Blog & Save
The best bargain brains on the web come together to share money saving tips to finely tune your
personal finance in a coupon blog
you can't miss. Join us on our quest of living well – while spending less!
TLC's Extreme Couponing and Confessions of an Unapologetic Shelf Clearer
By lisalightnerDealPro(view all posts by lisalightner)
at 6:54AM Tuesday September 27, 2011
under
DealPro Tips
Nothing gets a couponer's blood pressure rising faster than the discussion topic of shelf-clearing. It's one thing couponers definitely have an opinion about. I am pro-shelf clearing. Yes, that's right, I am an unapologetic shelf-clearer.
Now I'll duck while you all hurl stuff at me.
I wasn't always pro-shelf clearing. I've been a couponer all of my adult life, but it was only five or six years ago that I got into 'supercouponing' which I define as getting multiple coupon inserts each week and building a stockpile. When I was first starting out, I was very anti-shelf clearing. One time a couponer on a discussion board posted something that resonated with me and changed my opinion. She said, "It's not my responsibility to make sure that there is product there for the next customer." So true! It's not my responsibility to keep a store's shelves stocked.
One of the main reasons I am now pro-shelf clearer is that I have come to realize that there are just too many variables. First of all, unless you encounter a shopper with a cart full of a product that you want, you don't know why the shelf is empty. One previous customer could have come and taken all 50 of those items, or, 50 previous customers could have come and each taken one. You don't know. Maybe that shelf has been sitting there empty of that product for weeks, due to manufacturer supply issues.
It's not just a grocery store phenomenon. I've been in Gymboree and The Children's Place for their super blowout clearance sales, and have run into other moms buying dozens and dozens of items, clearly with the intent to eBay it or resell it. Yes, I was disappointed that I did not get to take advantage of some of the deals but I can't be mad at a mom who is trying to make a few bucks. I should be mad at the store for not imposing limits.
Last week at my local grocery store they had diapers marked down 75% off. They had one box of a size I wanted, so I bought it. I also used a coupon so they were very cheap, any mom would have taken advantage of this deal. But didn't I shelf clear? In that same trip, I encountered a couple that was shopping for what appeared to be some type of cookout fundraiser. In the paper products aisle, they took all that was left of one variety of paper cups and paper plates. They did not appear to have any coupons, so I can assume that they were paying full price. But they shelf-cleared, didn't they?
Look, we've all been there. You know there's a super hot freebie deal coming and you excitedly rush to the store. It's a product you use and love, and it's either going to be free or maybe even a moneymaker! And you get to the shelf and it's empty. I've been there and felt that disappointment. I just don't think it's appropriate to be mad at other shoppers. Contact the department supervisor and tell them. I do this regularly and, for example, whenever my one grocery store does a promo on a certain kind of frozen veggie, they know I want dozens of them. I just chatted with the frozen department manager in the aisle one day, explained to him why this was a super-hot item when he ran these promos and encouraged him to order more when they are on sale. Ever since then, there has been ample supply. Use these as an opportunity to educate store personnel.
Anyone can justify shelf clearing. You can say you're donating it to charity, you lost your job, you are having money problems right now, it's for a fund raising effort, and you take in orphans and feed them or give it to the homeless. But it really doesn't matter, does it? After all, we don't know every person's story or why the shelf is empty in the first place. That being said, I think you can shelf clear and not be a jerk about it.
This week is the Season Premiere of Extreme Couponing and I don't know if you've seen the promo or not, but the first shopper they profile is an unapologetic shelf-clearer. And in my opinion, she's kind of a jerk about it. First of all, she admits that she buys items she doesn't need or use, because she hates throwing out an unused coupon. I've met women online who get free or cheap cat food and they don't even have a cat. I don't even know if I'd call that couponing; maybe they should apply for the other reality show (*cough cough* Hoarders *cough cough*). But even if I shopped in the same town as this woman I wouldn't be mad at her, I'd be mad at her stores. They know she's coming and should stock appropriately.
As long as the store has not imposed limits or restrictions, I'm free to purchase as many of an item as I wish. It does not matter if I'm paying with coupons, cash, check, credit card, WIC, food stamps, gift card or sand. It does not matter if I am going to eat it, hoard it, donate it, resell it, give it away, throw it away or set it on fire in my back yard. I've purchased it and I can do whatever I want with it.
Tell us: are you a shelf-clearer?
Now I'll duck while you all hurl stuff at me.
I wasn't always pro-shelf clearing. I've been a couponer all of my adult life, but it was only five or six years ago that I got into 'supercouponing' which I define as getting multiple coupon inserts each week and building a stockpile. When I was first starting out, I was very anti-shelf clearing. One time a couponer on a discussion board posted something that resonated with me and changed my opinion. She said, "It's not my responsibility to make sure that there is product there for the next customer." So true! It's not my responsibility to keep a store's shelves stocked.
One of the main reasons I am now pro-shelf clearer is that I have come to realize that there are just too many variables. First of all, unless you encounter a shopper with a cart full of a product that you want, you don't know why the shelf is empty. One previous customer could have come and taken all 50 of those items, or, 50 previous customers could have come and each taken one. You don't know. Maybe that shelf has been sitting there empty of that product for weeks, due to manufacturer supply issues.
It's not just a grocery store phenomenon. I've been in Gymboree and The Children's Place for their super blowout clearance sales, and have run into other moms buying dozens and dozens of items, clearly with the intent to eBay it or resell it. Yes, I was disappointed that I did not get to take advantage of some of the deals but I can't be mad at a mom who is trying to make a few bucks. I should be mad at the store for not imposing limits.
Last week at my local grocery store they had diapers marked down 75% off. They had one box of a size I wanted, so I bought it. I also used a coupon so they were very cheap, any mom would have taken advantage of this deal. But didn't I shelf clear? In that same trip, I encountered a couple that was shopping for what appeared to be some type of cookout fundraiser. In the paper products aisle, they took all that was left of one variety of paper cups and paper plates. They did not appear to have any coupons, so I can assume that they were paying full price. But they shelf-cleared, didn't they?
Look, we've all been there. You know there's a super hot freebie deal coming and you excitedly rush to the store. It's a product you use and love, and it's either going to be free or maybe even a moneymaker! And you get to the shelf and it's empty. I've been there and felt that disappointment. I just don't think it's appropriate to be mad at other shoppers. Contact the department supervisor and tell them. I do this regularly and, for example, whenever my one grocery store does a promo on a certain kind of frozen veggie, they know I want dozens of them. I just chatted with the frozen department manager in the aisle one day, explained to him why this was a super-hot item when he ran these promos and encouraged him to order more when they are on sale. Ever since then, there has been ample supply. Use these as an opportunity to educate store personnel.
Anyone can justify shelf clearing. You can say you're donating it to charity, you lost your job, you are having money problems right now, it's for a fund raising effort, and you take in orphans and feed them or give it to the homeless. But it really doesn't matter, does it? After all, we don't know every person's story or why the shelf is empty in the first place. That being said, I think you can shelf clear and not be a jerk about it.
This week is the Season Premiere of Extreme Couponing and I don't know if you've seen the promo or not, but the first shopper they profile is an unapologetic shelf-clearer. And in my opinion, she's kind of a jerk about it. First of all, she admits that she buys items she doesn't need or use, because she hates throwing out an unused coupon. I've met women online who get free or cheap cat food and they don't even have a cat. I don't even know if I'd call that couponing; maybe they should apply for the other reality show (*cough cough* Hoarders *cough cough*). But even if I shopped in the same town as this woman I wouldn't be mad at her, I'd be mad at her stores. They know she's coming and should stock appropriately.
As long as the store has not imposed limits or restrictions, I'm free to purchase as many of an item as I wish. It does not matter if I'm paying with coupons, cash, check, credit card, WIC, food stamps, gift card or sand. It does not matter if I am going to eat it, hoard it, donate it, resell it, give it away, throw it away or set it on fire in my back yard. I've purchased it and I can do whatever I want with it.
Tell us: are you a shelf-clearer?
Admitted shelf-clearer and supercouponer Lisa Lightner writes the blog Smart Spending Spot. In addition to telling her readers about great deals and Smart Spending tips, she runs a regular feature called "On My Soapbox" to discuss hot topic items for couponers. You can follow her here, there or on Facebook. As one of the 2011 Deal Pros, you will find her in New York City next month at our Save Up event.
Latest Posts
- Freebie Corner: 6 free Nescafe Tasters Choice coffee samples
- #SummerSavings Twitter Party 5/23: $500 in Prizes!
- 5 inexpensive gluten free recipes
- How to create a military care package on a budget
- Zact: The best no-contract wireless plan yet?
- How to send expired coupons to the Military
- How to take your couponing to the next level by giving back
- This week in deals: 30% off all baby and toddler at Old Navy
- Archos introduces the ChefPad, a tablet just for cooks
- 5 budget friendly ways to honor a Veteran
I shelf clear..and proud of it!
LOL..the only time I don't shelf clear...is obviously if the coupon is one per transaction/ 4 per shopping trip ect...and/or I don't shelf clear with PDF's..I don't like to use more then just a few of the same PDF's at a time. That is my self imposed limit. I don't like to draw attention to myself..and PDF"s is one of those things that do. But otherwise.....i've multiple times purchased all of clearanced Paper Plates, BOGO Lysol Wipes, Huggies Wipes, occasional cereal deals, ect.
Also my WAGS doesn't let ya shelf clear for RR deals...ask me the last time I've been to WAGS anyways.....
I mostly shop walmart and shelf clear ALL THE TIME.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
I think it's important to note--that since I wrote this essay, Lowe's Foods has come forward and said several things. One is that they allowed the couponer to break their own store policies, that the beginning part where the guy approaches her & asks if it's the last one--Yeah, that guy was one of the crew members from the TLC filming crew--it was totally staged. And most importantly, that they regret participating in the show for reasons including that it's not realistic.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
I usually shop the last day or day before the sale so to give plenty of time for other non coupon shoppers time. But then, the game is on. I get what I have coupons for and if something is out of stock I either get a raincheck (and order or trade for more coupons!) or I pass on the deal, not a big whoop in the grand scheme of life. Your right you never know why a shelf is empty. Who bought what and if they used coupons. I know people that stock-up on sale items without coupons and they are just as likely to clear the shelf as I am.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
I went to Rite-Aid to get their soup on sale. The shelf was cleared out. So I asked a worker if she had any left. She did. I understand why people clear out shelves and I'm not going to speak against the "behavior." It's American, we have the right to capitalism. Just know, when I'm sick and I need a can of chicken noodle soup and the store was out, hey, I can't help but feel down.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
"Now I'll duck while you all hurl stuff at me. "
I would, but you've cleared the shelf and there's nothing left to throw! (Just kidding...) If there's 2 or 3 items left, I don't have a problem "clearing" a shelf. But when someone loads an entire shopping cart with toothpaste, that seems a bit excessive to me.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
I agree with Stella in that it's excessive. Can managers really prepare for this? How can they anticipate how many super-couponers will come out of the woodwork for a particular product?
Given how easy it's getting to buy/trade coupons, you might have 50 shoppers descend with five coupons apiece the first hour the store is open. Or it could be one or two people an hour with one coupon each. So how much toothpaste is needed? If too little is ordered, you have cranky customers. If too much is ordered, you have either to find room to store it or send it back to the warehouse.
Yes, it's your "right" to clear shelves. But can you really feel good about doing so? Some people who hit those sales really NEED to get every penny out of every dollar (single parents, elderly folks on fixed incomes, et al.) and when the shelves are cleared, the game is over.
They could probably get rain checks but some groups, such as single working parents or people with chronic illnesses, can find it very challenging to make additional trips.
Try it this way: Suppose I know you have small children who nap between 2 and 3 p.m. I live right next door and decide to use my leaf blower every day at that time. You could tell me, "Please, my kids need their sleep" -- and I could reply, "It's not my responsibility to make sure the world is quiet when your kids need it to be."
I'm allowed to use the leaf blower at that time of day. There's no law against it. But that doesn't make me right. It makes me the kind of person who thinks her own needs/wants are more important than anyone else's.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
Shelf clearing to the extreme is just plain inconsiderate and rude. Not only do you give a bad name to all couponers but you also make the store look bad which results in fewer shoppers and higher prices. And what about the moral and ethical part of being greedy?
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
Bottom line stimulate the economy...more purchases produces more product..thus leads to more manufacturing jobs, more retail jobs and so on and so. People need to stop complaining and open their eyes this country will never get out of this deep recession if we dont keep stimulating the economy in every aspect. Retail is a major driving force who cares who buys wake up
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
Because of this show and how people are reacting to it has caused stores to change coupons policies and set limitations. I am been using coupons for about 29 years or more and I try to consider how other people would feel. But, if I find the shelf is empty on a product that is on sale I will ask for a rain check and get the deal at a later date.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
The only difference between a couoner and a hoarder is a few packages and a dead cat!!!
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
The woman in the story should sell some of that stuff and get her teeth fixed. That would be a much better use of the money.
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|
Hoarding is one aspect of OCD-I know because I have this. I had to quit my serious couponing efforts because I had so much stuff I would never use even if I lived to be 100 and many things have a shelf life that would prohibit even keeping them so long. I know the thrill of the "kill" and it took over my life like it has Michelle's. It is greedy and inconsiderate to clear or even almost clear a shelf ( I did that, too). Now, to you fellow Christians out there greed and hoarding (heaping up "stuff") are sins(Ephesians 4:19, 1 Timothy 6:10) and just consider the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) who had so much stuff he decided to build a bigger place to store it all and God says "Fool, you're going to die tonight and then who will get all this?" Phillippians 2:4 encourages us to look to the interests of others and not just ourselves" I cringed at her attitude when she said "Early bird gets the worm" to the guy in the store when she had just cleared the shelf. Do we really want this to define our lives?
Was this comment helpful? yes| no|