The new season of Extreme Couponing has hit the airwaves! The stores and manufacturers are bracing themselves for another slew of insanity from the unwashed masses decending on the stores with stacks of coupons trying to score deals and in generel create all manner of chaos.
The couponing community, in general, is up at arms about the show and is making lots of noise about boycotting and all of the issues that this show has created for them in their personal endeavors to score the best deals. Stores and manufacturers have tightened up the rules for using coupons in defense against some of the practices that have been considered acceptable by the people featured on the show.
I love watching the show, it is entertaining to see what people will actually buy just to get it free. I had a friend in town when I watched the season premier and he nearly lost his mind when we watched someone walk out of the store with 132 jugs of iced tea and lemonade (we won't even get into reaction from the 1200 boxes of cereal). The important thing to realize about anything you see on TV is that ultimately it is for ENTERTAINMENT purposes. TLC has showcased something that all of us are interested in during these difficult economic times and taken it to extremes....hence the title of the show. There has been an incredibly positive reaction to the show from viewers and coupon use has jumped exponentially everywhere. It has provided a way for people to save money on one of the highest expenses in a household that they may not have ever considered before watching the show. Nothing wrong with that, I jumped on the bandwagon after catching a couple of episodes while I was sick and stuck on the couch for 3 days.
However, before I went out and bought 47 papers I did a little research on the subject (Yeah, yeah I know....but this is me after all). One of the first web links I found was all about "realistic couponing". Going into the store with a huge stack of coupons with the expectation that you are going to get thousands of dollars of product for less than $50 is unrealistic at best. The rules, guidelines and general etiquette (Yes, I know...an unfamiliar word in our society today) of shopping and using coupons should be enough to stop anyone from even attempting such a thing. It does happen and will wind up frustrating and annoying anyone who is either on the coupon using or coupon receiving end. This is what drives the stores and manufacturers to take steps to stop the madness!!
Stores have increased their awareness of proper coupon use and are starting to increase the training on their coupon policies for employees. Don't be frustrated or upset when the cashier at the store reads your coupons, asks questions or even call over a manager to confirm that it is acceptable for use on the items you are purchasing. We are there to save some money but their job may be on the line for taking a coupon improperly. Tolerance and acceptance when someone is not able to accept a coupon is required and you can just tell them that you don't want the item. They will remove it from your order and you can move forward. Getting frustrated or upset will not help, it will just make that cashier frustrated and less willing to want to learn proper coupon usage in the future. Manufacturer's have also made changes to the coupons that they issue. They have lowered dollar amounts, given a shorter expiration times, limited the number of coupons you can use during one transaction and issued fewer coupons in an attempt to offset the current craze. Some manufacturer's have considered cancelling their coupon program completely!
These changes have made couponing more challenging and many people are having to rethink their shopping strategy. Using coupons is still a great way to save yourself some money. It does take time and effort (some of the methods that I have outlined in previous posts can limit the amount of both) not to mention planning and common sense. Going in with a reasonable expectation and starting out slow will definitely help you to be more successful in finding something that can save you money and not only entertain you but provide a rush at the checkout lane.
I have said it before and will probably say it again. My average savings at the stores is upwards of 50% and I am usually getting a minimum of twice what I was before for less money. Walking into a Target and walking out for under $100 was a struggle for me.....and I would wind up with 2 half full bags. Now I spend around $40 and have 3 - 4 full bags....It really makes a difference. The feeling of accomplishment walking out of the store is incredible and I am now proud of what I have purchased (hence the photos posted on FB) and make sure that Joe gets to see everything before it gets put away. I don't actually think he cares.....but he tolerates being given a tour of the kitchen island when he comes home ;-)
The best defense against issues at the checkout lane is to be prepared. Read your coupons, understand how they work and what limits they may have. You should also read the coupon policy for the store that you are shopping at. Knowing what is acceptable and not acceptable will help you and the store with a smooth checkout. Above all, use common sense in what you are buying and how much you are buying. I can't think of anyone who needs 100 bottles of hand soap, even if it is free. Sales cycles run between 6 weeks and 3 months. The same item will be on sale again and there is a very good chance that the coupon will be reissued or still good. You will be shocked at how fast you wind up stockpiling things even when you only buy a few. Your stores will appreciate your moderation and so will the rest of us that also want to get a few of those inexpensive items.
Until next time.....Happy Couponing!
