I was at Smith’s early this morning around 8 am. I’m not normally one of those zealots who feels the need to get there early, but I had to drive the Junior High crowd to school, and had plans for later in the day, so I decided to just go as soon as I dropped the kids off, since I would be out anyway. I knew that Smith’s was having the “coupon sale” where any coupon $1 or less is treated like a $1 coupon. I had clipped my coupons while watching Amazing Race last night, but they weren’t all that well organized. I didn’t have time to get them all into my coupon binder, but just had them in a manilla file folder.
I was surprised at what I saw. I guess if you really want to be a serious coupon shopper, you get there early. I even heard one lady say to her friend, “I know, I’m late. I had to get the kids ready.” Late? At 8:00 in the morning? I’m lucky I’m dressed and have combed my hair, lady? What in the world are you talking about. But then I realized, as she and her friend nabbed almost all of the Kleenex that when using a coupon would be free. Really? Do you HAVE that many coupons? Maybe she did, I don’t know. I was especially surprised when I saw MEN there with their big ol’ coupon books, scouring the prices and comparing. Men? With coupons? I think I may have just experienced a shift in the time-space continuum.
I was proud of my fellow couponers, and I must say I felt a little bit out of my league. I wasn’t all that organized, and I looked like such a beginner only buying two boxes of the Krusteaz cookie mix.
Not everyone, however, was impressed. One lady was openly rude about the whole couponing experience. She was looking for something (I don’t really know what, but it was in the baking isle), and she was frustrated because the store was out of whatever it was. She was openly derogatory toward the bargain hunters, and said, “Those crazies with their coupons have to buy up half the store. Then when I come and need ONE thing, it’s out.” Wow. Why don’t you tell us how you really feel, lady? I don’t think the guy stocking the shelf right by her appreciated her rudeness, either, but he didn’t say anything.
I was also shocked by the number of people wearing pajama pants. Or what looked like pajama pants. Do people really go to the grocery store in their pajamas? I admit, I drive my kids to school, and I’ve even driven the carpool in my pj’s, but to all out grocery shop in them? Hmmm. That’s a new level of casualness I hadn’t even considered. I think I’ll have to mull that one over for a bit.
So, what’s your take on grocery shopping? Do you use coupons? Are you irritated by those who do use coupons? And have you ever shopped in your pj’s?
To me its not usually worth the time and hassle, but in my earlier years I did it.
I’m with your mom. The time itself–but I do understand the high from a great bargain, so I see why people do it. Just not me.
I checked through all my coupons for the Smith’s sale, and was excited to find several that were for things that were also on sale that were also on my list! Unfortunately, they had all expired on 11/30/10, except for three, and those were either Smith’s coupons that don’t count for the $1 event, or they were already $1. Either way, I don’t get a bunch of the coupon books any more, so I don’t even try to “buy up the store.” When I did, though, you might have considered me one of those “crazies.”