Isn't it Coupon Fraud when *I* don't get the full value and the store does?

[poetangel]

I browsed all the forums and could NOT figure out where to post this...but it pertains to couponing in general soo....if this is wrong mods, move it. Or if we need to delete it, it's understandable.

I'm just fed up with not getting "overage" or just plain getting the value of the coupon. When I have a $1/1 coupon in my hand, and the item is $.75, I want to see $1 taken off because when the store mails it in to the manufacturer, they will get $1 + $.08 handling.

I know we all discuss this (like when we are trying to figure out totals before getting to the register) and it's not right. Why should they get all the money for it, and yet a lot of them turn around and say we are the ones committing fraud by getting things for pennies!

For example, the stores I shop where the register auto-adjusts the coupon:
Ultra Foods
Meijer

The store adjusts the coupon:
CVS

I get full face value, no matter what:
Jewel
Target
Walgreens

I think it beeps, but they push it through:
Wal-Mart

Why the difference? Why don't we get our money? It's not just "wanting to get something for nothing." It's the fact that we are discriminated against for saving money, and yet the store makes money on us.

Can't we complain to someone like the Attorney General?

Granted, we don't want to make too many waves as we have seen what happens when we point things out to companies...so who knows, maybe all coupons would start being smaller, but I bet not...manufacturers want our business.

So does anyone know seriously what we can do about this issue, rather than continuing to complain about it, or just accept it as-is?

[Jiji]

I feel the same way - they don't mark out the price and accept less from the manufacturer, do they?

I don't know if contacting the AG would help - there is probably a right of refusal clause hanging around somewhere.

My only advice: use them where you know you get the overage or trade/auction to make something off of it.

[prinzessleahe]

wonderful point!! I had never thought about that at all. BUt your right

[jenntip]

I am new at this and I guess we have to stay a few feet ahead of the game.....It wouldn't hurt if the store would train their staff in cupons. I have had to print out the cupon policy of a couple different places and any time I get one of those cashers that give me trouble I just show them their policy from their corp office and I'm good.

[Spoildbby1]

I so agree with you on this!

[neverfullprice]

I am wondering what happens to a coupon when the store adjusts the value down to the price of the item. Example - a $1/1 Q for a 97cent item. Does the coupon get redeemed by the store for the full $1.00?

If this is the case, is it not considered coupon fraud on their part? Do their systems somehow magically show that the Q was redeemed for less than value and redeem for the $$ given to the customer?

I have looked on the CIC website and did not find an answer.

Input appreciated. Not that I can do anything about it, but my Inquiring Mind wants to know.

Thanks!

[ncbrunet]

The store gets the FULL value of the coupon back plus .08 per coupon. If they adjust the coupon down, then they made a few extra cents (or really cost you a few cents).

Each cashier is different about adjusting. My normal cashiers never adjust down. (I also will give them an overage coupon here and there for their own use and that goes a long way toward teaching them the benefit of overage in my opinion.)

HTH

Marsha

[amys]

I have often wondered about this too. Thanks for asking.

So basically - if a store adjusts a coupon down, they have committed coupon fraud and have robbed me of a few pennies.

Now, to some this would be small potatoes, and to an extent it is - but what if we are the one committing coupon fraud by a few pennies each time - once we hit $1000 we are committing a felony. Why is this not the same for a store?

I am happy to get my item free - I am happy that they do not deny my coupon completely (which I have had a store do) - I am not happy that they are doing something wrong.

lol

[SchwoomsMom]

Technically speaking, the stores aren't supposed to adjust down, many coupons actually state that they're only redeemable at face value.

The reason is, if the mfr's wanted you to use a .97c coupon, they would have made it that way.
The stores will adjust, mainly because they don't want you to be able to get the overage towards another item, thus making that item cheaper.
There are stores that will adjust, also, because they do turn the coupons in at face value, so they're not loosing anything.

Even if a store wrote on the coupon .97c, they will still be reimbursed for the full dollar.

In a manner of speaking, yes, it could be said it is coupon fraud, but smart couponers don't complain, because all that will mean, is that a company will stop adjusting down, and won't take a coupon that is more than the cost of the item.

For the amount of money that I save in a year, it is not worth the few pennies that they'll make, to make a deal out of it, and risk loosing the ability to shop there.

It's just not worth the fight.

For the same reason that you would not go to a store, and say, "Oh, no, that item was .97c, my coupon was $1, adjust it down please (if they allowed it thru and you got overage) they won't to that to the mfr.

They want to get the "overage" just as much as we do. Just look at it that way. I will NEVER complain when I'm being paid to take something, why should a store complain if they're being paid to sell something?

Just my 2 cents.

[essentia]

So basically - if a store adjusts a coupon down, they have committed coupon fraud and have robbed me of a few pennies.

It's not robbery because no value has been taken from you. The Q itself is materially worthless, e.g. "Cash value 1/100c" (or 1/20c or whatever).

Net effect is you are exchanging something of no intrinsic value for something of positive value (the product you purchased), and the store then exchanges that something of no intrinsic value for something of positive value (its money back on the product they sold). Win-win. And definitely not fraud since there was no deception.