This will be my only post on the show regarding extreme couponers. I will never see the show since we cut out cable years ago when we were serious about getting out of debt. However, I cannot avoid the damn thing! Well intentioned folks say, "Meghan, that's your show." "You should be on that!" "When are we going to see you on there?" Never. This show is bad news for couponers.
Last week Coupons, Deals, and More brought up an excellent point about Kroger (Fred Meyer and QFC are affiliated) stopping double couponing in the Houston area after an episode aired. Jill Cataldo wrote an interesting article on 4.6. The follow up article from 4.8 is pretty powerful regarding one extreme couponer's use of coupons. Instead of matching items, the couponer is matching family codes and the computer/cash register excepts them. I'm not sure after 60-some coupons why the cashier never read them to see if the correct product was being purchased or if there was a limit to the coupon. Coupon fraud is serious. What the manufacturer writes on the coupon is what the coupon is to be used for--not the coupon code, if you know how to read those.
As I teach in class, coupon fraud hurts everyone. The stores will not be reimbursed, the managers will come down on cashiers, and then cashiers will scrutinize every little coupon making saving less enjoyable and sometimes down right impossible. I have never had applause for my savings, but it is nice to run into friendly cashiers who understand and appreciate savings.
New coupon coding standards have been in the works for years and coupon changes are coming. More information will be stored on the coupon itself. Aside from being more product specific, coupon codes could become area specific and there goes trading for better coupon values! Although the show may hasten some changes, know that other changes have been on the way for a long time.
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