The Coupon Whisperer: "You're Cheating the System"

The Coupon Whisperer ^ | February 10, 2011 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

"You do know that you're cheating the system."

Those were the actual words said to me by a clueless cashier the other day.

Cheating? How? Was I using counterfeit coupons? No.

Was I using coupons for unauthorized items? No.

Was I using too many coupons? No.

[Smokin' Joe]

While I consider your perception shrewd, if you think it would take 40 sales of $40,000 vehicles for the dealer to recoup the loss, it is apparent you don't own a car dealership either, LOL!(Keep in mind the $40,000 is retail, so the 'loss' wouldn't be $40,000, either.)

It depends on the area, the market there, and the people, but in this neck of the woods, "honesty" as percieved by the people who buy cars goes a long way.

It could have led to significant sales, especially if they sell used vehicles as well.

[Hoosier Catholic Momma]

Well, I had to go out and shovel the driveway so I can get out of it later. I loaded up on wine on Tuesday before the snow hit, so I’m good! Mommy’s decided her birthday dinner is going to be pizza, and the kids didn’t argue ;)

When dh and I were first married and he was an E-4 in the Navy, I became a couponing fool. I went to Von’s with my double coupons and then went to WalMart next door (no Supercenters back then) to finish my shopping. I would save $30 or more most trips, including using one of the store’s cards that gave you extra cents off (20 cents here and there adds up) on certain items.

I haven’t been as good at doing it as I used to be, but I’m trying to get back into it.

BTW, it will be up in the 60s by Sunday, so the snow will disappear as fast as it came!

[GailA]

Yeah, but those kids and wife use a ton of shampoo. My purchase was my hair color which ended up costing $2, 2 hair gels (a year’s supply for me) and shampoo for hubby (6 month supply there). They were all on sale, all had a coupon.

I always check the mark down’s first as the coupons apply to them as well. Target’s is the highest priced of the 3 discount stores around Memphis, and the longest distance away, the increased gas use would not be cost effective.

Laundry products have risen the most in cost along with shampoo, creme rinse and other hair products. So I’ve a stock pile of my hair grooming aids. Since hubby uses dandruff stuff it does not go on sale very often but he only uses 2 bottles a year (dime size does it for short hair). Hardest thing to stock is Fixodent for his teeth...it doesn’t have a good shelf life.

[antiRepublicrat]

The cashiers and managers where we go never freak out because they’re used to it by now, in fact they congratulate us sometimes on working the savings so high. But you should see the people behind us when the cashier says something like “You saved $273 today” on one shopping cart full of food.

Now if only I could get coupons for my local farmer’s markets. That’s where we blow the big money on food, but I think of it as the coupons helping us spend more on the healthy, fresh stuff. Even then sometimes I’ll hit one of the farmer’s markets at the end of the day and make a low offer on their last crate of apples or oranges or such. They’re usually glad to get it off their hands. You can get some good deals that way, but you have to be flexible.

[GailA]

I use to do most of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, until they REMOVED the fabric department, I’d do the groceries when I went for fabric. Their loss for being STUPID, because I’m not the only quilter that did the same. Kroger’s was 5 blocks closer plus I earn fuel points and can get 10 cents a gal off at least 1 tank of gas, usually 2 per month.

Now I do 95% of my grocery shopping at Kroger’s which doubles my coupons up to 60 cents. And honors the BOGO coupons.

[GailA]

Only thing the local fish wrapper is good for the Sunday coupons and flyers.

[Jean2]

Amen to that!

[Stentor]

Abuse of good faith marketing?

I can hear St. Peter at the pearly gates now. "You go with that red fellow with the pitchfork over there. You abused good faith marketing. By the way, cashiers are in charge of the heating system." Please.

[Nailbiter]

ping;readlater

[SampleMan]

So going back to my example, if Joe’s filling station puts out a coupon for $1 off every fill-up, you are A-OK filling-up five times a day.

OK, I’m not OK with it. We already know what Joe thinks.

[SampleMan]

I infer from your post that you are also OK with getting 15 of the same free sample (or 30 for that matter) at the grocery store, because “hey its free, and I’m just being smart”.

[freedumb2003]

>>The bill was real low but the customer behind me, who looked like an angry gym teacher <<

is there any other kind of gym teacher?

[Rad_J]

Yeah, the people in line behind my wife who aren’t annoyed often say something like wow, I need to start using coupons.

Our motto is never pay retail for anything.

[woodbutcher1963]

Most of the coupons I use are on drugstore items.
I find the best deals are at CVS.

[woodbutcher1963]

Good for you !
I had a similar experience at a store when I was buying a ceiling fan at a greatly reduced price. Called the mgr over and she took care of it.

FYI, my local CVS is VERY helpful with coupon use and EXTRA CARE bucks, especially the manager. That is why I like them better than Walgreens.

Keep in mind CVS will give rainchecks on sale items when the are out of stock. They will also let you use competitors coupons such as Walgreens.

Another tip: Sign up online for CVS customer surveys. They usually take about 15 minutes. The last one was good for a $5.00 coupon good for anything at the store.

[redhead]

"I prefer to live in the Land of True BOGO than in the Land of Doubles. I find the former deal is better."

If you are looking for good deals on vitamin supplements, you can't go wrong with Puritan's Pride. They have a neat deal on their house brand stuff: buy one, get two free; buy two, get three free, buy three, get three free, etc. Stocking up on vitamins and minerals has never been cheaper for me.

[freedumb2003]

Here you go, folks — Charles, I hope you can appreciate this:

“The legend of Clippy Jack”

Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
‘Bout a super coupon clipper
and the market down below

In his hands there was the treasures
clipped inside a grimy envelope
and the snot nosed assistant manager
was ready, to look at them — and then say “NOPE!”

go ahead and clip your coupons
go ahead until you perspire
do it all the weekend
you can’t use them if they expire
There won’t be any cash value
come the redemption day
on the cashier tape roll
“No store doubling” was all it said

So the people in the line
sent a message to the jerk
can you please just get this done
the rest of us have to get to work

Came an answer from the whisperer
with all of you I will share
Hot dogs 2 for 1
an extra coupon is over here

go ahead and clip your coupons
go ahead until you perspire
do it all the weekend
you can’t use them if they expire
There won’t be any cash value
come the redemption day
on the cashier tape roll
“No store doubling” was all it said

Now the cashier cries with anger
You are gaming the system - fraud!
and he tore up all the coupons
and now we know he was then fired

Now they stood inside the line
In front of the cashier, whose face was red
Grabbed the coupon and read the fine print
“1 to a customer”
was all it said!

[redhead]

"I figure if industry didn’t like this they’d have put measures in place to stop it over the last 40 years. I see it as most people who use coupons don’t save all that much money, but it does entice them to try new brands. The big savers who you hear about are publicity for coupons, encouraging people to use them, and thus try new brands without really saving much overall."

You are probably performing a patriotic service. By keeping inventories consumed, you assure that the factories will continue to produce more, people who work in those factories will be keeping their jobs a little longer, and so on.

What's better, in one's mind--to buy a lot now, or have to try to buy a little bit, later?

[antiRepublicrat]

You remind me of that Family Guy episode when Peter kept coming around to the sample booth with disguises so he could keep eating more. That is until the guy running the booth told him to quit bothering with disguises, he can have all he wants anyway.

[youngidiot]

My wife is a crazy coupon nazi. She has me in on the act, emailing me coupons to print out and so forth. She loves to lay in the bed and read off the receipt. “Look, I got two things of honey for nine cents.” She's ate up with it. But she saves a lot.