Say It Isn't So Valassis

I just found out yesterday that Valassis is planning to pull out all of their coupon inserts out newspapers. I am a coupon shopper and have saved my family countless dollars using them. In the process we have tried and now love tons of products that we had never tried before. I personally get two Sunday papers for this very reason.

Here is the statement by Thomas Murray of the Valassis Corporation, which owns RedPlum, issued a press release stating:

"Starting in February, the RedPlum coupon booklet will now be delivered in Cleveland through consumers' mailboxes along with their weekly grocery circulars and other savings and deals. By using direct mail, the RedPlum insert will now be able to reach almost twice as many Cleveland households as in the past. In these challenging economic times, it has never been more important to make these essential savings available to as many Clevelanders as possible so they can stretch the dollars in their wallets." -Thomas Murray, Vice President and General Manager of Free Standing Inserts for the Valassis Corporation

While this may reach more people theoretically it does not do much to help the many families that buy in bulk using multiple coupons to keep their families afloat. I know of several moms who buy 5 or more newspapers because of the amounts that their family consumes and or stocks up on. The newspaper industry is struggling anyway as are many grocery stores. The Red Plum inserts being taken away via newspaper subscriptions will only put more nails into their coffins.

This company has coupons online, but I don't know if that will continue. Many people who have relied on these coupons do not have access to the internet and or a printer. I found out this sad sad news from a fantastic website that I frequent called Pinching Your Pennies. It is a great resource for families that are just eeking by to make the best of their resources.

I really hope that Valassis will reconsider their decision.