This coupon user made me mad - Update 1st post.

[npmommie]

Can't you just photo copy coupons and use them? I know you can print them on your computer. What is to stop you from photocopying that and using several?

Don't coupons say no photocopies? I think some do, at least the ones printed out online.

wow I can't believe the nerve of some people. that is totally nervy to stand there and be obvious cutting the paper to match the size and putting that in the slot.
it does make it harder for the legitimate couponers to continue shopping with coupons. I know some stores don't take internet coupons anymore, someone probably scammed one too many times on that.

 

[Halbleib1]

Our Weis will not take internet coupons for free items or anything over $5.00. They have a sign up at all the registers saying that they will not accept these because they have no way of knowing which ones are real. Superfresh will not take any internet coupons at all.
No problems at our Giant or Walmart with them though.

 

[Green Tea]

I think you should call the store now and report her. She never has to know who it was that reported her.

Plain and simple, she was stealing. And I hate to say it, but by not reporting her, you're guilty if being an accessory to her little scheme.

Now I know exactly why store requires an associate to process the coupons at the self check.

i disagree that the op is an accessory to the scheme. It isnt her responsibilty to get involved. If she did report it then that is fine, but she is under no obligation to do so. It isnt like BJ's has an honor code the shoppers sign pleding to neither lie, cheat nor steal, nor tolerate those who do.

 

[Green Tea]

On not caring.

I majored in Accounting, and my audit professor had a wonderful way of getting her way with customer service. She'd start with customer service. She'd move up to the manager. If it was something like this - fraud - and the manager didn't take it seriously, she'd say "your auditor is Ernst and Young, isn't it? I'll give your auditors a call, they will be more interested in fraud than you are."

In this case it wouldn't make any difference. The store is taking the loss. They are not going to submit the little papers to the redemption center.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Can't you just photo copy coupons and use them? I know you can print them on your computer. What is to stop you from photocopying that and using several?

I don't think photocopied coupons will scan. No store will take coupons that won't scan. I use internet coupons; however I had to download a program that will print the coupons with the scan code. Without the downloaded program, the coupons would be missing the scan code.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I don't think photocopied coupons will scan. No store will take coupons that won't scan. I use internet coupons; however I had to download a program that will print the coupons with the scan code. Without the downloaded program, the coupons would be missing the scan code.

I have down loaded that program and it only allows you to print so many copies of the coupon. But in my case my printers memory holds what it prints so you can reprint it and/or my printer has a photocopier. If I photocopied it would be exactly the same. So though I have not done this - I am wondering since this in on topic what about people who do this.

I personally am horrible about coupons. Mine all seem to expire before I ever get organized enough to use them. I would love tips on that alone. If someone knows of a great website please point me there.

 

[joannem]

The coupon software that only allows you to print a couple coupons is known as "Bricks". Every "Bricks" coupon has a unique ID that the store can call and very the validity of the coupon. If you were to copy that coupon, the company could see the same unique ID and refuse to reimburse the store for the coupon. Thus the store would take a loss on that coupon...no different than the woman with the blank pieces of paper. Would the store notice when you tried to redeem a coupon with the same ID? Maybe...probably not. But, by doing so the person would be putting the store's willingness to accept internet printed coupons at risk. It's something I personally would never do because of two things (1) it's stealing (2) I want my stores to continue to take internet printed coupons...I LOVE them.
Oh, and if your printer stores what you printed, the unique ID would be the same...same thing as copying it.

If you're looking to trade coupons and find GREAT summaries of the deals for the week for all the major stores, check out: http://www.afullcup.com I LOVE it and I've traded for some really great coupons that I actually use!

 

[debdreamsofdis]

I have down loaded that program and it only allows you to print so many copies of the coupon. But in my case my printers memory holds what it prints so you can reprint it and/or my printer has a photocopier. If I photocopied it would be exactly the same. So though I have not done this - I am wondering since this in on topic what about people who do this.

I personally am horrible about coupons. Mine all seem to expire before I ever get organized enough to use them. I would love tips on that alone. If someone knows of a great website please point me there.

It's my understanding that coupons printed from a source such as bricks or smartsource have unique id barcodes. These unique barcodes can be tracked to your computer IP address. Photocopying coupons is considered fraud.

If you are interested in learning more of the ropes of couponing, there are several great sites. Some sites like Grocery Game will charge a membership fee. They track store sales and match up coupons so that you can get the greatest savings. If you receive multiple coupon inserts, you start to stockpile items you use at rock bottom prices. However, the same information you find at GG can be found for free at sites like PinchingYourPennies and Slickdeals.

To the OP, I have to say that I am shocked at the apathy of the CS rep when she said "We can't spend time trying to track down someone over something small like that." Does she even understand that coupon fraud is not a small problem and that companies lose hundreds of thousands because of it, and in turn passing on that expense to everyone else. ugh!

 

[Kycha]

OP, honestly I'm not surprised by the CSR's lack of interest. For something like coupon fraud, I would have definitely contacted the store's manager or district manager.

Wow, I always wondered what would stop people from doing this. I got the idea that this was posible after putting a coupon into the slot and having it not "read" that I'd put one in, so I stuck my shoping list in and wiggled it around until it triggered the sensor. Now I know the answer, NOTHING stops people from putting in blank paper!

I disagree...a person's honesty and integrity keep them from putting in blank paper. If nothing stopped people, then everyone would be doing it.

 

[Chris]

OMG, that is just awful. I'm also amazed that the store could have cared less. I hope you get an answer from corporate.

 

[rudora]

... And if enough people do this, what do you think will happen? No more accepting coupons because the store ends up losing money.

There's ways around it for the retailers to protect themselves. Costco's coupons are tied to your membership ID card so you don't scan the coupons at all - they're automatically applied to the order. At our local Wal Mart and Kroger you can't scan the coupons at the self checkout kisok anymore, you have to take them to the cashier working. That's the only way to get them to take.

Don't get too worried about losing the ability to use coupons, once the retailer realizes they're losing money they'll assign the resourses to fix the problem. There are realistic methods for preventing this type of fraud.

 

[Leajess99]

Our Kroger will allow you to scan your own coupons but you have to hand them to the worker. I would never have thought of cheating the store like the woman the OP was talking about. I just don't understand some people.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Interesting thread. As I said I really do not use coupons. I always forget them and my family eats for the most part non processed, free of food dye, free of preservatives, hormones and mostly organic. I hardly ever see coupons for those types of foods. I also pretty much shop at trader joe's. But believe me if the coupons were offered for those types of foods I probably would use them. I some times get coupons via email for products like morning star farms or from manufactur websites. I try to use those when I can - but like I said I often forget to bring them. Wish I was better at this whole coupon thing. I will check out the links. I would like to know more.

 

[joannem]

With my son's food allergies, a lot of processed food is out for us too. There are some healthier foods that offer coupons too. Ask me about my Kashi cereal bar and Silk Soy Milk stash! I've primarily been stocking up on health and beauty aids. I shouldn't have to buy toothpaste for several years now! Add in shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, maxipads too! It saves a lot of money and is comforting to know I'm prepared! The thrill of the bargain hunt is great too!! If you do check out afullcup, they do offer a "Healthier" couponing forum for people with your exact concern.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

With my son's food allergies, a lot of processed food is out for us too. There are some healthier foods that offer coupons too. Ask me about my Kashi cereal bar and Silk Soy Milk stash! I've primarily been stocking up on health and beauty aids. I shouldn't have to buy toothpaste for several years now! Add in shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, maxipads too! It saves a lot of money and is comforting to know I'm prepared! The thrill of the bargain hunt is great too!! If you do check out afullcup, they do offer a "Healthier" couponing forum for people with your exact concern.

thanks for the tip! I do buy Kashi and Silk! My son is allergic to food dyes so even toothpaste has to be natural like Tom's, tylenol - dye free. Food dye is in so much food!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Ok, I read through all four pages and nobody suggested this:

Confront HER.

Shame is a *very* powerful tool, and I feel it's too underused in society today.

I totally would have gone up to her (and you can ask my friends, I do stuff like this all the time, they call me The Right Fighter, lol) and said:

"Do you know that what you're doing is wrong, and you are stealing from the store?"

I betcha she'll think twice about doing it again in the future.

Instead of getting all pissed off that somebody else isn't making it right, step up and make it right on your own.

 

[joannem]

You have my sympathy on the food dye thing! My brother's girlfriend's daughter is allergic to certain dyes. At one point we were avoiding wheat, milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish (the top 8), oat and beef! But the thought of adding in dyes or corn would have sent me over the edge!

I recently contacted Kashi because we love their soft baked cereal bars and they're the only ones on the market that are free of milk and egg. And I mentioned that if they wanted to throw some coupons my way, I wouldn't mind! I got a very nice note back thanking me and letting me know that I would have some coupons in the mail. A couple days later I got a letter with a coupons for a free Kashi product and 4 $.50/1 Kashi product! It pays to be nice sometimes too!

 

[toledo13]

Unreal! That woman must have a lot of time on her hands to cut out pieces of paper in the shape of coupons.

That's strange....

I'm an AVID coupon user... but that's extreme!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Sorry, but I think it is creative,
Just kidding everyone, it is definitely stealing...too bad she could not use her ingenuity for something else!
Don't think I would have said anything though...

It reminds me of a time several years back, went to a little strip mall, there was an SUV parked to my left and inside a car seat and an infant, CRYING, more like screaming AND a toddler loose. Then I notice NO DRIVER, doors locked window and roof thingy opened a bit. And I start fuming, so I sit and watch my clock, 2 minutes go by and I start to freak (unfortunately I did not have a cell with me or I would have called Police right away)
BUT,
I exited my car and walked in to the deli which had a LINE of people. I yelled pretty lood, is there a person stupid enough to leave babies in an SUV all alone, all of a sudden a woman looks at me, MORTIFIED face and starts with "I was just grabbing something quick" WELL, everyone looked at her, and I said (in a LOUD obnoxious VOICE) well, perhaps YOU don't want your children, but Social Services WILL when I call to report you! I took your plate number and will contact your Husband, I am sure he will not appreciate the risk you took today.
She went PALE and then just ran out and jumped in her vehicle and hi tailed it out of there. Some people clapped, she was not a happy camper!
The KICKER, her plate was one of those vanity plates like, Supermom or something , UGH!!!
And no I did not run her plate number and contact anyone, but I have a strong suspicion she did not do that again! At least I hope not!!
I know she prob would have only been gone 5-6 minutes, but GOODNESS, what was she thinking to leave kids unattended??

 

[tracys2cents]

I saw someone at the market grabbing a 12 oz cheerios for 3.29, and I pointed out to her that the 20oz cheerios was on sale for 2.50.

She responded: "Oh my, my kids are small, they could never eat all that !"