Here’s some solace if you feel like an inadequate couponer because you can’t achieve the 90 percent off you see on TV shows like TLC’s “Extreme Couponing.” The deals could be staged.
Coupon policing agencies are questioning the TLC show, and evidence is piling up of store managers overriding cashiers to “play along” with the reality TV show — creating an exaggerated impression of what’s possible with couponing.
In some cases, grocery stores are apologizing to their regular customers for playing along with TV show, and customers are having to return to the grocery store to pay money back for products they bought with coupons that turned out to be illegitimate.
Rocketmom60 says
If it was a filmed segment I understand that they would know the identity of the consumer but otherwise, how would they ever be able to force someone to return and pay full price for the products? If the store cooperated, I would suggest that it would have to bear the cost of the improper usage. However, I’m glad this practice if being revealed to the public as fraudulant. We’ve known that for some time.
Flag1 says
Thank you for all that you do and to run several of these posts. Maybe some new couponers will read and keep from making mistakes. I also mentioned to my husband that TLC is “The Learning Channel” and actually a university I retired from used to run specials on it. Very sad that most of the content now is garbage, disgusting or outright lies. I know, it is a reality TV show not actuality. Not saying anyone else should, but I think I will watch a show and see who the sponsors are and just not purchase their products.