OK - so who is watching Extreme Couponing?

[CajunDixie]

so do they just get 10,000 of certain items and never have to buy them again, or do they keep going back week after week buying whatever is on sale/they have coupons for regardless of whether they 'need' it?

as for food, here's my theories:

1. they basically got 1000 jars of mayo for free, so if they only use 20 of them and waste 980, no big deal since they were 'free'.

and/or

2. most coupons for food items are for processed garbage laden with preservatives, so the true 'expiration' date is actually around the year 4598; so there's no danger in it going bad.

Or they could be kind and generous people who donate the items to their local shelter, food pantry, abused women/childrens shelter.... In a half hour show (not even that because of the commercials) you can't know these peoples whole lifestyle.

I did not watch it tonight but I watched the original Extreme Couponing.
I am sure my opinion will not be well received but... I don't think it is right/moral to take advantage this way.
We all know this is not the manner the coupons are intended to be used and the store and the manufacturer are being taken advantage of. Just because you can does not mean you should.

The manufacturer controls how many coupons they issue for their products. The vast majority of coupons are not used. The store when they follow the couponing rules receive the value of the coupon and usually a handling fee. They don't lose out.

I was just thinking of starting a thread on this!

You can tell they love the whole organization aspect of it...why not get a job where they can do that and be productive?

In case you haven't seen the news lately there are quite a few areas in the USA that have high rates of unemployment. Food stamps get you food but not TP, soap, shampoo, laundry soap... Come to Elkhart, IN and tell the couponers to get a job and be productive.

The one with her own can-rolling shelves that held 700 cans and had 1400 rolls of toilet paper stuffed under her sons bed. What the heck??

Did anyone notice they didn't buy a single fresh fruit or vegtable? Yay, 7 boxes of Texas Toast, but how about an apple or two??

What was wrong with it? They have a very large family and they have learned to live within their means. At least they are not on welfare/food stamps and being supported by our tax dollars. Of course they aren't going to show every item they bought nor is the 1 shopping trip they showed you the only shopping trip they make to feed their families. The show wanted an "extreme" shopping trip thus the name of the show. You can't totally judge these people by the 1 shopping trip they showed you.

The line that kept getting to us:
"I've saved $40,000!"

No, you spent $4,000 on crap you didn't need.

We use coupons. I try to keep our "you saved" line over 50%. But I'm not going to grab piles of stuff just because "it's free!"

Why so judgemental? The show did not show you what happens the other 364 days in the year. You were shown 1 shopping trip that was to be their most extreme ever trip. Several couponers (myself included) donate extra items to their local food pantries. There is no way I could donate the items I have at full price.

Last year before Christmas my BIL was collecting items at work for the Ronald McDonald house in Indy. I filled a box with items from their wish list on their website. I had mens razors, womens razors, shaving creams, body washes, soap, toothepaste, toothebrushes, floss, Kleenex, shampoo, conditioner.... For all that stuff I paid very little because of combining sales and coupons at CVS, Walgreens and Kroger. So the "crap I didn't need" helped some families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Indy. If that makes me a freak or a hoarder or whatever nasty name I've seen in this thread then so be it! Label me a freak....a freak that loves to help others!!

Right now in my laundry room I have 14 mens razors and 4 packs of blade refills. Is that hoarding? Is that taking advantage of someone? IMHO I don't think so. I have 3 males in my household, the razors don't expire, I donate regularly, and they were bought usually 1 at a time over a period of time. ohhh and those razors that usually cost in excess of $10 were either free, $.99 or I was "paid" to buy them at CVS/Walgreens.

 

[CajunDixie]

Ok don't groan I know that last post was long so I am doing this in a separate post.

What you should be upset about is the coupon fraud that J'aime committed. Google Jill Cataldo and read her article about J'aime's part in the show. What she did is not legal and does take advantage of the store and the manufacturer. You can't use a coupon for an item not listed on the coupon. It's not the first time she's done something like this. There is a YouTube video of her doing something similiar at Target. That is what gives couponing a bad rap. You can follow the rules and still get great items for free or very cheap!!

 

[Belle0101]

What you should be upset about is the coupon fraud that J'aime committed. Google Jill Cataldo and read her article about J'aime's part in the show. What she did is not legal and does take advantage of the store and the manufacturer. You can't use a coupon for an item not listed on the coupon. It's not the first time she's done something like this. There is a YouTube video of her doing something similiar at Target. That is what gives couponing a bad rap. You can follow the rules and still get great items for free or very cheap!!

http://www.jillcataldo.com/

I read that and was shocked! I'm not even sure what to say about it except that is not good!

 

[MELSMICE]

How I get "free" products or very close to free is this. One of our local grocery stores has buy one get one free items and they double up to 50 cents. I use 2 coupons. one for each product that double to 1.00(most of the time)
Example: Ragu pasta sauce. $2.09 BOGOF
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00

SO $2.09
-$2.00 coupon savings
= $0.09 for 2 jars of Ragu.
Now do you see why it's worth it.

Unfortunately, not all stores do that. Some of them ring up the first item at the $2.09 & the 2nd at zero & then you can only use one coupon for the two products.

It's really annoying. I prefer the stores that ring them up at 50% for each item so I can use 2 coupons.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Unfortunately, not all stores do that. Some of them ring up the first item at the $2.09 & the 2nd at zero & then you can only use one coupon for the two products.

It's really annoying. I prefer the stores that ring them up at 50% for each item so I can use 2 coupons.

I love that Publix rings up their BOGOs at 50% each so you can use two coupons. However they don't double! I used to coupon, quit, but now I have to admit I am thinking of starting again and trying to "super-coupon." If it can cut my grocery bill in half it is worth it!

 

[Disfan1]

I shop at a Pubix in Florida and our BOGO sales are the first one at full price, the second at $0.00 BUT they WILL take two coupons! All of the Publixes I have been to will accept two coupons for their BOGO items. I typically save 50 to 60% per trip and I also buy fresh items when they are on sale. I will sometimes plan my menu around what fresh items are on sale.

As far as my stockpile, I keep an eye on expiration dates or, for non-perishable items, what I will use in 1 year (for clutter management LOL). Right now I have cereal that does not go out of date until Feb. 2012, coffee good through December 2011, Smart Balance milk good through May 2011, coffee creamer in the freezer, etc. The cereal I usually pay $.50 a box, the coffee was around $1 a bag, the milk was $.50 per half-gallon, and the coffee creamer was $.25 per 16 oz bottle.

I think the key to couponing is to be respectful to the cashiers and other shoppers - place the coupon with the item at the checkout lane, no shelf-clearing, etc.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I shop at a Pubix in Florida and our BOGO sales are the first one at full price, the second at $0.00 BUT they WILL take two coupons! All of the Publixes I have been to will accept two coupons for their BOGO items. I typically save 50 to 60% per trip and I also buy fresh items when they are on sale. I will sometimes plan my menu around what fresh items are on sale.

Ah, Ok. I am in FL as well, and I obviously do not pay that close attention to my receipt! I just know I have used two coupons before on BOGOs.

 

[ilovemk76]

I noticed that they also include the sale price in the savings. For example, the order was $500 and then they put in the store card and it was $300 before coupons. If they paid $100 for the order they save 67% off the sale price, which is what they would have paid if they did not have the coupon but they claim they saved 80%.

 

[allison443]

I noticed that they also include the sale price in the savings. For example, the order was $500 and then they put in the store card and it was $300 before coupons. If they paid $100 for the order they save 67% off the sale price, which is what they would have paid if they did not have the coupon but they claim they saved 80%.

That's a good point. I noticed on these shows that they wait to scan their loyalty card till everything is rung up. However, every store I've been to asks for it at the start of the order. Since most of the purchased items are on sale, anyone with a loyalty card could get a lot of their savings as well, without using coupons.
I guess they do it that way for the "dramatic effect."

 

[Imzadi]

I noticed that they also include the sale price in the savings. For example, the order was $500 and then they put in the store card and it was $300 before coupons. If they paid $100 for the order they save 67% off the sale price, which is what they would have paid if they did not have the coupon but they claim they saved 80%.

That's a good point. I noticed on these shows that they wait to scan their loyalty card till everything is rung up. However, every store I've been to asks for it at the start of the order. Since most of the purchased items are on sale, anyone with a loyalty card could get a lot of their savings as well, without using coupons.
I guess they do it that way for the "dramatic effect."

Maybe you two still do not get the concept. To get the MOST savings with coupons you ALWAYS COMBINE COUPONS WITH A SALE. Go back and read my long post. I even worked out the math. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40640767#post40640767

Why would someone use a coupon NOT during a sale? Using a coupon on a full priced item would pretty much be the same as just going to a sale with no coupon. Coupons are often less of a savings than an item on sale. So what would be the point? I'll say it again, people need to use a coupon on and item when it is on sale to get the MOST savings. So, yes, you'd factor in the total amount saved off of the full price.

 

[FergieTCat]

Ok don't groan I know that last post was long so I am doing this in a separate post.

What you should be upset about is the coupon fraud that J'aime committed. Google Jill Cataldo and read her article about J'aime's part in the show. What she did is not legal and does take advantage of the store and the manufacturer. You can't use a coupon for an item not listed on the coupon. It's not the first time she's done something like this. There is a YouTube video of her doing something similiar at Target. That is what gives couponing a bad rap. You can follow the rules and still get great items for free or very cheap!!

That was an interesting read.

I assume you could only get away with that if you have a very big order. In my neighborhood grocery store, the cashiers match the coupons against the items. On Extreme Couponing, the cashiers ring up all the items and then scan the coupons; they probably can't remember item by item what the shopper bought. Or they assume the shopper isn't being dishonest.

Actually, I've never even heard of that before. I thought all items had a unique 10-digit upc. Also, how did she know any of the UPCs? Is there a website that lists them?

 

[Conservative Hippie]

That was an interesting read.

I assume you could only get away with that if you have a very big order. In my neighborhood grocery store, the cashiers match the coupons against the items. On Extreme Couponing, the cashiers ring up all the items and then scan the coupons; they probably can't remember item by item what the shopper bought. Or they assume the shopper isn't being dishonest.

Actually, I've never even heard of that before. I thought all items had a unique 10-digit upc. Also, how did she know any of the UPCs? Is there a website that lists them?

At Publix they carefully look at the coupon and then go through the list of items scanned before they scan the coupon. I always wondered why they did that. I guess they know that sometimes the coupon will scan without the item being bought.

 

[marcemc]

I found this tv show disgusting. Most of these people are just hoarding food, I mean, who needs 150 candy bars?

It will be nice if some of that "free" food goes to a homeless shelter or any other organization that would actually use it.

I'm not a fun, won't be watching any more.

 

[Buckalew11]

Maybe you two still do not get the concept. To get the MOST savings with coupons you ALWAYS COMBINE COUPONS WITH A SALE. Go back and read my long post. I even worked out the math. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40640767#post40640767

Why would someone use a coupon NOT during a sale? Using a coupon on a full priced item would pretty much be the same as just going to a sale with no coupon. Coupons are often less of a savings than an item on sale. So what would be the point? I'll say it again, people need to use a coupon on and item when it is on sale to get the MOST savings. So, yes, you'd factor in the total amount saved off of the full price.

I think the majority of people who do clip a few coupons and use them on what they need, do not pay attention to sales. This was how I used coupons until last year. I'd clip quite a few and end up throwing them away after they expired. I remember to use one every now and then on an item I needed or wanted.
Now, I will rarely buy something if it is not on sale, lol. And I want it to be on sale and have a coupon for it too. DD and I joke about it and last week I did buy a few things that were not on sale.

 

[allison443]

Maybe you two still do not get the concept. To get the MOST savings with coupons you ALWAYS COMBINE COUPONS WITH A SALE. Go back and read my long post. I even worked out the math. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40640767#post40640767

Why would someone use a coupon NOT during a sale? Using a coupon on a full priced item would pretty much be the same as just going to a sale with no coupon. Coupons are often less of a savings than an item on sale. So what would be the point? I'll say it again, people need to use a coupon on and item when it is on sale to get the MOST savings. So, yes, you'd factor in the total amount saved off of the full price.

No, I get the concept. In fact last night I spent 120 and saved 96 at Shop Rite by using coupons combined with sale items. But I didn't use 96 dollars in coupons...a lot of that savings was given to me because I used a loyalty card. I think that poster was just saying that it isn't JUST "couponing" per se that saves them the huge percentage. Anyone with a loyalty card would save a certain amount even if they use no coupons. (of course by using coupons the couponers save even more). If you just buy the loss leaders and good sale items you can do well with just the loyalty card.

Example Dannon yogurt was on sale for 44 cents a cup, regularly 99 cents, I saved 45 cents so I saved 50% even without using a coupon. (Yes I had a coupon for $1 off 10 yogurts )

It may seem surprising but I do know people who do a weekly shopping trip and just buy what they need for that week, or their usual brands, without regard to what's on sale, stocking up if their needed items are on sale, etc. Those people could save a lot just by watching the sales and using their store loyalty card.

 

[allison443]

I was wondering something about Jamie. She said someone drops off "leftover" coupon circulars at her house. I wonder what she meant by that and how she arranged that?

 

[Buckalew11]

I was wondering something about Jamie. She said someone drops off "leftover" coupon circulars at her house. I wonder what she meant by that and how she arranged that?

Not sure what you mean? I have a client who brings me her unused coupons (she probably cuts 3 or 4 out), my mom and my MIL give me theirs. Then I pass them on to girl at church. She has a ton of "leftovers".

 

[allison443]

Not sure what you mean? I have a client who brings me her unused coupons (she probably cuts 3 or 4 out), my mom and my MIL give me theirs. Then I pass them on to girl at church. She has a ton of "leftovers".

I thought Jamie said that when the circulars are inserted in the newspapers, there are leftovers and someone drops them off at her house. I didn't think she meant individual friends or families. I might have misunderstood though.

 

[Buckalew11]

I thought Jamie said that when the circulars are inserted in the newspapers, there are leftovers and someone drops them off at her house. I didn't think she meant individual friends or families. I might have misunderstood though.

Maybe she knows someone at a store that grabs them for her? I mean, if you want 72 jars of mustard and 60 bottles of Maloxx, you gotta have a lot of "leftovers",

Otherwise, I have no guesses.

We do have coupons swaps here in my town that meet once a month. I just found that out on FB and will never go but we do have them.

 

[LuvSulley]

I thought Jamie said that when the circulars are inserted in the newspapers, there are leftovers and someone drops them off at her house. I didn't think she meant individual friends or families. I might have misunderstood though.

I heard the same thing so I don't think you misunderstood.