[vivessa]

I was at Food Lion the other day talking on the phone to a friend of mine and told her I finally found the coupons off of the Dr. Peppers!! I was excited for her because I was going to give them to her and possibly use them to trade. So as I started peeling them off the bottles the manager comes over and asks me if I am buying them. I told her no I was not and she told me I had to put them back. What is the law about this? Are we not allowed to peel them off the products or was Food Lion wrong?

Confused!

[carolinacutiepi]

I personally wouldn't do it. They are placed on individual products to use on that. If you take them, you are hurting others who deserve to use the coupon when they purchase these.

[laney5454]

I agree they are for the person that buys that product.

[momto3ms]

I believe she was right. They are placed there for the consumer who plans on buying that product. I personally wouldn't do it---I get miffed when I buy a product and you can plainly see there was a peelie on it but someone took it.

[MaxxMe]

Yep. There's nothing worse than going to pick up a product you know should have a peelie on it, and someone has already stripped it off.

[kristieboyd]

I agree with everyone else! The peelies are put there for the person who actually buys the product, not for one person to go and pull them all off. It drives me crazy to buy something that is clearly missing a peelie that was attached. I feel like someone has stolen from me.

Just my 2 cents, though!

[Honor]

I partially agree with everyone else. I agree that it is wrong to peel every last peelie off. But I also know that most people do not use coupons, even if it is plainly on the product they are buying. I've seen it happen many times. I think that I would have told the manager that you have a friend who is a faithful FL customer who drinks a lot of DP & that you just wanted to take a couple to give to her before they were all gone.

Seriously, if noone here on AFC ever took extra peelies or tearpads how would some of us even get them? I personally like to get extras to share with people and a lot of the times I do it as a RAOK. I have literally walked by expired tearpads & peelies, because people don't use them.

There are a lot of AFC members who live in rural areas. Some do not even have smart source machines. I was told by a nabisco rep that wal-mart does not even allow tearpads in their store & that they discourage peelies. AFC can be a valuable resource for those of us who do not get to go to many grocery stores. I only have WM & FL nearby.

On the other hand, I do understand where the manager is coming from, but I would have let them know that it was not your intention to take every last peelie.

[hplymarried]

I'm with Honor. I can understand the manager saying no. I can't say though that I've NEVER taken a peelie. It's rare, but once in a while I do and I've never taken more than a couple. I always use them. I agree though that it is wrong to go through a store and just take them all. I know that not what you did, but I bet this manager may have experienced that.

Kelly : )

[coupn_gal]

I agree with Honor too. Just last week I was in 6 different FL's and only one had the Dr. Pepper peelie on the 2 liters. I had thought about pulling off a couple before I left the one store but forgot about it by the time I had serviced the store and walked out. The next day I was in my own town's store and was upset with the store because there were none on the display!

Just my 2 cents, and yes I do peel more than just for me. I usually get at least 5-6 for trade, my 3 sisters,DIL and myself. I don't feel bad at all about it because I have been behind people who don't use them at all AND I have bought stuff (prior to my afc days) and gotten home and the peelie is still on the product. I would really get upset that the clerk did not even ask me if I wanted to use them on that purchase.

[bdkirk04]

I don't think the manager was wrong. Although, I will admit I usually take one or two extras when I see them. I never, ever take more than that, though. I don't feel so bad taking a couple because then if someone is looking for them at least they can find a box with it. But, plenty of people don't care and they can just pick up one of the boxes without a peelie. I have a huge guilt complex, though. I feel like I'm stealing when I take extra blinkies and tearpads. I only take a couple when I see them. And, for some crazy reason......if I see the blinkies just laying around on the shelve (people took it out then threw it on the shelf) then I take as many as I want without feeling guilty. Not sure what the logic is in my brain on that one,

Bridget

[vivessa]

That was an honest answer!!

[sallman67]

The peelies are put on items by the vendors. You're not really suppose to take them off. However, I am guilty of taking 2-3 extra's. If you see vendors in the store ask them if they have any extra coupons. Some of them will give you extra ones.

[In2denial]

I have to chime in and agree with the manager.
But, I too, have taken coupons that weren't meant for me.

I have taken them off of other boxes of cereal, because they
were not on the ones I wanted.
I think the difference is that I used the coupon right then in the same
store the coupon was placed in. That doesn't make it right! I just think maybe
it didn't matter to the manager, if he had seen me. But, I'm sure it made the
person mad that bought those boxes with the missing coupons.
(I'm sorry...Raisin Nut Bran is expensive)

I also take a few extra off the tear pads each time I see one with a
product that I use. But to me that's different than taking it directly off the product.


The manager must have had an idea that you were not planning
to use the coupons you were taking, in his store. You really can't blame him,
you were taking prospective earnings away from him.

I have seen FL incorporate a coupon along with MVP for a sale price listed
in the sale paper. I believe it was on drinks too.


I also wish my sister looked out for me like that.
You're really thoughtful.

[kylienkate]

I personally have never taken more than one but that's just me. I went to FL tonight and saw the giant Dr. Pepper display..only one Dr. P had a peelie left on it out over 20 some.

[armympwife]

Originally Posted by vivessa

I was at Food Lion the other day talking on the phone to a friend of mine and told her I finally found the coupons off of the Dr. Peppers!! I was excited for her because I was going to give them to her and possibly use them to trade. So as I started peeling them off the bottles the manager comes over and asks me if I am buying them. I told her no I was not and she told me I had to put them back. What is the law about this? Are we not allowed to peel them off the products or was Food Lion wrong?

Confused!

No you are not allowed to pull them off the product unless you are buying it. It would be like buying milk and someone drank a cup out of the bottle you bought. Tearpads are different, those are for everyone though it's rude to take the whole pad.

[prayforlife247]

This is a great post. I alway wondered what others do or felt about this. When I first got started with Q's (which wasn't that long ago) I would go hog wild, then it hit me one day when I really needed something and the peelie was gone. I have mended my peelie ways and even though it kills me, I don't take them unless I'm buying that product.

[WowMe]

Very interesting post indeed. I occassionally take peelies on items my family uses and I buy regularly. Just because its not in my budget to buy it today with the coupon does not mean it won't be next week. In my opinion, peelies are fair game...and no I do not agree with the manager. I have every right to that peelie as the any other person buying the product reguardless of when its bought, thats what expiration dates on them are for. Manufacturers don't care who gets the peelies or when its purchased, just as long as its purchased. Now with that said, I do not agree with the abuse of peelies. Those who peel an abundance for a profit, like selling on eBay. Grrrrr... 20 peelies on eBay for $$!!! Any manager shouldn't mind you taking a peelie to use later. Sounds like this manager has witnessed the abuse of some eBay sellers Okay, thanks for letting me share my 2 cents worth.

[ZoyaBee]

Originally Posted by vivessa

I was at Food Lion the other day talking on the phone to a friend of mine and told her I finally found the coupons off of the Dr. Peppers!! I was excited for her because I was going to give them to her and possibly use them to trade. So as I started peeling them off the bottles the manager comes over and asks me if I am buying them. I told her no I was not and she told me I had to put them back. What is the law about this? Are we not allowed to peel them off the products or was Food Lion wrong?

Confused!

Hi,

Just wanted to compliment you for a good question and thank all of the responders for their honest replies. This is definitely an ethically gray area, and it's good to hear all of the different opinions.

Thanks!
Zoya