One very controversial issue in couponing is how much stock you should buy and is it OK to clear a shelf. No one likes to make a trip for a smoking deal and find an empty shelf, but with today’s economy, it is often a reality. Is it wrong to clear a shelf (buy a lot of one item)?
Here is my opinion: it is controversial because there is not a definite right or wrong answer. A lot of my opinion on this topic depends on certain factors.
Factors that influence my opinion:
- the size of your family (my two person family requires a lot less than a larger family)
- the amount of stock you already have
- the amount of stock you can consume before it expires
- if you are donating stock or purchasing for personal use
My Personal Guidelines:
- I don’t take more than my family can use of an item that we personally use before the next sale, but I do include my parents and in-laws.
- I only buy 1-2 items for donation purposes, and these are usually items that my family does not use. I leave the others for people who use them in their family. I do believe donating items to a worthy cause is important, but I try my best to leave good stock for the families looking for the deal.
- I try not to clear a shelf, but when there are only 4 items or less on the shelf, I don’t feel one bit bad about it.
- I try to treat others the way I want to be treated, and encourage stores to have enough stock. I have even been known to compliment customer service for great stock.
Remember, these are just the rules I follow for myself! I will say that if your coupon ethics are contrary to mine, that is OK. I am going to say what I think, and you don’t have to agree with me! All I ask is that you keep your comments objective and kind.
I know this is a controversial topic, so I will be watching comments carefully. Please keep them kind and considerate of others.
I disclose : There may be affiliate links in this post.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Wonderful post!! Thank you so much! It is very frustrating to go to the store for a great deal and there is a bare shelf! Thank you for giving your opinion on this topic.
Thanks for your ideas on this issue. I dislike going to the store only to find the shelf empty but I don’t necessarily blame it on some other couponer. I just figure the store didn’t order enough, others got there before me, or the store never had enough to handle a great deal.
Last week I went to a store that marked down some meats to a $1.00 and I was alerted about it by one of the store employees. It probably 12-15 items there. I bought 4 of them and left the rest although I could have gotten more but I was thinking to myself that wouldn’t be right, others may want to get at this too. However, I did go back by the store hours later to see if there was any left but they were gone.
Very well said. We, too, are a two person family, and I also like to share with my immediate family members. I buy some items to donate for our developing church coupon ministry. It is very easy to get consumed by the “deal rush” and it is important to remember a basic grade school lesson – share.
We have a family of 4, but I seems like we take forever to go through anything but food and I can always find a good deal on our food purchases even if we run out of stock. Because of that, I generally buy only a few things our family needs and if I buy more for to complete a deal, I give that away. I have felt very frustrated more than once by finding out that my store is completely out and doesn’t have it in stock for days or in one case, weeks.
How do you clean the shelf it your stores limit on the same item is 3???
You cannot. Usually this applies to drug store deals, although some grocery stores don’t have limits.
I am new to couponing. I was watching one of the “crazy couponer” shows and believe one of the people on the show called the store ahead of time and ordered extra of the discounted item and fore-warned he would be buying lots. Have you ever heard of this?
Yes, but I have never experienced a store that would. In addition, most of my store limit me to 3 or 4 like coupons.