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Health & Fitness

Coupon Books Being Sold in Carrollwood Aren't Valid

Coupon Books being sold in Carrollwood that are not Valid.

"Coupon Gypsies," also known as door-to-door salesmen, frequently travel through my door at work. I am very kind and patient. I have instructed my staff to treat these salesmen or saleswomen to act the same. We smile, listen to what they have to say, and kindly say no thank you or say "that would be nice, I'll take that."

On certain occasions, my staff and I, knowing how hard it is to network, take advantage of the offer that the salesmen are offering. On one of those rare occassions we see a vibrant, sweating, handsome saleman. He comes to the front desk of the facility. He smiles at my staff of all girls and they begin to listen. He shows us in true "Vanna White" fashion, the plastic book of awesomeness that will make our dreams come true (or at least make us not have to worry about our cars for a while). He tells us that for only $29.99, we can purchase this plastic book of awesomeness.

The coupon book that we purchase will give us three free oil changes and certain free amenities with every little coupon sticker. The value is $400, but for only 29.99 we will have purchased basically three  free oil changes, flat tire repair, and diagnostic tests for our vehicles until the expiration in 2012. I am fully aware of coupons, flyers for promotion, and marketing. I am not fully aware of paying someone for a service at a franchised car repair service center and it being false.

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So I arrived at my car service center fully aware I would pay for certain ammenities because I have a Hummer. I thought that it would just be worth it for a free oil change and I could purchase some maintenance items to go with it. I brought along my assistant because I wanted her to see that using coupons and conserving is a good thing. I told her she could save money on a lot of things if she cut out coupons in the Sunday paper and how me and my grandmother used to do that as a family on Sundays. Coupons in the Sunday paper and a card that you purchase is two seperate items. I realized that quickly when I handed the sticker to the mechanic. He and three of his colleagues, oil drenched and looking at each other laughing, reminded me that this coupon book was a scam. He told me that the gentleman who sold me this book was not allowed to and that they have been selling it in Carrollwood illegally. The car franchise was not authorizing this transaction and that the book was not allowed. I explained to them , I would understand if it was a coupon I had cut out of the paper or a booklet but I had actually exchanged $29.99 for this coupon book of awesomeness. 

Now, at that moment, my assistant was not very excited about every using a coupon ever again. My lesson was ruined, I just gave a guy $30 for a coupon that was not valid and I had a group of mechanics tell me that I should never buy something from someone that had there name on it. Well, I did teach one lesson that day, not exchange money with a stranger without verifying that it is legal. This story is embarrassing that I would give my money to a stranger for a coupon book, but I guess I buy Girl Scout cookies and give my change to a red bucket at Christmas in front of the Walmart. 

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So, jokes on me and anyone else that would buy a coupon book from this particular Coupon Gypsie. 

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