Sometimes, as couponers, we run into other couponers – do you ever look at their cart?
I readily admit – I’m guilty. I will peek in someone else’s cart to see what they have in there.. thinking that somehow, I must have missed a deal. Then sometimes, I will see you post trips on Facebook and it hits me – did I miss a deal on Toilet Paper? Towels? I think that happens to all of us. I can’t get every deal out there, although I do try – that’s where it’s important to help each other – that’s why I love to see you share your trip pictures – it helps others understand what might be out there and how they can get the same deal you did.
Today I got an email from a reader with some great questions – a sort of What would You do?
I was at Fry’s today and while couponing I ran into 2 other couponers. I of course check out what’s in their cart to see what else I need to grab.
They had purse packs of Advil, the tube ones. They also had regular Aqua Fresh. Both coupons I had were not for these exact products.
I have Aqua Fresh ISO, and a larger bottle of Advil. They had regular newspaper q’s…..any idea if they were in the wrong? They had a bunch of both!
I took a peek in the database and don’t see either as having a coupon that would come out of a newspaper but then…..perhaps I’m not looking hard enough.
What do you do in this case?
Do you speak up – or, do you let it rest, and move on with your shopping?
This is a great discussion opportunity – I’m hopeful that you can share your thoughts, but am hoping it doesn’t lead to any negativity :)
I would do nothing. Sometimes people write companies for coupons or buy coupons from other states. So they may have coupons that you don’t have. You could just ask them what the deal is or what coupon they are using so you can get it to.
This is what I would do. I’ve been known to have coupons others don’t from writing companies, or something else. It just depends!
IDK because it does actually bother me when I see that people buy the single Angel soft with the double roll coupon. Why? because I can’t get the deal knowing that I have too much integrity to try to pass the q for the single roll. so, guess that makes me a hater :) but I don’t think I would walk up to a person and say, hey, that coupon is for THIS item, not THAT one, unless I was already friendly with them, and then I’d play all stupid like “oh I can use this for single roll, because it DOES say double roll lol
Ok- so this is a hard one! I live in a small town, we don’t have the large market to shop in different stores like those who live in the valley. I’ve had the same situation come up, where a couponer was telling me the things they were buying with particular coupons. I knew it wasn’t right, but I kept my mouth shut to a point for several reasons. (1) because ethical couponing is a VERY touchy subject with me (2) because we are in a small town and I don’t like drama (3) because depending on the person, your opinion won’t change their couponing ethics anyhow. There are so many couponers who use coupons as a way of getting ‘rich’ but they begin to abuse the system. I’ve made the mistake of ‘chewing’ people for misusing of coupons and they’ve looked at me like I’m the ‘coupon police’. Because of that TLC show, there has been an influx of new couponers, alot of them have the entitlement mindset and feel that they should get to shop for free! Which is false! All of those who are misusing coupons have NO conscious! Be the bigger person and use coupons correctly. BUT, if your opinion is ever asked, but all means, GIVE IT! And give it HARD!
Roshina, I was going to say exactly what you just said!!
There are a lot of times when I get coupons that aren’t in the matchups. For example, sometimes I find Kellogg coupons for produce, free milk, etc that are not in the matchups from coupon clippers. Don’t always assume the worst :) Also, maybe twice a year, I see deals on a facebook post that aren’t in our matchups. It’s a true rarity, but it does happen. You can ask them what the deal is because you don’t want to miss something good. I am super anti-social, but when someone asks me, I will tell them 99% of the time. If it’s something on clearance that only has 2 left, and I’m hoping to run to my mom’s a print more coupons to buy more… I may lie. LOL
lol…yep!
I respect everyone’s opinion and right to disagree or agree. I do not agree with the intentional misuse of coupons. But I am not the coupon police. I know some people even feel that if the store allows you to use a coupon for something it was intended for that it is wrong. My local Kroger manager decided to let us (everyone) use the double roll angel soft coupons on the single roll. I did not feel bad or like I was cheating because the store made a decision to accept the coupon because they don’t sell double rolls. Some would say that their conscience would not let them do it and that is fine. But if a store decides to take a coupon(not a cashier) they have made the decision to do so and have weighed the consequences of doing so..they must also know that they will be reimbursed for the coupon.
I don’t judge and lecture grown people on the use and misuse of coupons. Although, some newbies don’t know and they welcome the help. Let your own conscience be your guide. If someone is cheating it will catch up to them. Let us be supportive and helpful to all…Happy couponing to all…that is what it is about.
I’m a cashier at a grocery store so I see a lot of couponers come through my line. I have a few regulars. I’ve seen a few people try to use coupons for the wrong thing or combine coupons. I simply tell them that the coupon is not for that or cannot be combined. Sometimes they get mad other times they just take it off their order.
I love asking people where they got their coupons (if their printed online) and I love telling people that there is a coupon online for something they picked up. To see their faces is awsome. If I’m shopping and I see someone buying something that I have a coupon for that I’m not going to use I ask them if they would like it.
I would just be frank and ask the other couponer where they got their Q’s. Why not?