How do you handle non-couponers snide remarks?

[leadfootlevi]

I caught sight of the person behind me in line last night stamping her feet, throwing her head back then down as she leaned against her cart. Really? I mean, the cashier was slow in the first place, then I handed him a stack of coupons, but a mini-tantrum?!

By the way, I saved almost $50 with my coupons. 33% off my total bill. And, I had to buy a bunch of "junk" for DS' preschool treat day - stuff I normally would not buy (everything has to be critter shaped so we bought a lot of graham cracker/gummy/cracker snacks).

 

[PatsMom]

I can't remember not using coupons. My mother always did and passed it on to me. I've had people make comments about how much money I've saved. I've had a few cashiers roll their eyes, but not many. Most are pretty good. And they pretty much know me at my regular stores and know that I am pretty organized and careful about expiration dates, buying the correct product, etc.

My step daughter used to think coupons were silly and not worth her time and effort. She got it from her mother. I noticed that on our weekly dinner and shopping visit she would sometimes buy Pedigree dog food. So I saved a couple of $3 coupons that were in the Sunday paper. Next time she picked it up, I handed her a coupon and said that it was better for her to have the $3 than for the store to have it! Now she bothers to pick up the Sunday paper. And if I clip for the stuff she uses, she will watch for sales.

For those who don't think it is worth their time and money, I don't put a whole lot of time into it. I make a list for the three stores I shop at (CVS, Rite Aid and Shaw's Supermarket) and Saturday night while I watch TV. On Sunday morning while having my coffee and watching the news, I sort through my stash and pick out the coupons I'll use, discard any expired, etc. Then I drive to Wal-Mart, buy the Sunday paper and flip through those inserts in the parking lot for coupons that I might want to use right away. All of these stores are within a half mile of each other.

To clip out the stuff from the Sunday inserts, I use TV time. I only watch a couple of shows but I try to see Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. So they are my coupon clipping time. Most of the time I spend on couponing is time that would be wasted on TV anyhow! At least this way I am saving a few bucks.

 

[RangerPooh]

Like others I have received the snide remarks from non-coupon users. On one trip that I saved almost $30 with coupons the guy behind me told his girlfriend that she needed to start using coupons My mom and I both coupon, it's how we were raised. In fact my mom had to share with me her experience this morning. The lady behind her had a snide comment that coupons aren't worth it. My moms response was that they save her money.

I've read most of the posts in this thread and have had many experiences simialr to ones posted. But it's those of us who take the time to clip and save that stretch our budgets more. Couponing isn't for everyone, but for those it isn't they shouldn't criticize others for their fruegalness.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I would have stopped with "its a good thing you get paid by the hour" since that is funny...saying the rest of it made you sound like a jerk.

I am a jerk, but, ssshhhh, don't tell anyone.

 

[bumbershoot]

I recently handed my cashier at Kroger about 20 coupons when checking out. I got a big sigh and eye roll. She said, "Oh great. this going to take forever."

Seems it would take less time than if you had 20 more *items* for her to scan, yes? And she doesn't have to bag coupons (I've seen Fred Meyer (Kroger brand store) cashiers have to put coupons into an envelope, but it certainly didn't take as much time as bagging that many items).

Uh, why can't the husband clip coupons and take them to the store? His wife isn't into it. No biggee. HE can take the time to do it to save some money.

I like it.

This would be a good example of the snideness that non-couponers get, which was brought up by a previous poster.

I don't use many coupons...my biggest coupon moment was the Toy Story pre-order along with Princess and the Frog and the rebates (bandaids and frog tape) about a year and a half ago, and I didn't even do it as fully as others did...and I didn't see the comment you're referring to as snide.

The poster saves $90 per week. You save $2 (per grocery trip? per item? per month?). If that's all you will save, all you'd be able to find to save, then of course it's not worth your time. It IS to the other poster. $360 per month? That's awesome!

Your experience shows that it's not worth it, and maybe you really couldn't save that much (I probably couldn't either). Her experience shows that it IS worth it, and with her experience it probably pains her to think of all of us non-couponers not trying it!

It's never OK to be rude but now many stores track their cashier's IPM. If you're too slow you won't qualify for bonuses and your evaluations will be impacted keeping you from raises. Too slow, too often and you can lose your till.

I assume "IPM" means Items Per Minute? I take it coupons aren't "items"? If not, why not? They are things that must be scanned...so why aren't they part of their stats?

And I've seen people with expired coupons in front of me...the cashiers say "oh that's expired, sorry", hand it back, and move on. Or "you needed to buy two, and right here in the screen there was only one, see?" and move on. Doesn't seem to be a big trauma with the fancy screens cashiers have now (especially at Fred Meyer). If there's drama, call the manager.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I've never noticed snide remarks or cashiers with attitude when it comes to my coupon use. I wouldn't care anyway - it doesn't matter to me what people think of how I use coupons. Why should anyone care what anyone else says or thinks about it? If people don't like it, it's their problem. Save your money and be happy about it. Ignore the haters - they aren't worth anyone's time or concern.

This is how I feel. I also will add that the older I get, the less I worry or care about what other people think about anything that I do. LOL!

 

[TaraPA]

After the people behind me roll their eyes & shift their feet & sigh ten times as they scan all my coupons, I laugh all the way to my paid-for-in-cash Lexus that I drive to my million dollar home. And I hope they see me!

 

[GinnyEmma]

After the people behind me roll their eyes & shift their feet & sigh ten times as they scan all my coupons, I laugh all the way to my paid-for-in-cash Lexus that I drive to my million dollar home. And I hope they see me!

your point? Are you saying that you bought a Lexus and million dollar home with coupons?

 

[TaraPA]

Absolutely I have nice things because I'm thrifty & have been smart at saving my money. Those who think I'm wasting their time by doing so do not bother me one bit! Roll your eyes in line or make snide comments about how you're in a hurry while they scan my 25 coupons - it pays off to do it!

 

[GinnyEmma]

Smart and saving money is one thing. I choose to buy less rather than more to save money. And amazingly have a paid for home, cars with two kids in college. Big whoop. Your coupons saved you enough for what portion of that house and car? It is just a bogus point. The attitude is as snooty as the rude lady in the op.

 

[TaraPA]

I actually DID pay for the car with my savings from coupons & online surveys, I'm sorry you don't believe that. It wasn't overnight, but I set a goal & accomplished it by being thrifty. I'm living proof to all the nay-sayers out there that it CAN be done with coupons. There was no attitude intended, I'm sorry you were offended. I save at least $50 a week in coupons & bonus buys/store deals. I do all my online shopping through ebates & Sunshine Rewards as well, those sites really can add up too. I get cash back from the survey sites towards my goals as well. I charge everything on a "points" Visa & pay it off each month, and use my points towards things we need. I don't know why it's so hard to believe that it can't be done?

The house no, of course I didn't buy it with coupon savings. I'm very thankful & fortunate that DH has a great job & is smart with savings too. I do contribute to the household expenses by doing my part in saving with coupons for my family. I use my thrify ways to shop smart for things we need for the house, and the savings go into the bank for expenses.

 

[DawnM]

Many people who don't have money coupon and I am glad they do, but I did want to comment that a survey was done on those who heavily coupon and they found that the average couponer lives in a home where the income is around 80,000 per year. Of course, this is an average, so many make more and many make less......but I found it fascinating.

Dawn

I actually DID pay for the car with my savings from coupons & online surveys, I'm sorry you don't believe that. It wasn't overnight, but I set a goal & accomplished it by being thrifty. I'm living proof to all the nay-sayers out there that it CAN be done with coupons. There was no attitude intended, I'm sorry you were offended. I save at least $50 a week in coupons & bonus buys/store deals. I do all my online shopping through ebates & Sunshine Rewards as well, those sites really can add up too. I get cash back from the survey sites towards my goals as well. I charge everything on a "points" Visa & pay it off each month, and use my points towards things we need. I don't know why it's so hard to believe that it can't be done?

The house no, of course I didn't buy it with coupon savings. I'm very thankful & fortunate that DH has a great job & is smart with savings too. I do contribute to the household expenses by doing my part in saving with coupons for my family. I use my thrify ways to shop smart for things we need for the house, and the savings go into the bank for expenses.

 

[SaraJayne]

Absolutely I have nice things because I'm thrifty & have been smart at saving my money. Those who think I'm wasting their time by doing so do not bother me one bit! Roll your eyes in line or make snide comments about how you're in a hurry while they scan my 25 coupons - it pays off to do it!

You're assuming people that don't use coupons aren't thrifty in other ways and don't have nice things.

Being thrifty to me means not buying a Lexus or million dollar house.

 

[mrsklamc]

There is nothing wrong with using coupons OR with not using coupons.

There have been times when coupons are great for our family, other times, no. Everyone here can decide that for themselves. None of the rest of us go grocery shopping with you to know!

OP, I would not say anything to your female friend. Honestly, if she thinks it will be such a blow to her pride to use a coupon, my personal opinion is that she's probably better off using her time to pray or do whatever she needs to do to work on her pride issues.

If her husband says anything else to you about it I'd say "She's expressed that she's not interested; I'd be happy to teach YOU if YOU want to learn."

As for random strangers in the grocery store, if they said something because they were behind me and impatient, I'd say "I'm saving $x.00 today. If you'd like to give me that much money yourself, I'll be happy to put my coupons back in my purse."

 

[sk!mom]

I assume "IPM" means Items Per Minute? I take it coupons aren't "items"? If not, why not? They are things that must be scanned...so why aren't they part of their stats?

And I've seen people with expired coupons in front of me...the cashiers say "oh that's expired, sorry", hand it back, and move on. Or "you needed to buy two, and right here in the screen there was only one, see?" and move on. Doesn't seem to be a big trauma with the fancy screens cashiers have now (especially at Fred Meyer). If there's drama, call the manager.[/QUOTE]


Yes, "items per minute" and basically at his store the time is figured based on total # of items purchased and the time for the transaction to be completed. A hold up in the process adds time. I agree that a well organized stack takes very little time.

 

[mhsjax]

You're assuming people that don't use coupons aren't thrifty in other ways and don't have nice things.

Being thrifty to me means not buying a Lexus or million dollar house.

I am trying to figure out how you buy a Lexus with 200 a month in savings from coupons. It is either a really old or bottom of the line Lexus. My truck costs more than some Lexus' do, I don't coupon. I am very unimpressed with what anyone drives. It is a mode of transportation and being in FL, the only thing I require in AC, other than that I couldn't care less.

 

[dawson5]

I am trying to figure out how you buy a Lexus with 200 a month in savings from coupons. It is either a really old or bottom of the line Lexus. My truck costs more than some Lexus' do, I don't coupon. I am very unimpressed with what anyone drives. It is a mode of transportation and being in FL, the only thing I require in AC, other than that I couldn't care less.

When I was younger, I would go to breakfast with my grandparents all the time. There was a waitress there (we always went to the same place) and she saved her tips and bought a corvette with cash. She didn't do it in one day, it took her a while. I assume this is what that poster meant. She used her savings to buy the car, not that she saved it all in one day/week/month/year.

 

[mhsjax]

When I was younger, I would go to breakfast with my grandparents all the time. There was a waitress there (we always went to the same place) and she saved her tips and bought a corvette with cash. She didn't do it in one day, it took her a while. I assume this is what that poster meant. She used her savings to buy the car, not that she saved it all in one day/week/month/year.

It would takes lots of years to save for a new Lexus. And fine if you do and I think it is great, but I bet that waitress didn't act all high and mighty about it either.

From experience I know that people with a little more than most like to bring it up to others. Those that are truly rich, never talk about it. It is beneath them to ever say things like that.

Dh worked for a club, a man came in o his boat, he didn't have a jacket, they had to loan him one. He was young, about 32. He was worth about 40 million. The club knew, because they had info on everyone, so the staff would know who and what their clients were.

Anyway, it was close to closing and the other people in the club were staring at him and sort of laughing because they had to loan him a jacket( he had stopped unexpectedly, so he just parked the boat and came in to eat) These were Drs and lawyers, some business men that were wealthy, but not stinking rich by any stretch of the imagination.

This really rich client asked the staff to sit and drink and eat with him, it was closing time. He never said anything to the wanna be's. He knew he had the money and it didn't matter that anyone else did.

 

[dawson5]

It would takes lots of years to save for a new Lexus. And fine if you do and I think it is great, but I bet that waitress didn't act all high and mighty about it either.

From experience I know that people with a little more than most like to bring it up to others. Those that are truly rich, never talk about it. It is beneath them to ever say things like that.

Dh worked for a club, a man came in o his boat, he didn't have a jacket, they had to loan him one. He was young, about 32. He was worth about 40 million. The club knew, because they had info on everyone, so the staff would know who and what their clients were.

Anyway, it was close to closing and the other people in the club were staring at him and sort of laughing because they had to loan him a jacket( he had stopped unexpectedly, so he just parked the boat and came in to eat) These were Drs and lawyers, some business men that were wealthy, but not stinking rich by any stretch of the imagination.

This really rich client asked the staff to sit and drink and eat with him, it was closing time. He never said anything to the wanna be's. He knew he had the money and it didn't matter that anyone else did.

The waitress was never that way. I always thought it was a great story. She used the salary wages for bills and the tips were hers and she saved them. I know she shared this with my grandparents because she knew they would appreciate something like that.

There are always going to be people who look down on others, because they believe themselves to be better. It takes a small-minded person to look down on another for their material things or lack of.

I think the reason that poster said what she did, was the reason the thread was started. She saw what she believed to be some people coming in here and turning their nose up at coupon use and in a way, her. I think she felt the need to defend her use and show what can come from disciplined use of coupons and a plan for that savings. Whether she intended to come off as snarky or the other posters, I don't know. I know it is very hard to tell tone or inflection on a message board. She might have meant that as something "tongue in cheek" and instead it came off as superior. I don't know. I didn't want to address that. I just wanted to address how it was possible for someone to do that (paying cash for a car). I had seen it personally happen is all. (For the record, I've seen it happen numerous times. My grandfather, and since he passed, my grandmother, pay cash for their vehicles. My aunt, their daughter and uncle, their son, also do this. They rarely use coupons.)

 

[mhsjax]

The waitress was never that way. I always thought it was a great story. She used the salary wages for bills and the tips were hers and she saved them. I know she shared this with my grandparents because she knew they would appreciate something like that.

There are always going to be people who look down on others, because they believe themselves to be better. It takes a small-minded person to look down on another for their material things or lack of.

I think the reason that poster said what she did, was the reason the thread was started. She saw what she believed to be some people coming in here and turning their nose up at coupon use and in a way, her. I think she felt the need to defend her use and show what can come from disciplined use of coupons and a plan for that savings. Whether she intended to come off as snarky or the other posters, I don't know. I know it is very hard to tell tone or inflection on a message board. She might have meant that as something "tongue in cheek" and instead it came off as superior. I don't know. I didn't want to address that. I just wanted to address how it was possible for someone to do that (paying cash for a car). I had seen it personally happen is all. (For the record, I've seen it happen numerous times. My grandfather, and since he passed, my grandmother, pay cash for their vehicles. My aunt, their daughter and uncle, their son, also do this. I am stuck in a car payment, but once it's done, I'll start making payments into a separate account meant specifically for a vehicle.)

You are probably right on all acct's. It is hard to tell tone and intent on the internet. And yes I know my parents paid cash for their cars and their last 2 houses. They didn't use coupon savings to do it, and in fact my mom didn't coupon but was very thrifty and knew that value of a dollar. (depression era baby and so was my dad)

I also would never look down on anyone using a coupon, unless they were like those on tV or buying total crap just to save a buck.

Funny thing is, their is an older gentleman at my grocery store and whenever he checks me out, he always asks if I have coupons. I usually tell him no, and he fusses at me. He really is a sweet grandfather type.