[caseyrusso]

I'm taking an ethics class this semester, and we have talked about the virtue of temperance more than once. Temperance is avoiding extremes, like greed or self-denial. My professor mentioned the example of not buying every item on the shelf, no matter how good the buy, as an example of temperance. I understand the reason for this, and I am striving to be a better person, but it's hard not to buy every item if, say, there are only three items left and I will really use it. I guess it's situational, in some respect. If there are three of a product left that I actually need, I don't see a problem. Maybe it's taking 10 of a product just to get the deal, even if i don't need it, that is bad. What do you guys think? I just want to be temperate in my couponing but it's hard to sometimes!

[Nerthy]

I always tell myself that deals always come back. (and they really do!) So if it's an Item I use every day I will take a few (3 or 4 of each) If it something that I use once in a while I will take one or two items at the most.

[TigerGirl1226]

I guess I am unwittingly practicing temperance too, . The most I have ever bought of anything at once was 6 Kandoos when the BOGO was out.

I do want to bring up a point. If there is only one of an item, should you leave it on principle according to your professor? I am just wondering.

[caseyrusso]

he never mentioned that specific instance... but if there is only one, i would think that it's not intemperate to buy it. i don't see any greed in that.

[mpayne]

I think it's fine to grab the last on the shelf if there is just one. Someone is going to get it - and if you need and will use it? Why not?? Items are sold to be bought, after all - not to sit there unused.

As for taking many of the same item - I don't buy more than my family will use in a reasonable period of time - unless it's free or pennies. For instance, I got 12 No Yolks for free when HT had them on sale, but there were literally RACKS of them at the store. Same for the Nesquick I got (probably 12 of the ready made and 8 of the syrups).

If there were 5 left on the shelf and I had 5 coupons - I probably would have only gotten a couple and left some for others. Because I know how it feels to miss out completely on a great deal. And like someone else said - there will be other sales later.

Razors? I will pass on now at CVS because I have plenty already. If there's only one left, I have no problem leaving those. (if they are Venus, I'll leave 'em all! I hate those things) If I had none and there was one left and I needed it? Darn right I'd buy it, just as I would before I started couponing.

I DON'T agree with people having 15 CVS cards to clean them out on Mondays. I don't agree with people grabbing up tons of stuff to sell at yard sales, and leaving the shelves empty for the rest of us.

[bubbsguy]

I am buying lots of quaker granola bars as they are only 1.00 after coupon at walmart but I buy different kinds and I only take the last one if it is a kind we are out of otherwise the shelf is alway's pretty full anyhow.

[Susuz]

An interesting question! A agree with the other posters, there are several variables that I take into consideration.
If it is something I need now, and will use within a reasonable amount of time I will buy the last one or two, even if they are the only ones on the shelf. However, if it is something I am buying just to donate and it is the last two I will not buy it as I have also been disappointed when my store is out week after week of something I really need.
I try to put myself in the shoes of the other shoppers and the store clerks. If someone comes in and cleans them out on Monday then they have disappointed customers and have to listen to the complaints because I was greedy. Bubbsguy I don't think you are being greedy because you are using temperance by buying a variety each time and not clearing the shelf. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of a good buy that will help your family. That is not the definition of greed. Greed is continuing to buy even though there is no possible way you could use the product before it expires, and therefore wasting the product, just because you get it for free.

[mrslukebrown]

a very interseting point. you know i shamingly ( i dont know if its a word and dont care, im making up my own) must say, i have never thought about this really. i always think, well if its a sale, go for it, but maybe i need to be more mindful. so far i've only bought things that will get used, but its something to keep in mind for the future.
take care<3

[mjloves2shop]

Casey ~ how long have you been stockpiling?

After a while you realize that there will be more free toothpaste, more free pain stuff, more free body wash.

Yes, the first few free toothpaste and free toothbrush deals I did buy as many as I could! But after a while you sorta learn what you can and should get 95% off ~ it is easier to practice moderation when I know I have a years worth of oral care for my family taken care of. I will still buy a few occasionally to donate ~ like CVS has the berry White & Clean (or shine or something) clearanced for $.82 ~ I had a $2 Aquafresh EC coupon. So I got $1.12 overage to take it home! Before I would have bought 3 and used a mfr & CVS coupon (I am ashamed to admit I didn't even have the new Aquafresh coupon with me ~ if I had I may have bought 2 and would have gotten $1.24 overage)

[caseyrusso]

i've only been doing this thing since the end of 2007, and i have a lot of stuff. i am set for a long time on toothpaste and such, but if there are a lot on the shelf, i get extra for friends and family. college students really appreciate the free stuff that i give them, cause we're not exactly rich. i was way disappointed that my kroger was out of free french's mustard this week the day the sale started! i could never do that. but i will get 8 items if i have 8 coupons and there are plenty on the shelf.

[randommusings]

Here's my thing...

Why would I get something (free or otherwise) if I already have a stash of them at home, or don't even use it?

Honestly, free mustard is great, but its going to take 6 months to go through 8 things of it- quite possibly longer (unless you're just a mustard kind of person)

Well before you run out, you're likely to find the same deal on it. So, there is no need for hoarding of mustard (or toothpaste, band aids, whatever).

Get what you need, and maybe a one or two extras, but remember, there may be someone after you, who TRULY needs that free/ big discount...and coupons out of true necessity, not as a hobby.

[sjchristian]

Originally Posted by Susuz

Greed is continuing to buy even though there is no possible way you could use the product before it expires, and therefore wasting the product, just because you get it for free.

This is true, I have seen some posts about how much someone got of X product and all I could think was I hope they are giving it away because it will be such a waste

[bette]

random musings- I understand, but many of us DO coupon because of a true necessity. It is not a hobby for us. I wish I didn't have to coupon, it takes alot of my family time away, but if I want to provide for my family I have to. I think many people on here are facing the same situation. We have to stockpile to some degree in case things go downhill even more.

[sjchristian]

I would like to have a stockpile with a six month supply on almost anything really. That way I can still be secure that my family wont need for any of it and I won't have to worry about paying full price for it.
Sometimes I think peoples addiction have made them spend more money than they nee. I coupon to save money not to spend it. And I have seen posts where people were getting items for free (even though they had more than enough for themselves, their neighbors, their siblings etc.) and were happy to pay just taxes. In my mind I'm like shoot taxes add up at the end of the year.
But to each their own. It would be nice if everyone practiced moderation and if the stores were always properky stocked, I guess
I

[bodacious]

Originally Posted by sjchristian

This is true, I have seen some posts about how much someone got of X product and all I could think was I hope they are giving it away because it will be such a waste

There was a program about buying and saving too much stuff. (Oprah show, I think) The woman was a compulsive shopper and saver. They showed the inside of the house and it was a disaster! (Home was 3300 sq feet) Piles and piles of clothing and stuff, and more stuff. In the bedroom there was a small path to get to the bed!! The house was a fire hazard.

This show was a good example of someone going to the extreme.

Did anyone see this show??

[elena_398]

If I get an item for free or for next to nothing (depending what it is) I buy it all.. My aunt runs a food bank and they also give out sanitary napkins, napkins, etc. She needs donations all the time as she helps out over 200 families. (she runs the central food bank for 3 counties). I only keep of course what I need for my own family and give her the rest.

For example: Last year Kotex pads and liners were on clearance from .98-$1.78. $2 peelies were on them. I got for free over 80 packs of pads and liners. ALL but 10 or so were donated as I kept several for myself . Families with the moms/daughters can't afford them and they are in need at the center.

Cello sponges this week: I bought All available at my 2 targets. Over 40 packs. Most free some .14. I kept 2 sponges for myself, the rest will be given out this sunday at the center.

They also adopt kids at christmas and try to give each of the family gifts. So when Target has their clearances, I buy all I can.

[joshmamabear]

Thanks for starting this thread OP.

I've been thinking about temperance and about justifying acts of wiping out shelves for the "noble" purpose of donating. Hmmm...I have to check myself on that one. If I have to donate to an organization, what's my purpose? for tax shelter? then it is not really a charitable act. If I donate stuff even if I get them free but still have to pay tax on them, am I really saving money? (granting I am not using the donation vouchers as tax shelter). This keeps me grounded. I now refuse to be influenced by those who say just wipe out shelves BECAUSE YOU CAN. use unregistered cards to get a lot with limit of 1 per card deals. Many would say, they will, because they can without regard for others who may need just ONE but can't buy any because someone has been camping outside of the store just waiting for the truck to unload. I'm sure there is an equalizer, sooner or later fate catches up with man's greed.

[BridgetV]

Interesting thread. I know for myself, I stockpile certain things because we use them. And, like another poster said, there are months where I don't know what our financial situation will be like. It's nice to know at least I have deoderant to wear and shampoo to wash my hair with and at least some rice-a-roni or mac & cheese to have for dinner.
Now, truthfully, there are things I get just to get them. I have about 30 boxes of Excedrin right now from CVS ( I do only have 2 cards - mine & my husbands, we used my inlaws & parents & sisters cards). We will use a lot of them, but I mostly got them for the ECB's. I usually will use ECB's to get things that we need during the week like milk or bread or formula. Some of the things I get at CVS I then bring to the flea market to sell (like the razors). I don't see anything wrong with this. Flea marketing and eBay is how I make some extra money so I can stay home with my son.
I don't know if I would call it unethical to clean out a shelf of product or to 'buy just to buy'. I think if it goes to the extreme it can be a problem (like a compulsive need to shop, or what not). If you are using measures to defraud the store out of said item (like having 10 CVS cards or something like that) then I can see where the unethical part may come in. But if the store put the item on the shelf and does not put a limit on how many you can purchase, like some grocery stores do, then I don't see a problem with it.

[caseyrusso]

thank you for all of the responses. i appreciate your thoughts.

[sjchristian]

I know what it feels like to go to a store and find the shelves are empty. And I know its was something that I needed. A few weeks ago when Huggies were on sale and everyone had the $2 off coupons, I seriously searched 6 CVS's and all were sold out. Now I understand that most of us have children and we always need diapers and some of the ones who don't have diapers more often than not know someone who can use cheap diapers.
But when I kept hearing in different stores how people were coming and wiping out the shelves in one shot, come on! That to me is too much, I know it was a really good sale and I was there myself to pick up 4 packs but who needs 20 packs of size 3 diapers. Then to come on here to see that people were going to wait until their child out grew what ever size they had stocked up on and go back to exchange them for a larger size WOW. Or to see your excess on Ebay or at yard sales. I just don't get it, or understand it and you know what I don't have to no one has to explain their actions to me or to anyone else for that matter.
I think its just greed to use this knowledge to get things for really cheap or free then turn around collect the ECB's or whatever to roll them for more free or really cheap stuff just to sell it to other people who may have needed it or wanted it on sale but couldn't get it because you wiped out the shelves.
All I can say is that I am proud to only pick up what my family & friends need, wants and can actually use.

[elena_398]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

Thanks for starting this thread OP.

I've been thinking about temperance and about justifying acts of wiping out shelves for the "noble" purpose of donating. Hmmm...I have to check myself on that one. If I have to donate to an organization, what's my purpose? for tax shelter? then it is not really a charitable act. If I donate stuff even if I get them free but still have to pay tax on them, am I really saving money? (granting I am not using the donation vouchers as tax shelter). This keeps me grounded. I now refuse to be influenced by those who say just wipe out shelves BECAUSE YOU CAN. use unregistered cards to get a lot with limit of 1 per card deals. Many would say, they will, because they can without regard for others who may need just ONE but can't buy any because someone has been camping outside of the store just waiting for the truck to unload. I'm sure there is an equalizer, sooner or later fate catches up with man's greed.

I DO NOT get any tax exemption on items. I do not claim them. I donate them because I want to help and I can find the deals for them. I also work the every 3rd sunday of each month to the shelter. Im not trying to by "noble"...I think it would humble a lot of people if they could see what I do every month.

[jones10021]

I don't think it's unethical to take the last items on the shelf. If you don't some one else will. Plus, they might restock in a few minutes and it wouldn't be an issue at all.

[MaxxMe]

This is such a touchy subject. People who wipe out the shelves without another thought will never care what others think, and those that think it's wrong will always think it's rude and greedy. I think we all have to keep in mind that none of us are walking in someone elses shoes and to worry about our own. Someone with a large family obviously needs more than another with a small household. I try to keep that in mind when I get ticked off seeing bare shelves.

[mabagnoli]

Originally Posted by MaxxMe

This is such a touchy subject. People who wipe out the shelves without another thought will never care what others think, and those that think it's wrong will always think it's rude and greedy. I think we all have to keep in mind that none of us are walking in someone elses shoes and to worry about our own. Someone with a large family obviously needs more than another with a small household. I try to keep that in mind when I get ticked off seeing bare shelves.

Very true. I have 5 kids and, yes, we go through a lot of everything. So, to buy what we need and then to buy some to "save for a rainy day" adds up to buying a lot at a time. No one knows why someone might be buying a lot. I stay at home, have two jobs and this couponing "job" just to be able to save money and help provide for the family. I try to exercise restraint but sometimes it is hard, especially on meat, milk, diapers and other pricey items. My friend and I share Q's, winetags, deals and etc. Sometimes we buy for eachother if the other is not able to go out. If everyone is considerate and leaves some for others and thinks about others then we should all be ok!

[tweezle]

There is nothing wrong at all with stockpiling a supply of groceries and necessities for 6 months or so. The financial advisers tell everyone that they should have 6 months of salary in the bank for emergencies, so it just seems logical one would have that much in their pantry as well.

We stock up and use from sale to sale. By the time the peanut butter has about diminished, another good sale runs, and we replenish our shelf. It's not greed, but frugality, since we only stock up on what we can and do use.