[scottd09]

I've watched it before it premiers.

They added this message to the beginning of the show:

The shopping trips depicted in this program are extreme. Because coupon policies vary by store, region and manufacturer, please review the policies of your local retailer before shopping.

Thoughts about this?

[TJ_2008]

This is the place to discuss TLC's Extreme Couponing

Remember a few rules:

• No name-calling
• No curse words
• Keep it family friendly
• Etc.

If something seems questionable, report it!

[pro_well]

It's so sad that a small number of "EC'ers" has made it a problem to use coupons without being looked at or people thinking I'm a fraud!!

pro_well

[rac1891]

I think it is annoying because people see I am using coupons and call me a "hoarder"...cause they have seen the show...ugh.

[mrscrystal23]

Well I can say this I am not a hoarder I live in a house not much bigger than a shoe I have no room to hoard. LOL

[ASleaster88]

I hate it. My MIL thinks I shop like that and so since I get everything for 'free' (I don't most of the time it's a really good deal) that it's okay to take what she wants from my HBA and baby stock.
I don't have a stock room, I have a metal standing shelf that isn't even full. (yet it's getting there)

I'm also annoyed with 'do you clear shelves' or people just assuming that I do when I don't. The most I buy is 4 of the same item (I've only ONCE ordered something and that was a year ago)
For perishables I only get what we'll eat before it expires no matter how many coupons I have for it (I'll pass them one)
I normally only get 1-2 papers a week but during the P&G insert time I'll get 4

I also never buy things just to get an overage. If it's not something I'm going to use I don't get it.
As for donating I generally don't buy to donate, I donate from my stockpile. (however I did buy $100 in wipes and diapers at target for the diaper drive I'm hosting but I didn't even come close to clearing the shelves )

[momabrown3]

I have not watched the show.But from what I have read and seen else where.I am HAPPY that my stores that double/triple coupons have LIMITS on how many coupons you can use in trip (10 of the same coupons per transaction).

[lviars50]

my store's have gone to limit's also...HAPPY.....

[kimberly007]

I admit watching this show is a guilty pleasure for me. When it first started it showed met that I could do a lot more with my couponing and led me to AFC. However, I realized right from the start that this show was the exception to the rule. I don't have 60 hours a week to devote to couponing. Plus like many others my house is too small to have a stock pile room. My stuff is spread out all over the place. I do wish that EC would show what a typical couponer's shopping trip is like so people know most of us are normal.

[Tessmom05]

I have watched the show, but for me it is more like entertainment not reality. The stores around me that double or triple limit to 3 or 4 like coupons (mfq) and 2 like ips per transaction and a limit of 20 coupons that will double or triple per day period. Yes the shelves still get cleared here, but at least I know that it isn't just one person doing it because of the limits we have.
I buy what my family needs, and if it is a good deal I will stock up. I don't have a lot of room for stockpiling, I have different spots that I keep different stockpiles. I turned my coat closet in the living room into a mini pantry and that works for us, for now.
I too wish that EC would show a typical couponers trip, not just people who get 1000 boxes of cereal, toothpaste, ect.... But people seem to be drawn toward the outrageous so I take it for what I see it as, entertainment.

[faeryedark]

Originally Posted by momabrown3

I have not watched the show.But from what I have read and seen else where.I am HAPPY that my stores that double/triple coupons have LIMITS on how many coupons you can use in trip (10 of the same coupons per transaction).

I wish mine were that generous. One of my stores only double 1 like coupon, and the other doubles up to 4 like coupons

[Grasshoppa]

I have watched a few episodes at my MIL's house. It is entertaining to me. But it does bother me that people think we are all like that.

As for them showing what real couponing is like....... it wouldn't be extreme AND people wouldn't watch it.

[veriria]

Comment removed.

[jpoole329]

Was mostly just sad to see it got renewed a 2nd season.

[Maggiew]

Five years ago, if I said I couponed, many people would look at me with pity that I couldn't afford to shop without coupons. Or with confusion, as why would I waste so much time with the pieces of paper.

It was the same look I get when I pick pennies up off the ground. I didn't mind that-I was proud that I didn't waste my pennies.

Now if I say I use coupons, people look at me like I am a circus freak. The first thing they say is, "Oh! You're one of those..."

[cammy1821]

I just wish some managers and cashiers at the stores wouldnt roll their eyes and make rude comments when you want to use coupons to get a great deal.. Recently my shoprite used to sell newspapers for 99cents now its a 1.75 and they said they now only allow 4 like coupons per day. I cant split transaction once anymore Stores are really trying to stop us couponers and its sad because I dont clear shelves I only buy what we need. I have 2 little boys and a husband and its expensive.

[jpoole329]

Originally Posted by Maggiew

It was the same look I get when I pick pennies up off the ground.

I do the same thing! It's one of the only forms of free money. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one looking down

[momabrown3]

Originally Posted by faeryedark

I wish mine were that generous. One of my stores only double 1 like coupon, and the other doubles up to 4 like coupons

My Bi-lo store doubles up to .60 with a 10 same coupon policy( have used over a 100 coupons in 1 transaction)

Ht doubles/triple up to .99 limit 20 coupons per day (only 3 of same coupon/2 IP same coupons).Will not double/triple any coupons that say DND.

Ingles doubles/triples up to.50 ( only 3 same coupons)Have to purchase 10.00 to get 3 coupons doubled .ONLY cheerie pick this store.

[KaillasB]

I enjoy watching the Ec show. It is the same as the other reality shows, would you actually expect to throw your kid a $200,000 birthday party and tell your husband that you are only spending a few thousand?

For those that do coupon as a way of life, you will continue too long past EC's series finale. The guidelines and tightening will loosen back up.

I enjoy watching the show, its funny when we see someone use a coupon and we laugh and say, oh yeah, we used our 10! Then they proceed to get 200 of them.

[Brutuses]

A lady on my facebook list was complaining about a woman in line ahead of her that held up the line and only save $3.15. I told her that's what she thought that most probably she had a lot of register generated coupons on that order. I told her I started couponing and am saving $100 a month. I hope that impresses her enough to not complain about the next couponer she runs into. LOL

[cammy1821]

In this economy any kind of savings is worth it. I always try to save at least 50% of my bill and I am mostly successful but sometimes its more sometimes less

[nwfrugalista]

I've watched the show, but mostly as an example of how NOT to coupon (shelf-clearing, fraudulent use, or hoarding!). There have been a few ECers who I believe have done it honorably (one that jumps to mind was the minister in PA who donated everything, I think his name was Chris?), but sadly there are as many if not more who haven't been as honest.

I wish the stores would abide by their own policies when the ECers show up with camera crews (I know one store--can't remember, was it ShopRite?--did when ECer Treasure did her shop), mostly though, it seems like they practice no limits on like coupons/doubled coupons, or allow many transactions to get around limits, which is not how those same chain stores operate when I show up to shop, LOL!! It definitely builds a false expectation by non-couponers, that when a couponer shops everything is free (or a 95% savings).

Plus I don't like the fact that the show tacitly encourages criminal behaviours like trespassing (swiping newspapers from others' driveways or climbing into dumpsters clearly marked NO TRESPASSING) or buying coupons against the language printed on the face of nearly all MQs (sorry but I don't subscribe to the 'paying for the service' theory). As a shopper who works hard to abide by every store policy, limit, restrictions on the face of the coupon, etc., it makes me sad that now most people think that all couponers are ECers who try to get around the rules or break them and that couponers are 'scamming' the system.

[rac1891]

[quote=nwfrugalista;4234109]

or buying coupons against the language printed on the face of nearly all MQs (sorry but I don't subscribe to the 'paying for the service' theory). QUOTE]


I never thought about this! So, are the coupon clipping services just working in a grey area then? With the "paying for service" thing? Interesting..

[ASleaster88]

technically your not suppose to transfer, sell or buy coupons.....so even trading them isn't really kosher.

[tarheel247]

Originally Posted by momabrown3

My Bi-lo store doubles up to .60 with a 10 same coupon policy( have used over a 100 coupons in 1 transaction)

I'm from Harrisburg..didn't move to the east side of the state till the middle of 2006. But when I lived back home the only stores that doubled/tripled were HT and Lowe's Food. I miss being around all those stores. Wags/CVS/RA on every corner. WM and Target every couple of miles. Just don't know whatcha got till its gone.