TLC Looking into Allegations of Couponing Fraud

[rigs32]

I DO NOT agree with purposefully trying to misrepresent items for a better deal, but isn't it up to the store to make aure the items match the coupon? If she is using a $.50 off of pack of 4 yogurts and attempts to use it on individual yogurts, it should not come up in the system. I think it's the store's fault for not knowing their stuff. They have a responsibility to have their system set up correctly. But no, it's not right.

What about fraudulent checks or credit cards? Would you also blame the store for not catching all of them?

 

[pinkprincess30]

What about fraudulent checks or credit cards? Would you also blame the store for not catching all of them?

I think the blame IS mutual. Like I said, I don't think it is right BUT yes, the store DOES have a responsibility to check ID's and authorizations to be sure checks & cc's aren't fraudulant. Why do you think they have the authorization cc machines set up and check ID on checks? They do have a responsibility....even on coupons, checks and credit cards. You can't simply rely on trust with the general public. Everyone has a responsibility not to steal, but stores still put anti-theft procedures in place, right?

 

[KigerKat]

What about fraudulent checks or credit cards? Would you also blame the store for not catching all of them?

If the store that accepts those coupons is audited, then they don't receive a reimbursement from the manufacturer. The same way they will not receive reimbursement from the bank for a fraudulent check or credit card - it's the merchant that gets stuck with the bill. If you think about it, if your credit card is used fraudulently, you (most likely) aren't held responsible for the charges. The bank isn't going to also pay the merchant. That would leave the bank out twice as much money. The banks hold the merchant responsible for credit cards and checks the same way manufacturers do for coupons.

Cashiers are trained to notice some tell-tale signs of fraud. Just because the register let things slide doesn't mean everything is fine. Computers make mistakes, too. They should be glancing at the coupon to make sure it is for the right product. I know that can be nearly impossible when the customer has 3-4 cart loads of groceries, but I think I would remember scanning dozens and dozens of individual yogurts when the coupon clearly states 4 packs.

 

[FergieTCat]

The story was in our local paper yesterday. Granted, it was the New York Post, but still. They even had a little picture of her.

I wonder if this will effect her job. I don't think my company would tolerate an employee being publicly accused of fraud, either real or implied.

First of all, the manufacturer sets those coupons up with a code that works within the first 5 or 7 digits of a products UPC. Manufacturers can have a wide range of products that start with those numbers, therefore the coupon may work at some stores. In her case, especially at Target, the cashier forced the coupons through the system. More than likely, just for the show.

As I understand it, she shopped at Target last year, not on "Extreme Couponing" and put the video on Youtube. People in the online couponing community noticed that she was using coupons for other products and that she pushed the cashier into overriding the transactions. So, it's been going on at 2 stores, if not more.

Also, she teaches a class and charges money to teach other people to do the same thing.

And she bragged she had a stash worth at least $14,000. If this really goes further legally, I wish her luck.

 

[descovy]

She may be glad she has a hefty stash. Something tells me with this publicity that she's going to have her coupons screened more carefully, and possibly banned from some stores all together (if that is possible)

So her armageddon has now come. TG for all that mustard to get her through the lean times!

 

[Sagginit]

well it would be a bit harsh to tar and feather her but they can yogurt and coupon her in public for her crimes. i have gotten in a number of fights over coupons with cashiers, the last time she went into my bag pulled out the item and held it up in one hand and the coupon in the other talking real slow like i was a moron. the coupon was legit. i hope this doesn't encourage stores to let cashiers treat people like idiots.

 

[sparklynails23]

If the manufacturers have designed these coupons so that their UPCs match more than one product, then shame on them. They should have to reimburse the grocery stores anyway. As a result of this story receiving so much publicity, I wouldn't be surprised if people were trying to pull this stunt, nationwide.

 

[cm8]

I'm thinking TLC is just trying to cover their own butts in this situation. They will probably screen their "cast" a little further now and not feature someone that uses illegal practices with their coupons.

As for J'aime, she needs to understand that having a receipt does not mean she didn't steal from the store. And I feel sorry for that store. I'm sure they have been flagged by the manufacturers and are not getting reimbursed for any of the coupons she used. And because they were featured on TV allowing this to happen, I'm guessing the manufacturers will be reviewing all of that store's transactions for a while to come. She has probably burned her bridge at that store and word will get out at the other stores in the area about what she is doing. She's probably going to have to dive a couple of hours away just to use a coupon legitimately.

TLC will probably end up repaying the store for their losses, and I hope they sue that witch and her her accountable for everything they have to pay for because of her fraudulent practices. I bet there's not a coupon fore that!

,

 

[KayMouse]

If the manufacturers have designed these coupons so that their UPCs match more than one product, then shame on them. They should have to reimburse the grocery stores anyway. As a result of this story receiving so much publicity, I wouldn't be surprised if people were trying to pull this stunt, nationwide.

They didn't design the coupons to match multiple items. They designed their item codes (UPC's) to match each other. It's hard to put out a coupon for Windex Multi-Pack Wipes, when not every store in the country has the EXACT item UPC. New packaging means new UPC, new logo means UPC. Still the same product, but does that mean they have to throw off their whole system? No, so they issue a coupon for the first few digits. So no, not "shame on them". That's business. This woman is the one who should get the "shame on you's". And no, they shouldn't have to pay the grocery store if someone fools a cashier. Those cashiers were forcing her coupons through. Not okay. The manufacturer didn't tell them to force her coupons through.

 

[labdogs42]

It is kind of funny that so far, this lady's episode is the only Extreme Couponing episode I've seen. I thought she seemed a bit over the top! I guess I was right! That's so wrong to use all those coupons that you're supposed to use on 4 products on 1! And all of the other issues, too! How can a cashier NOT catch that particular fraud? I can see letting Olay body wash go for some other Olay thing by mistake, but a coupon that says $0.50 off FOUR of something should be pretty obvious. Despite that, I hope the cashier and the store don't end up getting burned on this one. I hope TLC or J'aime pay the price.

 

[seashoreCM]

For the most part I think it is very unfair to hold the cashier accountable for anything.

YOu might have a $50. or so order and at the end you hand the cashier a few coupons. Meanwhile the bag boy has already taken care of most of the items. Do you and the people behind you expect the cashier to go looking for the items to match up the coupons with?

Better would be random secondary screening on the way out after checking out, and a provision for surcharges that would deter coupon fraud.

And manufacturers need to reimburse stores more for handling coupons, if only a few coupons of a particular brand are redeemed each month.

"Let's take that off line"

I would like to see all coupon fights handled at a secondary screening station. If the register accepts the coupon then the cashier is not accountable. If not then the customer has to pay full price and submit the coupon and his shopping cart and the receipt at the secondary screening station.

 

[leight]

What about fraudulent checks or credit cards? Would you also blame the store for not catching all of them?

Yes, if they did not ask for id on a check. Wal-mart doesn't and when my husband realized that 3 checks were cashed at 2 different wal-marts out of state last year(we think a billpay check was intercepted by an employee at either the bank or the utility-as that check was never cashed- the theives apparently make their own check copies.) But licenses were never checked and the checks went thru over $1200- we tried collecting the information for the police report and were shocked that no licenses are entered with the check.

I also think that it is both the responsibility of the consumer and the store cashier to ensure that the coupons are being used correctly. We all make mistakes and sometimes its the store/sometimes its the consumer. But if J'aime did it knowingly and the store let it go assuming that no one would cheat on tv then J'aime is as guilty of stealing as the jerk who stole dh's checks and the store learned a hard lesson. Unfortunately other consumers will experience the results as cashiers are so much more careful there.

 

[Kycha]

Do you and the people behind you expect the cashier to go looking for the items to match up the coupons with?

I have had this happen to me many times. So, yes, that is exactly what I expect. Now, I'm not buying anywhere near what these extreme couponers are buying. But it is not unusual for me to have 20 or more coupons in a single transaction. And I hand my coupons to the cashier before I start my transaction. It would be easy enough for the cashier to look through my coupons before she starts ringing me up to match coupons to items purchased.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

ive heard about that lady before the TV show. She is from a forum i post too. She got in trouble for posting the illegal stuff she did.

 

[leight]

At my publix- I hand them the coupons at the beginning and I have it segregated by store coupons, competitor and lastly manufacturer-free items are always last on my line of items so they can write them in easily. That way the cashier can check them as they ring it up. And they check all the items. I was shocked that they just took her stacked coupons and didn't verify.

 

[Marionnette]

At my publix- I hand them the coupons at the beginning and I have it segregated by store coupons, competitor and lastly manufacturer-free items are always last on my line of items so they can write them in easily. That way the cashier can check them as they ring it up. And they check all the items. I was shocked that they just took her stacked coupons and didn't verify.

I wasn't surprised. The checkers in my area never glance at the coupons until it's time to scan them. If I hand them over before checkout begins, they just put them off to the side. I can see how a sneaky person could bury a bunch of coupons for items they didn't buy into their pile. And with the pressure to keep their line moving, a cashier might be more inclined to push a coupon thru on a large order rather than look for the item when the register beeps.

I think that J'aime was well aware of this and took advantage of it to its fullest. I doubt that she will be able to perpetuate that scam any more.

 

[cm8]

For the most part I think it is very unfair to hold the cashier accountable for anything.

YOu might have a $50. or so order and at the end you hand the cashier a few coupons. Meanwhile the bag boy has already taken care of most of the items. Do you and the people behind you expect the cashier to go looking for the items to match up the coupons with?

Better would be random secondary screening on the way out after checking out, and a provision for surcharges that would deter coupon fraud.

And manufacturers need to reimburse stores more for handling coupons, if only a few coupons of a particular brand are redeemed each month.

"Let's take that off line"

I would like to see all coupon fights handled at a secondary screening station. If the register accepts the coupon then the cashier is not accountable. If not then the customer has to pay full price and submit the coupon and his shopping cart and the receipt at the secondary screening station.

Our Commissary is already set up that way except in reverse. The coupon does not scan if the items are not what it has listed on the bar code. If you do have the correct items and it is just unreadable, a cashier has to verify that you have the correct items and have a manger come over and override the system once he/she has already verified it as well . It may take longer, but the system really does work!

 

[leight]

I would like to see all coupon fights handled at a secondary screening station. If the register accepts the coupon then the cashier is not accountable. If not then the customer has to pay full price and submit the coupon and his shopping cart and the receipt at the secondary screening station.

I just noticed this in your post- can you imagine if J'aime had to pay the out of pocket $1900 then settle for the coupons to be deducted at the secondary screening? That would be a show. I know most of the time it would be a small reimbursement- a few bucks for one or multiples of the same coupons- but visualizing her face falling while she had to say that she couldn't afford the 4 wagonloads made my day!

 

[momof2intx]

I went to Tom Thumb the other day and had a $.35 off coupon for an item that I actually forgot to pick up. When the cashier came upon that one in my stack I noticed that he forced it through without even blinking. I caught him and told him that I forgot that item and he seemed embarrassed that he had to correct himself!

 

[Nayan]

It is listed in my guide that they will be re-running this episode tomorrow night before the new one. I wonder if they'll say anything .