will still double even if it says "DND" at the top.

 

[PatsMom]

I get aggravated too when I get "the look" from other shoppers or cashiers. I follow the rules. I don't try to pass expired coupons. I only use the coupon for the specified product. And I don't buy coupons from the clipping services. I have my personal coupons, and some that are given to me by friends and family. I don't "clear the shelf". I have no problem with P&G now limiting you to four like coupons in a transaction - four is generally about all I have anyhow. I think that is plenty for the average person trying to save money who gets a Sunday paper or two and gets a few inserts from friends or family.

I live in an area that has not much competition. Fortunately our CVS is very coupon friendly and so isn't one of the grocery stores (we only have two). I have also been doing some Rite Aid shopping and just started Walgreen's.

I am also hoping that the show goes away. I don't think it does any favors for the average couponer!

 

[MIannie]

I read the last response, then looked down at the ad underneath it. "Get your sunday coupons. Get free coupons"

 

[NYCDiane]

I have been couponing for years and haven't experienced any more negativity towards my couponing now as opposed to before the Extreme couponing show. Also, the Do Not Double coupons have been around for a long time. Like a pp said, most of the ones I see that say "DND" are from the blinkie machines. And a little tip for you, look at the barcode on your coupons. If the barcode begins with a "9", then the coupon will not double. If the barcode begins with a "5", then it will still double even if it says "DND" at the top.

I've been couponing for years as well and have clearly noticed a change in attitudes ever since "extreme couponing" shows have aired.

I know the "do not double" coupons have been around for a long time. My point was and is that there are MORE "do not double" coupons now than there were before, including Colgate which NEVER had "do not double" on them but do now. And the cashiers are reading the coupons so, even if it has a '5' on it, they won't double it because it says "do not double" and they'll enter it manually.

 

[NYCDiane]

I get aggravated too when I get "the look" from other shoppers or cashiers. I follow the rules. I don't try to pass expired coupons. I only use the coupon for the specified product. And I don't buy coupons from the clipping services. I have my personal coupons, and some that are given to me by friends and family. I don't "clear the shelf". I have no problem with P&G now limiting you to four like coupons in a transaction - four is generally about all I have anyhow. I think that is plenty for the average person trying to save money who gets a Sunday paper or two and gets a few inserts from friends or family.

I live in an area that has not much competition. Fortunately our CVS is very coupon friendly and so isn't one of the grocery stores (we only have two). I have also been doing some Rite Aid shopping and just started Walgreen's.

I am also hoping that the show goes away. I don't think it does any favors for the average couponer!

I'm hoping it does, too. I think it's run its course. I mean how many times do registers "freeze up" or coupon envelopes get misplaced or you see a HiLo bringing out a pallet full of cases of cereal, pepsi, or sports water? They made their point, have done their damage (to the rest of us "normal" couponers!), and I think it's over!

 

[Kirby]

I haven't noticed a change in the way the cashiers look at you for lots of coupons but they are quick to tell you why your coupons can't be used. I shop at Kroger and get double/triple coupons. One thing that they have stopped doing, at least at my store, is double/tripling their store coupons and being able to stack an e-coupon with a paper one.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I have been couponing for years and haven't experienced any more negativity towards my couponing now as opposed to before the Extreme couponing show. Also, the Do Not Double coupons have been around for a long time. Like a pp said, most of the ones I see that say "DND" are from the blinkie machines. And a little tip for you, look at the barcode on your coupons. If the barcode begins with a "9", then the coupon will not double. If the barcode begins with a "5", then it will still double even if it says "DND" at the top.

Same here...I've been couponing for years and I also have not noticed a big change since the Extreme Couponing shows aired.

 

[MommyPoppins]

The biggest change in my area is the fact that my store doesn't seem to get/put out the Publix coupon books anymore. So either they don't put them out or they are all being taken in the first few hours of being available. Either way it sucks.

The Publix stores around here have continued to be very accommodating the biggest problem with Publix is their keep the customer happy policy. They would have people come in and by hundreds of dollars of stuff for nothing and then turn around and return it all for cash back, PLUS the cash that their coupons would have been worth. So they cracked down on their policy not because of the show.

I had a odd experience last week. I was using a $2/1 advil coupon, I printed 3. It allowed me to print 4, but I lost one. The cashier(who knows me and is actually a customer service staff) almost wouldn't let me use it because she said that it felt fake. Like not that I copied it, but that it was a fake coupon. She said that a real coupon feels different. It was all I could do not to laugh since real or fake it's printed from my same printer. lol. She must have been having a bad day.

We don't have double coupons here, but I always thought the store did the doubling, not the manufacturer. Which one is it?

 

[livndisney]

The biggest change in my area is the fact that my store doesn't seem to get/put out the Publix coupon books anymore. So either they don't put them out or they are all being taken in the first few hours of being available. Either way it sucks.

The Publix stores around here have continued to be very accommodating the biggest problem with Publix is their keep the customer happy policy. They would have people come in and by hundreds of dollars of stuff for nothing and then turn around and return it all for cash back, PLUS the cash that their coupons would have been worth. So they cracked down on their policy not because of the show.

I had a odd experience last week. I was using a $2/1 advil coupon, I printed 3. It allowed me to print 4, but I lost one. The cashier(who knows me and is actually a customer service staff) almost wouldn't let me use it because she said that it felt fake. Like not that I copied it, but that it was a fake coupon. She said that a real coupon feels different. It was all I could do not to laugh since real or fake it's printed from my same printer. lol. She must have been having a bad day.

We don't have double coupons here, but I always thought the store did the doubling, not the manufacturer. Which one is it?

It has to to be the store that does the doubling.

I know at the Publix near me, their coupon policy sucks. The only comp coupons they will accept is Whole Foods!

 

[pannm]

my local grocery store doubles all coupons up to 50 cents (coupon is 50 cents or under, doubles up to $1 or less) one day a week...even if the coupon says "do not double" on it...
The manager there told me that it's stupid for a mnfrs. coupon to state "do not double" because it's the STORE that accepts that doubled coupon that pays the 'doubled' cost of the coupon, not the Mnfr.

Yes, this couponing show has driven me nuts. NONE of TLC's shows are watched in this house anymore. It is not a 'learning channel' because it doesn't teach you ANYTHING that helps!!! It maybe teaches a person how NOT TO LIVE their lives if anything. It's been turned into this scuzzy channel that thrives on people who have issues and people that need help. I don't think that a reputable channel should bennifit from other people's failures/issues/addictions and what ever.

I hope that the couponing show is pulled, because it's really messing it up for those of us who are HONEST, RESPECTFULL couponers. We get treated like we're trying to pull one over on the cashier every time we check out...in the store people look at us like we're idiots. I have been couponing for over 5 years now thank you very much. I have always had a binder (for organization of my money saving habits), even before it was the 'couponers popular thing to do', I have never had a problem using coupons- they save my family a lot of money every year!!! At least, not until this show aired. Now it's a problem EVERY SINGLE TIME I go to a cashier that I haven't used frequently!!! Any time I go to Target, to Walmart, to Walgreens...No one thought I was a 'crazy couponing person' or even thought TWICE about my binder before...now it's gawked at!

I have NEVER been the one to go clean off shelves, I have never been a person to buy 20, 30, 40 of an item (I did buy a full package of BBQ sauce once, but I 'pre-ordered it with the store, and 100% of it went to our food shelf!)...I am an HONEST person who helps others with my couponing habit- almost all items I've gotten for free have been donated to the food shelf...why should people be looking at me like I'm crazy???

On average, I save about 35-50% on my grocery bill each week. I've never strived to save more. I think it's impossible to save more in the area I live in- unless you get the crazy week where a TON of things match up with coupons- then MAYBE those two or three weeks a YEAR I can save about 50-75%...

 

[daughtersrus]

None of the stores anywhere close to us will double coupons so it hasn't made any difference to us.

I guess that I wonder why the manufacturer would care since the extra money isn't coming out of their pocket.

 

[bpesch]

He did not even want to give me the coupon back.

Absolutely no way a store manager would get away with that! He has no right to take a coupon away from you. I would have been very vocal about the fact that I intended to go to the competition and would do so from now on. Then I would contact the corporate office about the issue.

If you are doing nothing wrong, you have no reason to be defensive about it. They are in the wrong and should be called on it.

 

[TLuvsD]

Dh stopped and bought a tube of toothpaste yesterday...it was 4cents after the coupon. He bought ONE. In a store we shop in weekly (at least) for years. The clerk asked him if he was going to be an "Extreme Couponer". DH said no, just wanted some toothpaste.

The show is so fake.