Time.com mentions the 200 counterfeit Tide coupons used on TLC’s Extreme Couponing in a new story today:
At the same time TLC is expanding its “Extreme” programming, more questions are popping up regarding whether all the strategies utilized in “Extreme Couponing” are legit. Last month, it was revealed that coupons used on the show for toilet paper were fake… And now, coupon expert and watchdog Jill Cataldo, who brought the first case of “Extreme Couponing” fraud to light, has unearthed another curious case of coupon counterfeiting.
Many viewers suspected that 200 coupons used on an episode of “Extreme Couponing” for Tide laundry detergent were counterfeit, and just recently, Procter & Gamble, which makes Tide, confirmed that the coupons were bogus. TLC, meanwhile, hasn’t responded to requests for comment on any of the counterfeit coupon allegations.
Maybe there could be a new show, though: “Extreme Counterfeiting.”
pink says
Jill has now been deemed a “watchdog” by the media and is no longer being referred to as the “coupon queen.” Since the coupon decline, Jill has drastically changed the tone of her blog from finding the best deals, to finding the biggest “frauds.” Do manufacturers and retailers who make millions really need the help of Jill, or do the average couponer need the help? The honest couponer doesn’t need the media to draw attention to coupon fraud, because it paints all couponers as unethical and makes their checkout process that much longer with coupons being heavily scrutinized. Now couponers whose relatives and have stigmatized them as being hoarders can also add fraudster to the list.
Why hurt the reputation of so many honest and ethical couponers that you have built your career on, Jill?
elizabethlloyd says
Irresponsible and illegal couponing encourages stores and manufacturers to make more restrictive coupon policies or not issue coupons at all. How would that be good for us, the consumers?
And if I show up at my store once a week with my four or six legal coupons, do I want the cashiers and other customers to automatically assume I’m like the fraudsters they’ve seen on Extreme Couponing? No. I want those people exposed so that the rest of us couponers (consumers!) can be left in peace.
I commend Jill for proving to manufacturers and retailers that many of us couponers are good people who want to do things the right way and work with them, not screw them over.
ktustis says
Hearing about all the coupon fraud on this show helps those people who are upset about not being able to recreate the “savings” seen on the show! Your blog helps people see how ” real” couponing is done!
Ukcouponer says
I am new to reading your blog, found it after looking up ‘extreme couponing fraud’ and while not everything is relevant to me living overseas, it is interesting nonetheless. I personally don’t see any problem with the blog and think this show and coupon fraud needs to be exposed but this blog isn’t just about exposing that.
Kelb says
Well imagine that, retailers and manufacturers want to make a profit…I’m just shocked. (yes, sarcasm). I’m just a little surprised at people’s reactions to the exposure of coupon fraud and statements about the big bad retailers and manufacturers. Does everyone expect them to just give away their products, not pay their own employees and never make a profit?
We’re not talking about just a little bit of money lost from coupon fraud. Just yesterday there was a story in our local news about the Walmart nearby in Hanford, California (not a huge community either) arresting 4 people and possibly up to 18. They used thousands of dollars worth of coupons to either get cash or merchandise. Somewhere around $25,000. https://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/full-story-employees-arrested-in-plot-to-defraud-local-walmart/article_d082a170-6e30-11e1-afbf-0019bb2963f4.html
Several employees, family, friends were involved over some time.
Do those complaining about Jill blogging about this have ANY idea that when stores are defrauded it only serves to raise prices in the future? It just amazes me to hear people complain about exposing theft. If it was a small mom and pop grocery store run by your Grandma and Grandpa that lost money from fraud would you condone it then?
What a sad commentary on the times we live in when people won’t be angry about THEFT.
Jill, keep up the good work.
Flag1 says
My last comment; I believe the correct word in what is being discussed in the forum (besides the fraud) is called CAPITALISM. No one holds a gun to my head to buy anything. I only cut coupons I am interested in and am not swayed to purchase a product just because there is a coupon. I even pay cash and shop at stores without loyalty cards so the only way I am tracked is by what coupons I printed and redeemed.
Yes, not a fan of big brother but if the manufacturers are interested in saving me a dollar here and there then I am all for it.
kbhmom says
I just have to say that in the end we, the ones who use the coupons correctly, will be the ones to pay for it. The stores will have to raise their prices to compensate for the loss and the companies will stop printing coupons. The stores may also choose to stop taking coupons to avoid the chance of taking a counterfeit. TLC needs some legal action taken against them. They say it is ok to commit a crime for TV. HELLO! They are glorifying crime! Plain and simple.