kinda sorta feeling humiliated about using coupons

[Queenkim98]

I didn't post this under "hutc" because I'm not really hot about it. I've been a coupon user for some 20 odd years and I do have a relatively thick skin. Yesterday, while at 2 different grocery store chains, a cashier singled me out and had to mention my excessive use of coupons. First of all there are no coupon limits at either store. Secondly after double coupons, I was getting none of the items for free at either store. In both stores, I cruised up and down the aisles, trying to match items up with my coupons. It just so happened that the first store, was so over priced that only purchased 12 bottles of tabasco sauce. I had 4 bottles of each of the 3 flavors available. I used 12 coupons, but they had 3 different experation dates and amounts. The second store I purchaed a few items using other coupons and I only purchased 8 bottles of tabasco sauce, using 8 coupons. They were to be 19¢ each after coupons. Neither of those stores have limits on coupons, so I wasn't breaking any rules.

I do remember some kind of quote that Elenor Roosevelt said about how nobody can make you feel inferior unless you let them..........but my goodness.......its becoming a constant thing, where a cashier has to open there mouth and give their opion........and its getting to me.

It makes me want to do all my shopping at walmart or Aldis.

Kim

[3timesoccermom]

You're definitely not alone. The thing is, why do they care??? Maybe next time tell them "thanks so much for your valuable opinion" and give them a wink.

[GJohnson39]

You are probably just one of the most proficient couponers in the area, which makes you a leader.

Remember the saying "It's lonely at the top?" It's lonely because you are the one with the vision to see a bigger picture and to see the advantages of Q'ing.

Don't let their lack of vision and understanding get you down. If what they say bothers you, ask nicely if you have broken any store rules. Thank them when they say, "well, no" and go on your way.

[sunnie_skys]

My big ole mouth would probably say "when you save money the way I do with coupons you would understand. But you don't, so I suggest you adjust your attitude before I talk to your manager." I don't handle people like that well. I tend to go overboard.

[jamking75]

You're definitely not alone. The thing is, why do they care??? Maybe next time tell them "thanks so much for your valuable opinion" and give them a wink.

I agree. As hard as it is to not to give the cashier a piece of your mind, you are a better person to kill them with kindness. Take the high road.

U r not alone. If u took a poll, I'm sure most of us have been in ur position. There is nothing humiliating about saving money, especially in today's economy. Even people who don't have to save money use coupons.

[3timesoccermom]

Geez! What do you say on really big issues?

I don't see how that's any better than what the cashier did.

My big ole mouth would probably say "when you save money the way I do with coupons you would understand. But you don't, so I suggest you adjust your attitude before I talk to your manager." I don't handle people like that well. I tend to go overboard.

[Doglover8180]

I get exactly what you are saying.... there have been many times where I feel that cashiers, store employees, and other customers look at me like I am "less than" because I am a heavy couponer. I feel that sometimes other customers behind me in line think that I can't afford my groceries so I coupon just to be able to afford them. I sometimes feel embarassed even that I am using coupons but then sometimes I wonder - are these people really thinking this or is it just me.... do I feel inferior because I am using coupons and maybe alot of people who I think are looking at me funny - aren't really thinking anything of it at all. I love the cashiers that say - "wow you did great" or "I wish I could do that - you did great" but unfortunately the times I hear that are signigificantly less then the times I hear something negative. I wish people (cashiers, store managers, and other customers) knew that I coupon by choice and necessity - not just necessity. I can afford to pay full price for that package of soft drinks but I chose not to. I don't have to have a handful of coupons in order to be able to walk to the checkout line - I chose to!

[sunnie_skys]

Thats what I was trying to say. I tend to go overboard and its not any better than what the cashier did. I try to keep my mouth shut but it doesnt always work.

Geez! What do you say on really big issues?

I don't see how that's any better than what the cashier did.

[Pennstater]

I look at it like this,

We are cutting tiny little paper scraps out of the newspaper for CASH!!! Now if everyone is not smart enough to do that, they are the ones that should be embarrassed!!!

[tacatcon]

I have more times people praise my couponing and how well it pays off than not so I try not to let the ignorant comments I get sometimes discourage me. I think if you are self confidant and know in your heart and head you are not breaking any rules and you are working just as hard to find those deals as another person might be working at a job to make their salary and spend way too much in cash for their groceries, you can just hold your head high and not worry about it! If anyone was ever over rude to me though, I would get the manager though. I don't expect rude treatment from a cashier and I think the manager might want to know if their customers were being treated poorly.