CafeMom.com has a web show that invites moms to air their confessions. This week’s episode features a mom confessing the following:
“Like most of the moms out there, I’ve gone completely coupon crazy. I clip coupons from the local paper, weekly mailers, and I’m all about online coupons, so I’m determined to pay as little as possible at the store. So here’s my truth. I write nasty email complaints to the companies that make the products my family uses. They’re all about a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so they send me coupons for free products. Just today I got a coupon for a body wash I love, one for a free duster mop, and one for free laundry detergent. I don’t feel like I’m stealing, because they’re just giving this stuff away.”
The CafeMom panel immediately called her out as a liar and some of the panel said that this mom is stealing. Host Kristen Chase initially disagreed and felt a charge of “stealing” was too harsh, saying “I know a lot of my moms in the neighborhood, my friends, they would totally do this — they’d think that this is brilliant.” Later, she discusses the double-standard of telling our children not to lie, but finding that her the mom’s own behavior is rewarding her for lying.
Here’s the video:
Thanks to readers Lilredsaver and Cornelroets for bringing this to my attention.
Dinkers03 says
I don’t know if I would call it stealing, but I definitely think it is VERY unethical, VERY immoral, and VERY wrong. Some people already perceive us as trying lie, cheat, and steal when we use coupons. And people like this are going to make the companies do away with this program. Sometimes when you buy a product, something could be wrong with it. When they find out people are lying to get it for free, why shouldn’t they stop it. I know I probably would. This mom just makes us look worse. In school we are taught to lead by example, but what is she teaching her kids? If you like something or want something, just lie to get it?
rswehrle says
I just watched the video and I agree with the guests on the website, that it is lying and stealing.
I have called companies in the past when I have had an issue with a product. There is nothing worse than purchasing a product that you have worked hard to get the best deal on and then to get it home and there is something wrong. I feel that by calling the company, it helps them with production and packaging issues, that they may or may not have known about. I always hope to get a replacement coupon, but I never ask for one. However, I am always grateful if they feel the issue warrants a replacement or even just a coupon for the product.
It would be a shame if these companies, that get false information, stop making a good product or even not helping those that really do need assistance, just because one person showed another how to “complain to get a free coupon.”
naisula says
I am shocked! Well, I guess I can’t say that I put it past us humans to do this, but I am still shocked at the gall of this woman’s unethical behavior. The thing is, deep down inside she must know that this is wrong, since this is a “confession”, right? And she tries to justify herself at the end saying that “it’s not stealing”. I may not call it stealing, but it is definitely dishonest with the intention to deceive and manipulate. I feel bad for the companies. It is this kind of “couponing” that gives the retailers & manufacturers a negative impression of any shopper with a coupon. And as previous comments have already pointed out, COMPLIMENTS may bring the same result! This is a perfect example of “the ends justifies the means” and I totally disagree.
VJB says
I have emailed Nivea about their body wash. I love it! I decided to email them after I found out the men in my family were not using the right guard body wash I had purchased for them. I complained that I was running low on MY bodywash again. The hubby confessed he used it and believed some of the other boys did too. The hubby said it was because it leaves his skin soft and doesn’t smell girlie and doesn’t dry out his skin. Lol. I was thinking my kids were pouring if in the tub for bubbles! I emailed them telling them I loved it and I was glad they made a male version that would keep the men away from my bodywash. They sent me $2 coupons for bodywash $1 coupons for lotions and samples.
On couponingtodisney.com she emails companies of products she loves. She explaines if you are sending a complaint that they will ask for lot numbers to identify the problem and if they assume it is human error someone’s job could be on the line! I would never want someone to lose there job on my account.(I remember hearing about cashiers being fired for unknowingly taking bogus coupons which was wrong and basically the same thing here)