Extreme couponing?

[ILG]

I try to avoid products with MSG and trans fats. I eat a lot of fresh fruit. The point is that there are extremes on both ends. Yes, I think it can be a sickness if people are just getting gobs of stuff for no purpose than the rush of getting stuff. That's kind of weird and I see no purpose in that.

However, blaming extreme couponers for what is going on in the supermarkets (them cutting back on allowing coupons etc.) is very short sighted IMO. What is happening is an overall inflation and recession in the larger economy that is causing the stores to have to revamp their systems. It's just a result of the housing bubble burst and the fed printing so much money. And it's not over yet, I fear.

I would recommend that everybody get out those coupons and do whatever it takes to get at least a month's work of back stock. You might need it. If not, rotate it and use it up.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by ILG

I try to avoid products with MSG and trans fats. I eat a lot of fresh fruit. The point is that there are extremes on both ends. Yes, I think it can be a sickness if people are just getting gobs of stuff for no purpose than the rush of getting stuff. That's kind of weird and I see no purpose in that.

However, blaming extreme couponers for what is going on in the supermarkets (them cutting back on allowing coupons etc.) is very short sighted IMO. What is happening is an overall inflation and recession in the larger economy that is causing the stores to have to revamp their systems. It's just a result of the housing bubble burst and the fed printing so much money. And it's not over yet, I fear.

I would recommend that everybody get out those coupons and do whatever it takes to get at least a month's work of back stock. You might need it. If not, rotate it and use it up.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by ILG

I try to avoid products with MSG and trans fats. I eat a lot of fresh fruit. The point is that there are extremes on both ends. Yes, I think it can be a sickness if people are just getting gobs of stuff for no purpose than the rush of getting stuff. That's kind of weird and I see no purpose in that.

However, blaming extreme couponers for what is going on in the supermarkets (them cutting back on allowing coupons etc.) is very short sighted IMO. What is happening is an overall inflation and recession in the larger economy that is causing the stores to have to revamp their systems. It's just a result of the housing bubble burst and the fed printing so much money. And it's not over yet, I fear.

I would recommend that everybody get out those coupons and do whatever it takes to get at least a month's work of back stock. You might need it. If not, rotate it and use it up.

That is exactly what is happening and why they are cutting back. The "normal" person does not bring in a couple hundred/thousand coupons when grocery shopping -the extreme couponer does, and the show Extreme Couponing has multiplied the people doing this. This is exactly why our local grocery stores severely cut back on coupon use, and it in no way effects those of use who bring in a coupon or two to save a couple of bucks but it DOES effect those purchasing multiple big carts of groceries for 2 cents on the dollar.

[J4Truth]

I don't know about extreme couponing but coupons I see have stock limit per customer like limit 3 or 5 per customer and also say something like not combined with other ads.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

That is exactly what is happening and why they are cutting back. The "normal" person does not bring in a couple hundred/thousand coupons when grocery shopping -the extreme couponer does, and the show Extreme Couponing has multiplied the people doing this. This is exactly why our local grocery stores severely cut back on coupon use, and it in no way effects those of use who bring in a coupon or two to save a couple of bucks but it DOES effect those purchasing multiple big carts of groceries for 2 cents on the dollar.

I really do disagree that that is why they are cutting back. It's easier to blame it on extreme couponers because people understand that. Perhaps there are more extreme couponers because of the economy. But the bottom line reason is not extreme couponing but the larger economy.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

That is exactly what is happening and why they are cutting back. The "normal" person does not bring in a couple hundred/thousand coupons when grocery shopping -the extreme couponer does, and the show Extreme Couponing has multiplied the people doing this. This is exactly why our local grocery stores severely cut back on coupon use, and it in no way effects those of use who bring in a coupon or two to save a couple of bucks but it DOES effect those purchasing multiple big carts of groceries for 2 cents on the dollar.

Exactly. The *extreme* couponers, not average couponers.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by ILG

I really do disagree that that is why they are cutting back. It's easier to blame it on extreme couponers because people understand that. Perhaps there are more extreme couponers because of the economy. But the bottom line reason is not extreme couponing but the larger economy.

If the programs were working as the stores hoped, a bad economy would make them do it even more, not cut back. Stores don't run programs like double/triple coupons because they're so nice and they want to give people free food. They run them because they think that when they get the extra traffic in the store, people will also impulse buy, or learn to love their store and come back for their regular shopping.

When stores have planning meetings and decide to have a double/triple coupon program, there is something in it for them. Somehow they plan to benefit from it. They are there to make a profit.

When it turns out that instead of it increasing their profits, it is costing them dearly, they have no incentive to continue doing it. So they stop. And that is exactly the reason they are giving for discontinuing the programs.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

If the programs were working as the stores hoped, a bad economy would make them do it even more, not cut back. Stores don't run programs like double/triple coupons because they're so nice and they want to give people free food. They run them because they think that when they get the extra traffic in the store, people will also impulse buy, or learn to love their store and come back for their regular shopping.

When stores have planning meetings and decide to have a double/triple coupon program, there is something in it for them. Somehow they plan to benefit from it. They are there to make a profit.

When it turns out that instead of it increasing their profits, it is costing them dearly, they have no incentive to continue doing it. So they stop. And that is exactly the reason they are giving for discontinuing the programs.

Well, yes, but it is a very small part of what is happening concerning why stores are having trouble making ends meet.

[Hoovie]

It's all ILG's fault!! Including the recent market swings.

It used to just be "Standards" when she was UPC then she left and started couponing - hence we have "Standards and Poors"!

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

The show drives me bonkers! They show people buying 7 carts of groceries, taking up some cashiers time for hours, only to add it to their garage sized pantry (which IS usually their garage). Who cares if they are "giving most away" -they are still buying out whole product categories so people who only need ONE of something can't find it because they bought the "last 80 bottles".

Coincidentally, the show immediately following Extreme Couponing is/was Hoarding: Buried Alive.

Oh yes, THANKFULLY the closest grocery store and Target have really clamped down on this. Now they are actually carrying Gatorade again!!!

Love it, as an executive for a grocery company, I'd be extremely annoyed for my cashiers time to be wsted like that, and would be tempted to fire any manager who would be getting all the stock out of the backroom and then carrying it to peoples cars so that real customers don't have any product to buy. We made the decision to change our coupon policy so that we no longer take any internet coupons. We don't get that much coupon business, but in reality we DON'T WANT that kind of business, we're better off having those people shop at the competition. Let them deal with that.

I predict that if such couponing really gains steam (perhaps if the show becomes more popular) that alot of companies will adjust their coupon policies, as you mentioned about Target and your local grocery store doing.

Basically these people who go way overboard will ruin it for the people who really need coupons and use them the right way.