Extreme Couponer J'aime Admits to Fraud (sort of)

[herdtoDisney]

Wow, that J'aime chick is something else I like a good deal as much as anyone else-that is why I'm on this board!-but if I was to do what she has admitted doing, I could not live with myself. It would take the joy out of a deal, for me. I'd much rather (and DO) pay full price (or buy the correct item) than cheat. At least I can hold my head up high

I truly don't think J'aime realizes how much of a moron she comes off as.

 

[SoonerSarah]

This makes me sad for the people out there that are trying to save money, and for the people who are donating things.

I saw one show the other night with a young couple with a little baby, Daddy had been in the military. Yes, they had a HUGE amount of stuff, and they clearly stated that they called up the manager and placed a special order for bacon and soft drinks. Then it showed what I thought looked like two charity org. coming and picking up all of their stuff that they got. I think it said that they donated $21,000 worth of free merchandise to the charities.

 

[leight]

I would think that she would realize that because she was called on exactly the same thing last year ( when she showed U-tube videos of herself doing this with a Target shopping trip and she had apologized profusely about it) that she is looking like a complete thief this time. I hope that she is prosecuted because people are seeing this and still thinking its ok if she gets away with it.

I dvr'd last weeks extreme coupon shows. There was one episode with a single mom, her mother and daughter who work together. One coupon that was questioned was a tuna coupon. I wonder if the coupon indeed said any tuna or just the two specifically pictured- I think it was select or the pouches. But the manager put them thru. I can't help but think that maybe this couponer didn't realize that it had to be very literal. Of course if it said ANY tuna under that brand and didn't specify a specific version she was completely in her right. Would love to see the fine print on the coupon tho!

Publix has anounced they are changing their policy (although they say it is not because of the Extreme Coupon show you have to wonder) Very little of it will have a direct effect on my shopping habits- I just have to see if they will accept Target web coupons. Otherwise I may have to shop at one absolutely within the 5 mile radius of the Target superstore.

 

[brerrabbit]

DW and I do not extreme coupon but I do know some tricks (not illegal) about how a lot of folks accumulate a lot of coupons. I have heard some extreme couponers contact the local paper boy and ask that they deliver any of the extra papers they have to them. Route carriers alway get more papers than they need, in case of rain complaints (my paper is wet I need another one) or failure to deliver (your neighbor grabbed it before you got it). Being nice or baking cakes or cookies can bribe the paper guy. Another way was something a friend taught me. A local sporting goods store once put a coupon in a flyer that they mass mailed that was good for free fishing line on one reel with the coupon. He got all 10 of his line for free. When I asked him about it he gave me 10 coupons and told me his trick. Since so few people take the paper anymore local grocery advertisers and local merchants now participate in mailing the flyers. His secret was to go by several apartment complexes and go through the garbage can next to the mailboxes. As people sort their mail most just dump the adds and take the important stuff.

I don't agree with the methods this lady uses, and am trying to decide about the donations. While they are a wonderful thing for Food Banks and all, my understanding is they get receipts for tax puposes for the full retail value of the products donated. Therefore they are getting big deductions on the federal income taxes. So I am paying for the fraud she commits at the stores in the form of higher prices, and potentially higher income taxes because she's getting the tax deductions. (I know the amount may be insignificant in the overall scheme of things but enough people do it and it winds up costing somebody money, there is no such thing as a free lunch!)

 

[PudgetteD]

I did notice that when TLC re-runs her episode they have heavily edited what they show as far as her lists and how the coupons are rung up. Of course the damage is already done, no matter how much editing they do.

I noticed that too when I didn't see her unloading all the single Yoplait yogurts. I thought maybe I just wasn't paying attention and missed it.

 

[allyphoe]

they get receipts for tax puposes for the full retail value of the products donated.

Receipts for donated "stuff" (as opposed to cash / check / credit card) don't have a value assigned to what you gave, just a list of what was donated. Your deduction is limited to the lower of what you paid for it or what it was worth, unless you keep it for more than a year before donating it.

She may well be cheating on her taxes, but it would be cheating, not getting a legitimate tax deduction.

 

[minniebeth]

I really think the extreme couponing show did more damage than good (as in entertainment). There is so much talk in the grocery stores about it and already coupon policies are changing. I've noticed the cashiers are being much more vigilant about the coupons. Coincidence? Idk.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Okay--i get the words of what she did is wrong....

What I don't understand if this is true:

I’ve never copied coupons, I’ve never created my own coupons, I’ve never redeemed any other coupon other than what comes in the coupon inserts from the newspapers or legitimate online, printable manufacturer coupons

Then how was it possible to do wrong?

What did the WORDS on her coupon say?

On a recent episode with the couponing twins, the used a coupon on a trial size b/c trial sizes were not excluded and in the same episode, another couponer had an issue because a coupon would not scan for a product that the coupon words did not exclude, but was not picture. Manager read the coupon and overrode the register to accept it.

So what did her coupon actually SAY?

 

[vicki_c]

Okay--i get the words of what she did is wrong....

What I don't understand if this is true:


Then how was it possible to do wrong?

What did the WORDS on her coupon say?

On a recent episode with the couponing twins, the used a coupon on a trial size b/c trial sizes were not excluded and in the same episode, another couponer had an issue because a coupon would not scan for a product that the coupon words did not exclude, but was not picture. Manager read the coupon and overrode the register to accept it.

So what did her coupon actually SAY?

She used coupons on products that were not included in the offer on the coupon. She didn't do any of the things you quoted, but something different. She took advantage of a loophole in the scanning software/process where codes on the coupon bar code work for entire families of products, vs. just the specific products (or sizes or whatever) named on the coupon. That is the loophole that the coupon companies are fixing right now. And I call it a loophole not because I think it's okay to do, just because there's no better way to describe it that I can think of. She was definitely in the wrong in how she manipulated the use of the coupons to get things that weren't allowed.

 

[C.Ann]

Between things like this - and the "Extreme Couponing" show on TLC, I'm afraid that "one bad apple is going to spoil the whole bunch"..

When I first got up here to the lake, I noticed that the small (expensive) supermarket in the closest town would double coupons up to 99-cents.. (It was on the first page of the ad that comes in the free small weekly paper..)

The normal prices in that store are pretty bad, but when they run their weekly sales on certain items, they are very good sales.. I was happy to see they would double up to 99-cents and I've already taken advantage of some of the sales with my coupons.. However, the new ad just arrived today and there was nothing on the front page about doubling coupons.. I'm not sure why - I'll have to call before I go over this week - but I can't help wondering if it has something to do with this show and people like Jamie.. Wondering if this store was suddenly overrun with people using fistfuls of coupons obtained via the internet in a manner for which they weren't intended..

I hope there's some simple explanation - not enough room to put it in the ad this week or something - but if it's because of people like Jamie - and this show - I'm going to be extremely disappointed..

Is it really that hard for people to follow the rules? Or is it just another example of "Yay for me! The heck with everyone else.."

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Between things like this - and the "Extreme Couponing" show on TLC, I'm afraid that "one bad apple is going to spoil the whole bunch"..

When I first got up here to the lake, I noticed that the small (expensive) supermarket in the closest town would double coupons up to 99-cents.. (It was on the first page of the ad that comes in the free small weekly paper..)

The normal prices in that store are pretty bad, but when they run their weekly sales on certain items, they are very good sales.. I was happy to see they would double up to 99-cents and I've already taken advantage of some of the sales with my coupons.. However, the new ad just arrived today and there was nothing on the front page about doubling coupons.. I'm not sure why - I'll have to call before I go over this week - but I can't help wondering if it has something to do with this show and people like Jamie.. Wondering if this store was suddenly overrun with people using fistfuls of coupons obtained via the internet in a manner for which they weren't intended..

I hope there's some simple explanation - not enough room to put it in the ad this week or something - but if it's because of people like Jamie - and this show - I'm going to be extremely disappointed..

Is it really that hard for people to follow the rules? Or is it just another example of "Yay for me! The heck with everyone else.."

It could be because of that or it could be coincidental. My understanding is that "doubling" comes out of the stores profits. I.e. If you have a 35 cent coupon, MFR covers 35 cents, the store eats the extra 35 cents. Hopefully it was simply a printing decision.

 

[LovableGluttons]

I would think that she would realize that because she was called on exactly the same thing last year ( when she showed U-tube videos of herself doing this with a Target shopping trip and she had apologized profusely about it) that she is looking like a complete thief this time. I hope that she is prosecuted because people are seeing this and still thinking its ok if she gets away with it.

I dvr'd last weeks extreme coupon shows. There was one episode with a single mom, her mother and daughter who work together. One coupon that was questioned was a tuna coupon. I wonder if the coupon indeed said any tuna or just the two specifically pictured- I think it was select or the pouches. But the manager put them thru. I can't help but think that maybe this couponer didn't realize that it had to be very literal. Of course if it said ANY tuna under that brand and didn't specify a specific version she was completely in her right. Would love to see the fine print on the coupon tho!

Publix has anounced they are changing their policy (although they say it is not because of the Extreme Coupon show you have to wonder) Very little of it will have a direct effect on my shopping habits- I just have to see if they will accept Target web coupons. Otherwise I may have to shop at one absolutely within the 5 mile radius of the Target superstore.

I shop at Publix and the commissary. The new rule Publix put out won't affect my shopping there either.

There are a few extremists here who sell their Publix hauls at garage sales and online. One Publix shopper from Homosassa, Florida has done this for years! I think her income from her eBay sales is going to be drastically reduced.

I look forward to there actually being loss leaders on the shelves beyond the first day of the sales at Publix! I hate rainchecks!

 

[Kycha]

She used coupons on products that were not included in the offer on the coupon. She didn't do any of the things you quoted, but something different. She took advantage of a loophole in the scanning software/process where codes on the coupon bar code work for entire families of products, vs. just the specific products (or sizes or whatever) named on the coupon. That is the loophole that the coupon companies are fixing right now. And I call it a loophole not because I think it's okay to do, just because there's no better way to describe it that I can think of. She was definitely in the wrong in how she manipulated the use of the coupons to get things that weren't allowed.

Not entirely true. She may not have done those things in the Extreme couponing show. But the video that she posted of her infamous Target trip she did do some of these things. I have not seen the video myself. But from what I understand, she used "printable" $5 off coupons on some P&G products. Well, P&G does not offer printable coupons on their products. So, where did those come from???

http://www.jillcataldo.com/node/16170

"In 2010, Jaime Kirlew called herself the "Diva For Coupons" and ran a blog under the same name. She caused a stir when she posted two videos of her Target shopping trips, in which she used $4 coupons for Schick Razors on Schick shaving gel, $10 Crest Whitestrip coupons on other P&G products, and a host of other flagrant misuses of coupons issued for one product being used on another. As if showcasing coupon fraud weren't enough, Jaime also showed herself using printable coupons for $5 off Procter & Gamble products. (Trouble is, P&G has never issued printable coupons for their products, and those same coupons had been on the CiC's list of known counterfeit coupons for about five months by the time she made her videos.)"

 

[leight]

"In 2010, Jaime Kirlew called herself the "Diva For Coupons" and ran a blog under the same name. She caused a stir when she posted two videos of her Target shopping trips, in which she used $4 coupons for Schick Razors on Schick shaving gel, $10 Crest Whitestrip coupons on other P&G products, and a host of other flagrant misuses of coupons issued for one product being used on another. As if showcasing coupon fraud weren't enough, Jaime also showed herself using printable coupons for $5 off Procter & Gamble products. (Trouble is, P&G has never issued printable coupons for their products, and those same coupons had been on the CiC's list of known counterfeit coupons for about five months by the time she made her videos.)"

Exactly what bothers me most about her. She showcased her 'mistakes' over a year ago and when other couponers confronted her she admitted her mistakes. So if she admitted her mistake once before, when she did it on the show it was fraud- IMHO.

Even in the article she states that she used the buddig coupon on a smaller sized item- the coupon clearly stated the size that it was intended for. The bar code just allows it to go thru- and hopefully the new system will keep cheats like her from profitting. It hurts us all.

 

[vicki_c]

Not entirely true. She may not have done those things in the Extreme couponing show. But the video that she posted of her infamous Target trip she did do some of these things.

Yes I was only talking about the most recent incidents on the show. As I said before, she is a lowlife.

 

[js]

I've never watched the show and a person that is very happy if I have more than a few coupons at checkout so I am quite a novice.
But, how can someone match a barcode that is on a coupon to that of a product? Wouldn't you have to look at each and every bar code of each and every item? Is it mentioned in the link provided?
I just don't understand that at all?
Thanks so much!

 

[SaraJayne]

I've never watched the show and a person that is very happy if I have more than a few coupons at checkout so I am quite a novice.
But, how can someone match a barcode that is on a coupon to that of a product? Wouldn't you have to look at each and every bar code of each and every item? Is it mentioned in the link provided?
I just don't understand that at all?
Thanks so much!

Yes, that's why their shopping trips take HOURS at one store.

 

[Marionnette]

In the original show, her shopping list was shown. She didn't have product names on the list, just barcode numbers from the coupons. She only had to match that code to any products in her stockpile to see what it matched. Most "extreme" couponers have that kind of info. filed away in their computers along with the usual sale prices for the item.

And don't forget, she only had to match that code to the first of each of the multiple products she bought. So if she bought 20 packages of paper towels while using the tooth whitening coupons, she only had to match the first package's bar code up. She may have bought a lot of stuff on her extreme shopping trip but the variety in her carts was not all that great.

 

[FergieTCat]

...but she shows no remorse.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal dated 5/11/11:
http://blogs.smartmoney.com/paydirt...ing-star-i-was-a-scapegoat/?zone=intromessage



No wonder I get nasty looks when I hand over a stack of coupons at the register. People like J'aime pollute the pool and leave a stench on all the other couponers who try to do things the right way.

For one thing in J'aime's episode, the cashiers were overriding the coupons; the coupons were not going through automatically.

Also, she's lying. This is from the Baltimore Sun on April 13:

On the day of filming, Kirlew told Safeway managers that part of her strategy was to use coupons on products for which they are not intended, said Greg TenEyck, spokesman for Safeway. But Kirlew was not allowed to do so, said TenEyck, who was not at the filming but related what store officials who were present told him.

"I did hear that's what happened, that she had said, 'This what I do,' and our folks said, 'That's not our policy. You've got to use the correct coupon for the correct item,' " TenEyck said. "Our folks went over with her our rules, and so she couldn't use a Kellogg's Rice Krispies coupon to buy Kellogg's Raisin Bran or something like that. As a matter of fact, there were a couple of her coupons she tried to use that we rejected because she was doing that type of thing. Whatever she had bought was not the right size or the right brand."

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/20...poning-community-coupon-game-clipping-coupons

I love the way she's playing victim.

I don't know the woman, but from what I've read, she deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

[maggiew]

Yes, that's why their shopping trips take HOURS at one store.

No, not really. You aren't exactly matching up the bar code on the coupon to the bar code on the product. There is a very easy way to tell if the coupon is set to work for the whole family of products or just the specific product. You can glance at the coupon and tell this. I won't mention how since I feel its not the proper use of the coupon. But it is easy to find it out.

Maggie