Extreme Couponing Leads Retailers To Rethink Coupon Policies
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Extreme couponers, beware.
Some popular stores are saying enough is enough.
They're cracking down on the couponing craze and changing their policies.
Everywhere you turn these days you see coupons in newspapers, magazines, your mailbox and now all over the internet.
"I use them every day. Every time I go shopping I use them. I use them for regular department stores, drug stores, grocery stores," says Diane Gardner of Mt. Oliver, who adds she saves money all the time.
But something called "extreme couponing" may get stores to rethink their coupon policies.
Andria Alexander authors a website called Simply Frugal Living that features dozens of online coupons.
So what's extreme couponing?
"Combining coupons with sales prices so that you're using your coupons when they can serve you best, when they can give you the best value, when they can be doubled, when they can be stacked with a store special or a store coupon or an e-coupon," Alexander told KDKA Money Editor Jon Delano.
One simple example today: Neutragena at Target.
"At Target, you can use both a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon, so it's $1.99, they're both a dollar off of one, so you get it for free," says Alexander.
But with a TV show promoting extreme couponing, retailers -- says Alexander -- are rethinking the 3.3 billion coupons issued each year.
"They're going, 'Wait a minute, why are people doing so well with coupons?' Coupons are meant to save money, not just to allow people to get a ton of things for free."
Alexander says retail stores like Target, drug stores like CVS, and grocery stores like Giant Eagle are adjusting by limiting quantities, stacking and multiple coupons.
"We are seeing some small changes to policies, but nothing to scare us away from couponing at all," she adds.
Coupons are obviously a great deal for those who use them, but as more and more people use them to the extreme, don't be surprised if stores start to change their rules.
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