Your Thoughts: Selling Your Stockpile – Yes or No?
Check out the following email I received from reader, Ronni:
[h2s_box]The reason I am writing today is to ask: How do you feel about couponers that resell their stockpile items? This has recently become a HUGE scandal here in West Texas as there is a person who is known to clear shelves, hits the stores when the trucks deliver and has the employee’s give her the items she’s couponing before they are even stocked on the shelves and has now rented a space and is re-selling items which she procured with coupons.
After following you for some time I am aware about how you feel about ‘extreme couponing’. Most of us in this area are friends and we are not extreme couponers. Just regular couponers LOL. The problem we are facing (beyond crabby cashiers, non coupon educated management, etc) now is that the resale lady is making it more difficult for non-extreme couponing families in this area to save as much money or catch the really great deals.
Are we in this area wrong to be “just jealous” that she beats us to the deals and in turn makes a buck off of her saving ability? Or are we right in feeling that this is completely tasteless? What are your thoughts?[/h2s_box]
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Thanks for any insight you can provide.
It is wrong on so many levels. Everyone should have the right to save money and when someone does this it hurts everyone. More and more companies are cutting back on the coupon amounts they release because of this. I love saving money but i think we all must remember we are not in alone in the need to save money. I try to be respectful and for the most part that is what it comes down too is respect for others and the companies and stores that make couponing possible. Couponing is a privilege not a right and at anytime companies and store could stop it.
I think you need to be respectful of other customers. I look at the sales fliers on the internet a few days before they go on sale and if there’s a deal I want I ask the store manager to pre-order them for me. My local store prefers it this way. I have a friend that has a couple of yard sales a year & her neighbors and friends like it because she saves the money on things they need.
I don’t see how she is being at all disrespectful to other customers.
When i say disrespectful, in our area we had numerous people doing this same thing it. She is being disrespectful by taking things she does not need and clearing shelves of products others need and then turning around selling them for a profit. Which by the way if u have every looked up coupon fraud it says that reselling products u got with a coupon can be looked at as fraud. But that is her deal, for me it comes down to we all want to save money for our family but not at the expense of some one else.
Kristi, there is nothing disrespectful about what she said. She made some really good points.
I don’t think Kristi meant to reply to that particular post, she just posted in general.
I think it is not with the “spirit” of couponing and can lead to less deals for the people who are not trying to take advantage of the system.
There are some unwritten rules out there of taking other people’s needs and interests into consideration when making decisions such as these. IMHO, that behavior is breaking those rules. Just because we can do something, it doesn’t mean that we should!
My thoughts exactly! Retailers put coupons out there for us to try their products and then buy it next time without the coupons. By buying out the shelf, you’re taking away from consumers who would have purchased just one with their coupon or a loyal customer that doesn’t even have coupons. Also, mass cutting of coupons can be an issue, and the retailer could not get reimbursed.
Personally, I’m not a fan of selling your “stockpile”. Just not the way I want to earn a living or make a buck.
It is completely tasteless IMHO, we have one in our locale that does the same thing. I agree that paying $0 is awesome, but give it to charity if it is close to expiration or you do not “need” it, you didn’t pay for it to begin with. I think HELPING others from your benefit is more rewarding that the cash flow that could be had from selling.
The STORES should be taking more steps to prevent this kind of abuse. Retailers should be doing what they can to make ALL of their customers happy, not just a chosen few. I think it’s TERRIBLE that anyone would even think of reselling items they got for free, or almost so. I personally donate everything I don’t use to my local food shelf as often as I can. The people who behave this way are what gives all the rest of us just trying to make ends meet by couponing a bad name.
Good point… store managers should watch out for her and act accordingly. Most companies have policies that give managers the liberty to act upon situations like this. I don’t think stores are obligated to give a customer something they have not even put on a shelf. They should know they are turning off other customers by allowing this.
I am a cashier and can say that the company i work for does have regulations in place. Most of our coupon ladys are great and follow them. However, there are a few who take advantage and when i try to point out the amount of items is limited, you can only do one transaction per day, i get yelled at, called names, reported to corporate and to my manager. In the end, the customer gets their way because god forbid somebody complains. I dont think its a matter of companies not setting rules but more of the unethical couponers taking advantage of the fact that nobody wants to lose their job over it.
Not only is it rude, but it could be illegal as well. I’m in New York state, and the law here states that I’d you are buying with the intent to resell, you need a business license and you need to collect and pay sales tax when selling those items. There are still plenty of people here who sell their stockpiles as well, without following those laws. Its absurd.
Even though taxes have already been collected once? Man, New York is Tax Happy!! (:
Yep! I live in New York as well. I have seen and heard of the Police shutting down lemonade stands for this very reason! You have to have a business license/permit to sell and collect/pay taxes for whatever you sell.
I live in NY state and I sell my stockpile. After i pay for it and leave the store it is my property. The government or state can’t tell me what to do or not do with my property. I have done 3 sales in the month of august alone and made over $1,000. I do agree the shelf clearing part is wrong but not the selling part.
That isn’t how our system works… Have you heard of income tax? The death tax? Taxes when selling your home… etc etc etc…. Try telling the IRS that your property is your property and they cannot tell you what to do with it!
I thought that most of the coupons say “not for resale”. So I would assume you are not suposed to buy with the intent of selling.
means the coupons are not for resale
jc is correct – it means the item you use the coupon should not be resold. For example, most P & G coupons now state: “Coupons not authorized if purchasing products for resale” – coupons wouldn’t be for “resale” because they weren’t ever for sale in the first place.
To redeem a coupon that says this IS coupon fraud.
Exactly!
I completely disagree. People sell coupons although they are not supposed to. I sell my product for my time and work just like people sell coupons for.
“N”…….Just because someone else does it doesn’t make it right!! I hope you get audited by the IRS because that is income plain & simple. I have to pay taxes on what I make, why shouldn’t you too?!?!?! I bet you don’t right a check out to the IRS for that income do you?? People like you ruin it for everybody!! I could rant more but I won’t because someone like you will always “justify” your actions like a spoiled little child, instead of thinking deep inside your heart that you know it’s wrong the only thing you think about is how it makes you feel good because of course it’s all about you right? & with that I’m outta here!!
I love that P&G puts that you can only buy up to 4 items per day per customer- this limits shelf cleaners. It’s very selfish to clear the shelves and nobody else gets the deal.
There are ways around that though.
I don’t think I would feel comfortable hitting the stores before others had a chance and clearing out the shelves just to sell the items; however, I have on occasion bought more than I can use and my sister or mom will give me a few bucks in exchange for my extras. They save, I save. I don’t see much harm in that.
I think that woman is over the top. But I hit a garage sale last spring and it was clear that the ladies running it were couponers. All kinds of personal care products at a great price for me. They didn’t advertise what they were doing, but if asked they answered truthfully.
I wouldn’t judge whether someone opts to make some money or donate. You don’t know one’s personal situation. As long as they leave something on the shelf for others and they play according to the rules.
Renting a space to resell her product? Does she have a permit or retail license? I wonder how many laws she is breaking?
BTW- thanks to the super nice girl in Target who gave me a couple of coupons as we were both perusing the clearance end cap in personal products. She had her binder and was checking prices or something on her smart phone. She was gracious enough to share. That’s what it’s all about.
I feel if you clean out the shelfs and then sell for profit that is so wrong. There are a lot of people who can’t get stuff because of people who do that. I donate and give to friends and family
I a am also not a fan of selling your stock pile, but possibly donating it or making care baskets for those in the community in need. Most cities have a public health dept that is aware of needy families.
Couponing is to help most of us spread our dollars further during some difficult times.
She has a right to do so however, Qponing karma will bite her in the BUTT! If she thinks she is ahead of the game because she’s making some substantial profit then think again . . . like the other gals here said, companies will not be as Q-friendly and every Qponer will suffer.
It is wrong!! Its people like this that make it hard on the ones who do not abuse! We have a similar issue here in my area! There is a group that re-sales at a flea market. They coupon in a group and will actually “block” isles! I call them the coupon mafia! They don’t intimidate me and our local stores no longer cater to them! It is just sad they make it hard on the rest of us!
They block the aisles? Omigosh, thats crazy. I’m all about capitalism, but its thats so not cool. The products on the shelves are not for resale! I wonder if these reseller folks have business licenses, pay sales and income tax, etc. Might be one way to shut this activity down.
They re-sale at a flea market! Im sure its not legitimate business! It is frustrating, but they are not going to stop! When I see them out, I sometimes tip off the mgt. just for spite!
ALOT of people in my area sell their stockpile @ the flea market…I wonder how much they sell the items for? I’ve never seen anyone block aisles..lmao….
The thing that bother me the most is this woman is clearing shelves and inventory!! It think its one thing if you want to sell some of what you have but it is WRONG to clear shelves and to have employees keep stock back for you before its even put on the shelves. and i agree that if your are getting things for nothing or close to nothing,,,why not give it to people in need? And I think the employees that are doing this should be reprimanded. IMO.
I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it……not worth the time. Although I would never do that I feel that this person is making money legally so why judge? Too many coupons give me a headache and “extreme couponing” is EXTREMELY time consuming. I do like to save money when possible. Honestly if it wasn’t for HIP2SAVE making it so convenient and easy, I probably wouldn’t bother with couponing at all!
I try to be considerate of other shoppers and I usually only buy what I need. I have donated my extras from time to time. Who knows what this person’s circumstances are? Also, it’s no real difference than any other retailers. They buy cheap and sell for a profit. Not for me but doesn’t really bother me either. I would never want to spend that much time on couponing!!! Gives me a headache thinking about it…OUCH!
The point is that they are abusing something that helps many. And it is not like the other retailers for I am sure that they are probably not paying taxes on their sales!!! So getting stuff for free, wiping out inventory, making it hard on everyone else, only to sell the products and not pay taxes because it is easier than doing things the right way.It is wrong no matter what a persons situation may be!
Well said. It’s enough of a hassle to coupon let alone worry what someone else is doing. I recently took a 6 month hiatus from couponing and honestly have to say it was a total relief. For the most part I have found it cost me a whole lot of time and ink was way too expensive. I recently let my hubby pay $4.89 for a box of cereal! And guess what, we ate it. It tasted just the same at $4.89 as it does free.
OMGosh Debra…….that is hilarious!! I am also taking a break and will probably be quitting too. It’s just gotten to be way too much of a hassle, so after couponing for over 30 years I’m just going to say good bye to it. I have so much more time AND freedom AND I’m loving it!!! :o)
As a legal student, I can tell you many barcodes, distribution codes, and processing codes clearly state that the items are not for retail sale, and even if the code is not printed, if local or state government were to catch wind of such behavior those persons should be rightfully prosecuted. I personally stockpile due to couponing, and my family is bettered for it. Shame on those who made the system harder for the rest of us!
i dont stockpile but i do offer my kids who are living on their own same deal i got and i ask if they need anything to help them out. i dont see the point of stockpiling
Wow! What a “hot-button” topic 🙂 I don’t believe it’s right. I think this is a moral issue. I made decision when I started couponing that I would ALWAYS coupon with integrity. This goes above and beyond honesty. This means also treating those around me (cashiers, fellow couponers, other shoppers) with the utmost respect, regardless of if they are “wrong” and I’m “right”. Yes, there have been a few times where I wasn’t sure if a certain deal was totally and completely honest, and I put the item back. (ie, wording of a coupon) So, applying my own principle of couponing with integrity, I couldn’t do this. Because of the image it would give the cashiers and the way it would affect other couponers. Now, if you want to let someone purchase something from your pile that they need for less then they would pay in the store or for what YOU paid for it, that may be ok once in awhile. 🙂
I disagree with selling your stockpile. So many couponers out there can’t score the deals because some people get items they don’t need or can’t use anytime soon. We donate to local shelters, the troops, community drives, etc… Most locations will give you a donation slip so you can claim against the donation on your taxes. So many people out there are in need and something as simple as a toothbrush will make their day. Let alone, what about the taxes on the profit of selling your items. Let’s all be tasteful, respectful and be kind to one another.
I do think what this lady is doing is terrible, as well as any shelf clearing. I usually put some things out at my annual garage sale – like things that I didn’t use within a year, but I price it very reasonably like 50 cents – 1.00, so they are getting great deals.. plus I only make like 50 bucks. I also give stuff away to friends and family who need it.
I think this is fine – don’t want it to go to waste! I sell the occasional item on ebay, but maybe 1-2 things a month. I also give a lot to friends and family.
Part of couponing ethically and legally means doing none of that. It’s not right to clear shelves, dive into dumpsters or make it harder for the rest of us who do it the right way. Besides all that, it’s breaking the law. What part of not for re-sale does someone not understand??
If it isn’t illegal to dumpster dive in the area, why would that be unethical? I wouldn’t do it, but if someone is willing to do it, I don’t see why it would be unethical (just trying to figure out what you mean…) There are risks and work that go into dumpster diving, definitely not for me, but I don’t see it as something bad if people doing it aren’t breaking the law. If someone has an honest use for something that was going to a landfill anyways, it seems like it would be a good thing to me? Unless they want to use it to gain information that in none of their business, etc… obviously that would be bad.
I would think this has legal and tax ramifications well beyond the no-fair factor. Is she licensed as a retailer? Does she pay sales tax on the items? Many stores have a no-retailers policy on loss leaders, so it might be she’s in violation; corporate would probably be interested.
I’m not an extreme couponer, and have learned not to buy more than my large family will use or donate, but if I know my family will go through 16 cans of tomatoes (which they will) before they go on sale again, I’ll buy them, not pick up 4 and leave the rest on the shelf for the next couponer. But I won’t pitch a hissy if the shelf’s bare – that’s what rainchecks are for.
This isn’t that sort of situation, though. In essence, this person is setting herself up in competition with her grocery store, and that’s why stores have lawyers. A written complaint to management, particularly if store employees are helping her, should be sufficient to start that ball rolling.
What is wrong with this world today. People like this should be punished to the full extent of the law. If they did, then this would not happen.
Punished for what? There’s no crime being committed. This is a moral issue for people.
Coupon fraud is illegal…
Tia….it is illegal, plain & simple!! Most coupons have a limit of how many you can use PER DAY, most say item not to be used for resale, and most stores state in their ads/stores “items not to be used for resale”. What part of that did you not understand????
Proseuctors and law enforcement officers are too busy going after murderers, rapists, drug dealers, armed robbers, and other criminals.
I don’t think this is some horrible illegal act. She’s probably someone just trying to support her family.
But it’s something that should be stopped by having the retailer and/or manufacturer take steps to limit this type of shopping.
They need to be educated about stuff like this.
I don’t have a problem if someone is having a garage sale and adds some of their stockpile of couponed items- I would do this myself. I have tried donating some of my stockpile and actually had trouble finding a group that wanted the stuff. I took several boxes of name brand personal care items to a women’s shelter, thinking they would be so grateful to get my stuff, only to find out that already had a huge stack of similar donated items. I would rather sell it to someone at a yard sale who would be grateful to get it for cheap and actually use it. I don’t think it is right, though, so get items from couponing with the intent to resell, and I think the stores that are assisting with this are stupid. I doubt their corporate office would condone this.
Just plain wrong. Enough said.
I plan to I save up the things i get for free and give out baskets to family for Christmas!
I’ve been couponing for years now and I think this is the year that I can say (in my opinion )that some fellow couponers are became more aggressive to the extent that not only they cheat the system but they made couponing a “bad habit”in some way.
I do have a good raport with my nearby cvs and walgreens, managers and employees, one day they approach and tell me that saturday night and very early sunday before the store gets open, they’re a group of couponers are already in line, and as soon as they get inside the store they will literally clear the shelves aand even ask the manager if they have more at the back. Cvs and wags are more stricter than ever because of this habit. The manager even told me that he heard them talking about selling it online, in the garage sale or swap meet every weekend. I know everyone wants to save money but this is extremely wrong practice to do so.
It is so wrong- that is price gouging. If I sell anything from my stockpile I sell it just above my cost….I paid $1.50 I will charge $2.00. My family and friends all know I get great deals and want to pass it on to them- they consider it a surcharge for my time spent couponing, planing and shopping.
But that is still making a profit. They very well may be selling it similar. I think they shouldn’t be clearing the shelves, but I think the original person is probably most jealous because she didn’t think of it first.
i agree. my time and ink are not free. when i have a yard sale i sell some coupon items that i will not use. when i buy this stuff i usually only get 4 or less of each item and if my family uses it great, if not they get sold for pennies at my yearly yard sale. my thoughts it cleans my shelf, helps my neighborhood out by almost giving them products they need, and gives me enough money to buy more ink to print coupons. i do not sell just coupon items i clean my house out and sell furniture , toys and other items that we no longer need or use. my family is on a fixed budget with health problems and hospital and medicine bills. what i do i do not see anything wrong with it. yard sells dont have to pay taxes on the stuff they sell but in my area they only let you have 2 yard sales every 6 months without a permit. if i was not a couponer and someone had a yard sale that had shampoo or conditioner for 50 cents that i use and cost $7 in the store i would buy it.
I have a business liscense and sell a few things to help pay for the other stuff we really need.
With this economy I could see how she could do this, HOWEVER, she may be violating the law by her fraud. I say turn her in to the state board of equalization and or the IRS, as well as notify the store corporate offices of her fraud. And if you have a picture of her even better – government investigators love to see them.
As for my mini-me stockpile, I decided to go on ANY SOLIDER.com and obtain addresses of military member(s) who do not receive any mail. So I have been making up some of the most excellent care package(s) from my stockpile. Its a good feeling knowing that members of our armed forces will receive premium products from my coupon clipping. And using the free box from the USPS are cool and the standard flat rate is like $15.
Thanks, I will check that out! Can I ask what kinds of stuff you put in there? So I can get an idea of a “good” package to make for a soldier.
That’s is wonderful!! Bless you for doing this, I’m sure that soldier appreciates it:o)
well I am a single mother of 2 children. I am not by any means an extreme couponer. but I do coupon. I haven’t cleared shelves but do have tons of product in my stock pile. items that I do not use I do sell to people on sale sites on facebook. If I cannot sell it or it is something that most ppl do not use I dontate to shelters etc. I do however think that there is an extent where it should or would be considered wrong… Like as you mentioned she clears shelves etc.. .. I think it all depends… I support 3 families with my couponing and I also sell any thing I have left over that I wont use.. so I can then turn around and by more or things I do need for me and or my kids. so ppl saying that its distasteful.. well it depends.. and it also depends on which level. ppl I sell to know I pay very little and often give me lists of things they want.. .. so.. I dunno..
Agree 🙂
As far as I have ever known it is illegal. And beyond that I feel it is a poor example to set for future couponers who may not know better yet and are looking for someone to help them learn how to save. I try not to buy an excess of things I don’t need or won’t use because there are always others who could benefit. If I do get deals I don’t end up using donating is always the way to go! (Or care packages to the deployed soldiers)
This sounds like those who shop black Friday only to resell at a profit
Well, I wouldn’t do it. However, to each their own. If it is illegal, then risk of prosecution can happen. If that person gets away with it, then they prosper and feed their family. Other than that obvious, it is work so ….better to work than not!
In these extreme cases, I would say that no, it is not appropriate. I know a girl who is in college, she coupons and sells some of her “extras” at a discounted price to friends and roommates. I think that she did the work to find the sales and she should be able to make a little cash for the effort. But opening a store…that’s just crazy!
What part of West Texas are you from if you don’t mind telling me. I am from West Texas also and just curious about the area. I am not selling, don’t believe in it, but I donate all my extras to our battered women’s ctr, the food bank when they have drives. Also we had drives for OK and I donated a lot there. My email is bettyj1950@yahoo.com.
Gosh, we couponers, here, have ethics?!?! Wish the rest of the world would follow suit….Love ya ladies!
I disagree with selling stockpiles, ESPECIALLY if that is the reason why you stockpile. MANY coupons have on the coupons that you are not to resell the items. Even toiletries need proper storing and a non-air conditioned storage unit is not proper storage, especially in Texas with all that humidity. A lot of areas it is illegal to resell with a retailer’s permit any food or toiletry item (probably for the whole safety/proper storage issue).
However, if you are honest couponer who hit hard times and don’t know how else to make ends meet, than selling a bit of your stockpile might be okay. There is some grey with the issue – it’s not just black and white.
Personally, I wouldn’t do it – it’s not very ethical, and if I acquire too much, I don’t need, I donate it.
Don’t stick your noses up to too high, you’ll get flies!
No. I don’t have a real stockpile, but I will grab 2-3 extra of an item if it’s a great deal and if we have a need for it. For our own use. Key phrase there.
In truth, all sorts of things are bought and resold all over the nation. I have no problem with reselling things (skis, clothes, etc) but the issue is with this situation is that it affects other people negatively (other “normal” couponers). When that happens it is not a good thing. However, reselling items, whether they are bought with coupons or otherwise, is rather creative in my book.
I’m looking at a P&G coupon now – states “Coupons not authorized if purchasing products for resale”.
Jen……..you are so right to point that out also most stores have a disclaimer that “items bought are not for resale”. But the couponers that do this will twist those words around someway so as to make it “ok” for them to “abuse” it.
I am all for couponing to support your family and extended family and of course to donate to those less fortunate. But this lady really makes it hard to coupon in this area and it is a slap in the face to see her advertise her cute little pink “store” on facebook.
I do not agree on selling your stockpile items for profit for so many reasons. We can start with mentioning that it causes shelf clearing when the rest of us (with a real life or jobs) make time to get the deals. On top of that, the ways of getting coupons can also be shameful and so is the misuse of them. People get tempted to do the wrong thing to make a buck. There’s a difference between having your family members going to your house and donating a few bucks in a can to pick up some items because it helps both of you. They save and you can carry on with your couponing frenzy. Ha! However, setting up yard sales and facebook pages selling your stockpile should be a no-no.
Hahahaha that’s quite the loaded question ya got there. I don’t personally sell mine. I don’t have a problem with it per se but I only buy what my family needs… or some to share with family members. I don’t necessarily see it as wrong that people sell it. I do however, if I’m being quite honest, with those that clear the shelf in order to resell and leave none for those of us who want the product to meet our needs. A lot of people that sell use that as a way to generate an income for their family and I can respect that but please leave some for those if us who will actually use the product.
I don’t think it is ever right to clear a shelf… even if you are donating it. As long as you only buy 3 or 4 at a time, it is acceptable. If they would stop the sale of coupons this would probably not be an issue.
I can’t stand that people are stockpiling and selling it to others. People like this have ruined couponing for all of the normal couponers that are just trying to save money on a normal level.
Well if you can be so affended by this small thing, who’s affended by the double taxation, war in Iraq over false information…and I could go on and on…GMO food everywhere, lousy school lunches, …..on and on and on.
*Double* taxation??? more like trip.. no doub…. no… what the word for “15 times?” most people dont understand the real cost of things they buy. there is tax on the company making goods, which in turn just raises the cost of the good for us. (it is really a tax on US the consumers!) then think about all the tax that goes into just SHIPPING those goods. But skip to the end of the line. The money YOU make is taxed. and then, the money you actually keep is taxed again when you spend it! …. And, folks, there is a whole slew of taxes on the garbage produced by all those goods!
You think some lady making a couple of gs a year couponing is making your life harder and deals more scarce?? How about putting the greedy “LAWMAKERS” into prison for the “legal” PLUNDER they’ve been applying to your PURSE!
She has the right to do so – yet I disagree with her opening a store.