By now, hopefully you’ve read PART 1 and PART 2 of my series on the TLC Extreme Couponing Show and Why You Can’t Do It. We continue to see the negative results of the show with all of the store coupon policy changes and limits, as well as the theft of Sunday Coupon Inserts from news stands.
I think that I more than stated my opinion (along with the facts they are based on) in the last 2 parts of this series, so for PART 3, I thought I would switch it up and share the statement made by LOWES FOOD Store after their participation in the show.
I think their statement of the TRUTHS that you don’t see on the show and their regret in participating really sums up what I, and many other long-time couponers have been saying from Day 1.
Statement from Lowes Food Stores regarding TLC Extreme Couponing show:
While we can not undo our participation in the taping of Extreme Couponing, what we can do is share with you our reason for doing so and some truths that will not be aired with the show. Lowes Foods agreed to allow the taping in our store in hope to show viewers that we are a coupon friendly grocer with outstanding products and customer service.
Some of what appears in the clip you saw was staged by the production company. In fact, the young man who approaches the empty shelf in dismay is actually a crew member. What is not conveyed well is time spent by the customer to clip and sort her coupons, not to mention the 8 – 10 hours in the store shopping and at the register. Another unfortunate aspect of the taping is Lowes Foods did not have access to the taping in the woman’s home.
Lowes Foods was recently asked to make our stores available for a new show from the production company that films Extreme Couponing. We have declined and have no intention of participating in future tapings.
We do not share this to deflect blame. We share it simply to let you know that things aren’t as they always appear. We definitely made a poor decision by participating in the show. What is most disturbing to us is we disappointed you, our valued customer. We sincerely hope you can look beyond our mistake.
Source: Note on Lowes Facebook page
As if that isn’t enough…add this Statement, released by The CIC – Coupon Information Center:
The Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) expresses our great disappointment with TLC’s current series, Extreme Couponing, and hereby offers our expertise and other assistance to TLC and Sharp Entertainment (which produces the show) to enhance the program with more accurate and realistic information. In addition, we hope they address potentially illegal acts that appear to have been portrayed on the show.
Professionals in the coupon industry believe this show creates unrealistic expectations about how coupons work and promotes the misuse of coupons. For example, the show appears to portray coupons being used in violation of the terms and conditions printed on the coupons, such as using coupons to obtain products other than those specified by the coupon offer, and focuses on consumers who have procured large quantities of coupon inserts from unknown sources, which may raise civil and/or criminal issues.
In real life, individuals attempting to use such large quantities of coupons or attempting to use them in violation of the terms stated on the coupons would most likely have their coupons refused at the register or, depending on the circumstances, be investigated by law enforcement. According to media reports, TLC recently stated,
“While the series documents extreme couponing strategies, we take any concerns about specific tactics seriously and are looking into the situation.” We look forward to hearing what TLC discovers.
The CIC’s and other industry experts’ previous offers of assistance to the producers to make this an educational show were previously turned down. Nevertheless, we stand ready to help in the event the producers or TLC reconsider their path and seek to turn this into a show that accurately reflects appropriate coupon strategies and use, which would result in real benefits for TLC’s viewing audience.
Source: CIC Website
In the aftermath of this show, that we continue to see unravel, I have lost all respect for a channel that by it’s own title, ” The LEARNING Channel”, has chosen and continues to choose to “Teach” unethical and fraudulent behaviors to the unknowing. They have refused the offers of legitimate companies to include valuable couponing lessons in their show. This makes it quite obvious that their goal is ratings…and they don’t care about the fact that they are making it harder for legitimate couponers to save their family money.
hmmm…I thought it was THE LEARNING CHANNEL ?
Part 4 Coming SOON : Manufacturers working to end “selling” of coupons
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