Making friends in the store

[YogaRunner]

I'm new to couponing and to HCW! I have been slowly starting to collect inserts and clip coupons and for the first time I took a whole stack to Harris Teeter to see what deals I could get last week.

I was standing in front of the yogurt case trying to figure out which yogurts match my coupons when a woman standing next to me got my attention and pointed out that buying four single yogurts was cheaper than buying the four-pack - and the singles were bigger! So we talked for a bit about how worthwhile it is to take a minute and compare prices and sizes of things and how a lot of people probably don't do that.

I wonder if she talked to me because she saw I was holding a stack of coupons. Clearly she's a bargain-hunter too. It was kinda fun, I felt like we were in on a secret together or something :)

My question is - do you run into other couponers when you shop? If so, do you strike up conversations? Have you made friends through couponing?

[shelleyf]

Hi yes I have made a very good friend that lives locally from couponing. She saw me in the store a long time ago and asked about me (to the cashiers). She is a member of HCW also and asked about me and found me. She was too shy to just talk to me at first, that is why she did research on me, lol. We are close and enjoy talking about our deals. She understands the excitement when I find a "tearpad" or "blinkie" or any other HOT coupon.
I hardly run into other couponers sometimes when I shop. Most people in my area do not coupon I have been told. They will clear the shelves when there is a great sale because they think it is a bargain, but will not use a coupon. It blows my mind how much money people waste. I try to talk to others and give coupons and get ugly looks alot of times so I don't offer that often anymore. I just watch them blow $300 on their order while I pay $50 for more stuff, lol. I guess it is a good thing if others don't coupon because that is more stuff for us.

[Ggbwg]

I've only ran into 3 people who were using coupons like i do, in the past 2 years. They all had spoke to me because my coupon box caught there attention or because they heard how low my total was.

I don't mind talking to other people, it's fun. None of those people were from HCW they were for a couple of other sites. I told them i thought the deals were better here and they disagreed, lol.

[shelleyf]

Originally Posted by Ggbwg I've only ran into 3 people who were using coupons like i do, in the past 2 years. They all had spoke to me because my coupon box caught there attention or because they heard how low my total was. I don't mind talking to other people, it's fun. None of those people were from HCW they were for a couple of other sites. I told them i thought the deals were better here and they disagreed, lol.

I hear you. I have been told that they have "heard" of HCW but don't think it is that great. I know why some people like other sites more though. It is not a good thing though. Some of the other sites "morals" are very questionable, therefore promote fraud usage of coupons and some people like it that way.

[YogaRunner]

Interesting - thanks for sharing :) Like I said I've just begun couponing so coupons haven't been on my radar screen until recently, but aside from club cards I don't think I have ever seen anyone using coupons at the register or who have binders/envelopes of coupons with them when they shop. Of course now that I'm more aware I'll probably notice it more.

I live in an affluent part of town so it probably doesn't occur to many people to coupon. Also, people in my town tend to be incredibly busy (we're all workaholics!) so maybe they think they don't have time to clip coupons.

I actually find it to be a very relaxing project

[hbaqueen]

I generally talk to people in the store because Ive become the crazy loon I always thought my mom was for talking to strangers. But Im the same way I dont know a stranger.
Ive made tons of friends on here.

Couponers in this area are iffy. Some are super nice and sweet!
Ive made one friend that I met in store by just talking about coupons.
And Ive met a few other people that Ill see and talk to when were out.
And then some people are nice and will chat with you but you dont see them again.
And then some are right down rude! They act like you might get the deal they want and they wont even speak to you. So its a mixed bag for sure. But I am always nice and talkative and outgoing. But I have days when I dont feel well or am tired , in a hurry or whatever and am not very outgoing so I generally give people the benefit of the doubt that they are just having an off day.

Also I did see someone in person and talk to her a few times and she looked really familiar well come to find out I had waited on her at my old job and I had worked with her ex. Well a year or so later I had been talking to someone here at HCW from the area. Went to Riteaid saw the first lady and thought to myself I bet thats the same person so I asked her and it was we had met in the store before and talked then had talked here and didnt even know it was each other lol
So theres another local friend Ive made form couponing.

[Ggbwg]

Originally Posted by shelleyf I hear you. I have been told that they have "heard" of HCW but don't think it is that great. I know why some people like other sites more though. It is not a good thing though. Some of the other sites "morals" are very questionable, therefore promote fraud usage of coupons and some people like it that way.

EXACTLY!!! You read my mind, and also 1 of those gals even showed me what she was doing and was all proud and suggested me to do so. Remember when we had that toy Q for Target ? Well she was using it on NON toy purchases. I told her it was meant for toys & nothing else. She left me in a hurry.

[triplet-momma]

Hi Yogi, welcome to the madhouse

[AmyinDM]

I like that people here at HCW are promoting ethical, positive use of coupons. I've even learned a LOT about what's "legal" and what's not along the way. (With a few gentle kicks in the pants from forum moderators lol!) I think couponers get a bad rep when they are obviously trying to work the system in a way that is obviously breaking or manipulating rules and it hurts all of us. I've not seen that going on around here and that's a good thing.

I occasionally run into somebody with coupons in their hand but I've only ever seen one other person with a binder. I've taken to keeping mine in the car because I pull my coupons out into envelopes ahead of time and stick to my list. Sometimes I'll pull a bunch extra "just in case" and I've been known to foist them upon strangers who were buying the same item. Mostly people have been really nice!

It's the checkers who have been the most curious about how I organize my coupons. Especially when I bring in the binder.

[mommy22girls]

I'm the only person I have seen with a binder. I get alot of questions about my Qs. "Is that your organizer?" "Wow you are organized!" "Where do you get the coupons?". I'm always polite and tell them the different sources of coupons and always refer them to HCW. I think I help out some people and it is an interesting conversation starter. Just today, I got 8 2 liters of Coke and 1 mouthwash at CVS. Paid 9 something OOP and got back 6 ECBs, girl checking me out said, Wow you got all that for $3, Impressive. I just smile. I like when peole recognize the good deal. And when people ask where I got a specific Q, I tell them. No need for secrets.