Questions Surface Over Couponing Techniques
Montgomery Village's J'aime Kirlew appeared on TLC premiere of 'Extreme Couponing' TV show.
Photos
Surrounded by friends and family, J’aime Kirlew celebrated her television debut on April 6 on TLC’s new show Extreme Couponing, where the Montgomery Village resident bought nearly $2,000 worth of groceries for slightly more than $100 from a Safeway supermarket in Bethesda.
The next morning, bloggers and couponing experts criticized her methods.
Jill Cataldo, author of a nationally syndicated couponing column, questioned the way that Kirlew appeared to use her coupons on the TLC show.
Cataldo said she typically saves between 50 percent and 70 percent on her shopping trips, whereas Kirlew was shown saving more than 90 percent.
Cataldo said television footage appeared to show Kirlew using coupons for the wrong items. She acknowledged that TLC might have shown footage that corresponded to different coupons than what Kirlew was using, but Cataldo remains skeptical.
"The coupons in her box were for things we never saw her buy," she said. "… It wasn't a case of one thing not matching."
Nathan Engels, who runs the couponing forum weusecoupons.com—and who appeared in the April 13 episode of Extreme Couponing —has followed Kirlew’s story closely. Engels declined to comment for this report, citing his involvement with TLC, but he did express concerns in an April 8 blog entry that parsed through Kirlew’s episode.
"[I] am now convinced that TLC needs to hire a coupon professional to review the episodes and do the due diligence to make sure that they are not promoting fraud," he wrote.
Safeway did not respond to a request for comment. Kirlew and TLC declined to comment on the accusations.
However, TLC recently told Entertainment Weekly's website: "We have received a strong response to the premiere and are listening to and reading the various comments around the show — as with all programs, we appreciate the feedback. While the series documents extreme couponing strategies, we take any concerns about specific tactics seriously and are looking into the situation."
Cataldo and Engels said that improper use of coupons drives up costs for all consumers.
Charles Brown of NCH Marketing Services, a national coupon processing company, characterized the accusations against Kirlew as "coupon misredemption."
"This is when someone intentionally or unintentionally uses a coupon offer outside of the terms of promotion," he said. "This could be using a coupon on the wrong product, wrong size, wrong flavor or wrong quantity."
Coupon misredemption can be penalized with various financial and criminal penalties, according to the Coupon Information Corp., a not-for-profit association of consumer product manufacturers.
But the onus falls on the merchant who accepts the coupons, according to the Montgomery County Police Department.
"It is a store’s responsibility to make certain that their staff verifies that coupons are being used for the products that the customer is bringing through the checkout line," said Lucille Baur, a police spokeswoman. "Every commercial business should educate their personnel and supervise their personnel to ensure that they are having a correct match for items being purchased."
Anonymous
2:20 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Did you show anyone the Target Videos that J'aime made last year showing that same coupon abuse? Did you mention to the Police,NCH or CIC that J'aime publicly apologized and admitted to wrong doing last year in those videos, but for the past year teaches these fraudulent couponing methods to classes. J'aime has stated that she taught 750 people in 5 States. The TLC episode was not an isolated, one time offense. She has been shopping this way and teaching this way for over a year now. She chargers $25 to $35 per class. Contact the Targets within a 30 mile radius.She is not allowed to shop or use coupons at some stores and other stores have acknowledge that they are investigating.
Seasoned Couponer
3:38 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Gaithersburg Target should be asked if the manager did say that the Crest White Strips coupons are okay to use on other products of P&G like Pampers diapers. There are people that went to that branch to confirm if it was true and they were surprised to be told that Target doesn't find anything wrong since they will get paid by the manufacturers once coupons are submitted. Question now, will P&G pay for all those Crest white strips coupons used on other items other than Crest to make it possible for Jaime and her students to buy cartful of items for $6.75 after all coupons? Copies of the Target videos are circulating all over cyberspace even if she deleted them from YouTube last year. Target management in that area has a lot to explain if they continue to allow Jaime and her students to misuse coupons up to now.
Mike Smith
3:26 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thank you for the follow-up article. What about the report that the Gaithersburg Target store is allegedly in on the fraud with Jaime Kirlew and tells the cashiers to allow all of the coupons she uses and her *students* use?
Seasoned Couponer
3:31 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
This interview with one of the couponers on EC last year, Joanie Demer will shed more light,
http://www.chicagoshopping.com/deals/frugalista/chicago-shopping-reactions-to-coupon-fraud-allegations-tlc-supervalu-and-another-featured-shopper,0,5730635.story?page=1&track=rss
Since Jaime is well aware that her fraudulent style of couponing can easily be spotted by coupon pros, the fact remains that she chose to continue with it and show it nationwide via television. She has no one else to blame but herself for her thirst for fame. Now, she is busy trying to delete all evidences stacked against her which seems to multiply by the day. Once and for all, if she truly believes she did nothing wrong, she has to present her Target receipts and Safeway receipt for the Extreme Couponer shown recently. Only then will speculations will quit if the receipt shows coupons that will match what she bought. She knows she cannot fool seasoned couponers who can easily track what coupons are available at a given time.
Melissa
5:27 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Couponers on many sites have been calling for Jaime to produce the receipt from the shopping trip shown on TLC, and prove that she actually bought Fiber One cereal, the larger Buddig packages, Yoplait 4-packs, Pillsbury french bread, and the more expensive Nivea products. All she has to do to clear her name is produce this receipt. She promised to provide a response on her blog addressing the accusations, but thus far has said nothing substantial, only stated that she is doing nothing wrong. And, as we all know, just saying you're doing nothing wrong does not make it true.
Also, anyone who charges $35/person for a coupon class is ripping people off. This information is widely available for free on MANY different blogs and forums. And, they'll teach you how to do it legally and ethically!
nothanks
1:16 pm on Monday, April 25, 2011
I agree with everything you are saying except the end. EVERYTHING can be learned on the internet or in a library. There is nothing that you can not learn. You think it is impossible to learn yoga without an instructor? Of course not. And trust me, $35 for a class is a steal.
But yes, this woman is committing fraud. Wish she would just apologize and move on.
Gracie F
9:16 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Very interesting! I saw the video here last week and she seemed very proud of herself for using coupons. Maybe she was just proud that she hadn't gotten caught stealing?
Judging by the comments here, couponing is serious business!
Jan Leasure
8:17 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Just FYI; Manufacturer's coupons have bar codes that are coded with the brand name, size, color, fragrance and other information for which item that the coupon is "legal" to be redeemed. Once the checker has scanned the items for price and totaled the bill, they then "scan" the coupon discounts. If the coupon does not electronically match up to the items purchased, the register should "alarm" notifying the checker who should not accept the coupon. If the coupon is for an 8 ounce item, you cannot use it on a 4 ounce item, etc. For example, if you purchase a 12 ounce Rice Chex you can't legally redeem a $1 Corn Chex coupon. If one accidentally gets into the checkers hands for redemption most scanners have the technology to disallow a coupon that is expired or for the wrong product. There has to be some management involvement if coupons are being fraudulently redeemed. It is possible to save enormous amounts of money by following the rules. The negativity surrounding this situation takes the focus off of what manufacturer's promotions can do to assist consumers struggling with our economy and makes it negative. Very unsettling. See the Studio City Patch http://studiocity.patch.com/articles/extreme-couponing-ten-steps-to-coupon-success
Eyel
4:59 pm on Monday, April 25, 2011
For those who would like the misredemption to stop at the Gaithersburg Target, please contact P&G customer relations via phone @ 1-800-543-8443 or if you prefer email, send them your comments @ http://pg.custhelp.com/app/ask
If more and more people bring it to their attention, they may start an investigation and possibly deny reimbursement to Target should all allegations be proven. If not, then the coupon world can apologize to Jaime all the inconvinience it has caused her. If Target nor Safeway refuse to press charges thinking they will get reimbursed for all coupons they submit, they should now be aware when manufacturers start paying attention to reports like this.
Mindy
10:45 am on Friday, April 29, 2011
Why did it say she was from Bethesda MD on the show, and why did she shop in the DAMASCUS safeway? isnt there one closer to MV??? Hmm
Eyel
3:51 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011
Another question is why did she shop @ Goshen Safeway on the Patch video instead of Damascus Safeway IF she has no problem with store management @ all? More questions and no answers...lol
FREDA BADWAY
10:47 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH EXTREME COUPONING THAT WAS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 4. IT SHOWED A WOMAN USING PUREX COUPONS. THE STORE OFFER WAS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. SHE USED 2 -3.00 COUPONS ON THE PUREX. SHE IS ONLY PURCHASING ONE. HOW CAN SHE USE THE SECOND COUPON IF THE SECOND ONE IS FREE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SHE IS DONG THIS. THANK YOU
Amelia Hintz
2:02 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
I did not see the program but the coupons can be used on b1g1 free sales because that is a store sale. The company is not saying they should do it. Just like when you go into target, you can combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons on one item. The store eats the loss on a store coupon as well as the sale but they get paid by the manufacturer for their coupons.
Bridgette Conway
3:40 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
When a store runs a BOGO (well at least at the store I shop at) the items are rung up at half off. Therefor it's two items so you can use two coupons. I'll explalin the the Purex episode (I'll use whole dollars though). Lets say the Purex is normally $7 a bottle, on a BOGO you get each one for $3.50 (because you could buy one Purex for $3.50, you don't need to buy two to get the sale price). Because there are two item purchase you can you use two coupons. That is how she can use 2/$3.00 it makes each one $.50.
Jan Leasure
1:49 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2011
I did not see the 05/04 program, however, if the coupon offered $3 off, the discount can only be taken on the item PURCHASED. Therefore, to be in compliance, she could "obtain" four Purex products; the first two would be purchased with the $3 discount, one on each and for each one purchased, even at a discount, she would get one free.
Brandy
4:13 am on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I know that at some stores you can use coupons on things that you get free, example: if a store runs a sale that is buy 1 get 2 free and you have 2 coupons then they will take the second coupon off the price of the product as well as the first coupon (basicly doubling the coupon (ie) buy 1 at 3.99 get 2 free, you have $1.00 off coupon x 2 making the savings $2.00 instead of $1.00 = 3 products/$1.99). Most stores that do this "eat" the price of the second coupon.