Beyond upset....thanks so much TLC....

[darkwing932]

For the past 15 years I have had a reliable source for my Sunday inserts. I go last night to get them and get told no more papers for me.

As if that wasn't bad enough the papers had already been pulled from the racks, bundled and hidden away. I couldn't even buy them which I would have been happy to do so I could've at least gotten 2 or 3 sets of inserts.

This morning my husband got pulled aside and told the reason I can't have them anymore is that retailers NATIONWIDE are being asked to sign contracts with paper companies that the old papers will no longer be left where customers can get them. They told DH that the newspaper companies are all cracking down because of that freakin' show and the increases in theft and lost revenue from people that take the old bundles, dumpster dive, etc.

DH was told the new policy will be no throwing them out, no leaving them outside for the recycling truck. They must be kept in a secure location and taken to the recycling truck by the store manager to ensure compliance.

I figured maybe they were just playing it up so I asked a friend of mine that works at a different store (different company) and she said the same thing. The paper guy came in last week and made the boss sign a contract stating the same rules.

I know I still have the option of trading but how long is that going to last. If they coupon companies start implementing the regional coding how trading will be impossible.

I am beyond depressed right now. I have health issues and can't work, I don't qualify for disability, we don't qualify for any assistance and DH is about to loose his part-time job. That coupled with the holidays coming....

I have no idea how I'm gonna continue to afford groceries or should I say I have no idea how I'm going to afford anything extra because the money is now gonna have to go for groceries.

[$Saving!]

Are you upset because you couldn't get them free or because they keep the papers behind the counter and you have to ask in order to purchase them?

I'm a bit confused.

If they are not allowing you to buy them, sure I'd be upset too! But I look at the cost of the papers as minimal in the return I get when I use the coupons.

I get three Sunday papers delivered each week (of which approx 7-8 a year do not have any inserts). I spend under $200 per year for those papers. So far, this year, I've saved $6,500+ in redeemed coupons (many doubled), so even if you take those coupons at face value, I've still saved well over $3,000 and the year is not over, more coupons are coming through the end of this year.

There is nowhere you can invest money and get a better rate of return.

[darkwing932]

Sorry if it was confusing.

I've been couponing since the good old days when you had a pen, paper, coupons and the store ad. No one to list the deals for you, no internet. figure out the deals yourself so I completely get the rate of return thing.

Firstly, I'm upset that they wouldn't let me buy them. I would've been more than happy to have bought the papers had I known. Instead they were stowed away in the trash room and they were not allowed to be touched.

Secondly, I'm not upset at not "getting something for nothing". I know how lucky I have been over the years and am grateful for it. There are plenty of times that those coupons have been the difference between having and not having. At this point I see alot of not having in my future which is also upsetting.

Lastly, I know that not alot of people are fortunate enough to get multiple inserts and I have ALWAYS tried to be generous with my coupons and pay it forward. I donate to the food bank and even send my expireds to military families so nothing goes to waste. Its just frustrating that a TV show can cause such negative backlash and affect so many people negatively. I guess I'm partly feeling sorry for myself and partly for the people that I won't be able to help anymore. All because of a stupid TV show!!!

[clippyclippy]

Was the store closed when you went? And it was Sunday?
I don't understand why they wouldn't let you buy one... If it was still open, I'd take a complaint to the manager.

[mrsjschultz]

We dont even get inserts anymore in my area in the major Sunday paper because we're so rural. I was informed they are putting out less inserts now because of the trend :(

Sorry you are going through this. I feel your pain!

[server18]

I would definately call and complain also that you weren't able to purchase a paper. I thought you were suppose to be able to purchase them anytime of day or night as long as the store is open for business.


I wonder how many store managers are actually going to dispose of the papers themselves, actually taking then to the recycling centers. I don't believe anyone can make them do that.


DH was told the new policy will be no throwing them out, no leaving them outside for the recycling truck. They must be kept in a secure location and taken to the recycling truck by the store manager to ensure compliance.

[3timesoccermom]

I wonder if the store personnel misunderstood the paper guy - it seems stupid for them to not allow someone to buy the papers especially if it's still the same day the paper was printed for. That's what they are there for in the first place!!

I would check back often and see if they change their minds about that.

And you're not feeling sorry for yourself - you are just thinking ahead and realizing this is not a good thing for your family budget. I'm sure 15 years of those inserts made a tremendous difference and I'd be crushed to have it yanked out from under me too.

I hope a solution comes up for you. You might need to re-double your trading efforts - maybe get something going with local folks and meet up every 2 weeks or something. I feel sure you will find a solution - couponing people are smart that way!

[darkwing932]

Awww....thanks so much for the kind words everyone!!! I don't have anyone in my life that understands. Not many of my friends coupon so to them this would be a big fat nothing.

Just to clarify ~ the location is a 24/7 location and normally every night at 11pm the papers are counted, taken off the racks and bundled for trash.

Last night we were there at 10:40pm and DH went in to grab our coffees and discovered that the racks were already cleared. He asked and was told that they had already been "taken care of". Which was later explained as counted and bundled and put in the back in the trash room.

DH did ask if he could buy some and was told no since they were already bundled and the employees were instructed they are not to be touched the Manager would be taking care of them in the morning.

Now that I think about it I really wonder how the newspaper would feel knowing that they denied them revenue by denying the sale.

[bali1228]

I went into my local market and asked to buy yesterdays paper (they usually keep them in a bag under the customer service desk) and was told they were gone. I hate that show......

[everprincess]

That's so stupid. DH has to go very early here to get papers or they are gone. I have two sources for papers but they didn't call me this week-I guess they sold everything they had-ugh!