So, Extreme couponing, the series, premiered on Wednesday and I’d have to say, the entertainment factor was off the charts. Seeing someone get 5 carts of grocery stuffs for 6 bucks, is nothing but astounding. How could you not love the drama of bringing a 600 dollar tab down to nothing?
I did watch the 1 hour series last time it aired and thought it also was entertaining, but as a couponer I knew better. I know that the stores don’t let you order 1000 boxes just so you can take them away from their store for free. That’s ridiculous and silly. Now, with couponers like the Krazy Coupon Lady and Miss Coupon Diva, they did it right. No pre-ordering, no crazy deals, just the deals that they knew would fly at their store. And THIS is why I see them all over the news now, like on the Nate Berkus Show, Good Morning America and the other national morning shows. They keep it real, and show you how it is attainable for you without being a psycho.
The best thing about realizing that this is real life and coupons are not a “get it all free and stick it to the man” card, is you’re prepared for the unexpected. Today, I had the unexpected happen to me at one of my favorite stores.
I went in to do a standard deal: buy 8 boxes of cereal, get 8.00 catalina back for a future purchase. Now, this store’s coupon policy has always been a limitless amount of coupons used in your order, but the amount of coupons can’t be more than the numbers of items you are purchasing. Ok, cool, easy enough. Now, today, all of a sudden, I was told that I could only use 4 coupons per TRANSACTION. That means if I have 30 items, I can only use 4 coupons. Uh, yeah, that wasn’t the policy last week when I shopped, or even Monday when I did the deal the first time. Turns out, the cashier was making that policy up, but there was a new policy implemented: only 2 of the same printable coupons in an order. Wow. It seemed as if, say, this “new” policy has just sprouted up overnight. That’s because it DID sprout overnight. I’m guessing the powers that be watched the show last night, and decided to change things up immediately.
Last time the special aired, they did the same thing. Also, the other grocery stores in my area altered their coupon policies. A constant yo-yo effect just to throw off those crazy couponers that are getting all those deals, and to deter any new shoppers from couponing. Usually, the policies change back with in 6 to 8 weeks, but you have to be prepared for it. The sad thing about these changes is that the new couponers that are inspired by the show will be turned off by all the hoops they will have to jump through.
These coupon policies are mirroring the fluctuating gases prices. Oh, we’ll get them good when they need it most, and then loosen the reins a bit. THEN! Right when they are back in the groove and have a set budget, we’ll stick them where it hurts. But I don’t mind; I’ll be rubber and they can be glue. Or better yet, I’ll be a cooler Duncan yo-yo and just learn some new coupon tricks that will blow their mind. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Here is the frustrating part though…. The stores ARE reimbursed for those coupons, plus .08 cents, so WHY all the crazy policies????? They aren’t losing money, they are making it. We all knew this stupid show was going to affect DECENT, HONEST couponers eventually.
I watched it too, Amiyrah. Sometimes I chuckled, others times I was fascinated, and other times turned off.
Turned off? The one who already had 100 boxes of pasta bought so much more. And no mention of sharing it with those in need–just add it to her humungous stockpile. Even her boyfriend seemed perturbed! They’re was just the two of them at home.
Since I’m into natural/organic, I find the Sunday papers don’t work for me ($2/each), and I just call up my fav manufacturers (1-800# usually on product). The store I shop at is owned by Kroger and they give 10% off at their Nutrition Center the first Tuesday of each month. That’s when I stockpile. I focus on the items that are @ rock-bottom prices, then -10% and add coupons. Works for me but can’t wait for Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) to arrive at end of the year.
Wow 4hats that is crazy! LOL @ new coupon tricks! I am a little nervous myself to call Publix to see if they have changed any policies.
faithful reader
skos 🙂 mod!
I watched the 1 hour special and then the two thirty minute specials following and it was very impressive. My only thing was the obsessive stockpiling they were all doing! Which is insane. I hate storing a ton of items so the whole stock piling thing doesn’t work so well for me.
Even my husband was glued to the show though which was fun 🙂
You really need to do your homework before you condone what The Coupon Diva did on the EC program on TLC.
Read this and see if you still feel what she did was legit:
http://jillcataldo.com/node/16170
because what she showed was blatant fraudulent use of coupons.
If you still think that is OK, shame on you…
Mary,
I’m talking about Joyce from philly who was on the original 1 hour special. She shops at ShopRite and I remember all the deals that she did and YES she did them correctly. I’m guessing you are talking about the “coupon diva” lady that was on the half hour premiere last week. I’m not. She did many things incorrectly. Thanks for trying to “school” me though with your link :o)
Melissa, That’s right! They do get “points” for their coupons. SMH.
Amiyrah, This is a great post. I didn’t know that some of the stores were changing policies because of that show. Never even thought about it. I’ve watched the show once, but it can be frustrating to watch too.