WOW! I just came across an EXCELLENT article written by "Coupon Queen" Jill Cataldo entitled "Is trading coupons ever against the law?".
Ever notice how most coupons read "void if copied, transferred, sold, or exchanged?" Jill does a wonderful job of explaining exactly what that means – and what it doesn't. It certainly cleared things up for me! Incidentally, it looks like next week she'll be addressing the question if coupons can be sold.
I'll be waiting to see how you tackle that one, Jill.
By the way, do I trade coupons? Goodness yes!! My girlfriends and I are always emailing each other asking to see if anyone else has an "extra" coupon of one sort or the other. We've even had coupon parties in the past (though it's been awhile!). While I've not personally participated, Hot Coupon World also offers a place for couponers to trade their coupons via their site. Check it out – particularly if you don't have many couponing buddies to trade with. It can be an excellent way to bolster your coupon stash!
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I was at Fred Meyer in Lacey and as I was walking out I noticed they had a stand with one of their baskets full of coupons for trading.
Interesting, thanks for posting that. I always wondered about it, too, but at the same time, I figured that the manufacturers are certainly aware of all the coupon trading (and I’m pretty sure they must also know about coupon “buying and selling” on eBay and The Coupon Master and places like that) and if they believed any of this was illegal, a company like Procter and Gamble definitely has the legal clout to take the trading and selling sites down. But they don’t do that. So, I kind of thought that it must be OK by them so long as the coupons are then used in a valid, legitimate manner in the end.
Julie, I don’t think her post addresses ebay or clipping services where there is an exchange of money…I’m pretty sure that’s what she’ll be talking about next week!
Tiffany, my Fred Meyer has had a coupon basket for about a year or so now? It’s a great idea!