Coupon Ethics

Unfortunately, there are ways to abuse coupons.  I want to let my readers know that I am committed to 100% ethical usage of coupons.  It’s important to save money, but it’s equally important you are not defrauding someone else in the process.  After taking some time to reflect, I came up with the following list that reflects my stance on this important subject.  While this may not encompass every possible scenario, I think it covers most of them. 

Please understand that I respectfully reserve the right to remove any comment on this blog that I feel violates these guidelines in any way.  Also, please feel free to call me out if any deal I’ve posted does not fall within these guidelines so I can officially retract it. 

1. Use coupons ONLY as stated.  I make sure to read the fine print on my coupons before redeeming them.  If it reads “do not double,” I won’t present it to the cashier at a double coupon event.  If it reads, “good for the products pictured above,” I won’t tell you to go ahead and use it on other products – even if it will scan at checkout.  If the coupon states “limit one per household,” I’m not going to suggest you head to the store with your spouse so you can get two.  There are blogs out there that will fudge the lines on coupon usage in various ways.  This is not one of them. 

2. Use coupons within store policies. The deals I share with you will be acceptable as per each store’s individual coupon policy.  For instance, if a particular store does not accept Internet printables, I won’t include those in on the deal.

3. Use ”peelies” appropriately.  Many peelies (i.e., those sticker “save now” coupons on products) are clearly to be used on the product they are found on.  I will never recommend you rip off peelies from products and save them for later.  I consider that stealing.  However, please note that “blinkies” (i.e., the coupons in the dispensing machines) and tearpad coupons can be taken and used at other stores, but do so in a responsible way (e.g., don’t take 30 of them!).

4. No questionable pdf and other Internet coupons.  Before posting a coupon that I’ve found out and about, I will do my utmost to make sure it’s legitimate.  Sometimes I may be personally emailed a coupon that I find valuable to share.  In that instance, I will explain to you how I received that coupon and NOT post the actual coupon that was intended for my use and mine only.

5. No Walmart deals will be posted.  I’ve been wrestling with this one for awhile now.  I know that Walmart has low prices and on occasion, I shop there myself.  However, I understand many people are outraged by Walmart’s policies and practices.  As a result, I have decided to not post deals about Walmart.  Period.  I simply do not want to stir up controversy about Walmart on this site.  There are many wonderful blogs you can go to find Walmart deals.  This is not one of them. 

6. No obnoxious, overly aggressive coupon tactics.  While this is subjective, I think we can all agree asking a cashier to do 30 transactions back-to-back for you is obnoxious.  I think we can also agree buying all 50 of a store’s brand X shampoo is obnoxious (because now no one else can do the deal).  I’m all for stockpiling, but there are polite ways to go about doing it (such as contacting the store ahead of time to see if they can order extra stock).   Be considerate of others.

Added: 
As of January 27, 2010, I’ve additionally decided to not post deals that require both the use of an ecoupon and paper coupon for the same item in the same transaction. There is a lot of confusion and contradictory information as to whether or not this is ethical coupon usage. Until this matter is cleared up, I’m refraining from suggesting these type of deals. 

Coupon fraud is a big deal that costs retailers lots of money each year.  I won’t be a part of it, and I hope you won’t either.  Let’s make sure these good deals are around many more shopping trips to come.  Oh, and let’s continue to give couponers everywhere a good name!