looking to steal your coupons.
It happened again.
Another email from a reader that their coupons were stolen from their shopping cart. She had turned to pick something up off the bottom shelf, and when she back to her cart someone had snitched a good portion of the coupons in her basket.
Why? That is always my first thought when people tell me they had their coupons stolen. Why would someone take another person’s coupons? Oh I had someone dip their hand into my coupon envelope (not a euphemism) before. They took a bunch of coupons, leaving the frees behind. That always made me wonder if it was just a kid being stupid. It did not stop me from kicking myself for leaving my envelope unattended in my cart, and it did not stop me from wanting to kick the bozo that snitched my coupons.
While difficult to prevent all coupon theft, I would suggest if you use a binder installing a carabiner onto the end of your binder.
This will allow you to clip your binder to the cart. If someone attempts to steal your binder, they will quickly realized it is attached to the cart and most likely go looking for easier prey.
I would also suggest you keep your coupon envelope in your purse, and be as diligent with that envelope as you are with preventing your purse from being stolen.
It is really sad that we have to have a conversation about coupon theft, but it is necessary. Do you have any good coupon theft deterrent ideas?
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I had my entire coupon wallet stolen when my youngest daughter was a baby. I had her with me while grocery shopping, reached down to get a gallon of milk and turned to put into my cart, coupon wallet GONE.
I still to this day…. 21 1/2 years later….. still shocked someone was that desperate! I have learned now to never turn my back with coupons, purse or anything in my cart that could be stolen.
My daughters & I never go shopping alone. There are always 2 or 3 of us so we watch out for each other. We’re always digging into each others coupons so nobody has a chance to steal them from us.
Wow! I never thought about coupon theft before this post! I leave my binder open in my cart all of the time. I will certainly think twice about it now. I am always cautious about my purse but figured my coupons were safe. I guess they are like cash though and are valuable.
I feel sorry for your readers that had this happen.
Great post to warn everyone, Ann!! I too have been the victim of coupon envie theft!!! It’s absolutely mind boggling, but I guess people will steal anything. Sheesh. Protect them … especially with shows like TLC glorifying it all.
I use a box for my coupons and keep it in a bag. The entire bag sits down in the cart, not in the seat. I often have things piled on top of the box, to make it harder to even see what I have in the cart. If anyone stole my coupon box, I would be crying for days for sure!
Unreal how low some will go.
On the other hand, I have had on 2 separate occasions, left my coupon box in the cart at Kroger and on both occasions they were turned in. The one time included my $120 in cash. Some people can be just as kind as they can be. There is hope for the world;)
I was at Albertsons 2 weeks ago and the clerk was initializing every coupon I had given her. When I asked her why she had to do that, she stated that people will walk through the check-out area and take the cashiers coupons as they sit in their area in an envelop or just off to the side. She said it happens all the time at the store!
That is crazy! Don’t people realize there are camera’s overhead? Idiots.
Coupons are valuable little slips of paper, just like $ bills. In fact to stores, coupons are worth more than money. Ever read that fine print on the coupon. The store will not only be reimbursed for the face amount but also make 8cents handling for each of those little slips. The bank doesn’t pay them extra for handling money. Never be embarrased about your coupons. Treat them like the valuable commodity they are. And the next time a cashier gets huffy about your coupons, gently show them the fine print. Then ask them who the more valuable customer is? The one paying cash or you, with your fist full of coupns that make everybody money.
Sharlet, I love this! I have a good mind to print it out and carry it around with me when I shop! I have had a few huffy cashiers. They act like we are doing something dishonest when the fact is, we are bringing more revenue to the stores!! Great post!
Not to mention that stores pay for customers to use credit cards! So, the coupon shopper is helping even more!
Can the thief be arrested? If the stores have footage on their cameras, I hope the cops were called. When I see my coupons, I view them as money. It’s shocking how bold crooks can be. Where the tornado hit almost 2 weeks ago, the cops are having to keep a constant presence in the area because of looters. They scour the woods looking for anything of value. I personally hope they find a good dose of poison ivy!
In an attempt to protect my binder, I undo the strap of my purse, loop it through my binder handle, wrap it through the metal bar on the cart and buckle it back to my purse which sits under the binder. I keep one hand on it 99% of the time. I’m sure a crook could still figure out a way to get it loose and if they wanted but hopefully my can of Mace (in my pocket) will hold them until the cops can arrive.
I have a great deterant!!!!!!!!!!! My 230lb hubbie!! lol He is a hawk over my binder, it is pretty funny. He knows the time it takes and he appreciates what I can do with that binder so he is my binder guard!
Crazy is right!!! My coupon binder was open and I have the pouch kind, where there are pockets in the front for paper etc. I had my Pepsi inserts (whole) in there along w/ my P&G’s for the month. (I’ve found it specifically helpful to NOT CUT any P&G just to keep them whole until next month etc.) Well I had just finished cutting the Propel cpns and didn’t put them ‘all the way in’ my binder… bent down to pick up the Propel, come back up w/ 6 in my arms… MY COUPONS ARE FREAKIN GONE!!!! I looked up and down the aisle in shock, I MEAN SHOCK!!! I just stood there still holding the Propel in total disbelief!!!
I finally got my wits back and put the Propel in my cart and then went thru the rest of my binder and small accordian envelope where I keep my deals. Nothing else was missing and I had an entire pocket for ‘FREE CPNS’ labeled clearly!!! Why they didn’t take those is beyond me *scratching head*. Dh say’s cuz they were trying to do it “fast”!! Whatever, they can “bite me”!!!!
Anyway, I was devasted, I literally had tears in my eyes, and after swiping at my eyes, I got angry at myself for my stupidity and gullibility, thinking “everyone is nice”, NOT!!!!
Dh was upset cuz I was upset, and he promised me I will alway’s have someone w/ me when shopping moving forward!!
How sad, seriously???
I prefer to have someone shop with me! Sadly, most of the time I am alone! I try to keep my purse & coupons secure but I also will set envelopes on top of my purse… I am now seeing that I need to keep my coupons more secure! I would be devasted! I am sorry that this has happened to many of you! I thought stealing inserts out of all of the papers was bad! Obviously, this is worse! Maybe the lesson is be trusting (because there are good people out there!) But don’t be niave?
I make out a very detailed list and only take the coupons into the store that I plan to use for that trip. I know there are a few drawbacks to doing it this way, but it’s easier and “safer” for me in the long run. Also, I keep the coupon pouch that contains that shopping trip’s coupons in the bottom of my cart inside one of my cloth bags that will be used to bag the groceries when I’m checking out, so no one even sees my coupons until I’m checking out. Hard to believe someone will steal another person’s coupons. Those of us who live by coupons know how valuable they are to someone else, and we’d never do that. I’d definitely report (or tackle) someone if I saw them taking someone else’s binder.
I’m dumbfounded that someone would steal coupons! Desperation I suppose, but no excuse. Mine are in a binder, and the coupons themselves are in card (baseball) holders. I have to dig to get the one I want so I would surely know if someone else were trying to escape with some. However, the idea of having the binder clipped to our buggy is a great idea. I already do that with my purse so I’ll have to do the same with my coupons. They are “money” after all.
I have my daughter put her hand on my “bible” when i need to get something, or run into the bathroom. I never leave it alone!
I prefer to go to the grocery alone so I can paroose the aisles at my own leisure, or, if I’m in a hurry – get in and out! I am terrified of my stuff being taken after having my identity stolen 4 years ago, so I came up with a system.
My coupons are all in an accordian file, along with my debit card and store shopping card. I bring my purse (which carries my cell phone, store circular and random little things – but no wallet at the grocery) and put the file under my purse. I then secure my purse onto the cart using the infant seat straps. I always hit the bread aisle first, and place my items on either side of my purse so my accordian isn’t visible to anyone, but easily accessible enough for me if I find a deal I hadn’t planned on.
One other option is to put your re-usable totes behind the customer service desk and keep your coupons inside of them. The store manager will usually agree to keep it for up to an hour.
I usually keep my shopping list envelope with coupons inside in my hand throughout the entire trip – but my binder is sprawled open in my kid seat. I have never had this happen to me, but I think, if it did, I would say an instant prayer to uplift the person who took the coupons and hope it blesses their family more that it ever would for mine. These days, food is so expensive and God has truly blessed my family with an easy budget for groceries. I would give it all away if it were to help someone less fortunate.
I’ve lost my coupons before – my fault, but they were never stolen. Even the time I left mine in the store, the lady who found them, found my number it, and called me. She drove to my home and wouldn’t even take a reward. She totally understood how valuable a coupon envelope is to a shopper. She did the right thing and I am forever grateful. I can’t imagine a fellow couponer stealing another’s collection. There has to be a code of ethics between us. Shame on whoever does that.
WOW! I had never heard of such a thing happening before..total shocker! I leave my coupon bag unattended all the time. My 7 year old daughter and I would be devestated if anything like that would happen to us. Can’t believe anyone would steal coupons, hey just ask me for them, I give coupons to elderly people or people standing patiently behind me in the grocery line all the time.
The reality is the person was more than likely just hoping to get an envelop with the persons money in it. The sad thing is they will likely throw those coupons away. What a waste!
Oh wow, that’s just sad that someone would go ahead and steal someone’s coupons…
If you don’t have a lock like in the picture you could at least use the child seat buckle. I used to always buckle up my bag, I have got lax on that but now I will definitely start buckling up again.
I only take the coupons I will use with me, and I put them in plastic baseball card sleeves in the order I will get the stuff in the store. If dh is with me, which is about 1/2 the time, I take the ones out I used and hand them to him. If not, I wait until I am ready to hit the checkout and then pull them out of the pockets. If I take the binder, it is b/c hubby is there standing over it. There is a LOT of interest in coupons right now b/c of the TLC show…
I always watch my coupon binder. 2 weeks ago when hubby and i were shopping- my binder was open in the top of the basket- i told hubby to stay with my binder. i went to get some bisquits and when i turned around he was gone- and some woman was reaching in my cart at my binder- i said “hey” loudly and she turned and walked away- i never leave my cart now if my binder is there- or i take it with me- im making a coupon carrier with handles so i can just put it on my shoulder if i need to…… i have heard of peoples coupon binders, etc getting taken recently. its just sad that even your coupons arent safe.
I usually purchase 4-6 papers @ RA on Sundays. Not this week, the cashier informed me that all the papers were stolen out of the lock box. Not sure if it was for the coupons or for the front page with the KY Derby winner story on it.
Nothing shocks me anymore though. I have been robbed at gun point in the fashion district of Los Angeles during the middle of the day and people walking by. So needless to say, I trust no one with ANYTHING. It sure is a horrible way to life.
Maybe we all can get together and donate some of our extra’s to help this fellow couponer out.
Great idea. I would love to help replace her coupons. If you find out how, let me know. I’m all for it.
I had a few coupons lifted out of my basket a year or so ago..
They were for Glade products and non-essential, but man was I ticked.
I’d already gotten them and was still standing around looking at other deals/coupons. When I went to make sure I had all my coupons in order, they were 100% totally gone.
A lady & her son had come up while I was standing there.. My back was only turned for a second, but obviously that was long enough for them to grab the few coupons that were laying on top of the seat.. They didnt take all of them.. just the top 3 or 4.
And I never ever ever leave my purse in the buggy.. That is seriously waiting for trouble to happen. I dont turn my back on my coupons anymore..
KIDS. Lots of noisy, busy kids. Most people give us a wide berth because although I have been training the children to respect aisle width and give others space to move past us the little ones still wander. I feel pretty comfortable leaving my purse on the bottom of the cart since it gets buried very quickly and there is always a pair of eyes or someone hanging onto the cart. No way could someone sneak off with anything, kid or stuff, without a huge ruckus raised by the remaining munchkins.
I haven’t had any stolen at the store, but someone has been stealing the coupons from the sunday papers and leaving the papers in the machine. Multiple times I have come home with a paper that didn’t have coupons in it. If these people are going to steal the coupons, they should at least take the whole dang paper or something! That way I don’t get screwed!
Krystal many newspapers will not put inserts into the machines because of past coupon theft. Call your newspaper and ask if they even have coupon inserts in the machine papers (make sure you differentiate from the ads).
Ann
This just happened to me today at target. I had a huge orange binder with me and I walked away from my cart with my purse, but when I came back, the binder was gone
I thought I was going crazy….why would anyone do this? The worst part is, I also had my insurance/ medical receipts in this binder. Very sad that people would do this!
I am really saddened to hear this news. I cant believe people can be so selfish and it still counts as stealing which is punishable.
I prefer going shopping alone as I can take my time, my husband and toddler are always a distraction. I use an accordion check holder and a normal folder when I go shopping. The normal folder usually has the weekly ad or ads to price match, my list, coupons for that trip,calculator, post it and pen . The accordion file usually stays in my handbag or often opened on top of my handbag which is on child seat. I will have to change my behavior from now on as I have left it unattended a couple of times.
@eve, I am sorry to read your ordeal. Did you report it to Target? They usually have good surveillance system.
Saida, I didn’t even think about reporting it, I was incomplete shock! I just started couponing a few months ago. I was so naive to think People are just as honest as I am.. I’m going to go back to target tomorrow & see if they are willing to help me. Thank you for the suggestion.
I can’t believe this actually happens…my entire binder was stolen from my car this past weekend. I’m devastated. I’ve worked so hard on my coupons and binder organization for the last 7 months and now I am starting over. I can’t believe people do this.
So sorry to hear this happened Melissa
I had my envelop of coupons taken at Target a few months ago over a couple bottles of free body wash (I remember the lady looking at the body wash at the same time I was–she was sure sneaky!). I keep my binder in the car and if there is a great deal and I know I have a coupon I go back in and get it. The whole binder would be devastating… so much time and work! Have you checked back with the store just in case someone “accidentally” took your cart and later turned it in?
I keep my binber in my purse that is zipped but I hold all the coupons in my hand along with my list.