FED UP with the coupon run around!

[pjlla]

So I am definitely not a person who falls into the "extreme couponer" category.... not even close. But I do try to find coupons when I shop on a pretty regular basis. I'm not particularly brand loyal and I do buy a lot of "whole foods" that I just do NOT find coupons for on a regular basis. But that being said, I have spent two hours this morning on coupon websites and I am just fed up with the "you must download this program" or "you must sign up for our emails" or "you must "like" us on FB" crap....... just so I can purchase YOUR product with YOUR coupon!! Or I get all of the coupons I want marked "clip" and then I hit print and you tell me I have hit my limit... before I have even printed ONE coupon this week! And valpak kept telling me I had marked the coupon and then when I went to print, my printer list was "0" !

I've been on redplum, couponsdotcom, lozo, couponcabin, targetdotcom, shopathome, smartsource, valpak, hopster.

The he** with it! I'm done jumping through hoops. Even the TARGET coupons this week gave me problem! So after sitting here for 2 hours, I have 5 coupons to show for it. Not worth my time.

Anyone else feel the same???..... ...........P

 

[Marionnette]

So I am definitely not a person who falls into the "extreme couponer" category.... not even close. But I do try to find coupons when I shop on a pretty regular basis. I'm not particularly brand loyal and I do buy a lot of "whole foods" that I just do NOT find coupons for on a regular basis. But that being said, I have spent two hours this morning on coupon websites and I am just fed up with the "you must download this program" or "you must sign up for our emails" or "you must "like" us on FB" crap....... just so I can purchase YOUR product with YOUR coupon!! Or I get all of the coupons I want marked "clip" and then I hit print and you tell me I have hit my limit... before I have even printed ONE coupon this week! And valpak kept telling me I had marked the coupon and then when I went to print, my printer list was "0" !

I've been on redplum, couponsdotcom, lozo, couponcabin, targetdotcom, shopathome, smartsource, valpak, hopster.

The he** with it! I'm done jumping through hoops. Even the TARGET coupons this week gave me problem! So after sitting here for 2 hours, I have 5 coupons to show for it. Not worth my time.

Anyone else feel the same???..... ...........P

I have a FB account specifically for couponing so that I don't have them junking up my private account or accessing my personal friends list. "Liking" a company on FB is not an issue to me.

I don't have an issue with downloading their printing software to my computer because I don't use that computer for anything other than printing coupons. They're not going to get much tracking info from what I do on that computer. I'm thinking that it could be your browser (some work better for me in IE than they do in Firefox) or else an update to your antivirus software that could be causing your problems.

The other problems that you're seeing could be a result of those coupons not resetting since the last time that you printed them. This is especially true if you've printed the coupon from an affiliated website. For instance, I could try to print a coupon from Mypoints' coupon center but if I already printed it the "legal" number of times through another link, it's not going to print for me.

My frustration with coupons is pretty much limited to the point of redemption. I had a cashier last week who was very coupon-unfriendly. She scrutinized each of them and then told me that almost half of them were not for items that I had purchased, even though I know that I had used the same coupons for the same items on a prior trip to the same grocery store! She wouldn't budge, so I had her take every one of the items off of my order. It was just one of those bad couponing trips that happens every once in a while.

 

[squirrel]

I refuse to print coupons, unless it's free.

I figure it will cost me almost as much as the coupon in ink.

I only use sites that will send them to me.

 

[lauradis]

I refuse to print coupons, unless it's free.

I figure it will cost me almost as much as the coupon in ink.

I only use sites that will send them to me.

 

[auntfrannie]

I only use coupons that are in the sunday paper. I, too, hate jumping through hoops to save 25 cents!

 

[grwrn]

I was a very avid couponer and really haven't couponed in over a year now for the reasons you mentioned. I mostly do my shopping at Aldi's and Sam's. I will use the coupon apps on my phone though like Target Cartwheel.

 

[Marionnette]

I only use coupons that are in the sunday paper. I, too, hate jumping through hoops to save 25 cents!

I rarely see printable coupons with a value that low. Most of them are at least 50¢, which doubles to $1 at every store around me. I get free paper from Staples using their rebate program and my ink is a cheaper, generic brand. It costs me much less to print the coupons that I want than it costs me to buy the Sunday paper, where the inserts are have only a few coupons that I will actually use.

I know couponing doesn't work for everyone. It takes time, organization and the tenacity to find the bargains and make it worth the effort. For me, it's not a job. It's a hobby. We would be fine if I didn't coupon. We're just better of because I do it.

 

[toystory1130]

Everytime now I see a pic of a couponers haul, "I got $93.00 of grocery's at Publix for $13.00 I just shake my head~ seems too often it's all just boxed processed junk. Who needs 25 boxes of Hamburger Helper and 10 mustard?? Not worth my time or my health.

 

[etoiles]

I agree that couponing can be frustrating and sometimes it can seem you do a lot to not save much but sometimes you can end up saving a lot as well.

I have cut back on my couponing because it can take some time and sometimes it does not seem worth it so I usually judge by how much I will save if it is something I want to do or not.

Coupons are not only for processed items. I use the most coupons on health/bath/beauty things like the tube of toothpaste I got for free this week.

I also signed up for a Facebook account for coupons/freebies. it is my first name and last name 'Coupon'. That way I don't care if apps get my info since there is zero info on there.

Also, as another poster mentioned it is probably your browser. Internet explorer always gives me problems on coupon sites so I would recommend a different browser.

 

[Marionnette]

Everytime now I see a pic of a couponers haul, "I got $93.00 of grocery's at Publix for $13.00 I just shake my head~ seems too often it's all just boxed processed junk. Who needs 25 boxes of Hamburger Helper and 10 mustard?? Not worth my time or my health.

I guess that if you look at couponing in that manner, it is not worth the time or the negative impact on your health. I think a lot of people have your same point of view because they are not interested in really putting in the research to find the coupons for healthier foods.

I find plenty of coupons for fresh eggs, leafy greens, fresh fruits, organic vegetables, chicken and pork (not the breaded, seasoned or flavored meats), tofu, soy milk, frozen vegetables (not the kind in sauces, just the vegetables), whole grain cereals, pastas and breads.

I steer clear of most of the stuff that you probably dismiss as "processed junk" but I'm not above grabbing a package of Oreos if it means that I also get a free gallon of milk or a carton of ice cream that is "free with coupon". I think that we all need a little treat once in a while. I will also resort to using a convenience food every once in a while when I'm pressed for time. (Oh the horrors!!!) We just don't make it a routine part of our diet.

 

[pjlla]

Thanks for all of the advise and ideas and sympathy. As it turned out, the 5 coupons I managed for yesterday's shop didn't even help, as the store didn't have 2 of the items and I neglected to notice that one of the other coupons was a "purchase 2" and I definitely did not want to buy two of that item. So I think I ended up using 2 coupons.... coincidentally the last two I found online.

I'll keep plugging away at it, but it seems to be less and less worthwhile. Unlike Marionette, I rarely find coupons for things like fresh produce, eggs, and meat.... which is too bad because that is the way we eat. I have subscribed to a few company newsletters that occasionally have coupons I will use (Earthbound Organics), but sometimes it is just for a NEW product and by the time my store gets it, the coupon is often expired.

Anyhow....thanks again...............P

 

[DizMe]

I live in a fairly small town and I have a couple of stores I frequent. They already have pretty low prices and I've found that couponing rarely works for me. When I take my coupons to the store, I find most of them are for items/sizes/brands that I can't find and there are rarely coupons for the things I buy frequently. Like you, I have not had much luck finding coupons for fresh foods here where I am. It's also a PITA at the checkstand and keeping track of which specific items you have to get to qualify. There are a few exceptions but overall I have not found couponing to be worth the investment of time and hassle.

Instead, I try to shop with a little forethought and buy things I can stretch, that are on sale, etc. Couponing is great for those who manage to make it work, but that isn't me.

 

[Jerseymomof2]

I'm sorry you got so frustrated. I turned from a casual couponer to one of those extreme ones. You really have to be dedicated and want to do it.
I went to the store this morning and they paid me .37 cents to take the stuff home. I got all good stuff but it takes me time & effort to make all this happen.
Good Luck in the future.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I know how you feel! To those that say they find coupons for organic this or that or other whole foods...where?!?

I tried coupons and spent hours upon hours scouring and only ever found coupons for things that came from the middle of the store. Rarely for things like cheese or sour cream but they were low value and not worth the time it takes to find those few. Plus you can't really stock up on foods like that.

 

[queenofthehive]

Focus on getting coupons from the Sunday paper. I always purchase 2 papers a week. I do find the "printable" coupons to be aggravating as well so I try to use my "paper coupons" first before I resort to the printables. The facebook ones rarely seem to work for me...

I am big couponer and it saves me a lot of money. It takes a lot of time each week cutting and matching ads but in the end it is certainly worth it. I find a lot of coupons for cheese, milk (soy and almond), yogurts, salads, oil, sugar, flour, coffee, oatmeal, butter, juice etc.. I do not understand the argument that most folks think it is just for processed foods. I can find coupons available for a large range of staple items. As for the meat and fruits - I watch for them to go on sale to at least 40% off and stock up at that price. I also use coupons for paper products, cosmetics, etc.. CVS is a great drug store to use coupons and match up with their deals (extra care bucks) for additional savings. A blog that is my favorite to use each is Southern Savers. Krazy coupon lady is another great coupon match up blog. Good luck and don't give up! Your wallet will thank you.

 

[mmmagique]

For fresh organic fruits and veggies, and great prices on quality meat, I rely on Costco. (we have Sam's as well, but the quality isn't as good, generally)

Costco also puts out some really good coupons every month. It's really a great way for our family to stretch our food dollars without cutting back on quality.

 

[Narnia_girl]

My experience with online coupon sites is the same as the original poster. Just too many hoops to try to get a coupon.

None of my local stores double coupons. I am employed by a newspaper so I get the Sunday paper free, but I still rarely use the coupons included. More often, I can buy store brand at a better price.

For me, the best use of coupons is the weekly store flyer from my local grocer (HyVee) or the coupon book I buy from kids' fundraising.

 

[DizMe]

My experience with online coupon sites is the same as the original poster. Just too many hoops to try to get a coupon.

None of my local stores double coupons. I am employed by a newspaper so I get the Sunday paper free, but I still rarely use the coupons included. More often, I can buy store brand at a better price.

For me, the best use of coupons is the weekly store flyer from my local grocer (HyVee) or the coupon book I buy from kids' fundraising.

This is exactly the same for me! I can find coupons for yoplait, but I don't eat junk yogurt. I can find coupons for Hidden Valley Ranch or Hormel but I can buy the store brands/other brands for less so what's the point? The main way I save is by making as many things myself as I can (yogurt, healthy cereal, dressing, soup, etc.). I try to buy veggies at the Farmer's Market or grow them (though I've not been too successful at making that cost effective) and I have chickens so eggs are abundant!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Right there with you P!! I attempt to start every year but they end up either going in recycling or going to the barber in town. She's in a coupon group and they love my stacks of coupons.

I don't like to download stuff onto my computer so I won't do that. And you know I don't do facebook.

 

[drinkme]

This is exactly the same for me! I can find coupons for yoplait, but I don't eat junk yogurt. I can find coupons for Hidden Valley Ranch or Hormel but I can buy the store brands/other brands for less so what's the point? The main way I save is by making as many things myself as I can (yogurt, healthy cereal, dressing, soup, etc.). I try to buy veggies at the Farmer's Market or grow them (though I've not been too successful at making that cost effective) and I have chickens so eggs are abundant!

Same here. The yogurt we may buy isn't what the coupon is for. Also, we grocery shop once a week for what we are eating that week. We eat mostly fresh fruit & veggies. I stopped looking for coupons, but when I did, there weren't any for fresh foods. I also don't know of any stores around here that double the coupons. Every once in awhile when I'm buying things like cleaning products I think about how I should have a coupon to make it cheaper, but it's not worth my time.

We get all of our dairy through our milk man, I've never seen coupons for that! lol.