Everyone is in this saving-money-thing together. I know that. Heck, I preach that. So why does it bother me when I see lists that I walk hours and hours through stores to obtain copy and pasted to forums? I honestly do not care when other bloggers do it. Could it be because the bloggers will link back and acknowledge thanks?
I was copy and pasted to a number of forums for my Tops lists. A Full Cup was spectacular about remedying this with a link back. The other sites, not-so-much. I’ve had my lists copy and pasted to slickdeals several times now. Not even a crummy “thanks couponsdealsandmore” so everyone would assume it was a poster on another forum.
And it bugs me.
I’m considering going to the stupid images that plaster my url all over them like I do for Tops. These are ridiculously time consuming for me to make, and they are not pretty for you to read. Or, maybe I no longer walk the stores and instead rip other people off blind… with no credit of course? 
But seriously, I don’t know what to do. When I posted on B$ at least people would thank AMS when they were reposting me. If you were a deal forum goer you knew what B$ was and who AMS was. If you weren’t into the deal forums you did not care about where the info started anyway, so you did not check the source further than what was posted on the forum you were currently reading.
Maybe I just stop reading the emails that say “so and so copied you to slickdeals” and never click the link?
And maybe I just get over it and not care who copy and pastes? After all, it really is only about helping others save money. After all anyone can walk a store and get the deals. And my time (sadly) is not that valuable.
Ok, my whining time is over. 
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Ann – I think they should credit you at the very least for your hard work. I try to type up inserts that I get and it’s a pain in the buttock – I don’t like it. So for all those folks who do – they should be thanked. Same for going to the store. But you know – people will just take and take and take – that’s kinda the way it is… which is sad sometimes. Taking isn’t all that bad but at least be thankful and/or credit. Maybe I should get on SD and credit you for them – sheesh… they will probably hate me for it though LOL. Anyhow – you deserve to be credited! MTC… Liz
Thanks for listening to my whine, Liz! It isn’t just me though… I’ve seen a lot of blog stuff copy and pasted. It is almost as if there are two worlds forums vs bloggers when in reality we are all doing the same thing.
And don’t get on SD. The first few times I let it go and took it to PMs (which stinks because they only allow you 1 PM there when you are new!) This time I decided to say something.
And, if you type up your coupons and I’m missing something please send me an email with what. I’ll add it to the list and credit you.
Ann
Ann, Not only should you get credit for what you do but you be PAID! I realize that I have already expressed to you (in private) how hacked-off I was when I discovered that you recieved no finacial renumeration for all you do for me/us…but now I’m going public about it. I cannot even imagine how many hours you devote to this each and every day. And….somehow…”Thanks” just doesn’t seem to be quite enough.
Fellow readers/guests: Who else here thinks that Ann deserves some income for all her hard work?
“Fellow readers/guests: Who else here thinks that Ann deserves some income for all her hard work?”
—I previouly thought Ann was paid for all her smarty work here. But obviously I was wrong. I agree that Ann deserves to be paid and credited. I am new to Ann’s blog. I read a lot of bloggers but Ann’s deal idea is the best of best.
Barbee – I do!!!
I said it many times on here too as I’m a serial commenter here… Not only b/c of Ann have I gone back to shopping at some stores that I wouldn’t have, I have spent quite a bit there after cpns (yes – I’m really horrible at planning and backup planning so I spent quite a bit OOP). I said at the very least, they owe her a $100 GC – i figure that is worth at least $1000 in merchandise. Kmart, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens – seriously. I did shop at CVS beforehand, but all those other stores – Ann’s blogging.
I didn’t even take into account the fact that I just like reading the blog even if it weren’t for the deals or for deals that aren’t even in my area. It’s interesting to read nonetheless.
Thanks to you all!
Barbee you will be happy to know that those google ads have finally paid off. I now make more than costs! On the other hand, I still have to pay myself back for all the set-up costs, but I really do feel that I am going to break even fairly soon… sooner than my 6-8 month projection!
But, you gotta know I have never done this for the money. Ask Liz as she goes back a lot of years with me on the forums (as a volunteer). It is not about getting paid, it is about helping people.
That is why this whine bugs me so much. It is how I honestly feel, and yet “it is about helping people” is also how I honestly feel. And yet the two do not correlate.
*shrug*
And thank you so very much for the kind words, Lin.
Ann
Ann,
Yours is my favorite. I LOVE your Rebates section. I check that every few days or more.
And somehow I relate to your personality. I’ve only been doing this for about 5 weeks, and you have saved me a ton and raised my standard of living while lowering my OOP.
It is nice to be appreciated for volunteer efforts, but somehow in this world, it feels like most of the time, people aren’t.
Janet
You have saved you a ton of money, Janet. You took whatever tools you could find and implemented those savings. And doesn’t it feel great!?
After all these years I still get a high out of the the find, the chase and the score. I think saving money is addicting… kinda like chocolate.
And there is nothing I love more than free chocolate!
Ann
Ann is the BEST. No doubt about this.
There are so many people out there who are rude and greedy and maybe what we write here will not change them. I do think that all the parents should teach their kids (who will then grow up decent adults) that it’s not OK to take other people’s stuff without asking and that words like Thank you and Please can do wonders. Sorry this happened to you Ann.
Thanks Tatiania. I appreciate your support.
Ann
I don’t know who B$ or AMS are, but I have heard of SD. I am new here, as I found you through your links from other sites I visit. I am glad you do them so I always get to you! I have found great deals here and need to check out the rebates Janet was speaking of.
I wish you got credit, and believe people shouldn’t rip you of! I may have benefitted from your work without knowing if I happened to see it on a blog where you were not credited. (Should I apologize?) I do see a lot of the same info out there, but I also see a lot of people crediting each other with links. Again, I do not visit SD (I hear there is a lot of back-biting and I am not interested in negative energy).
I do hope you can make some money at what you do! How do we ‘pay’ you? Do you get paid if we click the stuff to the right or do we have to purchase something from them? I don’t have a blog, so I don’t know how that works.
Blessings to you!
I just want to say that I think this blog is the best one out there – definitely better than my own – and I know that I mention your blog to the ladies in my MLM group because you do have the local Tops match ups. I know how much work goes into creating match-ups and you’re a really good person to continue to do it every single week.
Apologize? For what Rachel? Maybe I expressed my disappointment poorly. There is a lot of repetitive posting because after all, how hard is it to figure our a coupon or deal match-up? If you know the sale, know of a coupon, can add and subtract you can figure it out (you being the general use of the word “you” not the specific use). That is why people see the same stuff over and over… everyone and anyone can figure it out with the right tools.
Lists (to me) are a bit different. Unless they come from many sources you know one person took the time to walk a store and write things down. I’m sure some people use cameras (OMG my stores would toss me out for that!) or camera phones (where you can be more discrete but then again you’d have to know how to use your camera phone
) so it would be a LOT faster to do.
I’m sure I overreacted and probably should have let it go or taken it to PMs (again).
You “pay” me by reading my blog! I do not need you to click anything or buy anything through my links; that is how the blog monetizes, but there is no need for anyone to do so. As long as costs are covered, I do not need to make money blogging.
Ann
Awwww Julie, that is so sweet… and that is so not true! Your blog is wonderful!
What is a MLM group?
Ann
Just want to join the others and sincerely thank you for all of the time and effort you do put into helping us all save money. Since having Chase, the time and effort I put into couponing is minimal compared to what it used to be … and I can say without a doubt, that I benefit from reviewing your blog. You do most of the leg work for me, and you have no idea how much I appreciate that. I do try to pay it forward by sharing deals, rebates, etc. with family and friends. Those using your work should do the same — A little acknowledgement at the very least! I understand and relate to your frustration Ann! You are the best.
Ann, sorry to hear that you are not getting credit for your hard work. SD is kinda rough! I think the first time I posted on there people jumped on me with both feet. I would recommend that you start adding your name to scans. It’s your work and you SHOULD get credit for it. JMHO.
I love your blog!!!!
Thanks for the support and encouragement Rhonda. I appreciate it!
Ann
Roz the “rough” does not bother me… I started forum posting at fatwallet. You want rough? Now there’s a site that is rough.
Hubby (and some readers) recommended I disable copy and paste. The problem I have with that idea is people will copy and paste a deal match-up (or parts of a deal match-up) to word and then take the page with them to the store to shop. If I could figure out how to disable copy and paste on select pages (as opposed to the entire blog) I would. I do not want to hurt my regular readers because someone decides to lift a few lists and share them with 50,000 of their closest friends.
Ann
Ann – I don’t think you came across as wanting apologies or anything like that. I think it’s legit frustration and it’s your blog
Ahh – the FW days… I keep forgetting that’s how I actually found my way to B$ from seeing you & friends on FW back then.
Your generosity is way beyond being able to use words to describe and its clear that you do this for the love of the game/hobby/”art” and being able to help out others not making money. But recouping admin costs is nice
Hope you surpass your goal before expected.
I didn’t even think of printing out your lists from drug stores or A&P. I probably should b/c I keep forgetting to get items. But I see your point about wanting to keep it easier for your loyal readers. Lots of activity in this post – great!
Btw – my sister says, she wishes you lived near a Shaws.
Liz
Tell sis “hi”! Also tell her to get over to Couponers wanted, specifically Barb’s Jewel forum. The deals are not exactly the same, but everything works the same way for crediting and Barb posts the Catalinas and sale sheets waaaaay before anyone else. The Catalina offers are usually the same. It will be a great start for your sister to figure out what is coming up and to gather her coupons.
Barbs’s back from vacation (although I have not heard from her since she left Morocco), so things should be picking up on that board soon!
Ann
What or who is B$ and AMW???
I like your site and am glad I happened upon it! I bookmarked you, so I will be visiting more regularly. I like blogs that post regularly, so I can check in and get new deals and information regularly. Thanks for everything!
Hi Rachel,
AMS was my username first on fatwallet.com and then I bargainshare.com I was a moderator and frequent poster on bargainshare (B$) for over six years.
Ann
Oh! Thanks for clarifying…..I have only been couponing since the beginning of this year (Feb or March or so). I am so enjoying your deals and such!
Welcome to the world of couponing and refunding, Rachel.
Ann