dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 25, 2011 11:19:16 GMT -5
That's what I hate about "Extreme Couponing" - it seems that the stores all have these types of policies in place (EQs, coupon limits, no doubling), which leads to the "OMGosh, $200!" moment at the register... then the regional manager comes out of the back room and says "Oh, this was our mistake, all these $2/off coupons are doubled and we're waiving the tax, you only owe us $4." Sure they have the "coupon policies may vary, check your local store" blurb at the beginning, but showing deals that are in no way available to the average consumer is extremely misleading. Ya and then people who watch the show think that anyone who uses coupons is a greedy hoarder or that all we eat is junk food.
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on Oct 25, 2011 12:14:59 GMT -5
I do the same Blue. I only load the lower value if I'm going that night need said item and that's what I'm going for and I don't a have a paper coupon. I usually wait an hour before I go, It's usually on my card by then. The only coupons that I've loaded and haven't came off is the cellfire coupons I quit using them. I think that's the case too. The Fry's website ones have been ok but none of the other sites ever work.
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on Oct 25, 2011 12:17:34 GMT -5
What I still don't understand about EC is they show something like "The price is X, one sale for Y, I have a Q that doubles to Z, so I only pay 50¢ each, so I'm buying 30 of them." OK, so the item is a good price and the OOP is $15. But then at the end they'll have an OOP of $4. So clearly they're using CATs from a previous deal, or a gift card or something, and they never explain that.
Oh, and even if we completely ignore all policies and limits, how are they getting 200+ of a single Q in the first place?!?
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 25, 2011 12:28:39 GMT -5
What I still don't understand about EC is they show something like "The price is X, one sale for Y, I have a Q that doubles to Z, so I only pay 50¢ each, so I'm buying 30 of them." OK, so the item is a good price and the OOP is $15. But then at the end they'll have an OOP of $4. So clearly they're using CATs from a previous deal, or a gift card or something, and they never explain that. Oh, and even if we completely ignore all policies and limits, how are they getting 200+ of a single Q in the first place?!? Or they use overage from other coupons to get their total so low. Let's face it, there are very few things that a lot of us would stockpile in any EXTREME quantity if it wasn't FREE. And I don't think there are too many of us, if any, who have gotten 50 or 60 of anything at one time. I know that I haven't. Those using 200+ of the same coupon are ordering/paying for them on e-bay or from some clipping service. They don't include the COST of their coupons in their transactions either.
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Oct 25, 2011 12:45:27 GMT -5
Ya and then people who watch the show think that anyone who uses coupons is a greedy hoarder or that all we eat is junk food. But all I DO eat is junk food! But, speaking of junk food, did anyone else who shops at Safeway put the eq for $2.50 for Ben & Jerry's on their card and pick it up this week when it was $3.50? $1 for Ben & Jerry's is not too shabby! If I get down sometime, I know there's a pint of NY Super Fudge chunk waiting for me in the freezer!
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Oct 25, 2011 12:53:53 GMT -5
Or they are doing something illegal to get those 200 coupons. I have seen a couple of EC shows where the people climbed into themselves, or had their child, climb into a dumpster at a recycling place. That is soooo dangerous! There is a reason it is illegal. Yet they show people blithely doing it anyway. Blues I have noticed them using bunches of cats to get things free but ignoring the concept of what they had to buy, read pay, to get them. I have done very ell with cats this year! I am very very thankful for the ones I have gotten. But make no mistake I did have to pay for things in the first place to get them.
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jeep108
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Post by jeep108 on Oct 25, 2011 13:06:39 GMT -5
LOL, sent my husband with my Cat for free eggs to Albertsons. He thought since is it says 10 for 10 he had to buy 10 to get it for that price. LOL... Shows you how often he shops. I told him no, just get the two for free. LOL.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Oct 25, 2011 13:10:37 GMT -5
They also seem very cagey about showing much of the register screen - they'll zoom in on the huge scary pre-coupon/loyalty card amount, but the rest of the time, it's just a flash here and there, and never on the screen long enough to get a glimpse of what it says.
You would think, if everything was on the up-and-up, the producers would be shouting the $ saved per item from the rooftops (since the show is essentially an ad for the grocery store and/or whatever brand names are being purchased). The fact that they don't says to me there's someone in the back room doing some creative accounting for the cameras...
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on Oct 25, 2011 13:14:42 GMT -5
Well definitely: leaving out what they PAY for coupons; leaving our what CATs they're using that they had to buy something to get in the first place; leaving out GCs used; leaving out tax paid in most cases.
I don't even think any overage can account for the super low OOPs.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 25, 2011 13:25:52 GMT -5
Or they are doing something illegal to get those 200 coupons. I have seen a couple of EC shows where the people climbed into themselves, or had their child, climb into a dumpster at a recycling place. That is soooo dangerous! There is a reason it is illegal. Yet they show people blithely doing it anyway. Even then, 200 would be A LOT. We used to have a gal on here a couple of years ago who went to the recycling center to get extra inserts. They allowed her to do it, so I'm not sure it is illegal everywhere cuz I doubt she would have done it if it had been against the law. She'd get upwards of 90 sets fairly regularly, but nowhere near 200.
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jeep108
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Post by jeep108 on Oct 25, 2011 13:42:58 GMT -5
Or they are doing something illegal to get those 200 coupons. I have seen a couple of EC shows where the people climbed into themselves, or had their child, climb into a dumpster at a recycling place. That is soooo dangerous! There is a reason it is illegal. Yet they show people blithely doing it anyway. Even then, 200 would be A LOT. We used to have a gal on here a couple of years ago who went to the recycling center to get extra inserts. They allowed her to do it, so I'm not sure it is illegal everywhere cuz I doubt she would have done it if it had been against the law. She'd get upwards of 90 sets fairly regularly, but nowhere near 200. It's depends from city to city here. But most of the cities it's against the law now. Mostly for identity theft reasons.
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emhalf
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Post by emhalf on Oct 25, 2011 13:46:35 GMT -5
I couldn't believe that one recently where the girl was SO UPSET because her total was like $20 instead of $5 because of tax...and then the manager came out and refunded her all the tax! I couldn't find out for sure whether tax is charged on pre- or post-coupon price in MO, but I think it's charged on pre-coupon price in most states. Considering that there was a lot of doubling going on as well, she should have had to pay at least some tax. No one gets around that in the real world.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Oct 25, 2011 14:00:44 GMT -5
Even then, 200 would be A LOT. We used to have a gal on here a couple of years ago who went to the recycling center to get extra inserts. They allowed her to do it, so I'm not sure it is illegal everywhere cuz I doubt she would have done it if it had been against the law. She'd get upwards of 90 sets fairly regularly, but nowhere near 200. It's depends from city to city here. But most of the cities it's against the law now. Mostly for identity theft reasons. I wasn't talking about the person going to the recycling center and being handed a bunch of inserts but actually climbing inside the dumpster that has a sign in big bold letter saying DO NOT CLIMB INSIDE. I had read it was against the law because someone had died. I think they were inside the dumpster and the truck came and picked the dumpster and dumped the contents into the truck and they didn't know the person was inside it.
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The Home 6
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Post by The Home 6 on Oct 25, 2011 18:50:49 GMT -5
I saw the preview for the new episode of EC, and let me tell you, I wanted to barf. "It's their youngest couponer yet!" Apparantly it's a 13-14 year old boy, and among his stockpile is Stayfree Maxi pads. He says he doesn't know what they are for. That's what I get for not zipping through all the commercials when I DVR "What Not to Wear".
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rubyslippers
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Post by rubyslippers on Oct 25, 2011 19:23:46 GMT -5
Do any of you ladies shop at CVS on Saturday evening to get the Sunday sales? If you do, can you do the buy $30.00 get a $10.00 gift certificate, or do you have to wait till Sunday? I'd like to do the Cover Girl deal but don't want to waste a trip there on Saturday if they don't start it until the next day.
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va500
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Post by va500 on Oct 25, 2011 19:41:53 GMT -5
ohiositter -- was it you that wanted the Millstone coffee $2 coupon? there is an IP available on "red plum dot com"
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 25, 2011 20:11:54 GMT -5
Do any of you ladies shop at CVS on Saturday evening to get the Sunday sales? If you do, can you do the buy $30.00 get a $10.00 gift certificate, or do you have to wait till Sunday? I'd like to do the Cover Girl deal but don't want to waste a trip there on Saturday if they don't start it until the next day. I used to shop on Saturday afternoon/evening all the time, but I haven't done it in a long time. I'd be afraid to try it because there will already be a Spend $30/Get a $10 GC going from the current week, so I'm not sure you'll get the next day's GC cuz the products will be different.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Oct 25, 2011 20:12:23 GMT -5
Do any of you ladies shop at CVS on Saturday evening to get the Sunday sales? If you do, can you do the buy $30.00 get a $10.00 gift certificate, or do you have to wait till Sunday? I'd like to do the Cover Girl deal but don't want to waste a trip there on Saturday if they don't start it until the next day. rubyslippers, Only some CVS stores still allow this. Our stores deals start later Saturday, but if you do not get the deal then they will not force the ECB for you. But other areas may be different.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 25, 2011 20:15:32 GMT -5
leanna: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the Starburst/Skittles Qs. I got your envie yesterday and and "bought" the Skittles today (no fun size Starburst in my store). I got two bags of autumn mix and (8) bags of fun size Skittles for $.06 OOP. ;D
My CVS has A TON of candy still on the shelf. We'll see what happens over the weekend.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Oct 25, 2011 20:19:06 GMT -5
Went to WAGS today
4 fun size Hersheys candy - 1.99 * 4 - used 4* 1$ IPQ 2 Halloween marshmallow - 0.39 * 2
used 4.50 RR and paid 24 cents.
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Oct 25, 2011 20:24:59 GMT -5
leanna: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the Starburst/Skittles Qs. I got your envie yesterday and and "bought" the Skittles today (no fun size Starburst in my store). I got two bags of autumn mix and (8) bags of fun size Skittles for $.06 OOP. ;D My CVS has A TON of candy still on the shelf. We'll see what happens over the weekend. You're VERY welcome I'm glad it got there in plenty of time. I took the envelope directly to the post office because I wanted it to get to you quickly. 8 cents OOP - that's AWESOME!!!
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va500
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Post by va500 on Oct 26, 2011 6:22:55 GMT -5
CG $8 / 2 is available as an IP. Iheartthemart has the 'how to' on his blog - you have to register so it wasn't worth it for me, not a CG fan. www.iheartthemart.com/
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Oct 26, 2011 8:14:55 GMT -5
People are prob going to have to hunt wide & low for the Halloween clearance (inc candy) this year at least at CVS. I was talking to my fav CVS mgr last Monday & he HAS to have the Christmas shelved done & displays up BY Nov 1. I suspect a lot of the Halloween stuff will get tossed into cartons & thrown into the back to ‘magically’ reappear on the clearance shelves some time later.
PS: store mgr also said he was LOADED w/candy & he ‘hoped’ the weekend would be good for candy sales.
I am having a HORRIBLE time getting my Safeway coupons & just4U prices at my store. It has only worked about ½ the time. Staff know me so my main store takes my word for it but if I am in another area I am treated like a liar & NOT given the pricing. NOTE: this is after loading the deals on Thur and shopping on Mon & the deals ARE good thru Wed.
Midwest I get both the RP & the SS (Chicago Tribune). I VERY seldom use coupons from RP.
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kathyattraverse
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Post by kathyattraverse on Oct 26, 2011 9:14:31 GMT -5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONSTANZ22. Celebrate with Have a great day!!!
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murphath
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Post by murphath on Oct 26, 2011 10:16:21 GMT -5
marvholly, I have the same problem with the J4U program sometimes. Very weird. I just print the list of the q's I've clicked and keep it in my canvas tote, aka "command central". If the price doesn't come up correctly, I show the cashier and they adjust it. If I don't catch it in time and see it when reviewing my receipt, I take it to customer service. They've always been very nice about it. I think they get a little frustrated with the computer glitches, too. HTH.
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murphath
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Post by murphath on Oct 26, 2011 10:18:18 GMT -5
To whoever was looking for inexpensive candy to use those $1 IP q's: Safeway has those bags on sale for $2 starting today. I know it's less at WAGS by .01, but there's no limit at Safeway.
Ohiositter: PM your addy and I'll send you whatever Millstone/Good Life treats I can find when I get back this a.m.. Have to jet.
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weaselfer
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Post by weaselfer on Oct 26, 2011 10:41:55 GMT -5
One thing that I figured out about my cellfire Qs. Used to all were separate (Kroger, Cellfire, Shortcuts), but now, when I select a cellfire Q, it shows up in my Kroger list. Shortcuts are still separate. It would be nice if someone would inform the user, but that would take some actual work.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Oct 26, 2011 10:51:51 GMT -5
I went to Shoprite this morning to try the buy $20 in shoprite HBA get a $10 cat. I just knew this one was going to be trouble! I purposely picked a time when I wouldn't feel rushed and the place would be quiet. The ad listed a few items in each category but then said "over 500 items to choose from". That always makes it sooooo much harder. I even saw the HBA mgr and asked if certain thing, like cotton balls, were included. He said he thought all SR HBA should be so do it and if it didn't come out he told courtesy to force it to print for me. So I bought a bunch of SR band aids, sr triple antibiotic oint, some SR benedryl and some cotton balls. I even made sure that that was the only thing in that order so there would be no confusion. The total before tax was $20.87 and sure enough no cat after I paid with $15 in cats from last week and $5.87. So off to courtesy I went. Do they just give me my cat on the mgr's say so of course not. The woman starts off by saying that I didn't get the cat because I paid for part of it with the different cats from last week. Finally the courtesy supervisor came over and told her that how I paid shouldn't have anything to do with the cat spitting out or not just if I bought the right stuff. So she had the girl force it. It is nice being able to restock my emergency kit plus a few extras for $5.87 and get a $10 cat that is good till 11/9 but man was that more work than I wanted. ETA I know I am whining when I should be thrilled. I guess I have been getting a litttle spoiled from all the deals there that came off with no problem lately. Someone beat me with a wet noodle.
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weaselfer
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Post by weaselfer on Oct 26, 2011 11:10:34 GMT -5
973beachbum, I'm not going to beat you with a wet noodle as I believe you have every reason to whine. I have been avoiding Krogers as I don't want to have to deal with not knowing how my coupons are going to work. I haven't been there in about a month. I hate not knowing if my couples will double ( ours still did), if the ecoupons will come off, how many I can use and what not. I hate, hate, hate grocery shopping now.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Oct 26, 2011 11:50:02 GMT -5
I went to Shoprite this morning to try the buy $20 in shoprite HBA get a $10 cat. I just knew this one was going to be trouble! I purposely picked a time when I wouldn't feel rushed and the place would be quiet. The ad listed a few items in each category but then said "over 500 items to choose from". That always makes it sooooo much harder. I even saw the HBA mgr and asked if certain thing, like cotton balls, were included. He said he thought all SR HBA should be so do it and if it didn't come out he told courtesy to force it to print for me. So I bought a bunch of SR band aids, sr triple antibiotic oint, some SR benedryl and some cotton balls. I even made sure that that was the only thing in that order so there would be no confusion. The total before tax was $20.87 and sure enough no cat after I paid with $15 in cats from last week and $5.87. So off to courtesy I went. Do they just give me my cat on the mgr's say so of course not. The woman starts off by saying that I didn't get the cat because I paid for part of it with the different cats from last week. Finally the courtesy supervisor came over and told her that how I paid shouldn't have anything to do with the cat spitting out or not just if I bought the right stuff. So she had the girl force it. It is nice being able to restock my emergency kit plus a few extras for $5.87 and get a $10 cat that is good till 11/9 but man was that more work than I wanted. ETA I know I am whining when I should be thrilled. I guess I have been getting a litttle spoiled from all the deals there that came off with no problem lately. Someone beat me with a wet noodle. beachbum: Now, you're seeing the "negative side" of couponing. You found a deal and started thinking outside the box - but that includes the uncertainly as to whether or not it will work (what I call "sketchy"). You might go and have it work "slick as snot" or it might be a total bust and a total waste of your time and effort - you just never know. You were SMART, SMART, SMART to talk to the manager first. If you hadn't done that, you probably would have been screwed. You have to really evaluate whether the time and frustration is worth it to you (i.e. how badly you need the item(s) and how much money you're actually going to save if the deal ends up working). Now that it's done, I bet you've concluded that it was worth it to you because you now have a nice little stockpile of first aid items. And that's how it's done - one sale at a time, one need at a time. I have stockpiled some of the most unusual things, for free or very close to free, just because there was an opportunity to do so including really nice dishtowels and very expensive cologne for DH and me.
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