Ethics on Returns with Coupons

[wiggles86]

Just wondering what you all thought about this. I recently purchased 16 cans of $0.50 Swanson Broth at Target using (4) $1/4 coupons. So, I paid $4.00 for everything instead of the normal $8.00. About three days later, My local Albertsons is running a sale on the same broth for $0.44/ea. I was thinking about returning the broth to Target and getting $8.00 back (I know I paid $4, but they won't be returning my coupons when I return the broth), and just turning around and buying the 16 cans of broth at Albertsons.

I thought it was okay, since Target would be getting reimbursed for my coupons anyway (or do they?), but DH has since questioned if this would be ethical. I'm not 100% sure about any of it, so if any of you could shed some light on the situation, it would be greatly appreciated.

Jess

[uncommon]

Wouldn't they only return the amount you paid, not the total before coupons? If that were the case, you would only get $4 and it wouldn't be worth it.

I actually don't understand how it's worth it anyway since you won't get the coupons back - unless you have a bunch more of them.

[wiggles86]

I meant IF they did give me the total before coupons (this could totally be a moot point if they don't), but if they did would it be ethical?

And the other part of the question... if I do a return and don't get my coupons back, do they still get reimbursed for the coupons I gave them in the first place?

[CW&M Mom]

I wouldn't return food just to go buy it somewhere else.

and Target is gonna want your receipt...and are a PITA to return stuff to regardless.

[isis]

Its only .96 difference....think about how much gas you gotta burn to take them back to Target, then head to Albies. To me, its not worth it.

[jen276here]

If you used Target coupons you will only get the paid amount back or in your case $4.00. If you used a mfr coupon you will most likely get the coupon value as well or the $8.00 back.

But… You are going to pack it up, make a second trip to Target and spend x number of minutes returning it then making a trip to Albertsons to repurchase it for a savings of $.06 per can ($.96 if my math is correct)? You will most likely spend more in gas returning it than you would save.

[wiggles86]

I would be heading to these stores regardless of the return. This question wasn't just meant as a one time thing, I mean, this time it's 96 cents, but what if somewhere down the line it would be more of a difference... different items and different prices.

[CW&M Mom]

I don't return food just to go and buy it cheaper somewhere else. It's just not worth it...IMO and many stores basically keep track of how many times you return.....and can start denying any returns if you do it too often. I'm not going to waste those on something like food.

[jen276here]

I would be heading to these stores regardless of the return. This question wasn't just meant as a one time thing, I mean, this time it's 96 cents, but what if somewhere down the line it would be more of a difference... different items and different prices.

Well if you do it too much it will flag you as a customer strictly returning to get the value of the coupon back which can cause you problems in the future. (They can and do watch for this.) It is a highly unethical practice…..

Even if is is a once in a while thing, I still don’t bother. I like to save too, but my time is worth more. Even if I’m already at the store, it is still additional time I could be spending doing better things- like hanging out w/ my family.

Also, keep in mind, food items are typically just thrown out when returned (assuming they left the store and were brought back in the store). It is a liability issue for them to re-shelve them. Many don’t care, but I think it is a darn shame to waste the food over a $1 savings. Not too mention, they do track this waste and that cost is eventually rolled into higher food prices, so the benefit you may see by returning it may be wiped out w/ the higher prices down the road.

[wiggles86]

Also, keep in mind, food items are typically just thrown out when returned (assuming they left the store and were brought back in the store). It is a liability issue for them to re-shelve them. Many don’t care, but I think it is a darn shame to waste the food over a $1 savings. Not too mention, they do track this waste and that cost is eventually rolled into higher food prices, so the benefit you may see by returning it may be wiped out w/ the higher prices down the road.

I had no idea that they did that with items that were still sealed! I was vaguely entertaining the notion of taking it back, but when you put it that way, it makes much more sense to just keep the product and hope for a better deal next time.