When I was back in the US, I was at the grocery store one day when I saw this lady walking up and down the aisles filling her cart off here list, but also sticking pieces of paper on products on the selves from time to time. When I went buy, I noticed that she was taping coupons to the appropriate products.
I had to know what was going on, so I interrupted her to ask. She had a very simple answer"
It just seems a waste to throw away the coupons just because I don't use the product. Someone is going to purchase the product, so they might as well get use of the coupon. I'm already in the store doing my shopping and it takes a second or two to scotch tape the coupon onto the package. It just seems like the right thing to do.
I totally agree. Not only is it an easy way to help someone else save money, I'm sure that those people that reach for the item they were going to buy to find a discount coupon attached will feel like a bit of luck shined on them that day. I bet that simple action brings about a bunch of smiles each day she does it.
Since seeing that, I have started the same habit. It doesn't work so well in Japan where coupons are much rarer than in the US, but I was having a great time leaving coupons for people that could use them while still in the US. In fact, I moved beyond grocery coupons and started to print out multiple coupons when going to a restaurant that had online coupons. Then I simply handed them out or left them where anyone could grab one if they wanted.
I realize that not all of them will be used, but many more do than would if they had ended up in my waste basket. And it is surprising how a simple gesture like this can make somebody's day. If you use coupons and find yourself throwing some away from time to time, I encourage you to join me in following the example of the coupon lady.
Idea From The Coupon Lady
February 7th, 2007 at 03:54 am
February 7th, 2007 at 07:44 am 1170834253
it'll be nice to brighten someones day...
February 7th, 2007 at 04:21 pm 1170865277
I've done this in the past just leaving the coupon on the shelf next to the product, but once had a box boy see me and he said that in his store the manager makes them gather them up and throw them away.
Taping them on would make that much less likely.
I like it!!
February 7th, 2007 at 06:39 pm 1170873542
The manager who would throw them away is mean-spirited. The store makes money from the coupons, so why would the manager care?
February 28th, 2007 at 11:33 pm 1172705601