Have you ever heard the story behind the book “Beat the Dealer”? Some math wizz figured out a counting system to beat the odds of blackjack (He later invented hedge funds). It worked. The book was a best seller. Casinos were scared to death it would end blackjack forever. It did the exact opposite.
Few people were effectively able to use the system. The casinos made millions off the people who didn’t put in the time and effort to do it properly. The casinos didn’t end blackjack just because some people knew how to win. It still made them money. Manufacturers and stores still issue coupons because it is still a profitable venture.
That’s a much better analogy than your bike thief.
I think there is truth in what you are saying about the coupon marketing field not being unhappy about the publicity. But there are a lot of things that are done for publicity that are less than scrupulous.
My basic rule on ethics is that I base them on what is right, not what I can get away with. Also that it doesn't matter who is getting the short end of the stick.
I like my bargains, but I don't think I should abuse someone's good will. In the blackjack example you used,the casinos did counter it by adding more decks to the boot. Additionally, being extra good at gambling isn't in the same category as going out of your way to take advantage of an offer.
If Joe down at the filling station offers a dollar off on each fill up, I can't fill up five times a day and still look Joe in the eye. Taking advantage is taking advantage, even when the service station is owned by BP. Normal coupon use, even certain doubling is A-OK by me. I'm talking about extreme cases of using coupons in ways that were clearly not intended by the issuer.
My sister-in-law has always done all her grocery shopping at Wal-mart (or Sam's Club). Wal-mart accepts regular coupons, but I don't think they double them. They have lower 'everyday' prices on items, but they never do buy-one-get-one or other deals like grocery stores do. If you don't want to do any work or mess with coupons, and your purchasing is based on what you need at the moment regardless of price, then you'll do better at Wal-mart.
My S-I-L recently decided to try couponing, because other people had been suggesting it. I think she went to Kroger. She got a bunch of canned tomatoes for 16 cents apiece, and some other items.
Don't you imagine Kroger prefers her to be in their store, doing that, instead of continuing to spend her money at Wal-mart?