Recently I heard a story about unethical and fraudulent coupon usage that has hurt many couponers in my area, so I felt the need to explain some things. While I am certainly not the coupon police, I do feel compelled to comment on this activity because it is so intrinsic to my business. Let me start by pointing out that I try to point all questions about ethics to God’s Word. I believe, and the passage below confirms, that if we allow Him to, the Holy Spirit will guide every believer’s actions as they relate to moral and ethical behavior.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” ~ John 14:26
Here is what happened:
Apparently a shopper came in to a local Publix store with the Food Lion printable coupons, and got 90+ bags of trail mix. Because of this shopper’s actions, I was prohibited from using the two coupons I had printed off of my two computers when I shopped at Publix later. You see, these coupons are supposed to be printed one time per computer. It is actually coupon fraud to print a coupon and then reproduce it en masse. And, though I and many others followed the rules, we suffered for one person’s selfishness. With that being said, I think the following post deserves fresh attention. Below is an excerpt, go here to read the full post.
A few tips and guidelines with coupon usage:
1. Printable Competitors Coupons – Be sure to read the fine print and use the coupons as directed. Most only allow one print per computer. I purposely do not post links to PDF files, in an effort not to tempt you to print multiples. It is too much of a temptation, and I feel there are so many great deals, there is no need to be unethical. Also, unless they are posted on a manufacturer’s or retailer’s site, most online PDF printable coupons are a violation of the terms of the coupon. This is a slippery slope that leads to more misuse, so stay above board at all times!
A rule of thumb I have tried to adopt is that if there is a PDF file to print a coupon, I only promote or use it if it is on the manufacturer’s website. Most that are floating around loose have a high probability to be fraudulent. See my post on Fraudulent Coupons to see if a coupon is fraudulent or not.
2. Grabbing Coupon Booklets – Now I am the first to want to grab 20 of a coupon booklet when they are laying out. So, I want to encourage to grab a few and leave some for others.
3. Expired Coupons – I used expired coupons in the beginning of my coupon journey, until I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. One thing I have learned is that deals and coupons are offered for a reason, and we should try to use them for their intended purpose, which includes respecting the expiration dates. While I have heard tons of stories on the coupon redemption process and when they get reimbursed, I will promote proper coupon usage, which means discouraging the use of expired coupons. (There is an exception for the military at overseas commissaries.)
Note: If you post a deal promoting the use of expired coupons, I will delete it to prevent confusion for readers.
4. Zip Code Specific Coupons – Some coupon sites offer ZIP code specific coupons for certain regions. I know there are places that list ZIP codes you can use to get certain coupons, but these coupons are only meant for certain ZIP codes, so I choose not to post them. I figure the manufacturers have their reasons for restricting the promotions and we should choose to play by their rules.
5. Purchasing Coupons – Lately I have had a lot of questions about purchasing coupons online. Again, I point you to the fine print. Many of them say “void if sold.” There are a couple of ways to look at this, you are either paying for the service of clipping them or paying for the coupons. I’ll let you decide! I personally don’t purchase coupons because I have so many I can’t use them all!!
In closing, I want to say that in my sinful nature I have tried to explain away what I now see was abuse and misuse of the system, trying to claim I was doing it in the name of generosity. (“I’ll have more to give!”) But one thing I have learned is that God hasn’t just called me to give to others, He has called all of us to live generously. If we ignore the Spirit’s nudge to hold off, we are taking away giving opportunities from others who are wanting the chance. What I have experienced is that most of the time, giving most greatly blesses the giver — an open hand leads to an open heart!
Another great post on Couponing Ethics here.
How about you? What are your thoughts on my post above? Any areas I have forgotten to list? I would love your positive feedback and ideas on proper coupon usage and ethics!!
I agree with you and I am glad that you are following the Word of God to decide what you post and don't post.
I saw a neighbor yesterday @ kroger ger a b1g1 Secret and put 1 in his cart, explaining to his son that he got it free. Does it not charge 1/2 price if you just buy 1? Should I have said something?
As the owner of a small business, I appreciate the couponing ethics. It is amazing what people try to get away with. Coupons are to bring in customers, not to lose them because we have to draw the line!
I love your point: “we are taking away giving opportunities from others who are wanting the chance.” This is SO true!
This problem has been happening in our neighborhood as well to the point that many/most of the stores in our area do not accept printable coupons. I quit subscribing to the newspaper because of vast theological/political differences between myself and the papers' editors/owners/writers and don't feel like I can in good conscience support it. SO I don't get the newspaper coupons either. ONE of the Kroger stores has some baskets of coupons for a swap, but with 4 kids its difficult to take too much time there. They also stopped taking the P&G digital coupons on my Kroger card here too.
Its really sad when you have a few abusers who really mess things up for those of us who really depend on these money savers just to make it to the end of the month!
And that is why I love your site. I also feel like people should use some discretion when coupons are offered right in front of them. Example: Publix Hallmark Expressions gave away .99 coupons to purchase a card this week. Even though I had 6 cards to buy, 3 for my children and 3 for their teachers, I chose to use 1 coupon that I got from my paper and 1 that was offered on a tearpad. If we abuse the system, I am afraid it just won't be offered anymore. Walgreens on the corner of Moores and Franklin won't take printable coupons anymore because somebody abused the system. This post is a great reminder to everyone to be responsible and ethical.
Thank you for posting this. The whole trail mix thing threw off my couponing too. It's to the point that it's difficult to use coupons at my local Publix because of the abuse.
And thank you for #2. It's very frustrating to want to use a coupon from the booklet and they are all gone by the time I get to the store.
I really hope all Publix stores don't start not accepting competitors coupons! I love my Publix. I can't imagine why someone would be so selfish. I have taught several of my friends to coupon and I always stress to them the importance of coupon ethics. You should always think about the impact you are having on others. If you ruin for everyone,YOU are also included in that. Enjoy your 90 bags of trail mix, but don't cry about it when from now on you can't save money.
Wow, thanks so much for posting that. I've wrestled through some of the issues (especially the zip code thing) and felt really convicted when I printed one for another zip code. Thanks for reminding us to be above reproach in all areas. Couponing can be an area that, despite the desire to give generously, can truly breed greed in us which in turn is a root of great evil. Sometimes I even feel like the time I spend working on couponing (despite the fact that it can save my family much money) actually takes my time and energy away from things that God would probably rather me be focusing my attention on. For me, it all goes back to listening to the Holy Spirit and trusting Him to prompt me when I have overstepped the bounds of wisdom and honesty. Thanks for sharing this!
I appreciate this post so much. It's a shame that a few will ruin something for the many. All we can do is pray for them and hope that they see the error in their ways. Blessings
Thanks for your post. I also feel the same way. I believe God blessed and answered my prayers to save money by introducing me to couponing. How can he continue to bless if I misuse them? It's being dishonest and stealing. I'm so glad my fellow couponers feel the same!
Thank you so much for this post. I want to pay $4 for $400 of groceries like everyone else, but I don't feel it's right to “stretch” the rules. I'm very happy to save my 50% with legit coupons and deals and move on.
You can read about current coupon fraud as well as check questionable coupons at:
http://www.cents-off.com/body_coupon_counterfei…
Ronica
http://www.keepingourcash.com
Kelly…Thanks SO much for the link to my blog! I am so glad that you posted about this too! Coupon Ethics is so important and I stress it, almost to a fault in my classes…lol BUT I have seen things change so drastically in the past few months with coupons because of the way people have been abusing the system. Things are night and day different to when I started couponing a few years ago. It really stinks!!! Publix is my absolute favorite store to shop…but they have been forced to make drastic changes to their policies (even more have been made since I wrote that post) and it has really made it hard for everyone. I can not thank you enough for helping to get the word out about what God would have us do…be ethical and maintain integrity when using our coupons. I also LOVE what you wrote about it taking the giving blessings away from others…that is so TRUE! Keep up the good work!!!!!! I'm linking up to this post 🙂 You ROCK!!!!!
Great post, which is clearly timely and important to remember!
Thank you for posting that! I tried to use a Food Lion coupon this last week at Publix and they said they don't take “competitors” coupons anymore. They have also refused Target before too. I wish this person hadn't messed it up for the rest of us trying to do our part in being a responsible shopper. It's frustrating.
Thank you for posting this article. As a website owner who also promotes online deals and coupons it is an important topic to be aware of today.
I assume stores wouldn't get reimbursed for an expired coupon?
Thank you for this post. My most recent temptation has been with zip code specific coupons. I don't recall the circumstances, but I do remember trying to print a specific zip-code coupon and sensing the displeasure of God. Thanks for this particular reminder/encouragement, as well as the others. And, Ashley – I'm right there with you, girl!
Thanks, Kelly. It is important for all of us who coupon to understand that crossing the line in the ethical use of coupons effectively means that we are attempting to steal from someone (the grocery store, the manufacturer, etc.). Many who wouldn't ever dream of actually physically stealing from a store simply don't realize that the result of their unethical handling of a coupon is virtually the same as walking out with a product you didn't purchase.
I have purchased coupons via mail before, and I appreciate what you've said above. I'll be investigating and re-thinking my choice to do that. Thank you for trying to keep us all above board!
Our Publix in Bellevue now only takes six coupons per item whether they are from the newspaper or printed off. Now I know why they changed their policy. You're right – it does ruin it for the rest of us!
I completely agree. In the beginning I used to use expired coupons as well (when i could get away with it). But was convicted. I realized that somehow I was excusing away behavior in the name of “being a good steward” that I would never allow in any other area of life. I think at the end of each day we have to be able to say that our actions were pleasing to the Lord in every area.
I think its completely unfair that some of these coupon clipping blogs, “show off” the 50 boxes of cheezits and 30 gallons of apple juice (think i've seen it on this site too) they got almost for free, then the rest of us who only have 1 coupon to use towards the product go to store and cannot find ANY products left.
I am all about finding a balance when stocking up on items (I usually only get 2 – 4 of any given item at the most) – it's a huge difference between getting 4 peanut butters that you know you will use in the next few months (or give away a few) versus getting 50 peanut butters and clearing the shelves! I think being sensitive to the Holy Spirit in this balance is just one more way we can depend on God to keep our motives pure and our behaviors above reproach.
My question is, how can all these individual stores (like a specific Walgreens or Publix location) change their couponing policy without the corporate office changing it? It seems so arbitrary – and I can see how a few people can cause local managers to freak out and want to change the policy, but I think we should always gently ask a store manager to refer to their corporate policy, right? (As long as we are not to blame for unethical behaviors that got that store to that place 🙂
I agree that 50 is too many of something – but remember some people do want to stock up on a given item that they really will use in the course of the next few months. One of the main couponing philosophies is to stock up to save more $$ in the long run….I have no problem with a family of four getting 8 – 10 boxes of toaster strudels if they can use that and if they went to the effort of getting those coupons together (legally 🙂
Crossposted to Faithful Provisions:
A note about expired coupons:
Some stores will accept coupons that are only a few days past the expiration date. The reason why is that store sends the coupons out in large batches to coupon processors, so it doesn't hurt their bottom line if they receive the coupon a day or two after the expiration. The coupon is just going into the same shipment anyways. Check with the store manager if you want to be “ethical” about it (whatever that means to you; I know my ethical code isn't based on what a bunch of bloggers feel is appropriate).
Also, the Military PX will take coupons for up to six months past the date of expiration.
P.S. I don't think this article is being hard enough on Publix. If my grocery store drastically changed their coupon policy overnight, then I would vote with my dollars and take my business elsewhere. It's not MY fault that YOUR employees were too inept to not notice someone buying 90+ bags of trail mix with internet coupons. How does this not raise any suspicion at all?!!? Why should we all agree to a reactionary and unfair punishment over an incident that the store could have prevented? It sounds like the store was looking for an excuse to stop accepting internet coupons and hopped on this opportunity. Ridiculous!
This is great. I whole-heartedly believe everything you've listed here. I run a blog, http://www.thecouponproject.com, and I take a hard line on coupon ethics as well. Here's a couple more I'd add to your list:
1. Don't abuse “free” blood glucose monitors. I just don't post these deals at all. I feel too many simply buy them to make a profit, clearing store shelves, and making it difficult for folks that need them. Many coupons for the monitors have recently changed their fine print to clearly state “one per household” or “one per diabetic household.” Think this is a coincidence? I think NOT.
2. Don't steal peelies! Those peelie coupons often state “good for THIS product!” Please don't take yank those off products and save them for later! Even worse, do NOT rifle through unopened product and yank coupons out! In my opinion, that's equivalent to shoplifting b/c in many cases that item will go unsold as its been tampered with.
As for bloggers buying obnoxious amounts of items…I can agree. However, there was a recent Quaker sale I wanted to take advantage of. I decided to phone the store ahead of time, and sure enough, they were able to add a special order. There are polite and appropriate ways of stockpiling and couponing. And unfortunately, there are very wrong and sleasy ways of going about it, too.
thanks for the reminders. as a fairly new couponer, i appreciate this.
Thanks so much for posting this, Kelly, and for being willing to be bold about your faith in God's Word and desire to please Him! I really appreciate your testimony and that is one of the reasons I love your site–I get helpful information, but know that I'm getting it from a fellow believer and someone who wants to honor the Lord in what you are doing and how you do it. I too have wrestled with some of these issues, and come to the same conclusions as you in order to be full of integrity. One other “scenario” I've come to believe I shouldn't take part in is using a 2nd email address or my husband's name for an online sign-up that I've already signed up for once. I'm sorry to say I have done it in the past and was tempted to do it recently with a diapers.com deal, but felt convicted that this wasn't an honest thing for me to do. I only mention this as a means to encourage others to be above board in these kinds of promotions as well. Thank you!
Last summer the Holy Spirit spoke to me about taking coupon inserts from papers without buying them. I justified it for the same reason you did, because I was giving away many of the items I got with those coupons. God asked who I was relying on and it certainly wasn't Him. I had to cold turkey my adiction and God has blessed me in so many other ways that when I began to depend on Him for the coupons, then He began pouring them out “More abundantly than I could ever ask or THINK!!!” Now I can do the same thing I was but with a clear conscience and a pure heart that looks to Him for meeting my needs (wants).
Good points, I have noticed when I print coupons usually 2 are allowed, and site won't print more than that….so I assume the manufacturer is fine with 2 The scripture “if a man gain the whole world and lose his soul” comes to my mind . I would rather try my best to do the right thing than live with guilt. I do enough stuff unintentionally…lol! Thanks for bringing this subject up, it helps reinforce “do the right thing even if no one is looking”…..but remember He is watching!
Thank you for this post. I wish all couponers would follow the simple “outline” you've provided above. I recently purchased a product only to get the box home and discover that product wasn't even in the box. Obviously that was a shoplifter issue and not a couponer issue (I hope and assume). But I feel the same way about taking coupons out of packaging. Not only does it damage the packaging, but it makes it very likely that other folks won't buy the product (because of the damaged packaging). I never gave packaging much thought, but after this latest incident I'm very careful to inspect packaging and only buy products in pristine condition. Some people say there is a fine line when couponing, but I think if we really think about what we're doing that line isn't fine at all. I'm tired of arriving at stores on the first day of the sale to fine the shelves wiped out. Does someone really need 20 razors? Just because it's free doesn't mean you should take all of them. How many of each product does one person/family really need? Thanks for taking the time to write this and make people think.
This needs to be corrected. Only OVERSEAS COMMISSARIES will accept expired coupons. The coupons must be less than 6 months past their expiration date.
Thank you for not doing the zip-code thing. It REALLY bothers me when people share which zip codes to use to get certain products.
Kelly – I am glad to see you reference the article I wrote awhile back on the Ethics of Couponing. I feel very strongly about using coupons according to the rules because, frankly, it's stealing not to. Thanks for your post.
I wanted any opinions on checking recycling bins for discarded coupons. I have been blessed to find several bins with discarded coupons and love getting them. I don't know what makes my heart flutter about it though, the embarrassment of “digging in the dumpster” or the question of whether or not it is ethical?
Also, I love your site, found it via Moms Need to Know and I will now check it regularly. So cool to find a fellow christian couponer.
I wanted any opinions on checking recycling bins for discarded coupons. I have been blessed to find several bins with discarded coupons and love getting them. I don't know what makes my heart flutter about it though, the embarrassment of “digging in the dumpster” or the question of whether or not it is ethical?
Also, I love your site, found it via Moms Need to Know and I will now check it regularly. So cool to find a fellow christian couponer.
What a blessing to have found this post today! I was struggling with some ethical issues regarding couponing, thought of calling Dave Ramsey and then stumbled upon this blog through another blog that referenced a Dave Ramsey article- wow! There were two things that I last week that left me with a sense of unease and it made me start to question some of my coupon use. They both involved getting things free after rebate while also using a coupon on the item. By doing so, I will be getting a rebate that is higher than they actual amount I spent. In the case of using a manufacturer’s coupon, the manufacturer is reimbursing the store so they are not losing out. However, if I buy items at rite-aid and use a $5/$25 coupon and then submit for a rebate, I will get back (from rite-aid) more than I spent at rite aid.
I do not see any discussion of this in particular here but I’m thinking that the general sense of unease I had about this should be my answer. Also wondering your thoughts on overages? Finally PDF coupons. One manufacturer that had a PDF coupon specifically stated that they made it a PDF so that you could use it as many times as you wanted. Why does Rite Aid make their 5/25 coupon a PDF because I now see that it says 1 per customer— each time you shop are you a new customer?
Kellie,Personally,I’ve been struggling weeks,months on trying to find a website that would shine some light on helping me figure out how to grocery shop efficiently,instead of carelessly. Finding this website was a blessing in disguise for me. I’m feeling some easeness within myselve,finally. There’s something special about” Faithful Provisions.” That’s comforting to know. All the other websites I’ve checked out didn’t click or make sense to me. I truly believe that GOD led me personally to “Faithful Provisions.” I’m blessed in knowing that there is good people left in the world. That being said, I’m very greatful,honored to be a member on “Faithful provisions” site. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks, knowledgable information with us.
Keri, I so appreciate your kinds words and encouragement. I am so glad to have you as a reader and look forward to hearing from you often! 🙂
well thought out and well written – thank you
Hi Kelly,
I am new to your site and seems I have to stop in and read everyday. This was great to see today as it has been the topic of conversations among friends. Local Carriers in our area are having to cover the cost of papers being taken from driveways from those thinking whatever it was they are thinking. Shame and shame on shows that seem to air and encourage this type of behavior. Being new to coupons after years off I do notice the air is very different lately, it is great to see writings such as this.
I know very little aboout unethical couponing other than one story. I got in line at a grocery story here in town recently when the person in front of me warned me not to get behind her because she had so many coupons, it was going to take a while for the store to deal with them all. This is a professing Christian lady who leads classes in couponing. However, I could immediately tell she had a poor testimony at this grocery store. If couponing causes those who recieve those coupons to lose respect for you (and those in line behind you), does this honor Christ? If you can figure out a way to “work the system” where you pay pennies on the dollar for your entire grocery bill, are you really maintaining a witness for the Lord at grociery stores? If the employees of every grocery story in town roll their eyes and say “Oh, no, here comes the coupon fanatic!” every time they see you, is that being a witness for Christ? Just food (purchased with coupons) for thought…