Spending Store Rewards

"Store Rewards" or "Catalina's" are the coupon look alike's that print from a little box beside the cash register at several major chain stores (like Meijer, Kroger and Walgreens just to name a few).

I place a lot of purpose behind my purchasing to maximize my savings and to minimize my out of pocket costs. Each week I purposefully search the weekly sales flyers for items or scenarios that will offer money back for me to spend on my next transaction. Often times, my next transaction immediately follows my first purchase, but sometimes I like to strategically plan to purchase items that are essential to running our home (like meat, trash bags and produce!).

About a year and a half ago I heard rumors in the blog-o-sphere that savvier consumers than I, were spending store rewards at stores other than were boldly stated on the reward. For example, these savvier consumers were spending Register Rewards from Walgreens at Meijer... WHAT?

At first, I was kind of stupefied by this practice... how did that work? My coupons BOLDLY stated that they were "redeemable at Walgreens!" Was that legal? I decided to call Catalina Marketing (the makers of the coupon printing boxes) to find out the truth.

I had a long chat with a woman in the legal department (I skip to the higher-ups instead of talking with the customer service reps when at all possible) and she informed me that IF a store reward stated that it was a Manufacturer's coupon (NOT a "Store Coupon"), that it was allowed to be accepted at any store that allows coupons to be redeemed, but that the store was NOT obligated to accept a coupon with another store's advertising logo on it! Huh? The "Redeemable at Walgreens" statement was just an advertising logo?

From that point on, I began looking for store locations that would accept ANY store's reward coupons! At first, after I had been declined being able to spend my store rewards at my local Meijer store, I decided to comb my local shopping radius to find another local-ish Meijer that would accept them... and with a 5 minute longer drive, I did find one!

Finally, after about a year of driving out of my way when I had a wad of store rewards to spend, MY typically shopped store began to accept the rewards! YAY! It was awesome!

BUT... today, I went to my local stomping ground and I was informed that they no longer will accept store rewards with other store's advertising on them... WHAT? My cashier told me that a memo had just come out!

I tried to get as much information about the situation as I could from my cashier, and I asked to speak with a manager. Here is how I have handled myself in this situation:

1. Never try to pull a fast one! Yes, you might get away with doing something that you are not supposed to do, but it will always be at someone else's expense. Cashiers can get in trouble for accepting store rewards when they have been told NOT to! Instead, seek out a store manager and ask what you are and are not allowed to spend in his/her store.

2. Explain your situation. Kindly! Be sure to keep your thoughts short, sweet and to the point. Let the manager know what you like and what you don't like:

a. I like shopping at your store, its convenient, friendly, offers great sales.

b. I don't like that other stores accept store rewards and you don't accept them!

c. I like keeping local money local and shopping in my own neighborhood.

d. I'd hate to have to take my business to another store, but I need to care for my family the most inexpensive ways possible, especially with Michigan's tough economy!

3. Point out the bonuses for the store. By accepting store rewards, you are building a base of loyal shoppers, moving items off of your store shelves and into grocery bags and earning $.08 per coupon/store reward spent.

4. If all else fails, kindly ask if the manager would allow you to spend your store rewards that you have with you that day.

Today, after my local store claimed that they were revoking the right to spend store rewards with other store logos on them, I began asking questions. After making my purchases, I spoke with a store manager who offered me $3 cash since I wasn't allowed to spend a $3 Kroger store reward (plus I got to keep the reward) and when she returned she also gave me a $10 hand written "catalina" because she felt badly about the change in policy.

In between when the manager went to the customer service desk to compensate me for the policy change, I saw another (higher-up, in a suit) manager, and I spoke with him as well. He told me that he saw NO problem with me spending other logo'd store rewards since they are indeed Manufacturer coupons, and that he would look into the situation further. I was given his permission to continue spending whatever store rewards I pleased in his store.

The best advice I can share is to know what you want and ask for it! And keep asking (or looking for another store) until you get a satisfactory answer. In most cases, it is lack of being properly educated, on the use of spending coupons (by the store employee) that earns you the answer "NO!" Be a (gracious) educator and you may just get what you are looking for!

Is Trading Coupons Committing Fraud?

Jill Cataldo, a self proclaimed Coupon Queen, delicately tackles the ethics behind trading coupons, read more here!

Good thing I just consider myself a Coupon Princess!!!

Did You Know?

Collin, of Hip2Save wrote a great article about coupon spending 'start to finish,' check it out if you are curious!

Purchasing Habits Revisted

Personal Note: Please, please, please read this post with the gentleness (even humor) that I intended in writing this post. I make my best effort to read all of the comments posted below each entry and I really appreciate readers taking the time to share their thoughts! I've revisited an earlier topic due to comments regarding the post. I have shared more of my personal insight and even information that you may not have ever been aware of at the bottom of the post. I apologize for the length in advance- sometimes I just can't help myself... Love, Laura


Earlier this week I was asked to address how to purchase items gracefully. Gracefully, in my opinion is purchasing ethically, honestly and with the awareness that other shoppers are most likely seeking the same deals that you are.

My purpose in answering emailed questions here on my blog are to teach new strategies and to bring new (possibly even challenging) ideas to the fore front of your thinking. I believe that we can learn and grow together as a community- and building each other up with fresh perspectives and best practices are great tools for us to encourage one another with!

While catching up reading some of the comments left by readers today, I feel the need to address some of the ideas, concerns and misconceptions spoken through comments left on my Purchasing Habits post.

I must start by sharing that my intent in posing open ended questions, like "what are you thoughts on shelf clearing?" is simply because many of my readers may never have thought about other shoppers disappointment with empty shelves. Many coupon shoppers have the mentality that 'you win some/you lose some... and then you ask for a rain check!' While other shoppers may get irritated and feel like other coupon shoppers are out to gyp them from being able to spend their coupons. Each unique shopper has a unique set of family needs. I raised this question to make us aware of shoppers other than ourselves!!

Secondly, I think that it important to keep in mind that the entire family may not be represented when the shopping cart is being strolled down the aisles. Take, for instance, my friend and loyal shopping buddy Sandy. Sandy has six kids! SIX!

Let's compare Sandy's family of 8's needs to my own family of 3's needs:

Sandy should be purchasing about three times the amount of items that I purchase just to accommodate her family's needs.

Sandy's children are all older than my son, ensuring that they eat a heck of a lot more than my little scrawny-kins!

Sandy needs to purchase multiples of products just to make it through the week- even through the day... I shopped with Sandy over the summer and she was considering purchasing a certain kind of specialty ice cream treat for her kids. The box that she was looking at only had 5 treats in it, and Sandy needs to purchase boxes that have at least six treats to feed her kids ONCE! My son would have 6 desserts from a single box. See the difference!

(Hey Sandy, thanks for unknowingly allowing me to use you as an example!!!)

I feel that judging a cart by its contents has the potential to cause us to stumble with our own grace-filled purchasing attitude.

When posting about owning our own purchasing habits (stepping back to take a good look at ourselves) another intention of mine was to address the knowing when enough is enough. I think that this is a toughie- even for me. I believe that wisely saving money in the area of grocery spending only to blow the saved funds on other 'meaningless' stuff - even if its a great deal, needs to be addressed. It is easy to get so wrapped up in the saving that what is actually being spent has been lost sight of. Nickles and dimes quickly add up to dollars, and more stuff lying around is still just stuff!

I view my posing of questions as betterment for us all! We (myself included) may need to hear that we need to work on some of our shopping ideas/habits... not that we want to hear it, but it may be just what we need to hear!

One commenter described her need to re-evaluate her shopping as "possibly robbing someone else of the joy in finding a great deal!" Words like that kind of sting don't they? But it is a good kind of sting, a lasting mental image kind of reminder. I sure know how I feel when I approach a shelf filled with the items that I am looking for- and on the flip side, I know how it feels to leave empty handed.

I also received comments in regards to how coupons impact the Manufacturers, stores and their policies and wording printed in the sales flyer or on the coupon itself- please bear with me, but I'd love to take this opportunity to share more behind the scenes coupon information.

A Coupons Impact on the Manufacturer:
I'm sure that you are aware that the Manufacturer's goal in making coupons available to you and I, is to lure you into purchasing their product. Plain. Simple.

But did you know that the Manufacturer goes to great lengths (and expense) to make their coupons available to the public. First, the manufacturer needs to decide what items they would like to market with coupons, then the coupon needs to be designed, the Manufacturer then must pay to have the coupons printed (in either a newspaper, magazine, home mailer or in store grab-able) or they may decide to have their coupons made available through an online printing company like Coupons.com. This step comes at a HUGE financial expense to the Manufacturer.

Then, the Manufacturer must PAY to have their items highlighted in the weekly sales flyers, online media, as well as radio and TV commercials. Stores MAKE money from selling their ad space!

The stores also MAKE money by hosting shelf space for the Manufacturer's to rent. The prime shelf locations are right at chest level, where not so savvy shoppers can easily purchase name brand items. Less expensive rentable shelf space is the very top and bottom shelves- which is where you normally find the store placing their own brand merchandise.

Since the Manufacturer is aware of what products they place out into the market, how much money they have spent for advertising, product location on store shelving, sale prices that they have agreed upon, and what coupons they have made available to the public- it is NO SHOCK to them at the deep discounts that shoppers are able to receive if they have wisely done their homework. (Read more here.)

Even though nearly every single American will claim to spend coupons (oil changes, ordering pizza's and grocery coupons are all lumped together as 'coupons'), the truth is that very few people actually spend coupons as intently as you and I do.

It may *feel* differently since you read about other like minded shoppers here at Sharpen Your Scissors and on other shopping blogs- and you may have hooked your circle of influence into your savvy savings at the grocery store, but the truth still remains... we are an oddity, a sliver of how the average American shops for their family.

Manufacturers are aware of us, but even banded together- we don't threaten their infrastructure! We probably feel like an (single) ingrown hair on their long freshly shaven leg... not their favorite follicle, but not overwhelming either!!!

We mustn't flatter ourselves so much that we think that our deeply discounted or even FREE purchases are making even a small dent in the cornerstone of manufacturism.

Stores and Store Coupon Policies:
As I eluded to above, stores make the money that they need to pay both their employees and their bills + turn a profit by selling their influence. Shoppers are deeply influenced by advertised sales and attractive merchandising.

Stores are in the business of MAKING money. In addition to selling product advertising, stores also receive $.08 per coupon that they accept from smart coupon-spending shoppers like you and I! That is $.08 + the face value of the coupon.

Stores, along with Manufacturer's also are vying for your spending attention.

Many grocery stores will offer to 'double' your coupons. This is the store's effort to get you to shop at their location. When you spend a coupon at a store that doubles- the Manufacturer pays the face value of the coupon (+$.08/coupon) and the store itself offers the second price discount as a thank you for shopping with them. It is the store's discretion on whether or not to implement a doubling policy, as well as it is another luring tactic to keep you and I from shopping with their direct competitor.

Super Kroger, a local Kroger that doubles coupons up to and including $1, has tweaked their coupon acceptance policy a bit recently, but I view that as their right keep their policies in the best interest of the store, and my right to decide if I want to take advantage of what their stores have to offer to me.

Target has also streamlined their coupon printing policy. I could become frustrated, but I've decided to roll with the punches, and be thankful that Target is keeping my kind of shopping in mind when they are updating their policies. I'm actually grateful that Target is moving forward in unifying their corporate policies (can I get an Amen?)

And lastly, I'd like to address Coupon Verbiage. Wording printed in sales flyer and on the coupons themselves can be quite confusing.

Is one per transaction the same as one per customer? To be honest, this may very from store chain to store chain or even from location to location... If you have uncertain feelings about how to handle your transactions and you are in a store, just ask a store manager. If you are wondering before you have headed out to the store, call the 800 number and ask in advance of your purchase.

I think that transaction insinuates that you may have more than one, after all is there are store that would turn you away from shopping again later in the week?

Normally, a purchase that includes a store reward (like earning money back on a purchase) will have the register print a single reward per transaction... so purchasing two or three like items in a single transaction will only allow for one reward. One per customer can vary from store to store (one per customer per day, or can you have your kids each check out with the specific product?) so feel free to ask a manager to define this term for you!

Bottom line, lets all choose to move forward gracefully, keeping in mind our ethics, honesty and the awareness of others.

Q & A

Coupon Clipper: Ever get a 'forward' like this? What do you think?

"These are legitimate coupons open and print as many times as you want you can't beat FREE See above FREE coupons!!! Clicking above will take you directly to the coupon ... Feel free to print several copies as there is NO expiration date. Yippee"

Me: These two coupons have been floating around the blogosphere for quite a while... both are illegal coupons. I *think* that I read that the Velveeta coupon was legit in the 70's (or at least a super long time ago) before expiration dates were printed on coupons.

Most likely these coupons will not be reimbursed for, so the store will lose out on the money. This is why stores often crack down on printable coupons.

Beware (but don't totally avoid!) of FREE item PDF (print as many as you'd like) coupons, as they are pretty much the standard for fraudulent coupons.

A PDF coupons, by the way, does not always mean "bad coupon." Many companies still offer PDF versions of their manufacturer coupons because they are happy to have a loyal consumer save with each and every purchase, rather than having the possibility that a shopper may be swayed into purchasing another competitor's brand.

When in doubt if a coupon is legit, Google the manufacturer's customer service number and give them a call!!!

Q & A

Coupon Clipper: What happens when I want to return something?

Me: It isn't wrong to make a return. You will be credited your coupon/store reward money, but it isn't a good idea to make a habit out of returning products that you have purchased with a coupon. There really is nothing wrong with making an occasional return, it is just that some coupon spenders take advantage of returning items to make a profit, which is a shady coupon spending trick, and unfortunately they make us all look bad.

If you paid the balance of your order with a credit card, your money will be refunded to your credit card. If you paid cash, you will receive cash back. If you paid with a gift card, your money will be given back to you on a gift card.

Q & A

Coupon Clipper: I attended your coupon class in Southfield last week, and let me tell you...I've been a coupon freak ever since! LOL! I have to keep reminding myself of what you said during the class, "take it one store at a time"! It's SO overwhelming seeing all the sales papers and all the coupons...geesh! I know it is going to take some time to go from NEVER using coupons to your status!

My "coupon buddy" and I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind. How do you know if you can use more than one coupon in the same transaction? For example, I have a coupon for $3 off razors. It looks like Target has them the cheapest, so if the razors are $3.99 at Target can I get 5 packs and use my 5 coupons or would I have to do 5 different transactions?

Me: Coupons that limit their spending to one per transaction will specifically state that information right on the coupon. Store coupons (like Target printables) are usually guilty of this type of wording! If your coupon does not limit... spend them all in a single transaction!

Coupon Clipper: What happens if you buy an item with a coupon, and you need to return it? Do you just loose the coupon since you already gave it to the store?


Me: All stores except Rite Aid (those stinkers!) will give you back the value of your manufacturer (NOT store, store coupon money is non-refundable) coupons when you return a product. I recently wrote an in depth post covering returns... but the best thing to keep in mind is to keep your returns to a minimum or it makes coupon spenders look shady!

Coupon Clipper: What's the best way to handle "$1 off when you buy 6" coupons? I know one of the goals is to build up our stockpile, but if I have to buy 3 packs of toilet tissue @ $5.49ea (for example) to get $0.50 off that doesn't seem like a deal. What's the best way to take advantage of those coupons?


Me: I rarely spend these types of coupons (except this week's Delmonte coupon for $1/5). It is perfectly acceptable to skip these types of coupons and hold out for the next round of coupons in hopes of more impressive savings (possibly with another brand).

The real trick to saving extensively is two fold:
1. Purchase items when you have a coupon that matches with a store sale.

2. Purchase in stockpilable quantities.

My rule is to look for 1-5 items every single week to stockpile. Little by little your personal "general store" will brim with all of the products that you use most, and that you were able to purchase for pennies on the dollar!

Thanks for the great questions!!!

Let Me Explain...

In my most recent post regarding coupon ethics one commenter asked:

Anonymous said... "I've personally never done a transaction where I feel like I'm doing anything outside the limits of what's allowed in regards to coupon spending.I realize you wouldn't want to be specific about where in the blogosphere we couponers may be lead astray... but just wondering if you could hint to such "shady tricks" so I can avoid inadvertently doing one?"

First of all, let me state for the record that I hate being the Ethics Police. I hate having to break the bad news that coupons have been mis-spent... it is uncomfortable, it makes me out to look perfect (I assure you that unfortunately, I am not) but it comes with the territory that I have chosen to walk.

Please know that I too have mis-spent coupons. There is an unbelievable amount of information regarding coupons and how best to spend them, and I continue to grow my healthy respect for avoiding wrongful transactions.

Most coupon spenders at one time or another will make mistakes, but what the message that I am attempting to get across is to:

1. Educate Yourself in Coupon Ethics.
It is easy to get into the mentality of clip and spend, clip and spend, clip and spend. I know, I've been there- actually, your Grandma has even been there, but the skills that I teach in spending coupons are far more advanced than your Grandma's way of clipping.

Today's advanced coupon spenders are clipping and spending hundreds of coupons per month to maximize their saving, and along with the spending of mass quantities of coupons comes the responsibility of knowing how each store will allow you to spend your wad of coupons in their store.

It is your responsibility to know the coupon policy (ethics guideline) for each store that you shop. If you are unsure if you can spend a particular coupon on a particular product than ask a store manager or call the 800 number for corporate guest services. Shopping ethically doesn't mean being willing to "beg for forgiveness," it means asking in advance of the purchase.

It is also important to read the limits and exclusions on each coupon being spent.

2. Refrain from Becoming a Repeat Offender of Mis-Spendings.
Once you have learned that photocopying/scanning online printable coupons is considered coupon fraud than stop photocopying/scanning online printable coupons. Period.

If you know that something is wrong, just don't do it. I think that this is a grey area for many, and it is really hard to commit to sticking to, often because it is easy to convince ourselves that it is just 'one little purchase, ' or 'who will really know?'

The truth is, if you can convince yourself (or you allow a shady coupon spending friend to convince you) once, it is likely to happen again, and possibly again... and it may take over into a pattern of mis-spendings, until your perspective of right vs. wrong is so far off base that scoring great deals becomes more important than spending coupons ethically.

3. Beware of Reasoning with Yourself.
It is very easy to get tangled in a web of justifying our actions. Spending the wrong coupon, an expired coupon, a coupon that specifically excludes an item just to be able to give away/donate a product does not make it right.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is still robbing Peter.

There is no magical set of buckets that holds our good spending habits/bad spending habits- we can't shop with the mindset that as long as our good habits bucket is more full than our bad habits bucket... then we're good. Good is always good, and bad is always bad. That's it!

4. Beware of Following the Crowd.
Reading blogs and 'copy-catting' what other have purchased is a great way to get your feet wet in learning to spend coupons. The problem is that not all voices in the blogosphere are modeling honesty in coupon ethics. Some bloggers share extensive coupon match-ups (matching store sales items with the coupons available in the newspaper and online) and do accidentally make mistakes, but other bloggers push the envelope in seeking how far they can overstep the ethical boundaries by working the system.

This may be true of your own shopping buddies as well. Make sure you take the time to read your coupons and to spend them appropriately. Lacking in knowledge because you were following another's lead does not make mis-spending justifiable.

I'm going to refrain from listing the many, many ways that coupons can be mis-spent... I'd hate to put ideas in anyone's mind. I will, however, share an example of how I have been guilty of mis-spending coupons.

I have always strived to be well educated in all things coupon related, but learning the ropes in my early months of coupon spending was tough to do alone. I have made a few mistakes along the way... once I found myself guilty of purchasing a product (40 count package of baby wipes) with a coupon that was specifically intended for a larger sized package (64+ count package of baby wipes). I read about the deal online and I quickly grabbed my coupons and dashed out the door without reading more than $.50 off Huggies wipes.

My cashier never batted an eyelash at my purchase... Yes, it was her job to protect the best interest of the store, but it is ultimately my job to ensure that I was spending my coupons specifically on the products that the coupon was intended for.

After a reader of my blog commented that her coupons were for the 64+ count wipes, and where did I get my other coupons from because she wanted some, I realized that I had become a mis-spender because I failed to read my coupons before I spent them.

I called Kimberly-Clark (the maker of Huggies wipes) to apologize and ask what I could do to make my purchase right with them. The customer service rep. forgave me of my mis-spending, but it was my responsibility to apply the lesson that I learned.

I need to guard myself against just running out to do the little last minute deals. I can easily fall prey to mimicking others without verifying for myself. With this in mind, I have added a 'step aside' moment into my pre-check out routine every single time I shop!!!

Before I roll my cart into line, I step aside and review my coupons to make certain that the items that are in my cart are included in the wording on my coupons. Spending coupons is amazing on so many levels... I'd hate to be part of the reason of why coupons (and their spenders) are so scrutinized.

In closing, I want to invite you to ask any questions that you need answers to (sharpenyourscissors (at) gmail (.) com). I really value each of you allowing me to step inside your spending habits, and allowing me to be real with you. I also invite you, at any point, to make me aware of any errors that you see in my own personal spending.

Blog Reader Beware

I'm sad to have to write this post, but I feel that I need to once again share the fact that NOT ALL DEALS FOUND ON SHOPPING BLOGS ARE LEGAL.

Unfortunately there are bloggers out there who feel the need to entice others to make shady purchases.

Just as I set goals for what I would like to accomplish through the voice of this blog(teaching others amazing spending habits and leading others to give both locally and globally), I also set healthy parameters. My most boldly stated parameter is that I will not lead others to unethically spend their coupons. I admit, I am not perfect, but every time I sit before my keyboard I ask myself if I am writing words that will help other families to care for themselves by purchasing necessities, healthy items, and in an ethical manner. If the answer is NOT yes to all three, then I refrain from posting AND from purchasing those deals for myself.

My personal view of spending coupons is that they have been an incredible blessing for my family- especially during the stretch of time that my husband, our sole breadwinner, had lost his job. Spending coupons has eased our own financial burdens and has brought my family back to enjoying simple pleasures instead of running in the rat race of 'keeping up with the Joneses.'

Sharpen Your Scissors' purpose is to capture my thinking, my reasoning and my ethics for encouraging you to clip and save. I am very transparent with my ethical lines that I have drawn in the sand. Coupon spending is a privilege, and yes, I often view my spending as a game where I challenge myself to provide for my family by spending less, but in this game cheaters NEVER win.

As I stated before, I am not perfect in many ways. When I have made mistakes in the past I did everything within my power to make them right... going as far as contacting manufacturers and publicly sharing where I had been wrong on this blog so that others may learn from my experience and not make the same mistake themselves. Learning from and NOT repeating my mistakes is the key to moving forward with a greater understanding of coupon ethics.

Personally, I am deeply convicted about what I teach. I feel that if I teach even one person a teeny tiny little bit shady trick, that I am responsible each time that shady trick is committed- even if it is not by me. Just like the incredible ripple effect of how AMAZING coupon spending is, and how many lives have been impacted through my voice here in the blogosphere, there is the same availability for shady coupon spending to create just as vast a ripple effect. Please beware of tempting voices who may lead you astray... its just not worth it!

My final thoughts are just to remind you that the reason we coupon spenders are sometimes looked down upon, why we have cranky cashiers and not very helpful store managers and worst of all, why we have stinky return policies at most of the stores we frequent (and no more FREE Cottonelle toilet paper at Kroger) is because there are people taking advantage of the system and ruining it for ALL OF US!

Kmart: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

First, the GOOD news.
Once again tomorrow (8/30-9/5) holds the promise of $2 doubled coupons, where a $2 coupon magically transforms into a $4 coupon in the land of Kmart Super Doubles.

Yes, there are rules for shopping...
1. Kmart allows coupon spenders to use up to 10 coupons per day/ up to 4 identical coupons.
2. Coupon spenders must purchase at least $25 worth of merchandise before coupons to be eligible to have your coupons doubled.
3. Internet printable coupons are allowed.

My suggestions...
1. Shop early in the week before the shelves are cleared of all of the goodies... Kmart does not restock well.
2. Check out Hip2save.blogspot.com for an extensive list of coupon matched items... keep in mind she is using prices from another region.
3. Bring a friend along... shopping is more fun with companions!

The BAD news:
Sadly, the entire blogosphere claims that this may be the last Kmart Super Doubles for 2009. I talked with a customer service rep. at a local store several months ago and she shared this very same info with me... although, at that time it was strictly speculation.

All of this info leads me to the UGLY:
This same customer service rep. let me know why Kmart had been continuously tightening their Super Doubles list of rules and exclusions. It seems that too many Kmart customers were purchasing carts brimming with awesome coupon deal items- only to return to the store the following day to return most (sometimes ALL) of the items purchased just to get the cash!

Let me explain. When you purchase an item with a coupon, the coupon becomes the store's property- which they then are reimbursed by the manufacturer for. After your coupons leave your possession you may NEVER have them back.

So when you return an item, the store is obligated to give you the cash value of the coupon that you spent since they are unable to return your coupon to you... do you see where I am going with this?

Kmart has been experiencing extreme coupon fraud, and FYI, Kmart is prosecuting local shoppers.

I thought I'd take the opportunity to share a few thoughts about returning items since not all returns are fraudulent in nature.

An occasional return for a justifiable reason is OK. It's human to accidentally pick up the wrong item, or to decide that you don't care for a particular item. One return in a 'Blue Moon' is fine. If you find that you are constantly retuning items ask yourself if it is really worth it!

Unfortunately many couponners are taking advantage of the 'get cash for your coupons' in returning items. This really is an addiction for some and it can lead to court, hefty fines and even jail time... yep it is happening here in Oakland County MI.

I'm asking each of you to be aware of your intentions in returning items to the store in which they were purchased.

Here is how I personally handle unwanted/unneeded items that I have purchased.

1. If I have purchased 6 bottles of shampoo on sale and with coupons, and the shampoo makes my scalp itch like crazy-then I would return it to the store. I would bring my receipt and I'd let the store know why I was returning the shampoo AND that I had spent coupons as part of my payment method. The store will still have to give me what I had spent plus the coupon value back to me, but I will offer to take store credit- so I can respect that store by keeping the money with them.

2. If I have purchased 6 bottles of shampoo on sale and with coupons and I just don't care for the shampoo since it makes my hair flat... then I will either find a friend who likes that shampoo and give it to her, I may use the shampoo as a substitute for shaving cream on my legs or I will donate the unopened bottles to my local food pantry.

The difference between the two scenarios above is whether or not the item can be safely passed on to another person or use in your home.

I think that if you were NOT a 'return items kind of shopper' before you began using coupons, than you really need to take a moment to evaluate why you are returning now that you spend coupons. Could you find a new home for the product? Or do you just want your money plus the additional coupon money in your wallet?