Extreme Couponing...your opinions

[Rue]

This one deserved it's own thread...boy...did the thread I came across in the Etiquette forum ever take off...

I use coupons when it's for a product I know I can make use of. I think the whole concept of extreme couponing is dumb, but hey, if you want to go right ahead. I've watched the reality show about it a couple of times and think 'hoarders' or 'obcessive compulsive' and 'need medication':14: .

Again, just because you can do something, is it right and good that you should?

I saw what goes in these peoples' carts. Stuff is going to go bad/stale etc. before it's ever used up. I see a lot of junk food you shouldn't be eating.

Fine when it comes to toilet paper...but for most other things? I dunno...

P.s., yes, I know some people give the stuff away to charities...they do it for the thrill more so than for any perceived gain.

[Brhino]

A good deal on something you don't really want or need is no deal at all.

[Rue]

I'm reading a book about shopping for bargains and how addictive that is to us. Even people who realize what's happening can't avoid the pleasure of a good deal...

People will spend $30 on gas to go to an outlet mall to save $2 on an advertised item...or buy stuff they don't want and can't use just because it's 75% off...(I've done that myself (blush) ). I'm trying to retrain myself to 'blow' my mad money on stuff I actually use, appreciate, enjoy...:hmm3grin2orange:

[Grangers710]

I fully agree that it can be dumb, but the people that I know that do it, do it right. A friend of mine spends under $50 a month on food for their family and that includes toiletries.

I've done it on toiletries and I think I spent a total of like $20 and I have enough shampoo to last for like a year or more. Just like anything, there are degrees to where it becomes obsessive and then pointless.

I know a lot of people that do it that buy 1000 toothbrushes or whatever but then donate it to charity, so that obviously is not stupid. To each their own, just like everything else in this world....

[SkipW]

My wife watches that show. I think these people spend all their time couponing. To do as well as they do, you need to know when and which store to go to, they need to have the item on sale and double coupons.

While I understand the concept, I would think they would make more money if they got a job and just bought the things that they actually use.

I see this as a fad that will be short lived. Most coupons I see have a limit per household or purchase. And I've also noticed that the expiration dates are getting shorter.

I think it's great that they can do it, but I have more important things to do with my time.

[Cyberra]

My grandfather would buy anything if he had a coupon, whether or not it was actually necessary. Like liquid detergent for a dishwasher that could only take powder (suds all over the floors ><). After he died we ended up getting rid of piles and piles of unnecessary and useless stuff. At least, the stuff that hadn't gone bad on us

[MCHRKiller]

I am somewhat thrifty, I do not normally pay retail for most things. For example I like an expensive line of hair products, which normally ranges from $20-40 per item. I buy most of them on ebay in lots, the only reason they have been kicked off a salon shelf is that the can has a dent in it or the lid is missing or cracked. Neither of which I care about, I can also typically get 3-5 items for the price of 1. I buy most of my clothes and such online as well, because it is much cheaper than in the store and I ofter receive online coupon codes.

I for the most part live alone but do have a Sams membership to buy nonperishable things because it is cheaper and I dont have to worry about buying it every week. As for coupons...I never use them, I feel that coupons will only make me buy things I dont need or buy more than I will use before it expires.

For extreme couponing....I can understand nonperishables, papertowels will never go bad. I also think that doing all that work and hoarding style shopping to the point your basement is a grocery store is a bit much. I admire the people who do all that and give away most of their haul to charity...that is an awesome thing. But if you notice on the show the people who say they give away so much of it still have their own personal grocery store.

[Rue]

...there has to be a 'hoarder' element to it...it goes a bit beyond the thrill of the hunt...

[SkipW]

I see two differences between a hoarder and an extreme coupon'er
1. the hoarder never throws anything away
2. the coupon'er is much more organized.

Similarities:
Neither can pass up a bargain no matter how much they don't need it.

[Rue]

...not quite...lots of hoarders only hoard one kind of 'thing'...and they do use a wee bit of what they hoard...

[Cecile1]

My mother, now I, look through the weeks coupons, and only use the coupons on things we use/need. Most coupons are incentives for folks to buy things they don't always use, but sometimes the deal can be too much to resist!

[Rue]

I just read a book about the addictive nature of pursuing the 'bargain' and how marketing targets this inherent behaviour, etc. it's very interesting.

Apparently it's so inherent in us, that even those who do the research on it succumb to the joys of finding a bargain.

I personally love a 75% off sale...

But I'm pretty good at not buying stuff JUST for the sake of buying it. I'll buy a sweater that I don't love for 75% off...but I will wear it...

And yes...if it's coupon for something I use...I'll happily use the coupon. But I won't use them to buy stuff I don't use or never heard of, no matter how good the deal.

I probably am the worst with 'Buy one, get one 50% off!'. I'll want the one...not the 2nd...but spend more money than I need to to get something I don't want. Again though, I try to use what I do buy.

Oh yeah...just stockpiled on a bit of dog food...the introductory price reduction was coming off...

[Rue]

What's weird though...is really NOT knowing what a fair price is for anything.

I don't want anyone to lose money manufacturing and retailing a product. I don't want employees to be underpaid and overworked. I don't want any one (including the environment) to be exploited.

BUT...when I see the price differences out there...for exactly the same product (not a knock-off) I get a little stressed.

I'm not a fan of this 'throw-away' culture we have. I prefer solid furniture that can be refinished, re-upholstered, etc., but I can't justify spending more money either...so if it's cheaper to buy new, I most often do as well...and then toss it when it gets used up. I'd prefer it wasn't this way...and I'm not sure why we 'let' it get this way...but I still have to live in my culture, so I do.