Extreme Couponing on TLC Staged ?! – MUST READ and Voice You Opinion

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I really want to hear your thoughts about Extreme Couponing on TLC… I personally do not watch it – I coupon on my own level and do not wish see people use questionable couponing methods ( not saying everyone on the show does … I personally know a couple people who were on the show and they are normal sweet people… I am talking about “mustard girl” ) So leave your thoughts and feeling in the comment section 🙂

Now on to the story 😉

Lowes Foods makes its debut on cable TV’s ‘Extreme Couponing,’ but retailer regrets it.

Did you know Extreme Couponing is Staged!!!

This season was Lowes Foods’ first time participating in the show, and the store wasn’t pleased with the experience.

“If we had it to do over again, we would not have done it,” said Lisa Selip, a corporate spokeswoman for Lowes Foods who said the show was full of misrepresentations and sensationalism. “Hindsight is 20/20.

A case in point, she said, is contained in a promotional clip recently released online. It shows a man arriving in the grocery aisle seconds too late to purchase an energy bar after an extreme coupon shopper put every last bar into her cart.

“The guy who walked up to the shelf was one of the crew members,” Selip said. “It was all staged.”

This is not the first time I heard that Extreme Couponing is staged.

What do you think about the show?

Read more about this enlightening article HERE

 

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  • Carolyn

    I did watch the shows they had on it — it make me sick when I saw them take every item off the shelf —- so if I come behind there is nothing —- I heard they r trying to put a limit on it —– I vote yes, put a limit on the number of the same items.

  • Rose Franklin

    I had a feeling that guy was staged, but why would you want people on tv to think you are so nasty to other shoppers?? It gives regular couponers a bad name! We are not all shelf cleaners and we are not all rude! I liked the show at first, but now that I have actually got into couponing, I think it is ridiculous!!

  • Mary

    I believe it is staged! Too many stores have limits …there is no way you can stock pile that much stuff without spending a considerable amount of money to do it. It’s sad that they make it appear that you can get away with spending very little money and people new to couponing find themselves at the register owing more money than they have in their pockets!

  • allyson

    When I lived in Boise a woman from there was on the show. She shopped at winco and after the cameras went off everything got returned.

  • Casey

    I’ve watched a few episodes and the people it features..well most of them are kind of nuts. I’ve always used coupons and I know my stores policy, I have NEVER been to a store that allowed you unlimited coupon use, and watching someone buy 52 bottles of aspirin and use a coupon on each one that doubles is unheard of for me. If that’s not the case if maybe there are stores out there that are like that then I apologize now, but as far as I can tell there is usualy a limit on “like” coupons.

  • Trish

    I’ve watched it.. Its pretty infuriating. I particularly remember a woman saying she had enough feminine products to last her entire life time.. And she clearly had no intention of using them all (since menopause would prevent her from it anyway).. And it made me think “why wouldn’t she just donate half of them if they aren’t going to be used?”.. And thus began my distaste for that show. Sure some of the people seem like normal, down to earth people.. But the majority of them stockpile things they’ll never get around to using before they expire (or even before they die!!) and they do it just because they can, all the while flipping the bird to every other shopper.

    “Yeah I clear shelves, you should have got there before I did” was another wonderful quote that really, really bugged me.

    If you’re going to stockpile and actually USE the items you’re stockpiling, then good for you! I’m hoping to learn how to do this because i’m going through REALLY tough times right now.. But the people who stockpile and know they won’t use it all and are STILL too selfish to donate it make me mad to no end. It makes my blood boil.

    I hope, once I learn to stockpile, to donate a huge portion of it. I want to make a difference in the world. If you’re blessed enough to know how to stockpile (and even get items for free) why WOULDN’T you want to help other people!?

  • Trish

    Oops, I typo’d my blog URL. Can you delete my other comment? 🙂

    I’ve watched it.. Its pretty infuriating. I particularly remember a woman saying she had enough feminine products to last her entire life time.. And she clearly had no intention of using them all (since menopause would prevent her from it anyway).. And it made me think “why wouldn’t she just donate half of them if they aren’t going to be used?”.. And thus began my distaste for that show. Sure some of the people seem like normal, down to earth people.. But the majority of them stockpile things they’ll never get around to using before they expire (or even before they die!!) and they do it just because they can, all the while flipping the bird to every other shopper.

    “Yeah I clear shelves, you should have got there before I did” was another wonderful quote that really, really bugged me.

    If you’re going to stockpile and actually USE the items you’re stockpiling, then good for you! I’m hoping to learn how to do this because i’m going through REALLY tough times right now.. But the people who stockpile and know they won’t use it all and are STILL too selfish to donate it make me mad to no end. It makes my blood boil.

    I hope, once I learn to stockpile, to donate a huge portion of it. I want to make a difference in the world. If you’re blessed enough to know how to stockpile (and even get items for free) why WOULDN’T you want to help other people!?

    Read more: https://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2011/09/extreme-couponing-tlc-staged-read-voice-opinion/#ixzz1Z139mNwt

  • Karen

    I am a couponer and I think this show makes us “normal” couponers look bad. I have never cleared a shelf but I guess that is because I want others to get a good deal also. I think some of the people that clear the shelves do it just to do it. I do stock up on items when they are at a great price but I do it within reason. My kids like cereal so I will get a few boxes when I can get it for cheap or free but I don’t feel the need to stack it in my kids closets. I haven’t paid for toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss or body wash in a long time. I get the sample deals and love the extra coupons that most of them include. I have had other people come to me and ask me to teach them how I save money using coupons. I enjoy sharing what I know to help others.

  • Sarah Ulfers

    I was aware that the show was staged form the get go. However if all the right circumstances fall into place it shows you how to get your groceries for little to nothing. When I go to Save u more I usually get 63% savings. The store does not double coupons.

  • Gabrielle - CA Monkey Momma

    I heard about this too and thought that it was so wrong! The problem is that places, like Lowes Foods, let them have an exception. What did they think was going to happen when they let the couponer just throw the coupon policy out the window on national television?

    I really don’t like Extreme Couponing on TLC. They give a totally false impression of couponing and makes cashiers think everyone is just trying to get free stuff from the store.

  • tajhaa

    If this show is staged they’re doing a good job from my point of view. People watch the show and want to save just like the consumers shown on television. I guess when you think about it every TV show has producers, so maybe there’s a little bit of cover up. What’s in it for the grocery stores if the show is staged? I wonder who’s getting paid extra. Well I’m not sure but I enjoy watching it. You see mountain high grocery carts and passing of coupons which appears very time consuming. The economy is in a slump and everyone is looking to save somehow, so surely people will watch. (looking to cut cost) Well bottomline is unless we know for sure they have alot of viewers glued to the screen trying to save.

  • Jennifer

    I totally beleive it. I told my husband after the 1st few episodes it is mostly staged. Every person is saying that it’s the “biggest shopping trip ever” for them. I said the store has to be letting them stage some of it to make it flow. It’s a tv show out to get big ratings so they will do whatever it takes to make the show “look” good. Just because it’s a reality show doesn’t mean it’s reality. I wish they would start featuring real couponers trying to save their family money to survive not to be a show to feature their prize winnings in an orderly fashion. I find these people to be a bit greedy even if they donate & one of the last ones I watched helped a mother in need & the stuff she bought was not even a necessity. How about some bread, milk, eggs, vegetables & meat to help someone needy groceries not 25(not sure of the exact amount or brand) bottles of gatorade.

  • kiela ast

    I think its crazy ….I mean the people that pre order and then donate it that’s awesome …but people that clear a whole isle to get 2500 gummy worms or some nonsense are crazy …and it shouldn’t be allowed

  • Jessica Y

    A lot of people started watching the show and couponing because they thought that they shop that way as well. As long as people keep watching that show they are going to keep running it. I dont like the show. I just think that it has made it a lot harder for normal couponers to save. Love your blog by the way

  • Karen

    Lowes Foods has a very strict coupon policy. Only 4 like item coupons for an item and only 20 double coupons per transaction. I havent seen the episode in the above conversation but I find it hard to imagine that they had a huge sale unless they did several different transactions. And yes, I agree with all the others, TLC is giving us normal couponers who are shopping on a budget for financial and other reasons, a bad name.

  • KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile

    I honestly think it’s silly for people to get bent out of shape about a reality show. I don’t often watch but do firmly believe it is no more educational or real than the Jersey Shore, Kardashians, Kate Plus Eight or any other reality show. There is a slice of honesty with lots of staging and lots of editing.

    I think this store is milking it for all its worth. They did not have to say yes to the filming. They knew what would take place. Now they are getting even more free press by whining about their participation. Smells like a BIG PR move on their part by a savvy corporation.

    That said, I really don’t often watch. And actually just saw a promo tonight with a woman boasting that she clears shelves. Holy how rude!!

    But again, that’s why shows like Jersey Shore and Kardashians are popular. The personalities are extreme and rude and odd. That’s what sells.

    Does anyone know what did ever happen to the mustard gal from Baltimore?

  • Frugal Jen | Frugal, Freebies and Deals

    Of course it’s staged.. all “reality TV” is. My husband worked briefly as an “extra” on a reality show that never made it to air.

    It was all staged, down to basically scripting all the dialog and re shooting scenes that just were not “good” enough. It was basically acting with some ad lib..

    There is no way any stores in my area would allow for the kind of nonsense that goes on on EC, unless they were set up to do it- they look at me with the evil eye if I have 2 internet printed coupons and they only double the 1st of any same coupon..

    jen

  • Stephanie M

    I have watched the show and I don’t like it anymore. I feel bad that people really think they can go to the store and have a shopping trip like that, you just can’t with the rules in stores and I’m sure many of you have noticed as I have that my local stores are changing policies and how they do things so that people who are just doing ‘regular’ couponing can’t get the deals they used to. My friends try couponing for a little bit but once they discover they can’t get $1200 worth of stuff for a penny they stop. I will be glad when the ‘trend’ is over because maybe those of us who are just trying to save money won’t be regarded in a negative light. I have even been made to feel bad in lines by cashiers and customers for using coupons, I’m on a tight budget I have to use coupons! We aren’t all shelf clearing lunes.

  • Robin

    I agree with what a lot of people are saying. The show paints using coupons in a bad light. Added to it, you have stores admitting they’re stretching their coupon policy for the sake of advertisement! Which means real people can’t go to these stores and get that kind of deal. I’ve experienced going into a store and having shelves wiped out because someone did the kind of thing they show on the show, the store in most cases refuses to put out more because they don’t want someone else to do the same thing. Because of this show, a lot of stores have changed their policies making it almost impossible to use coupons. All they need to do is put an item limit on this stuff! While I love to stock pile stuff, unless I’m giving it away to people who need it, who needs so much of one item that they can never use it all in their life time? The people on these shows for the most part are nothing but glorified shopaholics+hoarders rolled into one! They let their stock pile completely take over their house and its crazy.

  • YUMMommy

    All tv is staged. So, this is not a shocker. And I still like the show. There are always going to be practices like shelf clearing that people will not like. However, most of the couponers on the show are polite and often order ahead for big hauls so that they don’t have to clear the shelves.

    As for putting a limit on the number of like items I think that could cause issues for people who shop for charity. I volunteer for a local charity and they do a food pantry and have to buy huge quantities of products. I could only imagine the trouble it would cause to have to break down the order into different transactions or if they had to do numerous shopping trips. Overall, I think that there are more good couponers than bad ones out there.

  • Krystel

    I am not surprised they would have to stage it just for certain situations just to take place. Most of the reality shows are stages, even so much as pretending certain situations are happening when they aren’t just for the sake of creating a good storyline.

    A story just came out the “House Hunters” is fake and that most of the times the houses the people are looking at to buy belong to friends or family members because of the timeline the show has to shoot.

  • Kelly Bowden

    Personally.,I think it is the worst show on TV .. I felt it was staged the very first time I saw it.. It gives couponers who go by the rules a bad name!

  • Allison

    I watched last night and the womans daughter was telling her mom “you`re clearing the shevles ?! what about the others who want this deal too” which even if staged, i watch the show, just to try and see what coupons are they using for what ?! The episode I liked though was the “couponator” who was teaching people and they did savings like i get pretty much everytime i save, you spend a little over 100$ but pay 20-30$ more REASONABLE bcuz not EVERY item on your list is free, and ya some of their stockpiles are crazy, i mean i just got 10 40oz Heinz ketchup for .69cents BUT i gave a few of my coupons to my friend (trading for others) or i`ll share some with family and friends, I know we do not need that much, but I can share, but to get to my point, I think the ones who practise shelf clearing and other unethical methods are the ones who make us look bad bcuz most of us just want to save money so we can buy meat and diapers !

  • nicole hall

    This show is a disaster. Not only does it give outsiders a false sense that they can accomplish getting paid to take groceries out of a store, but it glorifies coupon fraud, bent store policies, and hoarders. It has caused stores and companies to crack down on their policies which has hurt those of us who use couponing as a way to stretch our monthly budgets and keep our families afloat. And, now those of us who use our “powers” for good… are being lumped in with the wackos they feature on this show. This show honors greed, poor manners, and lies.. and I want no part of it. I will stick to my reality of saving an average of 60% on everything I buy… and I will live in my functional house, where my “stockpile” consists of a few underbed storage bins of toiletries and necessities.. and keep this show OFF my tv.

  • Melissa

    I have watched the show and I thought it was mildy entertaining. It was actually what got me started with couping. But I didn’t realize it was staged. So I’m thinking I may not watch it in the future. It does put couping in a negative light. When I use coupons, sometimes I can tell the checkout employee gets annoyed even though I’m just trying to save money on a few things.

  • Brandi

    Obviously this is an older piece of the blog but since it was originally posted I have stopped couponing as I used to. I have only ever watched bits and pieces of the show and what I did see I didn’t like because what they are doing on there is ridiculous. I agree with most everyone else, it is making it very hard for us “normal” couponers to get some of the sales/deals we need to make ends meet in hard times. Because of the bad light this show sheds on regular couponers, coupon policies have tightened so badly and I’ve been given such a hard time by store employees/managers and other shoppers just because I had more than 50 coupons (for different products) and maybe 5 like items that it has caused me to seriously stop couponing as I had done it before, and in saying that, I have never cleared a shelf.

  • maria

    i wouldnt care if it was staged. i really hope its all staged for entertainment because i hope couponers have more decency than they do on that show. then again, for those who think thats how real couponers are, it makes us look bad when we know thats NOT how we shop.

  • Amanda

    Because couponing is not my only job I usually end up at the stores after the shelf clearers. When I go into one of the 3 riteaids in my area and get what I went in for (on monday mind you) it’s a lucky trip. If there are only 4 items on the shelf I take 2 and that is the way we all should act. Let everyone share in the wealth.

    This show really does make some of them look like hoarders. I understand a stockpile trust me I do I have a small supply of some items. If I ever had too many to use in a year I would donate them.

    This show staged or not has made it so even us smaller couponers have to have the coupon policy with us at all times. The cashiers at stores have starting being a lot more nit picky. I do not and will not watch anymore.