Stores Advised by CIC to NOT Participate with TLC Show Extreme Couponing
The Coupon Information Center (CIC) in anticipation of the return of the TLC show “Extreme Couponing” had posted a retailer alert in regards to participation on the show.
“The CIC advises retailers that they should exercise caution when considering participation with the show ‘Extreme Couponing,’ including allowing filming at retail sites.”
“Some of the “guests” on the show, including at least one minor, have used counterfeit coupons and engaged in other practices in violation of State or Federal laws, manufacturers’ coupon redemption policies, and/or retailers’ coupon acceptance policies. Retailers may not be reimbursed for counterfeit coupons received from the show’s participants.”
“Some consumers have reportedly filed complaints against the show with the Federal Communications Commission… The CIC has previously contacted The Discovery Channel to express these and related concerns. As of this date, The Discovery Channel, to our knowledge, has not taken any action to remedy the situation.”
“In summary, ‘Extreme Couponing’ exposes its retail participants to potential legal issues and counterfeit coupons, which may not be reimbursed, as well as potential adverse publicity.”
You All Were Right
To everyone that has complained about the show, we just want to say, “You were right.” Even the CIC recognizes the major issues with “Extreme Couponing.” And since they’ve not been able to stop TLC, they took their warnings to the stores. Though clearly they didn’t all listen considering the new season has aired.
Speak Out
Speaking of stopping TLC, on Facebook we asked today, “‘LIKE’ if you did NOT watch Extreme Couponing last night!” and received 200+ responses. Thanks for responding!
…
(Thanks Brandie for bringing this to our attention!)
Jessoltman on May 30th, 2012 8:29 am
FINALLY!! Hope this stops the madness soon!!
Losingitagain on May 30th, 2012 8:32 am
Finally! I posted yesterday on one of the AFC threads about the show that I would have like to see the CIC take a stand against the show and more importantly, the counterfeits and the coupon rule violations on that show. I am so glad to see the warnings because that is usually the first step in criminal prosecution (they usually have to show a good faith effort to get them to cease and desist before any other legal action be sought.
laura motz on May 30th, 2012 8:37 am
they sould criminally prosecute those participating in frudulant coupons. Its a crime. I also think there should e limits on sale items. its not rigt to walk into a store and watch someone load the entire skid of detergent into their car leaving literally none for anyone else. i have seen this at a local rite aid several times same person. i switched stores. its just selfish and stores should fix teir policies.
cvrdes on May 30th, 2012 4:04 pm
Glad to see the CIC Stepping up and doing something! I for one am very tired of being referred to as “one of those people from the show” and the general distrust retailers have formed of couponers because of the “extreme” the show pushes people to try.
sheila on June 1st, 2012 12:42 am
I spoke with ” coupon coordinator” at a sikeston mo store where one of the 5/28 episodes was filmed at. She told me they worked for months before the filming to check everything out and ensure coupons were valid. She said they all were good and store has been reimbursed by coupon clearing house. Does the clearing house not know when a fake coupon is presented. ? So does it go like this….fake coupon gets accepted by store,processed and paid by clearing house, at loss to mfg who raises the prices to pay for their losses?
peach on June 4th, 2012 9:08 pm
Gimme a break folks!!! In case nobody told you, this show is for ENTERTAINMENT!!! Why don’t you take a look and see what some of the other “reality” shows are promoting, it isn’t all good out there.
little.chickadee on June 5th, 2012 5:51 am
I’ve always said there was going to be a huge backlash as a result of the show. Watching these unscrupulous couponers, it only took seeing a few episodes first season to realize that the average couponer was going to pay for (no pun intended) the greed of these individuals. I braced myself for the inevitable policy changes and the micro-scrutiny I knew would come.
I love a good deal like anyone, and I stock up when there’s a good sale. But to clear the shelf at the store like these people do, knowing that it’s more than you’ll use before it goes bad (and in some cases, in this lifetime) just to “grow” your stockpile is just madness! I realized early on that the difference between them and me is that I know how to be reasonable and when to say, ‘enough’s enough’. IMHO, they have an addiction (and I don’t). If something is free after a coupon, and say, I have 50 coupons, I’m only going to take what I know my family will use in a reasonable amount of time. To take it just because it’s free is just greedy, IMHO. I’m not talking about getting extra to donate or to give to family/friends; I’m talking about getting all you can just to feed that addiction.
Thank you (NOT!) to those persons at TLC who made the decision(s) to sensationalize couponing. Thank you for [i]knowingly{/i] glamorizing (and therefore encouraging) the unethical and downright fraudulent use of coupons, just to boost viewership of your channel. Way to be responsible, TLC! You have an obligation to the public to be reputable and responsible. The right thing to do would be to stop broadcasting episodes NOW and cease production of any further episodes of this show. Honest couponers have suffered enough because of the actions (fraud) of the participants of your show. Now a second season? Please don’t punish us more because of the utter irresponsibility and outright stupidity of a TV station!