Coupon Cheaters ruining discounts for everyone
by Laura Jones and Desk of Brian’s Brandon Jones
Fraud always creates a problem for retailers and consumers alike. As a cost savings, many vendors issue coupons on-line to increase availability beyond the scope of newspaper subscribers.
Unfortunately, as technology has improved, so have the thieves to take advantage of these opportunities. With a struggling economy, everyone is searching for ways to earn more money and save a few bucks also.
This battle may be marching into a head-on-head confrontation.
1-800-Flowers issued $20 off coupons on Harry London candy boxes, but many coupons were simply peeled away, sold on the internet and circumvented the intent of the promotion.
These are the guidelines for selling coupons on eBay(edited for space, see below for link to entire policy):
 Allowed |
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Restricted |
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Not allowed |
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Selling coupons eBay may be lucrative, but greed still corrupts.
From the report on Consumerist.com:
“1-800-Flowers canceled a string of orders made with the coupon codes that appeared fraudulent. Those customers should receive an e-mail, [a company spokesman] said, asking them to call the company and go through the procedure again.”
Then there’s the issue of fraud.
If you think this fraudulent is not a serious problem, let me point you to this story Daily Chronicle in Illinois in which two young men forged and use over $700 in fake coupons. They are now facing two Class 3 Felony charges.
These stories are everywhere. From overseas arrests (read here), or in Dehli to ebay itself (arrest of Glenn and Joanna Schwartz)
For now Walmart will accept Internet Coupons:
“Internet coupons should be legible and say “Manufacturer Coupon.” There should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and a scannable bar code.” (Read Walmart coupon policy)
Publix carries the most money saving coupon policy but store managers have hinted that there are changes ahead. Read full Publix coupon policy here.
Read Complete eBay coupon selling guidelines here
