Today Marcy over at Stretching a Buck is talking about E-Coupons. Go here to read the article. Just a Note: Marcy doesn't promote using an e-coupon with a paper manufacturer coupon. I think we as individuals need to decide how we feel on the issue. I have come to decide for myself that it's okay. I can't find anywhere on the cellfire website and shortcuts website where it states not to use it with a paper manufacturers coupon. Jenny over at Southern Savers also has a article regarding e-coupons here.
Thanks for posting this.. I will have to do some more thinking about the ideas these two ladies posted. I have definitely been stacking coupons, and it would be hard to give up. So far I have been trying to live by two guidelines: the "Golden Rule" and "Living above the Law."
ReplyDelete1.The golden rule: How do I want customers to treat our business? To get by as cheap as they can to the extent that they take advantage of Gerald? Some folks will chew Gerald down in his prices... yes, he stays in business, but he wouldn't if everyone treated him as such. Those people are not a joy to serve and definely frustrating to Gerald, ( to his wife as well. :) I think it's easy in this couponing world for the golden rule and kindness to become fuzzy because it's not individuals we're paying at the cash register. It's companies and big stores and so we can slide along in a way we wouldn't to an individual we know personally. I feel good about the deals I get at Kroger because I support them well otherwise. As for K-mart and CVS, I don't like going in only to take advantage of their free stuff. I try to buy a few other things as well.
Now stacking the e-coupons would be going against the intentions of the manufactures, and while they allow it, they don't like it. So,... um...
2. Living above the Letter of the Law: Ok this got me thinking one day. If I tell Nicholas to do something, I want him to obey the heart of what I say, not to figure all the ways to get around the words I say. Take that idea to couponing... What about it being illegal to buy coupons? Well, is it just paying someone for their time, or is it really buying coupons. By the letter of the law it is ok, but the intent of the law is being broken.
These practical decisions can be tough! Good deals are part of companies promotions, but everyone has to draw her own line at what point it is taking advantage of the promotion. Maybe we need to remember the the time Jesus said if we give someone a cup of water in his name , we have done it to Him. If we serve others well, we are serving Jesus.
Whoa, I got carried away. All that to say I will think over this stacking some more.
Thanks for all your work in posting. I know I don't comment often, but I do appreciate your work! Grace
Thanks for the thought provoking comments! Some very good thoughts. This will be rolling around in mind the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteWe all have to come to a decision like this on our own. I just think if they really wanted to make that we couldn't use a e-coupon with a paper manufacturer coupon they could prevent it at the cash register...
I know what you mean, it seems they figure out a way to do all sorts of other stuff electronically. The only thing I can figure out is they are doing a test run on the e-coupon idea, and so for now they don't think it's worth the bother. Did you see that the one person commented that P&G states you can use them together? I didn't spend much time looking through their site, did you? Grace
ReplyDeleteNo I didn't notice that about P&G saying you can use them together. I should go back and read the southern savers post again. i just skimmed over it quickly.
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