[totalsaver]

im having a sale but i wanted to know if its illegal to resale items i live in an apartment so i was going to do it in a parking lot that is for lease right now. i just dont want to get in trouble by the cops, in case they think it stolen merchandise

[KCiolino]

I do it twice a year and have never had a problem. If you town requires a permit make sure you get one!

[nattsgirl]

Well, I haven't had a yard sale, but I have read a lot of people's stories on here... If you're doing it in your yard its pretty much a yard sale, so I wouldn't think its illegal... I'm not sure though.

Hope you get some help!

[suvanova]

You might need permission to use a parking lot, if private property.

[JJ33]

I am sure someone will get mad at this but I have to say it. I think it is wonderful that we can stock up for cheap or free on items but if you are getting so much that you want to resell them, do you think that maybe one of us that didn't get any due to your excess buying might have wanted the items. You should buy for your family but I don't think you should buy to resale! I have went to several stores the same day to find an item to find that someone had bought all they had. Great that you could stock up but please consider leaving some for the rest of us, PLEASE!
I am sure as long as the apartment permits the sale it is not illegal; just wanted you to know that some of us would have loved to get the deals to use in our household if they had still been on the shelf. Best of luck with the sale; don't charge too much, ok?
JJ

[totalsaver]

Originally Posted by JJ33

I am sure someone will get mad at this but I have to say it. I think it is wonderful that we can stock up for cheap or free on items but if you are getting so much that you want to resell them, do you think that maybe one of us that didn't get any due to your excess buying might have wanted the items. You should buy for your family but I don't think you should buy to resale! I have went to several stores the same day to find an item to find that someone had bought all they had. Great that you could stock up but please consider leaving some for the rest of us, PLEASE!
I am sure as long as the apartment permits the sale it is not illegal; just wanted you to know that some of us would have loved to get the deals to use in our household if they had still been on the shelf. Best of luck with the sale; don't charge too much, ok?
JJ

i live in a small town where people seem to not know about coupon shopping and how to find great deals i often go back at the end of the week or even last day and what do you have a shelf still full of stuff. So i have to take advantage.

[nattsgirl]

Originally Posted by JJ33

I am sure someone will get mad at this but I have to say it. I think it is wonderful that we can stock up for cheap or free on items but if you are getting so much that you want to resell them, do you think that maybe one of us that didn't get any due to your excess buying might have wanted the items. You should buy for your family but I don't think you should buy to resale! I have went to several stores the same day to find an item to find that someone had bought all they had. Great that you could stock up but please consider leaving some for the rest of us, PLEASE!
I am sure as long as the apartment permits the sale it is not illegal; just wanted you to know that some of us would have loved to get the deals to use in our household if they had still been on the shelf. Best of luck with the sale; don't charge too much, ok?
JJ

I am not an avid stockpiler... I haven't been couponing a long time either, but: Lots of people have been saving the stuff they get for a LONG time.... Also, even though I dont stockpile that much I have enough I could probably have a yard sale... I NEVER clear the shelfs, but there are times when I will get 5 of one product. I know how it feels (trust me) when there is nothing left on the shelf and you wanted to do that deal... so I can understand your point as well.... But you have to take in consideration that one person might have gotten 5 and another got 7 and another got 10 and the shelf was clear... maybe it wasn't all just one person? You never know! Also, a lot of people buy it to donate too.


Also, (Im not targeting you at all, please know that ) but why shouldn't you be able to buy to resale? You're paying the money. The company is getting their money && more than half of everyone I know who has had a yard sales the stuff at a WAY cheaper price than the store, so they're helping them out too, in ways.

[AshPriest]

Originally Posted by nattsgirl

I am not an avid stockpiler... I haven't been couponing a long time either, but: Lots of people have been saving the stuff they get for a LONG time.... Also, even though I dont stockpile that much I have enough I could probably have a yard sale... I NEVER clear the shelfs, but there are times when I will get 5 of one product. I know how it feels (trust me) when there is nothing left on the shelf and you wanted to do that deal... so I can understand your point as well.... But you have to take in consideration that one person might have gotten 5 and another got 7 and another got 10 and the shelf was clear... maybe it wasn't all just one person? You never know!

I agree, Rasha. I know of only 1 couponer who actually clears the entire shelf the very first day of the sale. The rest of the time, I think the store is not stocked or several people have purchased the products that I wanted. Plus, I've found now that I'm couponing and stockpiling that there are things I think I might like and turns out I don't but I've already purchased 3 of them. So, I either donate it, give it to a friend, or sell it. I'm not positive if it's illegal or not to resell but there are a lot of people that do it. I hope you find the definite answer before your sale

[tonyyankees1]

I know what it is kike to see a clear shelf, but just go get a raincheck for those items. Within a week or so, most companys will have stock back in. Or speak to a manager about ordering extra for you if you have a lot of coupons. That way everybody is happy.

Thanks, and have fun.

[scamelo]

I know I was very upset last year at my Target. When school supplies went to 75% off (first day) they boxed everything up and sold it to a local guy. Turns out he sells to other local small stores in the area and had come in and asked if he could buy it all.

He put everything in his garage. Store was aware of this and when he came in they had taken the time and their employees to box the items for him.

I was mad because I had gotten what my kids needed at regular and sale prices as I shop there store several times a week, and not just for clearance. I would have loved to get a few more things at 75% off, but no such luck.

This guy lives further away in PA and he got these to resell to his customers from our local NJ Target.
I hope it does not happen again this year!!

[Lisa S]

Originally Posted by JJ33

I am sure someone will get mad at this but I have to say it. I think it is wonderful that we can stock up for cheap or free on items but if you are getting so much that you want to resell them, do you think that maybe one of us that didn't get any due to your excess buying might have wanted the items. You should buy for your family but I don't think you should buy to resale! I have went to several stores the same day to find an item to find that someone had bought all they had. Great that you could stock up but please consider leaving some for the rest of us, PLEASE!
I am sure as long as the apartment permits the sale it is not illegal; just wanted you to know that some of us would have loved to get the deals to use in our household if they had still been on the shelf. Best of luck with the sale; don't charge too much, ok?
JJ

I also am a stockpiler BUT when I sell my extras I sell them cheap so that everyone can get a good bargain. There are alot of people out there who don't know how to coupon and get the really good bargains (thanks again to all my friends at AFC for everything you find and list here). I agree with the clearing the shelves (this is something I would never do but I do see one person who has no problem doing this) but just get a raincheck (they never expire) and get the product when it is back in stock...

[mrsfloyd]

No, it is not illegal to sell items that you have aquired legally. (there may be particular rules for some items, like medicines and maybe food, but I don't try to resell those kinds of items anyway.) Yes you do need to consider any local laws, for instance some places require you to buy a permit to legally have a yardsale, and of course if you're having it on someone else's property you need their permission.

Yes there is the issue of needing to be considerate of fellow couponers who are obviously going to come looking for the deal, too, but just b/c a shelf is empty does not mean that the big-bad-yardsaler has come and taken everything - sometimes stores are just not prepared for the demand that a good deal brings. (especially w/ programs like CVS ECBs, even non-couponers can easily spot an amazing deal, so the demand is even higher b/c there is no preparation needed for a free-after-ecb item) I agree w/ PP, get a raincheck and ask your store to order in what you need. In fact, if you know about a good deal ahead of time (as we here on AFC often do), go ahead and ask your store to order in for the sale.

[coco2]

I've read that you need a license for selling food...something with the board of health.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by totalsaver

im having a sale but i wanted to know if its illegal to resale items i live in an apartment so i was going to do it in a parking lot that is for lease right now. i just dont want to get in trouble by the cops, in case they think it stolen merchandise

there are several interesting points you raised here. thanks for asking since it helps others with the same question,

1. yard selling for apt dwellers - first of all, I suggest you check with your landlord if it is alright. you also have to consider other apt dwellers if it will cause a disturbance/inconvinience to them. ask yourself if it will worth it.

2. if the landlord won't allow it and you found a parking lot for lease right now, you have to find the owner first and ask if you can pay a daily rate to sell your stuff.

BUT more important than the above is for you to check at your court house for county rules/policies on yard selling ~ do you need permits? how many can you hold per year? what is allowed to be sold? what are NOT allowed to be sold? are you allowed to post signs at street corners, etc? all those things are important before you embark on something you're not sure of. when you have those things taken care of, then you can start planning on the date of your sale.

3. potential problem with cops - there is NO guarantee no one will visit you and ask for permits/license/what have you's that is why it is best to do your homework first so you are prepared for a surprise visit. If a permit is necessary and you didn't get one, THE FINE/PENALTY you have to pay may be higher than your net earnings . IF you don't need a permit, ask for something in writing from the court house/ or at least a business card from the person in charge of permits/licenses will suffice so that you can show it to the cop as your reference. Just make sure you have something to show as proof that you intended to get a permit.

Good luck and hopefully your first venture will be successful. keep us posted!


btw, its better to stay away from food/OTC meds since these are magnets for surprise visits from inspectors.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by totalsaver

i live in a small town where people seem to not know about coupon shopping and how to find great deals i often go back at the end of the week or even last day and what do you have a shelf still full of stuff. So i have to take advantage.

that is true. many people live in areas with stores in every corner so one need not clear the shelf to be able to buy lots of an item for whatever purposes it will serve the person. we don't know each one's situation, its different for those who live in small towns with just one store and a couponer wipes the shelf for resale purposes. even with that, unless we are sure its just one person clearing the shelf, we cannot make blanket assumptions on shelf clearers. for all we know, the store has very limited inventory to start with. JMO.

what matters is that the items are acquired legitimately. for that reason, since you mentioned about the cops, I suggest you keep all your receipts in case you get surprise visits asking about the origins of your items.

we should all take into consideration the areas we're in to serve as basis for our shopping habits. if we live in small towns, I agree with PPs, let's be courteous and leave some for others.

[supercouper]

Here's my two cents:

To This OP,
I say check out the info, get any permission or permits required and if you still have your receipts, keep those close by in case any authorities need to see them and go for it.

Anything you buy with cash, credit, trade, or ECB's is yours to dispose of as you will so go on with your bad yourself!!

To the other questions:
I read a post somewhere a long time ago that changed my way of thinking about stockpiling. The OP said that they stockpiled rainchecks not products. So when they needed something they went to their local CVS, pulled out a RC, a coupon and got what they needed and let CVS do the storage, the carrying in and out of the house, etc.

Now, I've got a mighty righteous stockpile of my own but I do let this original OP's widsom guide me on occasion. Who need fifteen bottles of Tide when five will carry me over? (spoken like someone looking at eight Glade candles and fifteen bags of Hershey's right now

just my two,
sc

[myfab5]

btw, do rainchecks have an expiration date??

[dalencaroline]

Some do. I know that Hy-Vee's {in Trenton, MO} rainchecks are only good for a month.

[mrsfloyd]

Originally Posted by myfab5

btw, do rainchecks have an expiration date??

It depends on the store's policy. CVS's rainchecks never expire. Rite-Aid's rainchecks expire 30 days after they're written. Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Bloom's rainchecks never expire (some of my local area grocery stores). You have to check with each individual store to find out their policy. The raincheck itself should also state if it has an expiration...

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by myfab5

btw, do rainchecks have an expiration date??

for WAG, I know and tested it at different branches nationwide,

they do not expire. I am still using RCs with 2004 dates and have never been denied when I use them.

[supercouper]

Originally Posted by myfab5

btw, do rainchecks have an expiration date??

We are discussing CVS rain checks which clearly state on the back that they never expire.

if you flip the RC over, it should say that they never expire. This is good to know when you have cashier who's misinformed or trying to pull a fast one.

[mlb1985]

NOT ALL RAINCHECKS NEVER EXPIRE!!!!

I know for A FACT ingles GRocery Store RC expire Within 30 DAYS

Just check With Whatever Store You may BE shopping at.


In response to Swiping the Shelves Clean, Some Stockpilers I have read about are Good enough to Just place an ORDER For the Large Quanities They Want and PREpay (with Q's and Money)


And You should definatly Check With Your City to See what they require to Have a Yard sale.
GOOD LUCK!!! Hope You sell alot!!

[sleepy832]

Hmmmmm I sell food at my yard sales. Someone explain the downfalls of this. I never heard of any inspectors or such.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by sleepy832

Hmmmmm I sell food at my yard sales. Someone explain the downfalls of this. I never heard of any inspectors or such.

you must have missed the thread where a couponer here shared her story where a food inspector visited her yard sale asking for permit, IIRC. I hope she reads this thread and chimes in. I'm sure you can still find it, it was a long thread and you may get some interesting ideas from it.

as for OTCs like cough syrup and pain pills, that is self explanatory so its better to stay away from re-selling them.