When in the store...

[jaws1]

Think I've had all of the above happen!
--"only poor folks use Qs" ... thinking, "wanna compare investment accts?!" (doesn't mean I have any, but bet they have less!) Often thought about replying, "Yea .. that's what my guy at Edward Jones used to think ..."

--"too much trouble" = true, takes work, but so do kids ... great thing to get them into and have fun and teach at same time! ... or, like a garden, takes work but produces great abundance! (I live in rural area ... they understand THAT analogy!)

I have a fondness for old folks (approaching being one myself!) ... when I see them looking at something, comparing prices, and I have a Q, I stop and tell them, "I don't know if it'll make a difference, but if you use this Q, this item will only cost $x.xx. I have a couple extra if you'd like to use them!" Generally, old folks appreciate it.

Had the gal look at me like space alien ... "sorry, didn't mean to intrude ..." shrugged shoulders and silently laughed.

Other shoppers pretty used to my binder by now. Now and then, get someone wanting questions. We talk. Sometimes ask if I've found a particular Q they've heard about. If I have and not planning on using, I offer it to them. Tell them, they'll see me and have one I need sometime ... it'll even out!

Rarely do I get someone just come up and ask for Q, but it happens. Again, if not gonna use, I'll give a couple.

Or, if I see someone fixing stock up on something that, thanks to here, I know is gonna be lower price in couple days, I tell them! Or, if another store has cheaper, I ask if they shop that store, and tell them if they don't mind making extra stop can save there.

I don't do it every time I go ... depends on mood, etc. But, I figure a RAOK never hurts, and may make someone's day a little better! Just like if I notice someone looks REALLY nice ... total stranger, but I stop and tell them, "Hey! Don't know if anyone's told you today, but you look REALLY sharp in that! ... Have a great day!"

For the grouches, "too prouds," etc ... hey, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" ...

[434Teresa]

I have tried to give coupons away and most people are rude about it where I live. I had a lady tell me that "I don't use coupons because I am not THAT POOR. Her husband wanted the coupons but she said "NO WAY I would rather pay full-price" so she did. I was so mad and embarassed because she looked at me like I was scum. I had other people just roll their eyes at me and say no I don't want any coupons so I mind my own business and watch their faces when they check out behind me when my total is so cheap. I just don't get most people and we are considered the "weird bunch", lol yes what is so weird for wanting to save money.

LOL..here is another TN person with a bad report on sharing coupons in the store.

TN must be a bad place for us couponers for I have had the same things to happen to me.. I also have had many very rude people behind me in line most of the time I try to act as if I dont hear them then make sure they hear both of my totals...then there is times when they get so loud and rude even start on the cashier and I have to say something I will usually say I had to wait in line just like you did and if you dont like this line there is more that you can get in or I will say do I tell you what to do with your money? I really try hard not the have to get rude back but sometimes it has to be done and I do it in a nice tone.

I have been told before that poor people use coupons also. I wantted to say if you have so much why shop at walmart? but did not just said ok

I did give a women enough coupons to total up to I think it was like $20 one time. she did not have enough to pay for what look like basic food for the week and get her gas for the week. So as she could not figure out what she needed the most I told her that I thought I could help her for I saw a few things as she put them on the belt that I had coupons for..when I got done she did not have to put anything back and was very thankfull to me and said she was going to have to use coupons now to.

[pokey]

Yes, I do share coupons and have ony had one person that refused one.
I always tell them if it will make the item free.
I don't think some people understand coupons.

The one person that refused one acted like it was illegal.

[xythnia]

I've had both, but normally I've run into positive responses. A young mom and her son saw me loading up on Odwalla bars and asked me if they were that good. I told her yep, and organic and (with the Q) free - and gave her a couple of Qs. Then I had to spend another 5 minutes explaining to her that...

1. Yes, you can use 5 coupons for 5 items
2. Yes, the $.50 Q will double to $1
3. Yes, that means the $1 bars will all be free
4. Yes, the store will let you do this
5. Yes, a coupon is like money.

It was SOO funny...She definately gave me the "alien" look...but it was really because I might as well have been speaking Klingon to her...But her son seemed to get the gist of it - free chocolate bars!!

[FRUGAL FRAN]

I did give a women enough coupons to total up to I think it was like $20 one time. she did not have enough to pay for what look like basic food for the week and get her gas for the week. So as she could not figure out what she needed the most I told her that I thought I could help her for I saw a few things as she put them on the belt that I had coupons for..when I got done she did not have to put anything back and was very thankfull to me and said she was going to have to use coupons now to.

THAT is awesome!!!

[cybilx10]

The door greeters at Meijer see me every week and say Hellow, and then remind me that I am the only person that comes in with a whole binder. I dont see too many people that shop like I do. I have seen people with a small handful of coupons but since Im not much of a extrovert, I keep to myself.
Now the cashiers love me. I go to my certain ones and they just cant believe how I do it.

[loulou3133]

I typically have my binder for unadvertised deals. I do plan out trips in advance and have my coupons organized.

I think couponing is kinda big in my area, I semi regularly see fellow couponers with binders at CVS and Fry's. I have talked with a few. I have left coupons on products I won't likely use. All and all my experiences have been positive.

Except ONE... It happened right after the airing of Extreme Couponers. Now mind you, our Fry's store only allows 3 like coupons used at one time... so did I have carts and carts full NO!! But it was a good week for me on stuff I wanted and needed to get, so I certainly had a fair amount in my cart. I was in the meat section and these two ladies were talking about the show. They saw my open coupon binder and W.OW I could not believe my ears..... One lady looked at the other and said "Look at all those coupons... how pathetic, it is people like that that really piss me off, she is definitely getting more than 3 of one item and people like that are going to ruin it for the honest coupon users"

The only 3 I had more than 3 of was apples and other produce.... I turned on my heel and said. "Not only did I hear what you just said about me in front of my 4 year old DD, but you are wrong. Take a second to check my cart. I am not pathetic and I am not going to ruin couponing for anyone.... I coupon within the rules because I need to stretch my budget just like you." I could not believe another coupon user would lash out at me like that , I would have expected that from a non- couponer user. Obviously she is not a "serious couponer" since my binder looked foreign to her. IDK. I was almost in tears I so upset. Oh well

[Doglover8180]

I typically have my binder for unadvertised deals. I do plan out trips in advance and have my coupons organized.

I think couponing is kinda big in my area, I semi regularly see fellow couponers with binders at CVS and Fry's. I have talked with a few. I have left coupons on products I won't likely use. All and all my experiences have been positive.

Except ONE... It happened right after the airing of Extreme Couponers. Now mind you, our Fry's store only allows 3 like coupons used at one time... so did I have carts and carts full NO!! But it was a good week for me on stuff I wanted and needed to get, so I certainly had a fair amount in my cart. I was in the meat section and these two ladies were talking about the show. They saw my open coupon binder and W.OW I could not believe my ears..... One lady looked at the other and said "Look at all those coupons... how pathetic, it is people like that that really piss me off, she is definitely getting more than 3 of one item and people like that are going to ruin it for the honest coupon users"

The only 3 I had more than 3 of was apples and other produce.... I turned on my heel and said. "Not only did I hear what you just said about me in front of my 4 year old DD, but you are wrong. Take a second to check my cart. I am not pathetic and I am not going to ruin couponing for anyone.... I coupon within the rules because I need to stretch my budget just like you." I could not believe another coupon user would lash out at me like that , I would have expected that from a non- couponer user. Obviously she is not a "serious couponer" since my binder looked foreign to her. IDK. I was almost in tears I so upset. Oh well

I am proud of you for speaking up and defending yourself.... good job!

[loulou3133]

Thanks... I am not one to go and pick a fight with someone... but my daughter heard and knew they were talking about me. I think to raise a strong child you do have to teach them to stand up for themselves.... that aside I would have said something if she was not there. They deserved to be called on being so rude, not mention wrong!

I know who the coupon unfriendly cashiers are and I avoid them like the plaque.