Is This Shady Couponing?

[Claire&TheBoys]

I shop at Publix and I can use 2 coupons on buy-one-get-one-free deals. I can also use a "Save XX on 2" coupon on the BOGOF deals. My kids love to make muffins for breakfast and the boxes often have "Save 75c on 2" coupons inside. I stock up when the mixes go BOGOF, as I'm getting the full 75c off the price of one box of muffin mix, getting the 2nd box free. One deal I thought was pretty good one time was Chinet platters (which we use for parties): they were BOGOF and each package had a coupon for a free pack of Chinet dessert plates. I got 2 packs of platters and 2 packs of dessert plates for the cost of 1 pack of platters.

 

[enchantingodin]

Like many others have said - No. This is not fraud. I work for Publix as a Customer Service Staff. We just had a meeting last week because the company is finally making a uniformed coupon policy about which competitors we take. But we did review our regular policies too. And our policy has always been you may use one manufacturers coupon AND one store (including competitors) coupon per item. It doesn't matter if those items are bogo or not. We get credited for the manufacturers coupon and the other we "eat" the cost.

So let's say cheerios are bogo at 4.00 a box. You have 2 MC for 1.00 off and 2 SC for .50 off. You will walk out of the store with 2 boxes for a buck. Awesome deal huh?

 

[PudgetteD]

Both Kroger and Food Lion in Clarksville, TN allow 2 coupons on BOGOF items as each item is rung in at half price. Great legit way to save. Kroger here will also allow an additional coupon if a BOGOF coupon is used e.g. today I used a coupon for "buy one body wash get one deodorant free". Kroger also allowed me to use a $2 off coupon on the body wash. I consulted the manager prior to checking out and was told that as long as 2 items were scanned, 2 coupons could be used.

 

[labdogs42]

The store probably actually likes it when people do this because then they get the $3 for the coupon on an item they were giving away for free! If the store allows it, it is just smart shopping on the couponer's part. That's why you need to know each store's policy.

 

[wtccheermom]

I wouldn't sweat it, as I think the "hot dog casserole crowd" may be a wee bit envious of your friend's ability to do the coupon thing better (and for your friend to live in a state and shop at a chain where this sort of thing is perfectly normal).

And kudos to your friend for taking her big savings and directing them towards those who weren't quite as fortunate...

Thanks for the early morning laugh!!!!

 

[stacy347]

Both Kroger and Food Lion in Clarksville, TN allow 2 coupons on BOGOF items as each item is rung in at half price. Great legit way to save. Kroger here will also allow an additional coupon if a BOGOF coupon is used e.g. today I used a coupon for "buy one body wash get one deodorant free". Kroger also allowed me to use a $2 off coupon on the body wash. I consulted the manager prior to checking out and was told that as long as 2 items were scanned, 2 coupons could be used.

Our Kroger doesn't allow 2 manufacturer coupons if there is any BOGO going on. Really wish the policies would be across the board with the national chains.

 

[EllenFrasier]

I still don't understand how someone can get $800 worth of stuff for like $6.00. Most of the coupons we use are for 50 cents off and even if the item is on sale, we still pay something for it. How do they get it so low? I think it would be a blast to be able to do it, even if just once. Once gigantic order of food and other items worth $800 for like $6.00 - just to see the look on the cashier's face would be worth it!

 

[Purseval]

And kudos to your friend for taking her big savings and directing them towards those who weren't quite as fortunate...

Does the friend always do this or was she just grandstanding for a tv show? I can't imagine someone going through all that time and trouble to get to that level of extreme couponing and just giving all the stuff away.

I'd also say that the other people not quite so fortunate would be the ones who go looking for Purex after she's been to the store. Since this was a special tv show odds are the store had extras on hand to make it look good but think of the regular families trying to stretch their grocery dollars who are lucky to walk out with a raincheck (and most times these sales are limited to stock on hand) after one of these people have cleaned out the shelves.

 

[tomthebarncat]

Does the friend always do this or was she just grandstanding for a tv show? I can't imagine someone going through all that time and trouble to get to that level of extreme couponing and just giving all the stuff away.

I'd also say that the other people not quite so fortunate would be the ones who go looking for Purex after she's been to the store. Since this was a special tv show odds are the store had extras on hand to make it look good but think of the regular families trying to stretch their grocery dollars who are lucky to walk out with a raincheck (and most times these sales are limited to stock on hand) after one of these people have cleaned out the shelves.

I watched one episode of this show before I thought I was going to barf!! it was so staged, as there were no other shoppers in the store and the manager was by the cash register smiling and shaking hands with the hoarder/shopper. Reality tv is anything but real and this show is clearly staged to achieve the maximum effect! and quite of few of these folks were extremely obese, which is clearly a byproduct of all the crap they were buying with coupons and eating.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Did the coupon read $3 of one item or $3 off two? I hardly ever see coupons w/that much off one item (it does happen but rarely).

At Publix (where I mostly shop), their BOGO is really 50% off if you buy just one. So if I have $3 of two bottles of detergent, I'll use one coupon (if it's off two items. But if it's off one, then yes, I'll use two coupons. Now, Publix doesn't have a card but if it did and I had to use the card to get the BOGO, I would still use the coupon for the most savings. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it.

 

[johde]

Krogers, CVS, and Rite Aid around here allow you to use 2 coupons on b1g1 Items. In each case the value taken off in coupons can't exceed the value of the 2 items taken together.

 

[Purseval]

At Publix (where I mostly shop), their BOGO is really 50% off if you buy just one.

Most stores will do that if you ask, which is good for us because most times we would rather have the one item at 50% off than pay full price to get more than we can use in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[MEM]

Here in Mass you cannot do that...and btw, I agree with you!

I live in Massachusetts and, yes, you can use two coupons on a BOGO deal...I have done it with no problem at Shaw's, Stop and Shop and CVS. As others have pointed out, the "free" item is the equivalent of a store coupon. The store will get reimbursed for both mfr coupons used. Everybody wins! The best possible deal is when you have BOGO mfr coupons to use on a BOGO deal - you can get both items for free. My stores will not take BOGO internet-printables but they will take BOGO coupons from inserts.

Fraud is when you use coupons on items for which they were not intended, or if you copy coupons.

 

[MEM]

Did the coupon read $3 of one item or $3 off two? I hardly ever see coupons w/that much off one item (it does happen but rarely).

At Publix (where I mostly shop), their BOGO is really 50% off if you buy just one. So if I have $3 of two bottles of detergent, I'll use one coupon (if it's off two items. But if it's off one, then yes, I'll use two coupons. Now, Publix doesn't have a card but if it did and I had to use the card to get the BOGO, I would still use the coupon for the most savings. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it.

For a short while there were coupons for $3 off one Purex..liquid or sheets. I stocked up on the Purex laundry sheets - for me, stocking up is 4 packages.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Did the coupon read $3 of one item or $3 off two? I hardly ever see coupons w/that much off one item (it does happen but rarely).

At Publix (where I mostly shop), their BOGO is really 50% off if you buy just one. So if I have $3 of two bottles of detergent, I'll use one coupon (if it's off two items. But if it's off one, then yes, I'll use two coupons. Now, Publix doesn't have a card but if it did and I had to use the card to get the BOGO, I would still use the coupon for the most savings. There is nothing wrong or illegal about it.

That's not the case everywhere. In Florida, if the deal is "buy one get one free" the first one rings up at full price and the second one rings up as free. If you only buy one, you pay full price.

 

[dis-happy]

That's not the case everywhere. In Florida, if the deal is "buy one get one free" the first one rings up at full price and the second one rings up as free. If you only buy one, you pay full price.

Are you talking about Publix in FL? That hasn't been my experience at all when shopping there.

And as an added note: I am SO HAPPY to learn that we are finally getting a Publix in our area here!

 

[tonums]

Theres nothing fradulent or immoral about using 2 coupons on B1G1 free deals. My publix advertises you to do just that. They have a sale where they are "giving" you one free, but if you use 2 q they get reimbursed for the free one, yes? It works out better for the store for you to use 2, and the manufacturer made the q's for you to use.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Are you talking about Publix in FL? That hasn't been my experience at all when shopping there.

And as an added note: I am SO HAPPY to learn that we are finally getting a Publix in our area here!

Yes, I am a Publix shopper and live in Florida. My first item rings up at full price. I suppose if you want to be technical, the second item also rings up at full price, but is followed by a "discount" equal to the full price of the item, so my receipt looks something like this:

Cheerios $4.59
Cheerios $4.59
--SALE -$4.59

Years ago, both items would ring up at half price, but it changed. Now you must get the second item to get the discount.

 

[maggiew]

I just want to reiterate a few important points:

1. You can use two coupons on a BOGOF sale regardless if the items rings up full price + free or 50% + 50%. That is, provided your store allows it.

2. The stores LIKE for you to use two coupons on a BOGOF because they get reimbursed from the manufacturer for the value of the coupon (plus some small fee) on an item that they would normally have to "eat" the full cost of.

3. Most of the people who EXTREME coupon would have the store order stock for them. They wouldn't go into the store expecting to buy 300 boxes of cereal. So they wouldn't be taking away stock from regular customers. Personally its the MODERATE couponers who I find take away the stock. They don't have enough coupons to warrant the store preordering things for them, but they have enough coupons to wipe out the shelves. I just try to shop on Sundays to have the best chance of getting the sales items.

4. Would an extreme couponer go to all the trouble of matching the deals, etc. and then donate them (on a regular basis)? I think yes. For many of these people I think the thrill is in the hunt!

5. I don't think all the people are obese on the show. I know the twins weren't. I don't think J'aime was particularly heavy? The lady who had to bring her 4 kids to the store because her sitter was late? She wasn't obese?? There were others, but I can't remember them all.

I am not justifying all the extreme couponing because I think that everyone I have seen on that show has WAY too big of a stockpile. I just can't imagine eating all that food before it goes bad. I know people donate a lot of what they get, but even the people that were donating their purchases that day had HUGE stockpiles.

But, I think couponing can be a great way to save your family a lot of money.

Maggie

 

[JB2K]

Does the friend always do this or was she just grandstanding for a tv show? I can't imagine someone going through all that time and trouble to get to that level of extreme couponing and just giving all the stuff away.

I diasgree -- we buy a lot of discounted stuff (clearance) from a major mass-merchandiser and donate it to our church for their charities.