Tips, Tricks, "Rules" and Morals to Stockpiling?

[Toni-Lynn]

In light of some very interesting PMs I have received about my cereal escapade, (read more here (http://thecouponcupboard.com/showthread.php?p=2058#post2058)), I decided to put together this little thread. In all honestly I really could not care less if people think it is wrong or right. This works for me and it is what it is!

Here is the best one I received. I have to say I really do love these PMs so please, keep them coming! lol

Q. Do you really need to be so greedy and clear out the store of cereal when it is obvious that you couldn't possible use it all. Now there is none for the next person who only wanted a few boxes. I bet you are one of those people who sells it! I think your very rude."

A. Actually, I am not being greedy at all. You make it seem as though I walked into the store, emptied the shelf and took 100+ boxes home leaving nothing for anyone else in the whole town. These items were collected over the course of 7 days and 12 trips. At NO point did I "clear" the shelves or even come close.

Could I possibly use it all? Actually yes! The expiration dates on Cereal vary from 6 to 8 months. That is roughly 24 - 32 weeks. My family eats EASY 3 or 4 boxes of cereal a week. I am sure you are smart enough to do the math.

Do I sell it? You bet your azz I do! Now I am not one of these people who goes to the local Flea Market every weekend with a truck load. In the 5 years I have been couponing I have had less than a dozen yard sales.

Is this wrong? Nope! Why would it be? I aquired the items legally and does it say anywhere tha tones you purchase something you can't resell it? How is this any different than selling on ebay?

I am the mother of a 6 year old and a 16 month old and I get to stay home with them! I don't want to go out to work and stick my kids in daycare. (No, there is nothing wrong with this!) but I am not a "job" person. I like being with my family and working at things I LIKE to do. Not everyone has this option. I am blessed that I do. Saving TONS on groceries and making a profit twice a year is my financial contribution to the house. It's now a load of money but it is something.

I live in a nice house, I drive a new Jeep and you know why? Because I found a way to create a way to stay with my boys and make side money. If you want to pay $500 - $700 a month on groceries then be my guest! I would rather spend our money on nicer things than over priced food. My JOB is coupons and it has put my children in a better home, neighborhood and schools. So yes, I do NEED to sell to better my family's standard of living.

Some misconceptions you might come across about me..

#1. I am not a big time reseller.
#2. I do not keep this much cereal on hand all the time (I was stocking for a sale and just couldn't pass up the gas perks!)
#3. I would NEVER clear a shelf. My store limits 4 of the same coupon so that is not possible in a trip anyway.

Some Advice on Stockpiling
If you really have nothing to do with it then don't get it! I myself was guilty of taking everything free that I could get when I started out. It's exciting and becomes an addiction. As time went on I saw I was throwing out a lot of expired stuff because I just had to much. I started to donate it, give it to family and friends, now I resale it.

Don't have enough room?
Sit and just look around your house. You may find that you have even a tiny space you could use. I have a lot of bakeware and in our smaller house, I would store it in the oven to free up a cabinet for stockpile stuff. In my bedroom dresser I Condensed my drawers, hung a few extra things in the closet, and used the bottom drawer for H&B things in boxes. Does this seem a bit crazy? Maybe but as I stated above, it is what it is. You do what you need to do to make a better life for your family. As long as it is legal, don't let anyone tell you it's not okay ;)

Holly

[Trish]

Come on guys - this has been debated for years. I think if we all work together within our limits we can all score some good deals and make things better for ourselves. We have all seen long debates over is it right to clear a shelf or take tearpads or whatever. Face it - it is always up to the person who is doing it. What may be right for you may not be right for someone else or vice versa. That has long been my stance on it. I mean yeah, I'm a little ticked that my Target will no longer honor coupons for any trial sized item since there were people who were coming in the filling up their carts but I've since moved on and have been around long enough to realize that if something isn't in stock I get a raincheck or I skip it or I miss it sometimes. And I compliment any deal seeker/couponer who does amazing things. We are a unique bunch I've come to realize. Not everyone is like us (thank heavens!) but we need to stick together.

I for one am jealous of Holly's cereal! I may not have sold it (only cuz yard sales are waaayyyy too much work for me and I have no stockpile currently to speak of) but who gives a rats behind if she did. So rock on stockpilers!

[Barb]

I agree with Trish on this one. I know that for some moms this is a full time job and what makes them able to stay home with their kids. Sometimes families just need that extra $500 a month to make having a parent be home work out. I am personally to lazy to coupon full time because it is a full time job. But they way I look at it is that the couponer is also helping others save money because the people at the yard sale are getting a deal too. When my boys were little I resold toys on EBAY that I mostly got at Target clearance 90% off. It was my job. I stalked Target sales like crazy and then held on to the stuff until September when I would unload it all on EBAY. It was how I paid for my kids toys :)

As for clearing the shelves, yah I get annoyed when I go for a deal and another couponer has cleared them out but that is part of the game. If you get there before me, more power to ya. I may beat you next time. I guess the thrill of the hunt is enough for me sometimes :)

[skyesmom]

I've been on both sides of this issue (how I met Holly in the first place), but am now to the point that stockpiling is a personal choice. As long as it doesn't go to waste and you are not running a flea market with your finds (the occassional garage sale is different), I say go for it. The deals and subsequent garage sales helped send my DD on a People to People trip to Washington DC so who am I to say differently...

[shopaholic]

The only way I was able to get my son and I season passes for Hawaiian Falls this year was by selling some of my stockpile. I too am a SAHM, and feel very blessed that I am, but I have to cut corners all over the place just to be here for him every day he gets home. It IS a personal choice, and I'd do it again if I have to. For the first time in my 14 yr. marriage, we are able to afford a house instead of renting, and when both DH and I worked, we weren't able to do that, so I have to agree with Holly too. Do what ya gotta do to make ends meet. (BTW - can ya send me some of that cereal??? LOL)

[thumpr]

hello I am new to this site but have couponing etc for a awile so i can stay home with my two year old. I dont mnd if someone else takes all of one item because as a informed consumer i go to the service center and ask for a raincheck or something to sustute for the item. Like today at the local jewel they had hershey baking chips 10 for 10 dollars great deal for something that costs about 3.50. well they were out and they were able to substute nestle chips instead good deal for me 7 bags!!! That saved me so much money for the holiday baking season that i am already gearing up for. IT pays to stand up for yourself on things. Most places like to help you good luck for everyone

[Toni-Lynn]

as a informed consumer i go to the service center and ask for a raincheck or something to substitute for the item VERY GOOD POINT! lol Welcome to TCC and good deal you got!

[bargainbriana]

I just actually wrote a post about my stockpile because someone asked if I sell it. I actually feel kind of wrong about selling my stockpile but I think it is a personal choice....and depends on the person.

I think buying things for the sole purpose of reselling is wrong but if you have extras that you didn't realize, it is fine to sell.

Though I prefer to donate. (I get a tax deduction so I'm fine with that! :) )

And WOWSER...how did you get all that cereal for only $10!!! I'm impressed!!!

We go through 3-4 boxes of cereal a week at my house too so I can totally see how you would use that.

I get rainchecks too if they are out of items. Sometimes that is even better because it gives me more time to collect more coupons!!!

[couponingnewbie]

ATTA GIRL!!! You tell em!!! I think it's amazing that you were able to stockpile like that! I'm still learning, and since I'm not working right now, I'm trying like crazy to be able to coupon like that!

[skyesmom]

ATTA GIRL!!! You tell em!!! I think it's amazing that you were able to stockpile like that! I'm still learning, and since I'm not working right now, I'm trying like crazy to be able to coupon like that!

It just takes practice and right now you have the time (hopefully) to learn how to put the deals together. The upcoming holiday season is a great time to learn to coupon with all of the additional coupons and sales that will be coming out.

[AmericaLovesCoupons]

I'm not a fan of "shelf clearing" but I will get what I can when I can with some thought and consideration.

This week, I have a store with a great Glade catalina going on. The shelves never had more than 6 at a time. I found the inventory manager and him order 40 units just for me and 40 for my friend.

Personal inventory is not a bad thing. I can never use 50 glade plug ins so they go in a yard sale and to friends houses.

Power to ya for being smart with your coupons.

[stampkim1]

I have a theroy on garage sales and selling stock pile items. There are alot of proud people in the world that would not go to a food bank, church, etc. when they need help. They just were brought up not to do this. For those people in the world, finding a good buy at a garage sale on some clothing, shoes, food, toiletries, or medicine helps them out just as much as if you donate it to a food bank. They can buy the items at a reduced price and they feel good about themselves and still have their pride and you can feel good about yourself that you took the time to have the garage sale to help those who want to help themselves.It takes a whole lot more work to have a garage sale than to drop off items at a donation center and you are still helping people. Either way I think it is great that we are so blessed and we have the choice of what to do. I personally have never sold any stockpile because I have a garage full of ceramic molds (that I need to get rid of) and no room to have a garage sale or get ready for one. I usually donate extra items. But Kuddos to those who take the time to have a garage sale with their stockpile items! You help out your community too!

[Barb]

That is a really good way to look at it Kim :)

[skyesmom]

Thanks Kim! You would not believe the number of repeat customers I would have during a stockpile sale. Some people would come back 4 or 5 times over the weekend bringing different friends because they could get more of things they wanted for less than they paid at Walmart. It was a win-win for everyone!

[stampkim1]

I know others look at it differently but that is the way I view it.

off topic:
I am so excited, shopaholic is might take my molds & equipment. I will finally have more room in my garage! But what is more exciting is there might be a place to do ceramics! I never had the room when I moved but k does if she ever gets her house.

[shopaholic]

Don't talk that way!!! I'm getting my house no matter what, so the molds will have a home, and we can do ceramics! :)

[skyesmom]

Can I come play too?? I haven't done ceramics in forever! Of course, where would I put them? On my stockpile shelves?

[shopaholic]

Of course you can! Kim's planning on helping me stay @ home and not have to get a job once we move. (This'll be my moneymaking biz!! LOL) It outta be fun! We'll let ya know when we get started.

[blaircouponqueen]

I think you are doing a great job. No you are not doing anything wrong. I have been considering finding some places that do food pantry's and helping them with my extra unused coupons. Spread the wealth I say. The more money you can save the better!

[jacobsmom]

Have you been able to get any other really big deals like this lately?

[Mama4Kids]

I am sure the reason this keeps getting debated is because many mothers that would like to stay home with their kids, can't. They don't know how to make it work, and they are jealous that you have found a way and are making it work. Personally right now I am on assistance (Welfare) which was supposed to sustain me until I found a job, but then I became pregnant again (while on BC). So, on top of living off of society, I am finding ways to do so on a smaller budget to get more out of it. I still shop cheap even when using WIC checks, because I know who's money I am living off of right now and eventually I will be paying it back as hopefully a successful member of society.

[katharina]

I dont mnd if someone else takes all of one item because as a informed consumer i go to the service center and ask for a raincheck or something to sustute for the item.

Great deal on the chocolate chips! It's a super idea to ask for a substitution or rain check but for whatever
reason, I always forget to do that. It's like "drat, they're out of it, oh well...." and then I move on and
leave the store before remembering that they may substitute something else.

I *must* learn to remember that! :sf3:

[atula]

personally i just cant have such loads of cereals in my cupboard...while eating i'll b always concsious of having purchased it 6 months back!!

[skyesmom]

personally i just cant have such loads of cereals in my cupboard...while eating i'll b always concsious of having purchased it 6 months back!!

But the expiration dates on the boxes are usually good for at least a year, so it really shouldn't matter as long as you rotate your stock. The way I say it, it can sit on my shelf for free for several months or it can sit in some warehouse for the same length of time and I pay a whole lot more for it. Simple economics for me.

[Laughingmouse]

I never thought of stockpiling as having moral implications, though I can understand a few the ethical problems people might have with it.

As far as reselling a portion of what is stockpiled, there may be a few legal issues that have yet to develop, but may as the economy worsens.

What regulations do you risk running afoul of when you resell part or all of your private food stockpile?

[Toni-Lynn]

personally i just cant have such loads of cereals in my cupboard...while eating i'll b always concsious of having purchased it 6 months back!! It didn't last that long in my house and as skyesmom said, you don't know how long it has been in the store or warehouse :)


What regulations do you risk running afoul of when you resell part or all of your private food stockpile? How is it really any different than my buying towels at Kmart and then deceiding I don't want them or can't use them and reselling?

[Frankie]

I have no issue with selling some of the stockpile. I don't but that's me. Just as the holidays got going all of the baking items (chips, cocoa, flour...etc) were on sale. I stocked up. I will not be reselling the 100 bags of chocolate chips that I bought. Instead I'll use them over the next year. Same with much of the stuff I bought. More power to those who can sell it but I am one of those who only goes grocery shopping a few times a year.

[Frankie]

Holly,
Like you I don't see any difference in selling the food than the towls. But I DO know that some areas have local ordinances about reselling of food. We don't locally but my brother lives in one of those areas that is ordinance happy and they do. However he says that they don't enforce many of their ordinances.....

It would be something for people to consider.

[ajd916]

i think its awesome that a person can buy any number of cereal boxes so cheap. i also think that if a person wants to sell EVERYTHING they ever stockpile, theres nothing wrong with that. thats just my opinion. i dont have such a stockpile myself, but i plan to build one.

[ruthl5]

It's great that you are able to stockpile so much. i myself have done that too, but have not purchased many cereals boxes or items at once like you. I wish i could. :) It's great to be able to stockpile and get freebies and be fortunate to give them away to people because we know we'll end up with a ton more as long as we have our coupons! :)

[woodysmom]

I'm jealous of people who are good enough to get stuff cheap.. I hope to learn alot.

[nickie]

Save a penny when you can and earn a penny where you can.(With in the law)..lol..Great job on your stockpile.