Duane Hicks
It always pays to read the fine print, especially when it says, “Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited.”
A local grocery store reported yesterday that a number of customers recently have been trying to use coupons for free Maple Leaf Foods products they got off the Internet, but the truth of the matter is these coupons are fraudulent and should not be used.
Jeanette Jones, director of communications for Maple Leaf Foods Inc., said yesterday that four specific coupons recently have been spread through various coupon-related websites and circulated via e-mail. But, in fact, these coupons are invalid when reproduced.
The four coupons say there are for free products, including:
•Maple Leaf Simply Fresh Entree (value up to $4.99);
•Dempster’s Bread—570g or 650g size of Dempster’s Smart, Pom Smart or Ben’s Smart bread product (no price restriction stated);
•Schneiders Juicy Jumbos—any variety (no price restriction stated); and
•Olivieri—350g fresh pasta or 170g or 300 ml sauce product (value up to $5.99).
These coupons were found on pages 75-76 of the official Maple Leaf Foods annual report 2007—a document that can be downloaded as a PDF from the company’s website.
However, the versions of coupons in the digital document are not to be reprinted and only original coupons clipped directly from the printed version of the annual report, which had been distributed to stockholders and employees, are valid.
“It’s very unfortunate that the reproduced coupons, which include computer downloads, photocopies, and scanned copies, are being generated and circulated via e-mail, but it’s important the consumers note that only those printed, original coupons are valid and that the reproduced ones are invalid and not eligible for redemption at retail stores,” stressed Jones.
“We do regret that the abuses occurred, and certainly apologize for any inconvenience the consumers incur when they’re trying to redeem them at the store level and they’re not being accepted,” she added.
“It is extremely unfortunate they’ve been misrepresented.”
Stores that accept fraudulent coupons are not reimbursed.
Customers knowingly using a coupon that is not valid is a chargeable offence—fraud under $5,000—under the Criminal Code.
