Is it ever ethical to use a zip code, other than your own, to print coupons from coupons.com or other coupon websites? (I'm pretty sure I'm opening up a big 'ol can of worms with this post but I am really curious as to everyone's opinion on this subject!)
All week long, deal bloggers across the U.S. have been posting how to use alternate zip codes to get an amazing high value $4/4 or $5/5 Kelloggs Printable coupon. The problem is that 99% of those deal bloggers don't live in the zip code required to print the coupon. So what's the big deal?
Coupons are issued to specific areas because manufacturers need sales/marketing in those areas. Whether shoppers simply aren't buying their product and they're enticing targeted shoppers to buy more or these shoppers are already buying a lot and the manufacturer wants to keep it going, those coupons are meant for a specific location. When we use someone else's zip code to obtain coupons, and there is a limited number of those coupons available, we are taking the coupons out of the hands of those who were supposed to use them. It also means that when that zip code doesn't redeem those coupons, manufacturers can change their marketing plans and stop offering coupons to that particular market because they think shoppers don't want their coupons or like their product. When in reality, these targeted shoppers couldn't print any of the coupons because other states took them instead.
So, is it ethical to print coupons from someone else's zip? In my opinion, the coupons are legitimate but obtained in an illegitimate way. So I say no, it is not ethical to use a different zip code to print coupons, and that is why I remove any post on SavvyShopper that discusses obtaining coupons in this way.
Just my two cents. What's yours?
I was able to print this coupon without entering a zip code. So what is your opinion in that case? Just curious? I definitely appreciate a good deal, but don't believe it is worth my integrity to do so. I noticed when price-matching at Walmart, the cereals that were good for this coupon were all out, even though they weren't the ones that are on sale this week at Smith's. I think people should be honest about this too. Let's only price match what is actually on sale at competitor's stores. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that you were directed to the affiliate page (they get paid every time you print a coupon from their page) in that zip code. In other words you didn't need to enter the zip code because the link sent you there. If you printed from the page you normally print from and not from any one else's link then the coupon is available to you in your own zip. The easy way to tell? Type your zip into that page and see if the coupon is still there.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I'll try that next time I print. Thanks
ReplyDeleteVery interesting topic, I look forward to hearing more responses. I've personally never been one to do this myself, but I also rarely print coupons...Don't some coupons also specifically state in the fine print that they are void if not in a certain area? It seems as though I've seen a few like this but maybe I'm mistaken?
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this post. I have only been couponing about a year and I subscribe to a few different couponing bloggers, all who stress the need to be ethical in your couponing. Almost all of them though, will tell you which zip code to use in order to get the best deals. I guess I always assumed that if the ethical bloggers do it, it must be okay. Now that I know the reasoning behind the zip codes, I'll stick to using my own zip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know. When we coupon unethically, whether intentionally or not, we make coupons less of a value for the manufacturer. Let's face it---they don't give out coupons just because they're nice. They do it to reap a benefit for the company. If it's not a benefit for them, we will see a decline in the amount of coupons we get, or in reduced value of a coupon.
{And hello to the other Randi!}
I guess I am not into the whole coupon scene enough to have had this dilemma. I agree that if you are getting a coupon in an illegitimate way it's cheating. I still see coupon-ers trying sneak price matching on doubled coupon items at Walmart on Tuesdays... sometimes the cashier is in too much of a hurry to catch it and it goes through.
ReplyDeleteI also have noticed that Walgreens has really severely limited the number of items when there is a extra good sale. The manager always tells me that I can come back on Friday and get more if they still have the items.
I am pleased with this as it discourages the Sunday shoppers from wiping out all the shelves before I even get a change at it! LOL
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I totally agree and have thought this for a long time. I haven't seen any of the other deal bloggers do this, though. I wish they would. I've seen the same thing as Randi--they stress being ethical, but they use zips that are not their own. I'm sure they don't see it as unethical, but it always bothers me. I'm so grateful to see one of the "greats" who shares this perspective! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all that you do.
I have taken advantage of printing from other zip codes. I never thought I was doing a disservice to anyone else. Thank you for informing me otherwise. Your arguments make complete sense. I will no longer be printing in other zip codes.
ReplyDelete