Buying vs Collecting

[WVCouple]

Good Morning!

I am new here to the site and also to couponing. I actually haven't yet started, but here to learn as much as I can so I won't make a mistake when I go out.

My question is do you buy your coupons or collect them? I myself don't mind collecting them, but have a major problem in the neighborhood. We have several newspaper boxes around and find that each and every week the papers in the boxes has the inserts stolen. Actually my husband stopped at the box early (around 4:30am) and seen teenagers going thru the papers taking out the coupons. Come to find out the neighbor on the next street over has her kids to go to all the boxes to get the inserts. She admited to it while we were at their yardsale. She uses her coupons to stockpile and sets up at a local flea market to sell the goods. She said she never buys her coupons but pays her kids to go to all the boxes not only here, but all boxes in the area!
Everyone I know either uses the coupons or don't get a Sunday paper to save the inserts for me. So would it be the best to just buy them from an online site? If so what one is best? What would you do?

Thanks!!!

[saversavory]

what about the papers that are in a store? can you buy some like that? you are welcome to check and make sure the coupons are in there before you purchase them.

[JulieDB]

I do both. I get a newspaper and can get a few that way and can get some from my dad. But most weeks there are maybe only 2 or 3 in a paper that I might use. And I generally don't need duplicates. When I buy them I get different ones than I get in the paper. Yes, some will be the same but I do get different ones. I also tend to buy in the middle of the night like now. Few people are online at this hour and I usually get them for next to nothing.

[$Saving!]

Good Morning!

I am new here to the site and also to couponing. I actually haven't yet started, but here to learn as much as I can so I won't make a mistake when I go out.

My question is do you buy your coupons or collect them? I myself don't mind collecting them, but have a major problem in the neighborhood. We have several newspaper boxes around and find that each and every week the papers in the boxes has the inserts stolen. Actually my husband stopped at the box early (around 4:30am) and seen teenagers going thru the papers taking out the coupons. Come to find out the neighbor on the next street over has her kids to go to all the boxes to get the inserts. She admited to it while we were at their yardsale. She uses her coupons to stockpile and sets up at a local flea market to sell the goods. She said she never buys her coupons but pays her kids to go to all the boxes not only here, but all boxes in the area!
Everyone I know either uses the coupons or don't get a Sunday paper to save the inserts for me. So would it be the best to just buy them from an online site? If so what one is best? What would you do?

Thanks!!!

First thing I'd do is report the thefts you know are happening to the newspaper company who owns those boxes! That is theft and they could prosecute if they desired.

Second thing I would do, while reporting to the paper what is happening at their newspaper boxes is inform them that if they refuse to handle this for their customers, you'll be happy to report it to the local television station, which won't bode well that they refuse to do something about it.

Yes, I'm serious. The only way something like this is allowed to continue is for people to let it continue with no effort to stop it.

You don't need to use names, but tell them what time of day this is happening and that it has been witnessed and where.

It is up to honest people to report crime, it won't stop until someone does

As to finding more coupons,friends and family who don't use their coupons or after they clip what they want might be more than happy to give you their inserts. And of course there are tons of printable coupons that often mirror what is in the inserts.

I've also bought here from members and the deals are always very good! I don't buy whole inserts but specific coupons I can use.

[Katane]

First thing I'd do is report the thefts you know are happening to the newspaper company who owns those boxes! That is theft and they could prosecute if they desired.

Second thing I would do, while reporting to the paper what is happening at their newspaper boxes is inform them that if they refuse to handle this for their customers, you'll be happy to report it to the local television station, which won't bode well that they refuse to do something about it.

Yes, I'm serious. The only way something like this is allowed to continue is for people to let it continue with no effort to stop it.

You don't need to use names, but tell them what time of day this is happening and that it has been witnessed and where.

I second this. You absolutely need to call the newspaper and report it. It's not just hurting you, it's probably killing the newspaper's sales and possibly affecting the person who stocks those boxes with papers too.

As for the buy or collect question. I've never bought a coupon (other than the prices paid for a paper or magazine subscription). I just can't wrap my head around ordering them online from somewhere. But that's just me, if you need multiples of a coupon and don't mind shelling out a little cash to get em, there is nothing wrong with that at all.