Coupon Fraud on TLC's stupid show

UGH! This makes me so mad! Mostly because I feel like it reflects on ME!

People ask me all the time at the grocery or when they are over and happen to catch a glimpse of my stockpile (in the garage) or they come to my classes.... "So are you like one of those people on that show?!"

NO! I am not. Neither are they. It is a TV SHOW, folks. And every last one of these episodes the *stars* start out by saying "This is my biggest trip ever"... I would hope so! You have a TV crew following you around!!!

You collect coupons as well as I do and after a while you know what is out there and what is too good to be true.

YOU KNOW the store wont do a special order of 14000 mustards for you to buy for free... but they do it on the show.

YOU KNOW no one spends 10 hours in the store shopping to spend 3 hours in the checkout lane. For real?!

But for some reason since it is called a "reality show" we watch with awe. (I still want a wall of toilet paper.. for free. Not ever happening.)

But what really ticks me off is when these nut jobs use FRAUDULENT coupons! For real!? I save 90-95% without cheating nine times out of ten. I am shocked that they are so oblivious to the fact that we couponers are watching and we KNOW that there is no way you have 34 Free Cottonelle coupons. He was asking to be called out. Read more about it here... 

Even the CIC (Coupon Information Corporation) put out a press release on this particular episode of the show...read it HERE.

So how long until this show gets cancelled? Do you think the ratings will be worth the fines? 

Avoid Coupon Fraud

• The Coupon Information Center has not lost a case since they began in May of 1986.
• 3-5 years in prison is a common sentence for committing coupon fraud (longest sentence: 17 years)
• Fines are often in the excess for $200,000 (highest fine: $5 million)

What is coupon fraud:

1. Using a scanner, printer, or copier to make copies of coupons.
2. Using expired coupons, unless the store specifically states in their coupon policy that they do accept expired coupons.
3. Using coupons on products other than the product specified in the print (e.g. using a coupon for Original Cheerios on Honey Nut Cheerios).
4. Using a coupon for a product or size excluded by the fine print on the coupon (e.g. using a coupon that says “excludes trial size” on a trial size product).
5. Using the coupon when purchasing a different quantity than specified on the coupon (e.g. using a coupon for $0.50/2 on a single product instead of 2).
6. Altering and/or modifying a coupon in any way.
7. Using a coupon any way other than how it is specified on the coupon.

If you have any coupon fraud questions you can go to the CIC, Coupon Information Corporation and see fraudulent coupons and ask questions.