I am so mad! A couple of Sundays ago I hit my local Walgreens really early on a Sunday morning. I was hoping to load up on some of the free after register rewards items available and do you know what happened? Nothing! that’s what happened! the shelves were completely empty. I was so upset! I had 40 of these coupons I was hoping to use that morning and instead I walked away empty handed. That’s not all of it either. I found a tearpad of coupons at my grocery store and was hoping to get a good wad of them for me to use later. Instead I had to content myself with the last three coupons available.
I am just tired of all of these “coupon newbies” who keep clearing MY stores. How am I supposed to build my Empire State Building Replica ut of body wash bottles? You should see these newbies at the stores, trying to figure out the deals. I don’t even bother helping them or telling them about this awesome couponing ebook I came across because I don’t want to encourage them. I want them to stop so I can go back to being the only one getting the awesome deals at my store.
Does this rant sound familiar to you? Maybe you have come across it on another blog, or forum. Let me tell you something NOT tongue in cheek like the fake rant above. It makes me SAD. It makes me sad to think that there are people out there who think learning how to save money by using coupons needs to remain a secret, a sort of “secret” society. One where only the “savvy” ones get to partake on the secret loot.
Yes, it is true that the show Extreme Couponing has brought a lot of attention on the subject. It is also true that it has brought out the worst on some people. But complaining about the inconvenience this causes you is not the answer. Be Proactive and do something about it! If you have been the victim of someone who has poor shopping etiquette, take the time to talk to the store manager. Explain how ultimately store sales suffer when one person hoards all of the deals and the vast majority finds empty shelves. Suggest they keep a better stock or even suggest they consider implementing store limits. If your store has changed their coupon policy because of an increase in coupon fraud, help them along. Help them keep track of fraudulent coupons better by suggesting they visit the Coupon Information Center online and see the list of coupon fraud alerts.
These are just a couple of things YOU can do to lessen the impact of the increased interest in couponing. I want to hear what else YOU are doing about this too.
Well said Mercedes !
I agree with you! I’ve been sharing my savings for over a year and a half now- because I think everyone should be able to get the deals- not just me or you! I know too many people living paycheck to paycheck that could give up a little time to find some deals to save them money to use elsewhere. In my case its so my family can do things they aren’t normally able to do- like vacations and such. I did get disappointed going to my Walgreens this weekend and not getting in on the Scott Paper Towel deal. No rain checks, and no substitutions, but hey… thats what happens! Not everyone can get the best deals. But be glad some people can!
I <3 using coupons and stacking a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon on a store sale. HOWEVER, I am not a shelf cleaner and I don't have hordes of stuff lying around just waiting to go bad either.
What I'd like to see of this show is exactly HOW often these people do this? If they shop once every six months or is it every couple of weeks, or what?? And does their stuff go bad?? Because then who cares if it's free if you have to throw it away??
I see stores, manufacturers, etc. getting a lot stricter in light of this show….
That is EXACTLY my point too, I fear they’re going to ruin it for the rest of us, the majority that use coupons with good common sense and common courtesy. I think coupons are going to become harder to get due to less distribution by the manufacturer of these products. And I do think this type of “extreme” couponing should be considered coupon fraud, and the stores these individuals frequent should put a limit to THEIR specific situations, not everyone does that and so not everyone should be punished. Like a bad checks list or flagging program. Most places do that, they don’t just stop taking checks. I wonder what’s going to happen to these people when policies and distribution does change, how they’re going to “feed” their families then.
Wow, I just looked up the coupon information center and looked at all the counterfit coupons. I would like to know what these people were thinking. One of the coupons said $9.50 off one tide detergent……Really? It seriously blows my mind that people think they can do this kind of thing and get away with it. What happened to working like the rest of us to find good deals. You can get free stuff with the right deal without cheating the system.
I LOVE IT! Couponing is a way of life for some of us. I do this so that I can have a food pantry that provides for local families in need. No, I’m not the local food pantry, I do this all on my own and it’s people that I meet in my daily life that I offer my help to. I stock up on non perishable foods, household, personal care and baby items and when i hear of a need, I slip the info to the person and they come to my home and take what they need. One of the families that I have been helping this past year consist of 9 people, the grandparents are raising 5 grandchildren as their mom died suddenly 17 months ago. they benifit from my help but I BENIFIT also, as the grandfather delivers the paper and he makes sure every Sunday that I get a bundle or two of papers so that I have the coupons to keep my shelves stocked. it’s his way of paying it forward. As to all the “Newbies” I LOVE IT, everywhere I go I take time to teach couponing. I show them how to calculate the deals, I teach them the ins and outs, I have even printed up little business size cards with all my favorite coupon sites and hand them out–I joke that my grocery shopping takes me an hour but it takes me 3 hours by the time i talk to fellow couponers. 🙂
I really wish I could run into someone like you when I’m shopping. I’m really struggling to get a hang on couponing. The best I’ve done is a 44% savings, but I would really like to figure out how to increase that ALOT.
Good for you, Roxanne! You definitely both win!
That’s funny about how long it takes you to shop…that’s why my oldest son doesn’t care to go w/me. People often stop me and ask questions & I enjoy giving them tips. I like your idea about business cards.
I rant all the time on my Facebook and blog about the show… not because I don’t want to see new couponers, that part excites me, but it’s the way they’re being taught that I hate. It leads to a complete misconception of how coupon shopping should be.
I am happy more attention is being brought to couponing, it definitely doesn’t need to be a “secret society” because it can be so beneficial to any family.
Managers try to stop the insane new couponers that are taking after this show (no, not all of them do, most really just want to learn) but it’s very hard for them to do anything in store without corporate changing some policies, which is whats starting to happen now. A good friend of mine is a manager at Walgreens and he’s said he’s seen some of the worst couponers than ever this year who have yelled and cussed him, blaming him for not having more than 50 of an item, spit in his face (yes… sadly, that happened).
It’s sad that this show is teaching all of that, it wouldn’t be a big deal IF they showed how to do it responsibly and not to build up some amazing stockpile that flows room to room just to stare at it all day long.
But I admit, I am highly annoyed that I go into the store first thing Sunday morning for two items and someone has cleared out the entire store first thing that morning. Just last year you could go in halfway through a sale and still find deals but now if you miss out first day in most areas you’re out of luck.
It’s not the new couponers or even the store stock (they blame the manufacturer for the stock of sale items) it’s the way they’re being taught and being taught by the TV show that it’s okay to get an attitude with the cashier because you have too many items, or it’s okay to buy 100 of an item just because it’s free, etc etc etc.
Talking to your store is a great thing to do and so is talking with a couponer you see getting out of line (i’ve had no problem doing that) but it also helps to take action and contact TLC about the way they are portraying this lifestyle.
Laura,
Very well said. I took a break from the computer last night and tried to relax with a little bit of TV…as luck (not!) would have it, I saw Extreme Couponing was on. I had to force myself to watch the whole episode just to see if it turned out as badly as I thought it would…yes, it left the same bitter taste in my mouth as the only other episode I’ve watched. This show has done much more harm than good (in my opinion). The name of the show really needs to be changed to “Extreme Hoarding”, because that’s all I’ve seen so far.
Thank you! I 100% agree! I teach coupon/frugalista workshops for free- imagine that! Some participants have approached me to ask for secret tips or to ask me to hush the deals until after they can “score the loot” early on Sunday. I want to be sick. If I can do it, everyone can do it. I stress couponing with kindness. Have 40 years of TP- share with 40 families. This is only a fun game to play if it is for the greater good! Thank you for all you have taught me. Thank you for this wonderful post!
I agree, you need to be proactive, and don’t complain about empty shelves when even you are planning to use 40 coupons! hehe maybe next time if you go earlier you could be the one who gets the deals and the other people will find empty shelves…
But one thing is for sure, Wags doesn’t plan their sales, they don’t optimize inventories, they need to react to this, I don’t get it! this is big business and they ruin it.
Just my 2 cents…
I didn’t even read more than a few sentences of this rant. 40 coupons? “I was hoping to get a good wad of these for me.” It’s actually people like you that ruin it for everyone else. Those coupons aren’t so that one person can take them all! And sure, saving 40 coupons to use is a lot of work, and good for you. But it’s people like you that are unnecessarily clearing out the stock and not allowing people like me even take advantage of one coupon. Just like the show, it’s hoarding.
Please read a little further and you’ll see that Mercedes was not talking about herself. If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ll know that she is not an advocate of shelf-clearing, and certainly not one to hoard deals. Read the rest of it and you’ll understand.
Bridgitt, you really should have read more than a few sentences because the “rant” was a fake rant and not at all what Common Sense with Money had to say about the issue. Maybe take the time to read the rest, and you’ll see what I mean (and hope your immediate judgement wasn’t too hurtful). 🙂
You really should read all of the post before replying! Common Sense with Money has been around for about 3 yrs now if not longer and she knows how to stockpile and spend money! She doesn’t HORD!
People like you need to learn how to get the facts straight before accusing people of hurtful things!
Oooooops! You must be so embarrassed right about now! Tsk, tsk……guess you should’ve read more than a few sentences, lol.
I played coupon fairy on Monday! We went to $ General for Kool-Aid, but they only had 3 flavors, so I didn’t get it there. We went to Winn Dixie and I left my buy 10 get 5 free kool-aid coupons on the shelf there. They were expiring on 5/31/11 and I have 5 of them! lol
I do the same thing. If I have coupons I’m not going to use that are about to expire I leave them right by the product so someone else can use them. Never thought of being the “Coupon Fairy” that is cool!
I agree completely–the stores need to either set limits on these crazy-I’m-buying-up-everything-before-anyone-else-can-get-to-it people or order more stock! I live outside of town and have to plan my shopping strategically according to stocking at some stores. Come on, people–if you are buying things to HOARD, don’t do it! Give it away, do something with it!!!!
I completely agree and that’s one reason I don’t even bother with the drugstores after 9am around here. Everything is already gone. I watched the first episode of the show and I thought those stockpiles were a little obscene. We can’t use more than 20 coupons a day at most stores in my area, and that’s fine with me. I don’t stockpile, I use my coupons to save money on things we really need and the occasional splurge. I think that show has already caused some stores to revise their coupon policy and I expect others will follow suit over time. Walgreens has already denied us stacking a manufacturers coupon with one from their monthly booklet and that was quite disappointing. Teaching people to use coupons to save money is one thing, but to empty store shelves, leaving none for others, is teaching greed, in my opinion.
I have only been following Mercedes for about 5 weeks, but with her posts and notes, I have been able to do really good. I went shopping sunday and thasnks to the posts I was able to get $365.97 in groceries and personal care items with price matching and coupons for $80.56. I was able to cookout for Memorial Day with my family when I wasn’t sure I would have the money due to unexpected expenses. I have been working on care packages for my nephew’s unit that is scheduled to go to Afghanistan in August. I have also made sure I never clear the shelf. I may have to go somewhere else to find what I need, but common courtesy is always first an foremost. I have also found that if you bring it to the store manager’s attention t my WAGS what will be a hot coupon thing the next week she will order extra. It may be tuesday before she gets it but she will get it. I have a small stockpile of things that are usually really high priced because I found them on sale and my coupons made them cheap or even free. Being prepared for your family in the event of a major change is different than hoarding. I am glad I had my stockpile of detergent and personal care items because when my 20 y/o lost her job I didn’t have to worry about finding the extra money to buy things she had been buying.
Thank you for providing the matchups and dels for those of us that use it responsibly. Thank you for helping me help others.
I also helped a lady at walmart the other day. She was looking at detergent and told her husband she would rather have one brand but was going to buy another so she had the money for a gift for a grandchild. I happened to have a $3/1 coupon for what she really wanted and it made it cheaper than the off brand. Made me feel good helping them.
That’s awesome. Couponing should be about saving money for our family so that we can also help others. Kudos to you!!!
That show makes me kind of sick. I mean I’m all for the people who donate to shelters and foodbanks and such, but the people who have 40 bags of potato chips just because… why exactly? Sure I didn’t really do much couponing until I saw the show, but you know what? I do good to have maybe 3 of one coupon, and I actually feel kinda guilty buying 3 of one thing at one time, even if the shelf is completely full!!! Maybe I’m not cut out for it… Or I just have values…??
“I had 40 of these coupons “?? “a tearpad of coupons at my grocery store and was hoping to get a good wad of them for me to use later. Instead I had to content myself with the last three coupons available.” ???
Who’s the EXTREME COUPONER calling the kettle black here ?? I’ve never had 40 coupons on one item or ever bought 40 items at the same time. Geez!
As noted to a previous poster…if you had read this entire entry, you would have known that Mercedes was being facetious. She goes on to say that her “fake rant” was really to prove a point…and that is to coupon responsibly. People would do well to read all of a post before they make fools of themselves by commenting. 🙁
Yep, here we go again….
Face palm…
Thanks for all your wonderful help Mercedes!!
I’m new to couponing as well and it makes it hard when the shelves are cleared. What about the people who really needed that deal? What about the woman above is making care packages for her soldier? I coupon so I can continue sponsoring a child in Peru and fostering rescue dogs. The only difference between Hoarding and Extreme Couponing is organization. Both are diseases.
i’m new to this too. i’ve been using coupons but not has much as i have been lately but i’m not one u needs alot of stuff like ppl with kids i’m 53 and it just me and my husband and i don’t have alot of room to store thing. i just want to cut down on spending and start saving to save money. it sounds like this lady doesn’t want to help anyone sounds like she wants to horde it for herself and wants to blame the show. and her cash cow has moved to a different day. she should b able to get rain checks and someof the stuff and still do what she wants . just a different day. but u are right she should want to help ppl to save money. if i’m in a store and have a coupon that i’m not useing and i see someone else could use it i give it to them maybe it’s just me.
I do agree that the show has ruined so much but as long as people continue to watch it and give them ratings it’s going to continue. I personally have only watch 1 and that was the very first one a few months ago. When I saw that it was going to continue I said I wouldn’t watch it and I haven’t and I won’t. I went to Kroger last week to get the Excedrin they had on sale. It was $1.88 and then there was a coupon for $1 off on the box (they told that in their ad) so you got it for .88. The shelves weren’t completely empty but what was left on there someone had taken all the coupons off of them. My question is, what happened to this world where people want to hoard and not help others. Those people need to remember the saying “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you” I don’t think the stores putting a limit on things would help because people would just make multiple trips or transactions. Unless, it’s at Rite Aid or CVS where your card keeps up with if you’ve already gotten your limit. It’s frustrating to me because I have to drive 25 miles to get to the store just to find the shelves empty. I do think the stores could do better as far as how much they order. I’ve had a rain check for Motrin PM for Rite Aid for months now and they still won’t keep it on the shelves.
The best advice I learned from my couponing class was to purchase what your family would need for a six week period. The sales cycles around every six to eight weeks. There’s really no reason to hord. The people of the show are like adicts or gamblers. They just can’t get enough. They get a high off the free/good deals and don’t know when enough is enough.
If everyone would quite watching the show then the ratings would go down and it would go off. I’ve only watched 1 time which was the first episode months ago and I said I wouldn’t ever watch it again. I haven’t and I won’t ever.
First of all I HAVE tought a few people about coupons but I don’t like the show I’m not against helping people learn couponing it’s just that since the show has aired it has made getting deals harder and the coupon policies continue to change. I fear that with the added couponers stores will continue to make getting a deal that much more difficult. I too don’t watch the show and I say that if you want the show to go away just don’t tune in. I also fear that with the show people have learned the WRONG way to shop with coupons not only with clearing the shelves but using coupons for the wrong items.
I live in an area where couponing just didn’t used to be something people did. I was one of the few who actually used coupons, and never had any problems finding a deal. Of course, times have changed and now it seems like everyone uses them. I have no problem with it, but I DO have a huge problem with people thinking they have to clear the shelves the first day of the sale and with the stores not having enough stock for everyone else. If you don’t get to the store on a Sunday morning, you don’t get the products for the week where I live now. It’s almost becoming impossible to get any deals at all with coupons to make it worth buying them, because people hoard. I will gladly tell people about great deals, and I will gladly help them with their shopping and even share coupons. I’ve never been one to clear a shelf, I just go several times a week to the store and buy a few each time. Or at least I used to, until I stopped being able to find merchandise.
The show honestly hasn’t done couponing justice, it just produces shock value that others think they have to keep up with. The rest of us who are dependent upon coupons and deals to make ends meet are left with nothing, and it’s just not fair. I can agree that the show is ruining things for lots of people, but it’s because of both the stores and those who can be selfish and try to ruin things for others. It’s not just the average newbie couponer who’s at fault, and I admire anyone for wanting to save money. I can only hope that stores will start to try to keep up with the demand and try to supply more product rather than keep selling out in one or two days.
Its because of people like her who HORDE all of the product for no reason whatsoever (oh im sorry u need to make ur empire state building of body washes just so they can go to waste) people like myself with a small family who like to also take part in deals but in a smaller scale IMPOSSIBLE! !! Let me just say Mercedes I love ur site and I thank you so much for all your time and effort you put in to help save me money!! The horders should be ashamed of themselves for taking all the product from people who truly need it. Do something useful with your skill and give ur stockpile to the needy.
Couponing has absolutely changed my life as well as the lives of those around me. It’s nice to buy NICE things and stay within my budget. I was so sick of buying everything generic or settling for poor quality items becuase it was what I could afford.
Clearing the shelf is absolutely horrible. There is nothing worse!
Sharing is the best!! Couponing should not be a secret society 🙂 If a cashier is impressed with my purchase, I always share your website as well as any extra coupons that I have. I am also really enjoying putting care packages together. So many of my friends were hit hard by the recession. I love putting together a box of freebies (or nearly free) items (razors, soap, shampoo/conditioner, cleaning supplies, etc).
I love the coupon community! So friendly, welcoming and kind. People helping others…. this is what makes our world a better place 🙂
Good post!!! I totally agree with you!! I also enjoy making care boxes for my friends and family!! Glad to know there are some really nice couponers out there, just wish more of them lived around me!!
I have used Mercedes site for over a year now and love all the deals she puts together for us. My savings are always minimal because we dont have any stores in our area that double, let alone triple. Our Wags recently stopped stacking coupons, allowing only 1 coupon per item. 🙁
I have 3 grown children out on their own and starting families. I;ll use 4 coupons at a time on some items, just to help them out. If I ever collect 250 lbs of toothpaste and gloat and giggle about it, I hope someone lets me know I have a problem. I agree with the poster above, its just organized hoarding.
I get so frustrated with the Extreme Couponing mentality. I do have food storage, but have built it–and continue to build it–slowly. I’ve been couponing for about a year, buying only the items that my family needs/uses and picking up a few things at a time. And, unfortunately, I’ve noticed problems with shelf clearing since the show started.
My hope is that it’s craze that will blow over. I’ve already had some of my friends try it, but then say that all the planning and organizing takes them too much time.
I work for walgreens and believe me we do set limits but people will do another transaction or get another family member to buy it..they even ask me for so many rainchecks for their “different family members” it is definitely frustrating. I have recently come in to couponing and it bugs me also when i go in sunday morning and there is nothing left. My store is getting a little better at ordering for the sale but the shelves are still empty. People need to only buy what they need because it just isn’t fair for others
Thanks for this post!! I had a bad experience this past Sunday with a fellow couponer at my local Walgreens. I had went in around 11am, and found everything gone!! When I went to talk to the cashier that helps me get the best deals, there was the other couponer! Every time I asked the cashier if they had anymore of something, the lady would chuckle at me!! Then the last thing I asked for, she laughed and said “nope, i took all those too, guess you wont be getting those register rewards!!” I was so angry!! I went to the manager and explained the problem, then asked him if i could bring the barcode from the product i had at home so he could order me some!! He said it was a great idea, so i went back and they rang the item up the amount of times i needed, then ordered them for me!! so i got the register rewards and the product is on the way!! It really upset me that she was that way! I never clear a shelf, i take a few then the day before the sale ends, i take a few more,if i need more than what i end up with,i ask the manager to let me pay for them, and he orders them for me!! I try my hardest to help anyone who is willing to let me help, i have given away almost $20 worth of coupons at a time to help someone else!! I have also decided to offer a “class” to teach others here locally to coupon!! my plan is to collect some coupons and set them up with a small starter collection, then spend an afternoon teaching what i have learned from here and others!! Then i want to take them on a “shopping” trip to show them how!! I think we all have the right to use a coupon to save money, and NO ONE should be greedy or hateful to fellow couponers!! It makes me happy anytime i see someone using a coupon!!
Thanks to everyone who has posted tips on here, because i have probably used it at some point in time to get a better deal!!!
And thank you Mercedes more than any, I look forward to your posts every time i get online!! You have helped me save my family thousands already!!
~*NiKi*~
Good for u auntie bubbles. Ur doing a good thing by helping ur friends…..ur taking what u do and puttinit to good use! I and im sure the people who receive these packages are truly greatful!! Couponing and saving money us a wonderful thing but abusing it is just wrong! And to all u ladies who help others save……I comend you as well!
I work at a local Walgreens store and really I am nice to all my customers and am one of the few there that can spend alot of time with patience on some of these couponing people HOWEVER we really can’t stand to see you guys come in with your 4 inch binders. I have had some tell me that we are much nicer than the associates at Rite Aid and WE ARE, its our job, however we really are just bitting our tongues when you guys come in. Even the store manager frowns. I have worked for 2 Walgreens in 2 different states and both managers frown. They do realize that the coupons does pay the store back, and they really don’t mind that you are trying to save, the point that makes us frown is that MOST of the time we do have plenty of the items advertised BUT all it takes is a family, man and wife, etc to come in and empty the shelves completey. Some of us employees don’t even get the chance to get a sale with a coupon (SINGLE ITEM, not bunches). EXAMPLE: Sunday morning I bought 3 of the “Icy Hot Naturals” that was .99 and you got .99 back in RR. We had a whole shelf FULL. I almost didn’t get them but I figured I should because I was afraid when I came in later that night they would ALL be gone and they are really small tubes so thats why I even got 3, well what do ya know when I came in that night EVERY SINGLE ONE was gone, just as I figured. We had a VERY large supply of it BUT like I said, “all it takes is 1 to empty the shelves so noone else can get any”
Another thing that makes people in general and employees frown is when you go to the front checkouts to checkout and take your time doing all the separate transactions so you can get ALL the Register Rewards. It is VERY rude to hold up a line while you can do all separate transactions. It wouldn’t be too bad if you let some of the people go ahead of you between your transactions but while your taking the time to decide in what order you want to buy things and how the transactions going to work, other people get very frustrated at the whole couponing ordeal. Iif you are going to do all these separate transactions all you have to do is ask for someone to open up in cosmetics or photo to ring up your order, where the steady flow of customers don’t have to wait in the front main line. There should always be someone in either of those departments throughout the day, so just ask instead of going right up front.
I have learned ALOT from ringing in coupons with couponers HOWEVER due to the show I have come to the conclusion that I HATE that that show ever aired because its VERY RUDE not to leave any for other people, and to hold up the lines while you fumble through the order of your coupons and to have separate transactions done and on top of that, they are SOOO focused on saving a buck sometimes they don’t use common sense. I had a lady come in yesterday, she picked up 6 boxes of Tide powder detergent along with other items she had coupons for that were on sale. The Tide wasn’t on sale, however next to it was Arm and Hammer powder detergent but there was no Arm and Hammer left, it was signed on sale at 2/$6.99 (pretty much a bogo offer). It was a bright yellow sign specifically stating “Arm and Hammer” but the Tide was in its place cause we had some come in and no place to put it. She brought up all the Tides and thought that Tide laundry detergent was 2/$6.99. UGH…..I seriously doubt you will EVER find Tide that cheap OR on a bogo offer. I mean, come on people use your head while your doing this stuff. I don’t think that 1 box of Tide at Walgreens is even $6.99. Then she had a BC powder coupon for 18 ct and over, she was trying to us it on the one that is free this week with RR which is a smaller pack. THEN, she was buying Tone body wash, it specified on the coupon 2 different scents which we were out of, and she was trying to buy other scents and the coupons would not scan. Okay so then you wonder why we get so frustrated and the manager gets frustrated cause some just don’t know how to go about it doing this whole couponing the right way meanwhile she had a binder bigger than a knowledgable couponer.
Last but not least, if you come in as a group. PLEASE don’t checkout in 2 different locations cause that holds up our lines also. If you and a friend are both couponers please checkout in the same line, perferable cosmetics or photo even if you have to request someone to go over there. The store manager would most likely prefer you to do that as well so other shoppers are happy too without having to stand in line waiting.
Those are just some of the things that couponers need to be aware of. Im really not trying to be ugly or rude myself cause I really get along quite well with some of my stores couponers BUT just trying to teach a little on here to help EVERYONE (the couponer, the store, management and the clerk) make it go easier.
Thanks for reading my post and I do hope this helps in future shopping experiences:)
There are a few issues I have with this post…people shouldn’t feel bad for bringing in their coupon binders (or whatever they use) into a Walgreens, as long as they are following the coupon policy and aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s embarassing to think that a manager or store employee “fowns” at a person from the moment they set foot in the door. Couponers (along with non-couponers) are the ones that make the store continue to thrive in this economy – they should be grateful people are still shopping there (my opinion is that Walgreens is very over-priced, UNLESS you do the sales/RR deals) so of course, I’m going to use coupons. Otherwise, I’d be over at CVS. I just think it is a shame that you associate one obsessive, hoarding couponer to be like every other normal couponer. I am not that way, and I don’t want to be judged from the second I walk into the store. Don’t judge people, please.
Also, if managers etc. get so upset by people cleaning the shelves (it makes me upset, too) then why the heck don’t they start some sort of limit like CVS has? I almost never have issues buying stuff on sale that gets an Extra Care Buck (similar to RR’s at Wags) because most of those amazing free, or nearly free deals have a limit of one or two per household because you have to scan your free card in order to get the deal. It doesn’t take a genious to set up a system like that.
Anyway, that is just my opinion…please, let’s not assume negative intent in people, especially people using coupons, but positive intent!
Apparently, I was typing too fast and can’t spell- haha.
Corrections – *”fowns” should be “frowns”
And *cleaning should be “clearing” the shelves =)
I agree Walgreens should have a limit but it wouldn’t matter anyway cause people tend to get every family member to come in with them, they don’t have to act like they are together. Perfect example, I do think it says on the RR deals in the weekly only 1 per household but I am not for sure, never really looked at it, so thats why people do the separate transactions.
Another thing, it is NOT up to management to decide to tell people that they want to start a limit on items, that is a corporate thing that has to inforce that issue. Once corporate gives management a heads up then management can inforce it but until then we have to continue to “Grin and Bear It’…..lol
Ohps, meant “enforce” not inforce…..:)
Um… you took 3 Icy Hots. Someone didn’t get ONE. To that person, you are a hoarder. Understand that if you coupon, you should have some level of understanding. I feel sad for you that you have such problems with other couponers. Yes, there are some with some issues, but that comes with the territory.
I am not a hoarder. LIKE I SAID in my post, they were ONLY .5 ounce size and my son plays football so he NEEDs them. I didn’t buy them with the intensions of NEVER using them and hoarding them away to expire on the shelf AND I did not use ANY coupons to buy them. If Walgreens did have a limit, I highly doubt that 3 would be over the limit.
I am not saying that you are a hoarder. But I am saying that to someone else who didn’t get the deal at all, getting three is a lot. This does happen. So please be understanding of others who do get the deals. It’s such a fine line. Everyone has a different view of what is acceptable and what is not. And truly, whether or not you used a coupon is not as important. You got the deal, and if I’m not mistaken, you get an employee discount, which is great. I’m all for bonuses for employees. I think it is important that people realize that you can be a customer, too.
What I was trying to get you to see is that being that upset at the customers for what they purchase or how they do it, as long as they are not doing something illegal, is unnecessary.
Last Saturday I saw a Walgreens employee doing her shopping early. She had Sunday’s ad and coupons and was doing some personal shopping. She even commented on how she never used sugar but her husband told her to get some, she got 2 bags leaving the shelf nearly empty and the sale hadn’t even started yet!
I have to speak up in defense of Walgreens…I shop at the store in Augusta, Maine and they have NEVER frowned at me, spoken negatively, and ALWAYS one of the cashiers ask me to let her know when I am done so that she can cash me out at the cosmetics counter. I suggest to my fellow couponers to always use that register as they are the most helpful. My cashiers even alert me to any in store coupons that I may have missed, and also allow me to use my RR even when expired if I have enough items to cover the amount of coupons (# of coupons/RR can’t exceed # of items).
Last week I also saw a Walgreens employee shopping after she got off work and I saw her with a case of Huggies swimmers, 2 cases of poligrip that was on sale for a dollar, case of oxi clean and that is just what I saw. I know that they hold onto sales items that they want for themselves because I have seen it.
We are not suppose to hold stuff for ANY employee at our store. Our manager and security are very highly strict about holding items. If we want something, we have to buy it as soon as we take it off the shelf, otherwise we get questioned.
So there maybe some stores that let their employees hold items, however, security isn’t doing their job to inforce it on the employees and does need to be reported via corporate on which stores are holding items for employees, if seen.
Thats just plain “WRONG”… Im a employee of Walgreens and thats just not right. Were not even allowed to bring out the ads until about 11pm Saturday evening, they are locked up in a cage in the back for that simple reason AND other reasons as well. It is very rare that the regular employees gets to see the ad early at my store unless they pull it up on a coupon site.
If the store is a 24 hour store like the one I work at, I will tell ya, people come in at 12 am to start their shopping to get the good deals that is 1 reason why by the early morning on Sundays we are already low or out of stock. My manager orders ALOT to make sure we don’t have that problem of running out HOWEVER we get alot of couponers that come in after 12 on Sunday morning to do their savings and it still is never enough stock especially if they buy multiples.
I also know that alot of people do get frustrated that the shelves get empty so early, well were I work we order as many as we possibly can on items that are on sale frequently such as body washes, toothpaste, deodorant etc. but upon placing the order in our RMU/talzone gun sometimes the warehouse only delivers what they can deliver no matter how many we try and order. If there is a high demand at one store and not another store then the warehouse will just send out as much as they can so theres more equal amounts per store. It is not a warehouse issue, it is more of a issue with the actual companies of the products sending the warehouse to make sure the warehouse has enough stock to send to each store.
This is very hard to explain, but if you worked their or any retail you would understand how it works more. AS far as Walmart having shelves stocked, well if they ran B1G1 deals AND you could use your B1G1 coupon on top of that then they would have empty shelves as well. ALSO, Walmart IS alot bigger company than Walgreens so they probably get alot higher shipped stock from the actual company than Walgreens does.
I do know, if you are unhappy that Walgreens is out of stock. Walmart is now advertising on TV that they will honor other stores ads. Not on RR deals but they do on B1G1 offers so that is a good piece of information also. They’ve always done it but are now advertising it.:)
I know exactly what you mean as for the employees and manager frowning upon my coming in with my coupon binder. We have 3 right in my immediate area (and more if you count a few further out). This one store is my “Don’t bother stoping at Walgreens store”. I have been treated like crap at this one, and treated wonderfully at the two others in my area. I went in one day and I was asking how the RR program worked since I am fairly new to how the program works. I happened to get the manager. She stood there for about an hour explaining to me the in’s and out’s. Which I did appreciate, but I got a clear sense that she ditessed most couponers. She explained that she wanted me to know for sure NOT TO EVER be rude to her employees when a coupon does not work as it should. I would NEVER be rude to an employee. No matter the situation. I also explained to her that I had NO intention of EVER coming in and clearing her shelves, and I really just needed to stock up on some items since my husband will be going overseas for 6 months in the military. I normally would NEVER shop at Walgreens. I use to always comment when picking up a perscription, “why would any one ever shop here, it’s so overpriced” , not knowing about the deals that come about.
Anyway, when I got to the register with my
3 packs of Cottonelle (which I had the instore coupon for and 50cent manufacturer coupon)
2 schick quatro razor refill packs (because they were buy one get one, and I have 2 X $2 off coupons for),
bag of jelly beans,
1 RR flosser pack which I intended to buy first to use on the next transaction.
The cashier started to put my toilet paper on the other side, I wasn’t sure if she was scanning them or not, I told her, “I need to purchase the flossers first”, she replied, “whoa, don’t get so excited, I haven’t scanned anything yet”. Then she stops my transaction to get another lady ciggerettes, no problem. That lady tells me, she knows about US couponers. I was like “okay”. So she rings out my flossers, no problem. Then she gets to my toilet paper, I had the book open to the store ones and the manufacturer ones on top of the page. She takes the manufacturer ones, scans them and I said, there is this one in the book too. She says “if you are going to come in here and coupon, you need to know how to hand me the coupons, STORE ONES FIRST, then Manufacturer.” So then she scans my jelly beans, and gets to my Schick refill catridges. She tries to scan the coupon and it beeps, and she makes the comment “well You probably have too many coupons”. So then she says, I am going to just finish out this transaction and we will do those one seperately. Okay. So then she scans them again and the coupons and BEEP. She scrutinizes the coupon and says, this is for a refill and this are cartridges, that must be why. I said “NO that is EXACTLY what is on the picture, a catridge is a refill” So then she gets on the load speaker and says “I need a manager for a coupon X2″. So then that lady tells her to move over and she does and then they notice that I have the second $2 off one, and she says ” you can’t use two, one of them is free, you can use a coupon on a free one, it’s FREE”. I thought their policy was to take two, even on buy one get ones. But I figured they knew. The laughed about it. Also they are debating whether this is a legitamit coupon, and I said “it came out of Sundays paper” they replied, “it can still happen”. So then she punched in the numbers on the coupon. Letting me know they shouldn’t accept it they have to punch in the numbers”. Bam Worked. So then I used my 4 RR for buying the 3 rolls of toilet paper since they would not let me use my second coupon. I left there MORTIFIED. They were loud and there were lots of other customers all lined up watching. They kept talking abou I must have too many coupons, and I thought, wow, I only had a few items total. (see above) . So the next day I stopped back in and specifically called for the manager who had spoke to me the day before. I told her, “you know you don’t want customers to be rude to your employees, but your employees were rude to me, also is it or is it not true, I can use two coupons on a buy one get one free”, she looked at me and said, “yes it’s true”. I told her, I looked up the stores coupon policy and that your girls laughed at me and told me I couldn’t. She said she would talk to them.
So needless to say, I try to only stop in there as a last resort. I know exactly what you mean when you say the manager Frowns upon couponers. Some of them do, and those are the stores I will be more less avoiding. Without those coupons, I wouldn’t be shopping there in the first place. I think it is ridiculous that you have to use a store coupon to get the discounted price, just put the item on sale. It is a tactic to keep those who don’t want to take the time to learn all the in’s and out’s to pay more. I will bet no one in that store will kindly let someone know there are additional savings to be had by using their instore coupon book.
This has by far been my favorite post Mercedes.I amso sorrry for the people that jumped you and did not realize that it was not you doing that. At first I was thinking what is up with her! lol So sorry I thought you had gone crazy!
I have been couponing since 1984. Taking breaks now and then and I have never hoarded and I am always sharing coupons with people. It is so fun to share a coupon and see the person just be so excited and happy! I also have my pantry full with the basics and I get to share with my friends who are going through rough times. It blesses me to be able tobless others.
When I was in Walgreens on Sunday the manager actually asked me to give her a heads up on the manufacturer coupons that are out that will be making their items free or cheap. That way they know how much to stock, She said they know their sales are good but don’t know the coupons that are out there. I thought this was a good idea and would probably help
I have been couponing for several years – I ive in El Paso Texas – the ony drug stores here are Walgreens – Except for Walmart and one locally owned small group of grocery stores – Big 8 – we have Albertsons – we have no Double Coupons and no Store Rewards cards to help us out – before this Crazy Show Extreme Couponing i would go each Sunday Morning to Walgreens and get One set of the items on sale – loving my RR to use the following week – that is all gone now – by the time i get to Walgreens at 7 am Sunday the RR deals are gone – empty shelves – i have been told by the store employees that families of 4 or 5 come in and each do three or four transactions – it is just not fair to others!!! Problem is people watch this show and think they shoud beable to shop like that week after week – it is not realistic and is making Couponers look CRAZY. Because of this show i have had people who see me in the Grocery Store with my binder say – O you are one of those people we see on TV – NO i am not is always my answer.
Hope this show goes away soon or they feature some TRUE every day couponers.
I am in complete agreement with you. I wish the show would go away! No company out there intends to have anyone go in and clear shelves and get things for nothing! They are ruining it for everyone. Note the ” no more than 4 like coupons” in red on coupons now. These companies should not have to spell this out. I am also approached witht the “are you an extreme couponer?”. I also say “No, that show is outrageous and ridiculous! Most stores I would think are bending their rules to allow people to come in and get thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for free”. I am all about saving money, but not taking advantage!
Zelda i am from there to!
By far my favorite post and loved the comments also. I haven’t seen that show, and won’t, but I have friends who; knowing that I coupon, tell me all about it. I have to explain to them that they’re watching OCD behavior, not normal stuff!! Thanks to all of you who are so considerate of others, as we all should be. The world can use more kindness and it really does make my day to lend a hand to someone with a coupon or suggestion on how to save. Blessings to each of you that thinks of others!
I just tell people that there is NO REALITY about that Reality show! Come on what grocery store is going to allow that to happen daily if NOT FOR THE TV camera’s and the publicity the show isbringing them!
Well said.
I am not a big fan of “Extreme Couponing” , although I do watch it. All I can think of, when I do watch it, is that this isn’t couponing so much as hoarding only with cleaner results. And it is just really bad shopping etiquette. And it gives a false impression of what can be gained by couponing. I have also wondered how many people have looked at that show, thought “I can never do that so why try” and then given up on savings. Or just the opposite, thought “I can do that!” and have begun couponing like crazy but are not wise in what they are purchasing at such great discounts and end up with things that they neither need or can ultimately put to use.
I am sorry to say this but you shouldn’t be buying more than three or five of the same item using those coupons, you are making it difficult to the rest of us and soon most stores will ban combining store and manufacturer coupons. You are abusing the system.
I think this post is so funny! I run around informing anyone who will listen on how to get great deals by combining store coupons and manufacturer ones, and how you can use two coupons on buy one get one frees. IT was only a few months ago that I learned about these deals. I have always used coupons on anything I could, but never knew all the policies our there. So I feel it is one of my many missions in life to share this knowledge. And hey, YOU snooze, You loose! The lady mad about not getting her deals, well, that is her problem. Some folks are just greedy! Also there are plenty of deals out there that I would have no interest in, so why not share the knowledge. I am a coupon fairy! When I find a great coupon and decide not to use it, I often leave it behind to share with someone else. One word “karma”!
I’ve been couponing for not quite a year now, I tend to save between 10-40 dollars a trip depending on how large my budget is for the week. The cashiers always remind me of that show and say “can you teach me how to get a hundred dollars worth of stuff for free?” and it always annoys me. I almost never go for deals at my Rite Aid because the shelves are always cleared out of the item I go for. The white grapefruit juice at my Target isn’t even on sale and it’s always gone, someone takes each and every one of them so nobody else can have any. >:I
I also give away coupons like other people here. Stuff I don’t need, stuff I don’t use, or just items I don’t buy. Nobody’s shared coupons with me yet, mostly because the other couponers i’ve seen have the thick binder and seem like an employee’s headache of the day.
I’m doing my part by not hoarding or clearing shelves even when it IS an amazing deal. I don’t buy 25 newspapers, only 1. I don’t have 5 computers to print numerous copies of coupons. That is being dishonest. I only take what is my fair share and what my family will legitimately use within a reasonable amount of time. I think it is rude to clear a shelf because you have 40 coupons for something that is going to be ‘free.’ It is inconsiderate, and contributing to the problem.
I am all for stores setting quantity limits on items. I am happy if I’m even able to get one each of the RR/sale items per week, if there’s any left when I get there. No one should be allowed to do multiple transactions or clear the shelves, especially the minute the store opens. The few times I have wanted to use more than just 2 of the same coupon, I made sure it was okay first and that they had adequate stock. Unfortunately there are many irresponsible people, in the couponing world as well as the rest of the world 🙁
I heavily stressed the “no hoarding” information in my coupon classes. I watch the show but I also think the show does a disservice to the new couponer by teaching them to hoard and also not giving all the facts of the hauls. For example, many of the people buy extra coupons online, that should be calculated in to their totals and they don’t show like that on a weekly basis either. Their tv haul was just that, for the purposes of the show. It’s unrealistic to expect those kind of results all the time leaving the new couponer deflated that they couldn’t clear the shelves to create their mountain of mustard. I love teaching people to coupon but I feel that extreme couponing is about the knowledge of how to use your coupon to the best advantage with sales, not getting extreme amounts of stuff.
I thought It was only me who never have luck with WALGREEN!
Everytime I tryed to use my coupon for cheaper price/free they all gone (I drove up to 3-4 stores) but I only found emty shelf!!
I agree with you all guys, Im new couponer, I used to trown away my sunday coupon because I thought I won’t be able to save the money from it. But after I watched the TLC show then I became interesting, I do research and learn how to use it (one of my teacher is your website, thanks to Mercedes) but it seems not much luck for me! I thought because I did not shopping on sunday, so I didn’t get sale items but after I read this blog that is shocked me!
So next time Should I sleep next to Walgreen door so when they open Im the first one to get the sale item (althought its only for 1-2 items)?? (This is SAD)
i have to go to walgreens on sunday morning BEFORE church now in order to get my deals, and sometimes they are already gone…. this extreame couponing show is making me mad! I use to be able to shop in peace, now its chaos!
Erwina, I was thinking the same thing myself. I have often wondered if I would have any luck if I slept outside of Walgreens, haha! I can just picture a line of people camping outside of walgreens every saturday night to be the first ones in the door… Kind of like the ‘after thanksgiving’ sales. (Black Friday) I know I NEVER EVER manage to find any of the good sale items left in the stores.
IS ANYBODY READING THIS POST?????
She came there to do exactly what someone else did to her. Oh please. I don’t feel sorry for her. She had 40 coupons? To do what with? I’ll tell you …. to clean off the shelves. What? There were no more tear off coupons?? …. so that she could get a … wait what was the word she used? Oh ya “a wad” for herself. Seriously, she is the same reason that the selves are empty. Someone faster just beat her to it. She really needs to stop her whining.
I have been doing this for 11 years. I have wasted my gas, time and energy some days. That’s what couponing is all about. And for the most part a lot of people are very considerate.
Like Mercedes said, stop whining (well may-be not in those words) and get active. It’s all about getting to know the managers, the assistant managers and the store employees. They’ll let you know when a new shipment is coming in and sometimes even put some aside for you. Or they’ll give you a rain check for a later use.
There …. I’m done ranting and raving. 🙂
Guess I should have had my cup of coffee before “going off”. The idea is the same though. Get “in” with your drug store employees. I know mine and they treat me very well. I also go late in the week. After all has been gone through and then replenished. And then I get my stuff. I have been couponing for 11 years, as I said earlier, and I love that others are doing it. It was never ours to begin with. I have been begging my best friend to do this very thing. For 11 years she said she didn’t have the time. But since the show started, she has started couponing and is doing great. Saving tons for her family.
I must admit that the 40 coupons hit me as well–almost sounded as if she was mad that she didn’t get to clean the shelves first! LOL
I am not new to couponing but new to learning how to better use my coupons. I can’t always go in and shop at the different stores on Sundays because well my family is one of those that lives paycheck to paycheck. I’m trying to start a small stockpile (maybe 3-5 weeks) of stuff my family uses on a daily basis since food items are getting so expensive. I have two growing boys and it’s almost like I need a cow and chicken to help subsidize for milk and eggs. I just started using this website a few weeks ago and have already saved about 45% on my grocery bill. I also send the coupons that have expired to some of the many people that will put them all together to send to overseas military families. Coming from a military background and being a wife of an Army soldier I know how expensive food can be living in overseas countries. You can find some of these many people through the internet. One I use is Coups for Troops. It not only feels great to help out others, but it’s nice to have others to guide me in a way that I wouldn’t otherwise have known. I agree with a lot of the others that have posted before me that the show is all about organized hoarding. I don’t believe that people should be able to clear shelves just because they can. Can’t stores watch for this thing? I watched the first couple of episodes of the show just to learn some of the tidbits. Like I didn’t know stores do sale cycles every 6-8 weeks you just have to watch to see when a particular item will go on sale. I also didn’t know that peanut butter only goes on sale 2-3 times a year, as well as other seasonal items. I really appreciate all the advice I get from this website as well as the many users that use it as well. Happy Shopping 🙂
Wow. While I disagree with the fake rant, I disagree with some of the comments even more.
Let’s start with what constitutes hoarding? Is buying 40 tubes of toothpaste for a family of two that goes through 1 tube a month hoarding? I would say yes. Is buying 12 bottles of body wash for a family of six that goes through three bottles a month hoarding? I would say no, because that’s only a four month supply. If I walk into a store, and pick up 12 bottles of body wash, you have no idea what I’m going to do with them, unless I specifically tell you. You don’t know if I’m donating them to the pantry, buying for myself and my four elderly neighbors who can’t get to the store easily, buying them for my family of 12, or using them to build a lifesize model of the Eiffel Tower. Since you don’t know my situation, what gives you the right to call me a hoarder?
Second, when you walk into a store and see an empty shelf, why do you automatically assume it was a hoarder? How do you know if one person walked in and bought all 40 items, or if 20 people walked in and bought two each? What if I walked in when the store opened and there were only two items on the shelf, and I bought the last two? Does that make me a shelf clearer? Does it make me a hoarder?
I don’t like the show Extreme Couponer. I disagree with the people that have thousands of items that they will never use, and I think they need help. I get annoyed when I see a person to 20 back-to-back transactions at a store with 10 people in line behind them. I don’t throw a fit every time I see an empty shelf. I don’t curse at the shelf clearers or yell at the store mangers for not having enough stock. I try to get a raincheck; if I can’t, I move on because there will always be another deal right around the corner. Couponing – to me, at least – is about saving money, and if I am wasting time complaining about how other people or tv shows are ruining my good deals, then I am also wasting money, and that defeats the objective, doesn’t it?
I agree 100% with you – I don’t know what is worse, the rant or the comments. Walgreen’s is not Wal-Mart. They only have so many items. When a shelf is ‘cleared’, maybe they only had a few items. Walgreen’s is known to have issues with products (eg. Ritz deal this week). If stock is an issue, just take the ad to Wal-Mart to PM. They usually have tons of inventory.
I dont feel like those people that are having large families that they obviously cant afford should think that they deserve any more products than those of us that are socially responsible, have children within our means, and would like to get a few ‘deals’ of our own. The world is waaay over populated as it is. We are running out of global resources to sustain life on this planet and I think its just plain greedy to have such a large family that you have to get free stuff to support.
WOW!! Incredibly ignorant. And some how you believe you have a right to any of it. Have you ever heard of first come? Mercedes please shut this blog down. There is some major hating going on. Leaving it up supports it.
Thanks Dadnme for letting me know. I will close comments as soon as I can.
Mercedes
I totally agree with you also. I have a family of 7 and we go thru stuff so fast. I have 4 girls and 1 son that go thru deodorant, soap, body wash, razors, bath tissue and food so fast its ridiculous. I don’t buy 40 but I do buy 5-10. That’s what I need to do in order to make it to the next sale 6-8 weeks later. We live pay check to pay check. So that’s what I have to do. If it’s there, I’ll get it. And usually I get it for free.
My one rule, that I don’t ever break. I do NOT buy anything that I will not use. EVER!
And with all the coupons that I receive and don’t use, I then turn around and sell them on eBay for cheap. It’s a cycle that I use for my family and it works.
Thank you Adriana for your comment. I was thinking it and you spoke it.
I get your point about having a large family, but that was your personal financial decision to have such a large family. Most coupon policies (which are up to the store manager’s discretion) say that each family can have a maximum of 5…because now a days, it isn’t normal to have like 8 kids. Most families have one or two. Just because you have a larger family and a not big enough budget does not mean you can CLEAR THE SHELVES!
AND it’s my personal decision to save money at every corner and I do.
There is nothing wrong with that. At all. You make it sound like having a large family is wrong. This is what you do to survive. This is what you do! Not to mention the stress it releases from my husband. It’s one less thing that is on his mind. I’m not hording it away. WE ARE USING EVERYTHING!! And when it’s empty then I take advantage of the next sale.
I could understand if it was just a family of 2 then, yes, that would peeve me to see someone walking out with loads of stuff. But every family is different and you have to allow for those differences. Some families are smaller than mine, and believe it or not some are larger. So you buy according to the size.
There’s been plenty of times I walked into places and there’s nothing left. Well, guess what? Do I get mad? No, I wait til the next week when the same deal or one better goes to another store. Then I try to get it there. If not, then I’ll try again. Some sales are not meant to be.
It just sounds to me that you NOT winning and might be a little irritated about it. Just get better at it and then celebrate your success. It really is an art. Good luck in your ventures.
@Rachel
WELL SAID!!
I completely agree!
Obviously those cleaning the shelves are not “newbies.” Why rant about them-why not help them?? Most of those new to couponing are doing it out of necessity. They NEED to cut their budgets because things are so high…. I have helped several myself. THis is disgusting. It is those that know how to play the system that clean shelves. Yes, they are greedy-and I complain—but don’t get them and the new ones confused. Walgreens had problems w/ products LONG before there were many couponers out there. Many of their great deals are limited in number by the manufacturer. I’d love to do the price match @ Walmart–but I can’t even get them to do my coupons right–so i pass altogether and find other ways to get great deals!!!
Sharing coupon tips and resources is paramount for this latest craze, we need to continue to help each other even if there are some folks that may take advantage because the majority do want to save and help their families.
It makes me sad when anyone takes more than their fair share. Take 1, 2, or 3! Not 20! Many people who NEED to save money can’t because they didn’t drie to Walgreens at 7am Sunday morning. Some elderly folks on a fixed income have to wait for a bus and then everything is gone (and much of it for sale on ebay for someone’s profit). I acutally hope stores start enforcing “ONE PER CUSTOMER” rules.
I did encounter a really bad shelf cleaning at Walgreens last week. I just assumed it was because I was there on the last day of the sale. Because of the way my paycheck falls sometimes, I always end up shopping on the last day of a sale and now I have more rainchecks than coupons!!! But i love the rainchecks, especially from CVS, since they dont expire. It actually helps me to budget better in some cases. Well, now i’ll be on the lookout for those hoarders! 🙂
lol
This is off the topic but I had to share.
For those of you that use those plastic baseball card sheets for coupon storage/ organization, I dont know whether or not you buy them from staples or officemax. But if you do, I’m sure you have to buy alot at one time. Well i came across http://www.biggsports.com and you can buy 100 sheets for 19.99 as opposed to just 10 for 3.99 at staples or officemax. Just sharing, especially for you couponing newbies like me!
I have found them at walmart. You can get 30 sheets for $5, plus tax. I just started using them but think I’m going to switch to using both those and currency holders because the circular coupons aren’t always the same size as the slot in the baseball card holders. I hate having to fold my coupons because then I can’t see what they are without having to pull them out of the sleeve. Hope this helps some. Oh you can buy currency holders at http://www.hobbylobby.com for $4-6 dollars.
Food for thought….Anyone getting more than ONE item with RR at WG, ECB at CVS, or Up’s at RA unless other wise stated are breaking the rules and at some level are shelf cleaners.
People try to justify their actions and judge others….if you can’t coupon and have fun…you may need to take a break!
Don’t worry be happy! 🙂 The stress this is causing you will effect your health and I have never seen coupons for a dr. visit! 🙂
Haha! That rant sounds like me every Sunday when the sales turn over and I go to Walgreens to only find bare shelves. I reeeally wanted to get a bottle of the free calcium supplements for my mom this weekend and, the celcius drink for myself. Sooo, I went down to wags at midnight only to find two women (they were together) with their carts loaded with EVERY free w/RR in the entire store. I needed paper towels so, I grabbed the ones that were on sale (they left one) and went to the checkout. I was in line behind them and the first women would pay for the vitamins, get the RR and use it to pay for the icy hot and Celcius drinks, then took that RR and used it to pay for the headache stuff, and so on. She repeated this scenario TEN times. All the people in line behind me got mad and left the store in a huff. I guess I would have too except, I was fasinated by the level of greed and selfishness on the part of these ladies. I was in line for over 20 minutes behind them. There was no other cashiers and the cosmetics was closed, being after midnight. The next day, I went in and talked to the manager about what happened and he didnt seem to care. He told me the store gets reimbursed for the RR. He said “its a win-win for the store and the customer. But, I feel like he’s being very stupid because this is only a win for those two customers. The rest are out of luck. And, the store doesnt make any money because they were just rolling their RR into the next thing..over..and over..again. Im mad! I feel like ‘out of spite’, I should arrive at wags at 11:00pm and clear the shelves so, they can get a taste of their selfishness.
I am re-entering the world of couponing. I used to do this all the time when I was a single mother of two, but at that time you were definetly looked down on if you had more than 10 coupons in a transaction. I have mixed feelings about “Extreme Couponing”. On one hand it allowed me to “come out of the closet” again! On the other hand it’s making it hard for honest couponers. When I watch people clearing shelves on tv “just because”…UGH! I have only done this once and it cleared because there were only 4 items left. When I got to the check out the cashier laughed and said that someone was just in and got 30 of them. Well, I guess I am thankful that she left me some, but really!
I have acquired many coupons and am trying to start a stock-pile because I had to quit one of my jobs. I WILL NOT have 6 freezers or toilet paper taking over my children’s rooms, but I will learn to stock up for the 6-8wk “sales drought”. I really love these sites that have been making it easy to find the deals. I in turn have schooled many friends and have started an email-chain to keep them up on deals. I’ve even passed out coupons in the store, my husband says they’re gonna ban me!!!
When you are blessed, you can be a blessing. Pass it on.