Normally I only share the positive rules about using coupons and stockpiling. But to be fair, I want to share what I call the "Couponer's Golden Rule."
Do Unto Other Shoppers as You'd Have Shoppers Do Unto You.
1. Do not clear shelves. While I may talk about buying 20 packages of oatmeal in a sale, I don't buy them all at once. I make sure my store has plenty in stock for other shoppers by making multiple trips or special ordering through the store manager. Being fair to the stores and other shoppers means that other shoppers won't get mad at the store. Yes, they make money on the one item either way, but unhappy shoppers tend to not buy other products, and spend their money at other stores. That's not the way to engender good feelings from your store.
2. Do not block aisles or race other shoppers and then fill two or three carts full. This is simply greed, and greed is not good. And yes, there are some rather infamous shoppers in this area who do just this, angering hundreds of other shoppers who are there at the same time for the same deals.
3. Do not use coupons for products they are not intended for. If it says $1 off 2, you must buy 2. If its a coupon for 12 oz only, you must buy the 12 oz, not the 8 oz, even if it doesn't 'beep.' Don't use Swiffer coupons on diapers. All of those are a form of misredemption and coupon fraud, which costs manufacturers and stores millions of dollars every year. In essence, if you know the coupon you are using is not being redeemed properly, its the same as shoplifiting from the store.
4. Do not copy coupons. EVER. Not printables, not paper coupons, not any of them. Its not allowed. Even if the coupon doesn't say so, its not allowed. In fact, printable coupons have unique security codes for each print that are tied to your computer and identity. If you copy a printable, the security codes will be the same and the company will track it back to you.
5. Don't use pdf's of coupons sent to you by friends. About 50% of the time those pdf's are altered coupons. Many honest people use these not having any idea what they are using. Only trust pdf coupons from the manufacturer or store website.
Stay tuned for Part 2, with five more ways to be fair to other consumers while maximizing your savings!
Photo by ninjapoodles
Little Miss Know It All is a stay-at-home mom from Florence, KY. A former political hack, LMKIA turned her skills to living frugal so that she could spend all day with the two most adorable monkeys ever. She is passionate about teaching others to get maximum benefit out of every penny!
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As a mom of 5 including triplets I have to shop late at night after the kids are in bed and I hate when the store is out of an item. I'm not sure if it's someone else hoarding but I always wonder. As a shopper generally coming behind everyone else I appreciate the note!
Very good coupon tips. Hubby and I just started using coupons. So far I'm not doing too bad. Last trip to the store I saved $20 from the coupons
(and then I took the kids out for milkshakes, which kind of defeats the purpose but it was fun!)