Extreme couponing show!!! good/bad thing?

[Doglover8180]

I think you will be dissapointed jamking - I don't think the show is going to teach anyone anything.... I think it's strictly for shock value.

Kinda like other TLC shows, people tune in for the shock value of it.... and shock value it is!

I am a couponer and even I am shocked by the show and the people and stores featured in it!

[CW&M Mom]

I do not have cable TV so there isn't a real easy way for me to watch the episodes.

What I would like:

A. TLC let people know that orders/products/coupons were "pre ordered" so no one actually thinks it's possible to buy 400 of the same product in one shot.

B. If that individual donates 90% or more of the stuff purchased that TLC disclose that.

C. That they only bring in people who are ethical coupon users. No one needs to watch people who promote unethical/illegal/fraud uses of coupons. From my understanding the first installment a few months back were all considered "ethical" coupon users BUT some of the new ones are not. None of us need to watch a coupon user that knowingly ripped off Target.

D. That they go to various stores besides stores that double. That they go to Target and Walmart and the big pharmacies and grocery stores that have strict doubling policies that make it harder to be "extreme" and that those people must follow to the letter the rules from that store. Example: If the Kroger store says you can only double 4 like coupons...then that coupon user has to follow it.

[BamaBird29]

I think it may be interesting, but I have to admit that I'm having mixed emotions about the show. I'm not neccessarily concerned about increased coupon scrutinization - as I always try to follow the rules and try to get my printable coupons from reputable websites, from trades {awesome stuff from awesome traders on HCW!}, or clip from newspapers.

However, I'm concerned that for those who cannot find that "one in a million deal" as shown on the show, they may get discouraged and stop couponing all together. I admit, when you can't find good coupons or good deals, it can become frustrating. However, I'm so addicted to saving money, I can't help but scour every possible source I can think of to gather coupons.

There was a huge article on a local west Alabama woman who shopped at Publix in Northport, AL {she says they have the best coupon policy}. Pairing her coupons {which she got for a $10.00 handling fee} with in-store coupons and sales ~ she saved $534.31 on that one shopping trip. Her total OOP was $1.23! There was a copy of her receipt included in the article. She admitted that this wasn't a typical shopping trip for her, but stated that she went from spending around $150/week to spending $20 - $30/week. That's a nice change. Even if I can't save over $500 on a shopping trip {I rarely spend that in an entire month}, if I can save even half of what she did - I'll be tickled pink!

Again, I have mixed feelings, though - I don't want anyone to get so discouraged that they stop couponing just because they cannot find the "pot-o-gold" at the end of the coupon rainbow.

[IntoTheMystic]

While I don't disagree that TLC exploits people, these people also CHOOSE to let themselves be taped.

I was actually thinking of "John and Kate Plus 8" and now "Kate Plus 8". Those children did NOT choose to live such a public life. Nor did the children on "Sister Wives", "Toddlers and Tiaras" and several others...

Last year, my then-9-year-old explained to me how mortified he would if intimate details of his life were on t.v., and that just sort of stuck with me. Then I realized many of TLC's hit shows were exploitations of people in crisis (i.e., hoarding, high-number multiple births, addiction, physical disabilities, extreme obesity, "strange addictions", etc.) and as we all know, people in crisis often don't make the best decisions. But, hey, that's just MO, so enjoy the show all you want

[angeliainwonderland]

LOVING all the comments!! Keep it up.
I am very worried about any new restrictions that this may cause. I truly need to coupon to be able to feed my family. I have already started having some problems (as addressed in my OP) Just hope this doesn't make it worse for people who are being ethical and doing this not because it's the cool new fad but because they actually need to save on som things to get by. Like me!

[blossomed]

This is the part that I don't get - how are people saving that much consistently on produce, seafood and meat, milk? I have watched many TV segments (did you see Nate berkus, ugh all this advice and then they show all shoprite brand products) and no one addresses it, they always say use the overage to purchase those things but I rarely have overage let alone enough to cover a gallon of milk. Or they say contact the company, but every time I contact I get 1 or 2 coupons but not enough to last all month.

so yeah until I am saving 60% off my bill, I will continue to watch.

[angeliainwonderland]

I had a friend at work ask me about being able to buy $600 worth of grocerys for $6. She knows that I coupon alot. I told her many of the things that others have stated on here about how unrealistic that protrayal is. I explained what she would have to do to achieve that, ie buy coupons on ebay , preorder items, etc. My friends words were the same as others on here: "well they don't tell you that part!"
That is my main concern with this show. I do not think it realistic reflects a "normal" couponer or 'hard-core" couponers. I also worry about the ones that I hear they are going to show who are using unethical practices. I am afraid people are going to think I do things that are unethicaland I do not! I have made mistakes on items and I felt very bad. I try very hard to do everything right.

[joshmamabear]

If, for the sake of argument, TLC discloses that all identical items bought by the hundreds have been special ordered/pre-ordered, what does that leave majority of random couponers who do not buy in bulk but just buy enough for their household consumption? Will all couponers now start demanding special order for the freebies advertised in weekly ads? Will manufacturers be willing to give away unlimited products to satisfy this increasing demand? Can we just all ask and the supply will come to us and we pay them with coupons? Do we believe that will fly?

Since many couponers are now saying that the solution to shelf clearing for stores to special order for their customers, will that really solve the problem and make everybody happy?

Wouldn't that open a pandora's box for all couponers if representatives of manufacturers like P&G are watching? Those who may not be aware of their coupon redemption policy agreement with retailers can read it here . It is understandable why RiteAid has come up as of 3/20 with a new policy of taking only 4 like coupons per transaction, reportedly as a result of an overwhelming amount of coupons that came back to them unpaid.

If we're not careful, it is also one among us, couponers who will cause our downfall. Then, we cannot even afford to have cheese with our whine .

M2C.

[Doglover8180]

Only a few more hours till the big premiere..... I'd like to say that I am excited and looking forward to it - but that would be a lie.... I think this is the first time I have ever "dreaded" truly dreaded a TV show airing....

[joshmamabear]

The best deterrent for me not to watch it is.... NOT having cable

I'll just have to read from y'all's feedback