Etiquette

Etiquette is something that so many people need to understand. It’s more than just being proper, its about respecting others. So I’ve laid out a few suggestions for everyone that I follow to make things smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

Clearing shelves:

                Now we’ve all gone to the store with a few KILLER coupons trying to snag a deal and the shelf is empty. Bummer, right? Well what about going back the next day, and the next day, and even the next day again and still…nothing. Well, odds are that somebody got there first and took as much as they can. You may have seen the episode of “Extreme Couponing” with the lady the admits to being a shelf clearer, and thinks its funny, and that people should have beat her to the store. That’s not fair to others and is a problem for everyone, especially those that don’t coupon and may have just gone to the store for that one item and now have to go to another store to only find that those shelves are empty as well. Solution? Call ahead. You can call your local store ahead of time to confirm availability and order the large quantity that you will be wanting to pick up. That way you aren’t disappointed when you get their with your “plan”, (especially if you needed that item to make your multiple transactions work) and now there will be plenty of product still left for others to purchase.

Stealing Papers:

                BIG NO NO! I’ve heard MANY complaints about people stealing papers out of neighbor’s boxes, about people taking all of the papers out of the machines, or about people taking just the inserts and leaving an empty Sunday paper and the now the couponer that purchased it legitimately is now out $ and their beloved coupons!.......There are many ways to acquire multiple copies of the papers or inserts alone. Talk to your neighbors, friends, family, and/or coworkers. Many of them just throw the inserts out and are more than happy to give them to you. Call your local newspaper delivery center. The Tacoma News Tribune will send you Sunday papers for $1 per copy if you sign up for a Sunday subscription that has 5 or more copies sent to your house. You have to ask specifically for this deal though because they don’t advertise it. My local Starbucks lets me go through their recycle bin next to the fancy chairs and score the left over inserts that their patrons tossed after reading their paper and finish their coffee. So be honest, and make sure that you get your inserts the right way, the fair way because there is so many great ways to still get multiple copies, without having to ruin someone else’s day.

Be prepared at check out:

                Another complaint that I hear often is how much people HATE being stuck in line behind “That woman with the binder”. A great way to make your check out go fast and smoothly is to be prepared and courteous to everyone involved. Let the person with the one loaf of bread go ahead of you. They will be in and out faster than you can explain to your checker that you have coupons. When it’s your turn, let the cashier know FIRST that you have coupons and multiple transactions. Have your coupons ready to go. NO DIGGING LAST MINUTE!!! I suggest using envelopes labeled 1, 2, 3 and all the corresponding coupons are together facing upright in the correct envelope for each transaction. I lay each envelope at the front of each transaction. My speech to the cashier almost always impresses them and goes as follows, “Hi, so I just wanted the let you know that I have multiple transactions and coupons, but I have all the coupons ready to go in the corresponding  envelopes with each transaction # on it. I hope this makes things go faster for you.”  I usually get complimented for being so prepared and organized, and by them seeing that I know how this all works, its rare for them to question any of the coupons I give them. If one doesn’t scan and they start trying to examine every detailed word on the coupon, I just explain what item the coupon is for , and is allowed this many times and that it ties into this item (if applicable), and after that they just over ride every other one that doesn’t want to scan because now they trust me because I was prepared and was confident in my knowledge of their policy. And if some poor soul decides to get in line behind you and your multiple transactions during checkout, let them know politely that they probably don’t want to be behind you because you are going to take a while for check out. They really appreciate the common courtesy.

                Well, I hope some of these tid-bits helped to educate new couponers on proper etiquette, and helps things go more smoothly over all for everyone!

Thanks Always!

Caira