Couponing HOT TOPIC!! What would YOU do?!

One of my most favorite topics to talk about is ethical couponing. There are grey areas that creates a lot of mixed opinions and there are no right or wrong answers in most instances. In the classes that I teach at CTC, I encourage all my students to look at all angles of the situation. I help shed light on the controversial issues and create awareness so they know the good and bad of it. It's up to each student to make those personal choices and accept the consequences that may arise from doing so.

 Here's a recent post that I have seen floating around. A Family Dollar Ad that posted the Olay Hand & Body Lotion or Body Wash. On the far right, it offers the breakdown: Sale: $5-$1 coupon=$4 as the final price. However, on the left side of that breakdown, there's a "Everyday Low Price of $1".

Do you hold the store accountable to honor the $1 price, even though it shows the sale price with coupon and the final price of $4?

Now, most FD stores are posting a sign in their stores that it was a misprint so knowing that and so do you try it anyways or go to another store that doesn't have that signage posted?

 

Would you try to price match it at Walmart knowing that there are two different prices? If you were aware that it was a misprint, would do you still do it?

 

What would you do if FD or Walmart won't honor that $1 price? Do you call corporate or speak with a manager or do you walk away? How important would this be to you to get this deal? Would it be worth it in the end to argue with the employee/manager?

 

Pretend you own a store and this was your ad and you saw the mistake (even though the breakdown is next to it), would you honor it? (knowing you could lose money from the business if you did)

 

What if you were a Walmart employee and a couponer came up to you with this sales ad, would you price match the $1 or the $4?

 

These are questions you need to ask yourself. One question that everyone should ask themselves is: "Is it too good to be true?" If you say yes, go with your instincts and move on. There's a good possibility that you will be wasting your time.  If no, you may do well but you may be frowned upon among your fellow couponers b/c the situation is controversial (and if you had a very reluctant cashier - they won't be pleased with you either!) OR you may be upset that you took the time and gas to drive to another FD or Walmart to get that $1 and been denied.

 

All I ask from everyone is take accountability of your own actions in the couponing world.

My advice: you should save money with "no grey areas". Stay out of that area and you will have a great experience with couponing and everyone will get along just fine.