Who is in cahoots with whom?

[yy4me]

Anyone else notice this? As I started some pre-Christmas shopping, I have been collecting some of the coupons mailed to me. Certain stores send me 20% off mailings and of course, the newspapers are full of 20% off coupons--you know the type of ad, now thru Sunday, all merchandise, additional X percent off. There is always a disclaimer at the bottom of the coupons, no discounts on brands a,b,c,d, etc. It is always the same companies. Certain of the cookware, cutlery, appliance makers, high end clothing seem to be the most common. I am now looking for certain cutlery. Do you think I can find any store, either brick & mortar or on-line that sells these brands at discount? Nada. All are about the same. The discounts or lack thereof seem to be on the top of the line items. Come on, whats with that! Never a sale, never a percent off with coupon. I thought the days of "fair trade" laws as pertains to pricing were over. Do the retailers have to sign a "I will not discount" pledge?
Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places. What good are these coupons if you can't use them on the items you would like to buy?

[madinmaryland]

1. I'm boycooting Christmas!

:P