Comments on: The future of coupons: Valassis Yanks Red Plum Inserts in Several Large Markets http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/ Because Bargains Don't Find Themselves Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:15:48 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Robert Duncan http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-47530 Robert Duncan Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:44:24 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-47530 Valassis sucks! I used to work for them in El Paso.I don't get coupons by mail.They are wrong to pull the coupons.I am pissed! Valassis sucks! I used to work for them in El Paso.I don’t get coupons by mail.They are wrong to pull the coupons.I am pissed!

]]> By: Are you getting your Red Plum Inserts? — BargainBriana™ http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-47295 Are you getting your Red Plum Inserts? — BargainBriana™ Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:10:10 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-47295 [...] February, many of you were concerned that you were not getting your Red Plum Insert. I’ve heard that another big area, Philadelphia is no longer receiving their Red Plum inserts [...] [...] February, many of you were concerned that you were not getting your Red Plum Insert. I’ve heard that another big area, Philadelphia is no longer receiving their Red Plum inserts [...]

]]> By: Briana Carter http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-47293 Briana Carter Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:44:36 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-47293 Harold, part of the problem is people are NOT getting the direct mailers and/or the mailers are full of junk instead of coupons. Harold, part of the problem is people are NOT getting the direct mailers and/or the mailers are full of junk instead of coupons.

]]> By: Harold http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-42600 Harold Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:08:30 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-42600 Hmmm...seems like Red Plum is diverting available adverstising dollars (in coupon distributions) from those coupon clipping groups/clubs, as well as some of us who seek multiple of same coupons. As Jane indicated, it makes business sense for Red Plum & manufacturers to distribute more coupons to more people. The sad thing is during such economic hard times, the negative impact of this move will leave many soured and frustrated with Red Plum. The bright side is you could ask neighbors to save those unwanted Red Plum Direct Mailers for you and collect more coupons. Of course they may also be wanting to use them now... Hmmm…seems like Red Plum is diverting available adverstising dollars (in coupon distributions) from those coupon clipping groups/clubs, as well as some of us who seek multiple of same coupons.

As Jane indicated, it makes business sense for Red Plum & manufacturers to distribute more coupons to more people. The sad thing is during such economic hard times, the negative impact of this move will leave many soured and frustrated with Red Plum.

The bright side is you could ask neighbors to save those unwanted Red Plum Direct Mailers for you and collect more coupons. Of course they may also be wanting to use them now…

]]> By: Christie http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-23963 Christie Tue, 12 May 2009 22:35:47 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-23963 Just so you know, www.thecouponclippers.com has coupons you can buy for pennies!! I know it's not the same, but it's something! And you can go into previous weeks and purchase them too. Just so you know, http://www.thecouponclippers.com has coupons you can buy for pennies!! I know it’s not the same, but it’s something! And you can go into previous weeks and purchase them too.

]]> By: Nameless http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-20769 Nameless Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:04:52 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-20769 fyi-I loved getting red plum flyer by mail , have been getting this way for over 1 year except for last week- no delivery.When my neighbor talked to the mail delivery person, she said they don't have to delivery if your address is not on . I've been getting for over 1 year without being specifically address to me. What a croc!!!! Hey, Montgomery Illinois -call the post office and let them know if this has happened to you last week fyi-I loved getting red plum flyer by mail , have been getting this way for over 1 year except for last week- no delivery.When my neighbor talked to the mail delivery person, she said they don’t have to delivery if your address is not on . I’ve been getting for over 1 year without being specifically address to me. What a croc!!!! Hey, Montgomery Illinois -call the post office and let them know if this has happened to you last week

]]> By: Monroe on a Budget » Sunday newspaper coupons are an endangered species http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-17773 Monroe on a Budget » Sunday newspaper coupons are an endangered species Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:17:46 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-17773 [...] Briana is the blog where I first saw that report. And I’ve been chasing down headlines ever [...] [...] Briana is the blog where I first saw that report. And I’ve been chasing down headlines ever [...]

]]> By: Jennifer in SO. MD http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-16045 Jennifer in SO. MD Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:17:33 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-16045 Also now that I read Jane's comment or copy or paste I don't know what paper she gets because almost every weekend I see a couple coupons that were in the paper the week before. I have more household cleaning coupons and fragrance coupons than I need. Also now that I read Jane’s comment or copy or paste I don’t know what paper she gets because almost every weekend I see a couple coupons that were in the paper the week before. I have more household cleaning coupons and fragrance coupons than I need.

]]> By: Jennifer in SO. MD http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-16042 Jennifer in SO. MD Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:12:16 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-16042 I have also realized the emptiness of the coupon section that is the whole reason we go out to get the paper every Sunday morning. I have a newborn so all coupons help and I usually see if my friend uses any. I have picked up the coupon clipping tradition from my mother. The only time I have seen a redplum coupon book is in the mail in what most of us would think of as junk mail but it is a large paper with ads inside. I have also realized the emptiness of the coupon section that is the whole reason we go out to get the paper every Sunday morning. I have a newborn so all coupons help and I usually see if my friend uses any. I have picked up the coupon clipping tradition from my mother. The only time I have seen a redplum coupon book is in the mail in what most of us would think of as junk mail but it is a large paper with ads inside.

]]> By: Brooke http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-14681 Brooke Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:34:41 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-14681 I am incredibly excited to find that Red Plum will mail me their coupons. I live in an incredibly rural environment and can only get a newspaper subscription mailed to me (they do not include ads or coupons when they mail the newspaper). I love couponing but have been very limited by what I can do because of the availability. I will have no problem getting multiple coupons because I have asked my family and friends to sign up and if I can have their coupons. Know if only I could get the rest of the coupons so easily. I am incredibly excited to find that Red Plum will mail me their coupons. I live in an incredibly rural environment and can only get a newspaper subscription mailed to me (they do not include ads or coupons when they mail the newspaper). I love couponing but have been very limited by what I can do because of the availability. I will have no problem getting multiple coupons because I have asked my family and friends to sign up and if I can have their coupons. Know if only I could get the rest of the coupons so easily.

]]> By: Bargain Briana http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-14160 Bargain Briana Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:26:18 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-14160 P.S. Jane's IP address is from the Valassis Corporation. So "she" is not quite unbiased. I will be writing up a detailed response to this generic cut and paste (which was posted at multiple blogs) in the next few days. P.S. Jane’s IP address is from the Valassis Corporation. So “she” is not quite unbiased. I will be writing up a detailed response to this generic cut and paste (which was posted at multiple blogs) in the next few days.

]]> By: Jane http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-13624 Jane Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:59:11 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-13624 As an advertising executive that has worked with Valassis and News America for over 20 years as an advertiser within their FSI products, I have a slightly different opinion on this matter. Let's look at the pure economies of scale... newspapers are losing readership (and have been for years). The Cleveland Plain-Dealer (the impetus for much of the negative blog posting) lost 2.7% Sunday circ. from 2004-05, -1.6% in 05-06, -1.4% in 06-07 and the 07-08 figures will not be pretty. Advertisers are looking to reach as many people as possible with their advertising in the most cost-effective manner. The fact is that, while a small group of people may think that their purchase of multiple copies of the newspapers is a powerful driver of successful ROI, the fact is that if an advertiser can reach 10%, 20% 30% or 40+% more people by using the mail for the same cost per person as using a newspaper, that is a good thing! The inability of a group of people to buy multiples of a product using multiple coupons is significantly offset by the ability of an advertiser to reach hundreds of thousands of new consumers who might buy their products. While consumers may find this hard to believe, manufacturers don't actually want people buying 10 newspapers to use 10 coupons on their products. They would much rather have 7 new people each use one coupon? Really? They would rather sell 7 items instead of 10? Yes! Coupons are about trial -- the goal isn't to give multiple coupons to a single person -- it is to engage a large group of people to try the product and hopefully become regular consumers. To do that, you need to get your coupons in the hands of the most consumers. If anyone believes that the manufacturers want them using multiple coupons at one time, they need to know that is not reality. That is why there isn't a coupon every week for the same product. That is why manufacturers are embracing the move to distribution via direct mail. That is why P&G (the largest pckaged goods company in the world) does not advertise online -- they are worried about coupon fraud (i.e., consumers printing multiple copies). By that same argument, they would consider the buying of 10 copies of a newspaper to be "newspaper fraud". In other words, they don't want people using 10 coupons. They want you using one coupon and then returning to purchase more of the product at the regular price. If manufacturers really wanted you to buy multiples with coupons, they could provide coupons that can be used on the purchase of "up to 10 products". Then you only need one coupon and can buy as many of each product as you need. Ask yourself why they don't do this. Additioanlly, the newspaper business is in danger, and it's got nothing to do with Red Plum moving to mail (I find the posts ironic that claim that Red Plum moving to mail will put the newspapers out of business). The newspapers don't need any help with that. In the last 2-1/2 months, 33 newspapers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and many more. And, yes they all carry SmartSource and Red Plum coupons and they are still failing financially! We really can't blame Red Plum for listening to their advertisers and providing a strategic solution (with shifts to mail and online couponing) that increase the coverage for their advertisers, allow more consumers to have access to their coupons and provide an option should newspapers close or cease business (like the Rocky Mountain News)? Bloggers, while disappointed that they no longer have access to 10 coupons for their favorite product should be thankful that hundreds of thousands of other consumers in their market can now receive coupon discouts during this financially dificult time. They should be excited that, should their newspaper cease operations, they will still be able to receive their Red Plum coupons in the mail. And they should be pushing their retailers to accept online coupons (if they currently don't). Finally, they should be making friends with their neighbors, because if they want extra coupons, all they need to do is ask their neighbors if they can have theirs (and they don't even need to buy extra newspapers to get them). As an advertising executive that has worked with Valassis and News America for over 20 years as an advertiser within their FSI products, I have a slightly different opinion on this matter.

Let’s look at the pure economies of scale… newspapers are losing readership (and have been for years). The Cleveland Plain-Dealer (the impetus for much of the negative blog posting) lost 2.7% Sunday circ. from 2004-05, -1.6% in 05-06, -1.4% in 06-07 and the 07-08 figures will not be pretty. Advertisers are looking to reach as many people as possible with their advertising in the most cost-effective manner. The fact is that, while a small group of people may think that their purchase of multiple copies of the newspapers is a powerful driver of successful ROI, the fact is that if an advertiser can reach 10%, 20% 30% or 40+% more people by using the mail for the same cost per person as using a newspaper, that is a good thing!

The inability of a group of people to buy multiples of a product using multiple coupons is significantly offset by the ability of an advertiser to reach hundreds of thousands of new consumers who might buy their products.

While consumers may find this hard to believe, manufacturers don’t actually want people buying 10 newspapers to use 10 coupons on their products. They would much rather have 7 new people each use one coupon? Really? They would rather sell 7 items instead of 10? Yes! Coupons are about trial — the goal isn’t to give multiple coupons to a single person — it is to engage a large group of people to try the product and hopefully become regular consumers. To do that, you need to get your coupons in the hands of the most consumers.

If anyone believes that the manufacturers want them using multiple coupons at one time, they need to know that is not reality. That is why there isn’t a coupon every week for the same product. That is why manufacturers are embracing the move to distribution via direct mail. That is why P&G (the largest pckaged goods company in the world) does not advertise online — they are worried about coupon fraud (i.e., consumers printing multiple copies). By that same argument, they would consider the buying of 10 copies of a newspaper to be “newspaper fraud”. In other words, they don’t want people using 10 coupons. They want you using one coupon and then returning to purchase more of the product at the regular price. If manufacturers really wanted you to buy multiples with coupons, they could provide coupons that can be used on the purchase of “up to 10 products”. Then you only need one coupon and can buy as many of each product as you need. Ask yourself why they don’t do this.

Additioanlly, the newspaper business is in danger, and it’s got nothing to do with Red Plum moving to mail (I find the posts ironic that claim that Red Plum moving to mail will put the newspapers out of business). The newspapers don’t need any help with that. In the last 2-1/2 months, 33 newspapers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and many more. And, yes they all carry SmartSource and Red Plum coupons and they are still failing financially!

We really can’t blame Red Plum for listening to their advertisers and providing a strategic solution (with shifts to mail and online couponing) that increase the coverage for their advertisers, allow more consumers to have access to their coupons and provide an option should newspapers close or cease business (like the Rocky Mountain News)?

Bloggers, while disappointed that they no longer have access to 10 coupons for their favorite product should be thankful that hundreds of thousands of other consumers in their market can now receive coupon discouts during this financially dificult time. They should be excited that, should their newspaper cease operations, they will still be able to receive their Red Plum coupons in the mail. And they should be pushing their retailers to accept online coupons (if they currently don’t). Finally, they should be making friends with their neighbors, because if they want extra coupons, all they need to do is ask their neighbors if they can have theirs (and they don’t even need to buy extra newspapers to get them).

]]> By: Valassis’ Plan to End Newspaper Coupons Outrages Middle America | BNET Advertising Blog | BNET http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-13615 Valassis’ Plan to End Newspaper Coupons Outrages Middle America | BNET Advertising Blog | BNET Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:04:58 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-13615 [...] Bargain Briana: Apparently Valassis thinks having internet printables (some stores are inconsistent with their treatment of Internet Printables, many internet printables do not double, some consumers have no access to internet or a printer,and others just can’t get them to print on their computer or limited because they use public access terminals) and mailing out Red Plum insert to customers is now enough. … They have not taken into account that many people buy extra newspaper inserts to maximize their savings or buy extra items for charity. In addition, couponers are probably keeping some newspapers afloat by couponers buying extra papers each week just for the extra inserts! [...] [...] Bargain Briana: Apparently Valassis thinks having internet printables (some stores are inconsistent with their treatment of Internet Printables, many internet printables do not double, some consumers have no access to internet or a printer,and others just can’t get them to print on their computer or limited because they use public access terminals) and mailing out Red Plum insert to customers is now enough. … They have not taken into account that many people buy extra newspaper inserts to maximize their savings or buy extra items for charity. In addition, couponers are probably keeping some newspapers afloat by couponers buying extra papers each week just for the extra inserts! [...]

]]> By: patty http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12598 patty Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:29:50 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12598 What is also sad is that so many newspapers are having difficult time now to. So when we stop purchasing Sunday papers because of the lack of coupons. Red Plum is also responsible for hurting the papers circulation and many writers jobs as well. I also like to purchase multiple copies of the paper to get additional coupons. What is also sad is that so many newspapers are having difficult time now to. So when we stop purchasing Sunday papers because of the lack of coupons. Red Plum is also responsible for hurting the papers circulation and many writers jobs as well. I also like to purchase multiple copies of the paper to get additional coupons.

]]> By: Diva of Discounts » Blog Archive » Where have all our coupons gone? http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12541 Diva of Discounts » Blog Archive » Where have all our coupons gone? Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:45:03 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12541 [...] Bargain Brianna wrote a very good article about Valassis, so be sure to stop by her blog and check it out. [...] [...] Bargain Brianna wrote a very good article about Valassis, so be sure to stop by her blog and check it out. [...]

]]> By: Jodi http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12494 Jodi Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:08:09 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12494 I live between the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Both previously great coupon papers. Now ---- not much of anything. I'm very upset. Have you seen the website... www.bringbackthecoupons.com Many people trying to get the word out and hopefully make a difference on RP's decition. I live between the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Both previously great coupon papers. Now —- not much of anything. I’m very upset.

Have you seen the website… http://www.bringbackthecoupons.com

Many people trying to get the word out and hopefully make a difference on RP’s decition.

]]> By: Shelley http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12471 Shelley Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:34:36 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12471 I'm so pissed. I wasted $1.50 on this weekends Washington Post for NO COUPONS. I’m so pissed. I wasted $1.50 on this weekends Washington Post for NO COUPONS.

]]> By: Rachel http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12421 Rachel Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:21:46 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12421 I'm in Norfolk, VA and there wasn't a Red Plum two Sundays ago...What makes this worse is during my shopping yesterday, two of the stores that I could always count on for using my internet coupons told me they weren't taking them anymore. ARGH! Wal-Mart?! I'm left with Kroger and Farm Fresh. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Rachels last blog post..<a href="http://lovelifeandcoupons.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-samples-galore.html" rel="nofollow">Free Samples Galore!</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> I’m in Norfolk, VA and there wasn’t a Red Plum two Sundays ago…What makes this worse is during my shopping yesterday, two of the stores that I could always count on for using my internet coupons told me they weren’t taking them anymore. ARGH! Wal-Mart?! I’m left with Kroger and Farm Fresh.

Rachels last blog post..Free Samples Galore!

]]> By: Heather N http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12376 Heather N Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:27:22 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12376 I'm in IA and we just bought two different Sunday papers this week and we couldn't find any coupon inserts in either paper. :( I'm going to email those papers and ask because we buy the Sunday paper just for the coupons. This is an eye opener for me...from now on I'll be checking before I spend the money for nothing. So far I haven't had problems using the printables but I have only used them in our local grocery stores, I suppose they know me so I don't run into any problems (many times the clerk will ask management and they always come over look them over and say yes). I've heard them say they've had problems with fraud on these coupons basically someone has tried to change the amount or alerted them in some way. I agree that they will lose sales from the papers if they pull the coupon inserts..I for one will not be buying not 1 but usually 2 on Sunday plus I still print the ones I know our family will use. I’m in IA and we just bought two different Sunday papers this week and we couldn’t find any coupon inserts in either paper. :( I’m going to email those papers and ask because we buy the Sunday paper just for the coupons. This is an eye opener for me…from now on I’ll be checking before I spend the money for nothing.
So far I haven’t had problems using the printables but I have only used them in our local grocery stores, I suppose they know me so I don’t run into any problems (many times the clerk will ask management and they always come over look them over and say yes). I’ve heard them say they’ve had problems with fraud on these coupons basically someone has tried to change the amount or alerted them in some way.

I agree that they will lose sales from the papers if they pull the coupon inserts..I for one will not be buying not 1 but usually 2 on Sunday plus I still print the ones I know our family will use.

]]> By: Nicole http://bargainbriana.com/the-future-of-coupons-valassis-yanks-red-plum-inserts-in-several-large-markets/#comment-12289 Nicole Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:35:03 +0000 http://bargainbriana.com/?p=3709#comment-12289 I live in the West Palm Beach area and get 2 different newspapers on Sunday because the paper that is more local has less coupons than the large Palm Beach paper. That and I love gettin 2 sets of most coupons! I do agree, however, that the lack of consistently enforced store policies regarding printable coupons should be considered and appears to not have been. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Nicoles last blog post..<a href="http://nicolesnickels.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-samples.html" rel="nofollow">Free Samples</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> I live in the West Palm Beach area and get 2 different newspapers on Sunday because the paper that is more local has less coupons than the large Palm Beach paper. That and I love gettin 2 sets of most coupons! I do agree, however, that the lack of consistently enforced store policies regarding printable coupons should be considered and appears to not have been.

Nicoles last blog post..Free Samples

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