Photo by Heidi Kennedy
Every week I’ll pose a question for you to share your experiences and tips. If you have a question that you’d like me to post, I’d love to hear from you!
Recently, another Tara asked this question on the Deal Seeking Mom Facebook fan page:
“What’s your position on blinkies & in-store tearpads? Do you think its okay to take a few to use at a later time or another store (for a better deal)? I do this sometimes. My thinking is that they are not store property because they are manufacture coupons.”
She later added that she never takes peelies off one package to use on another but wonders if others do.
What about you? If there is a blinkie or a tearpad with coupons at one store, do you take a few to matchup with a better deal later on? Is there a limit to how many you think is okay to take? Does it matter how many are left? What about peelies? Do you ever take coupons off one product package to use on another?
Join the discussion — add your two cents to previous Ask DSM Readers questions too!
Marion
I wouldn’t take a peelie, but yes to extras on tear pads and blinkies! I intend to use the extras, so I think it’s ok, even if it’s at another store–they are MFG. coups! and if I don’t think I can use it, I leave it next to the items for someone else to get the benefit. ;)
Ana
I will usually take 2 off a tearpad or blinkie, but not off the product. Then again, I rarely see peelies, so I guess the temptation isn’t there to begin with.
I agree with those above.. while I personally don’t think it’s necessarily right to take a peelie, I don’t get worked up over it if I see one missing. I never count on getting a peelie with a product, so I consider it a surprise when I get one.
But…. if I were to see someone crouched down on the floor with all the boxes pulled out taking the peelies off everything, I might just bump them with my cart ; )
Symone
As you should….LOL! But seriously taking a few peelies is different than a person “crouched down on the floor with all the boxes pulled out taking the peelies off everything”.
Amy
Actually, if there is a peelie on an item, and you take it off and don’t purchase that particular item, you’re basically stealing. You can’t rationalize grabbing an extra peelie or two or three (…) by saying that “Some people don’t even use coupons,” because, as others have stated and as we have probably all seen, there are more and more of us “couponers,” and we DO run into the problem of not finding any products left with peelies still on them, so you are actually preventing other (honest) people from being able to use the coupons on products that they are ACTUALLY buying from that store, right then. Do you also tear labels off of products just randomly throughout the store? Do you take a “free item with purchase” out of the container to go with another similar/same product that doesn’t have a “free item with purchase” attached to it? No. Same difference. You are stealing.
As for tearpads and blinkies, they are obviously not part of a product, so taking 2 or 3 max is probably OK if they seem to have a good supply available.
madmommy
I agree. It’s very frustrating to see peelies missing from a product. And if the peelie is on one product and I want the other? Too bad for me, it’s not worth it to “take” it from another shopper. Leave them be, use them for what they’re attached to, so the rest of us have a fair chance at a good deal. It’s right up there with my “don’t clear the shelf” rule. Just my opinion.
CB
I agree. Even if you are using the peelies for your own personal stockpile and not selling them, they are attached to that specific product and should be taken off only if you are planning to purchase the product that it is attached to.
McMartha
This caught my attention as I just did this last week and thought later, “was I wrong to do that?”.
I was buying something and there were 5 different “kinds” and 4 of them had $1.00 peelies, but NOT the ONE KIND I had on my list (and did not have a coupon for). So I took one off another pagckag and used it for my item I was purchasing.
Was it wrong, I guess that’s up for grabs on here, but I do agree that a MAJORITY of people, in our town specifically, do not use coupons (and “snub” the ones that do), so I figure there were plenty of ones with coupons left for the minority of us that use coupons to have.
I have purchased diapers however when there was a good coupon book attached at one point and it was gone. I guess it didn’t phase me too much at the time because I wasn’t couponing much then. I guess if it had, I would have looked for another package.
McMartha
Oh, and as for blinkies and such, I usually take 3-5 depending on what it is, how many are left, and when the expiration date was. I wouldn’t take any unless I knew I’d be buying that product eventually. If I end up with more than I need, I swap them at our MOMS Club Coupon Swap!
Amanda
I recently grabbed a stack of BOGOs for gum off a tearpad so I could purchase enough packs to treat all of my students, and then used them at another store that was running a sale. I guess some would criticize me for taking more than my fair share now and then. My first thought was, as long as you are actually using them then good for you. If you (or your kids) are tearing them off and eventually throwing them into the trash then shame on you :)
I coupon HONESTLY and have happily donated/gifted much of what I get for free/cheap. I am also the girl who cuts coupons for things I don’t purchase, and drops them in the lounge at work, or even next to the products on store shelves. So if I snag a stack of blinkies to match up with a screamin deal on occassion, know that I will sleep just fine at night.
Shannon Flora
As far as the coupon blinkers i take a few,3 at the most.I see no problem with that,with peelies-thats another story,and this is just my opinion and im not judging anyone.I feel if i take a peelie off an item then i must buy that item.Just to take it off with out purchasing the item id feel like i was stealing.
I was gonna take a peelie one day but i paused because i felt like a shoplifter!! I just have a concious about it.
But i get soooo irritated when i go to purchase a item that has a missing peelie.It happen 2 days ago,kraft mac-n-cheese buy 2 and get free bbq sauce,,all the peelies were gone off each box,i purchased the mac-n-cheese and never was able to get my free sauce,to me thats not good.
Just my 2 sence.
oh and tearpads,i take them but i dont take over 3-5.
Dawn
I don’t think it’s fair to compare free trial products and parts OF a label to peelable coupons. More often than not, the coupon is meant to be peeled off the item right there in the store and used (right then or on a later purchase is obviously debatable), whereas labels and secured free items are meant to be removed after purchasing the item. Taking something meant to be purchased before purchasing the item is stealing. Taking something meant to be taken prior to purchasing the item is not stealing, IMO.
If the store and/or manufacturer’s did not want folks to take the coupon without intentions of using it RIGHT THEN, then I would expect to see a notice, whether in store on the coupon which stated so. Never have I seen such a notice.
Karen O
Actually- I have seen that notice- on Kashi entrees, it stated “Peelie only valid if removed by cashier” I figure taht if manufacturers did not want people to take peelies for a purchase on a different day, they would instead make the coupon part of the packaging, put the Q IN the pkg, or put the same verbiage I just mentioned on the peelie.
I have pretty much decided that as long as I am not taking a gazillion peelies or selling them, I can sleep at night knowing that I hae taken 1 or 2 to use with a good sale :P
Dawn
Right – like the coupons you find printed on the inside of the box, or directly onto the label. I’m not going to go in to the store with a razor or scissors just to remove the coupons – THAT is destruction of property that is not legally yours and completely wrong, IMO. The manufacturer obviously wants you to purchase the product and gives you an incentive to purchase the product again at a later date.
Manufacturers know that peelies are going to be removed by consumers who plan to purchase the item then or later. If it was a concern, they wouldn’t use that method so much. But they do for several reasons;
– Coupons are like advertising, business cards in a way – they get dropped, thrown away, traded, given, left at registers, act as a reminder of a product, etc. etc.
– Much like rebates, it’s an incentive to buy the item, and I’m sure they rely on the non-coupon savvy people to “forget” about the peelie while still purchasing the product.
It’s not about stealing a coupon – it’s about concern for other coupon using people. But let’s not forget – there are many who do NOT use coupons. My friend lives in an area that does not harbor coupon users. Peelies, pads, blinkies, etc. are often left virtually untouched compared to high-coupon user areas. In her situation, NOT taking the peelies, etc. is actually doing more harm than good to both the store and manufacturer because without those coupons, she would not purchase such large amounts of the items.
natasha
Blinkies are fair game….as long as you dont take the entire machine home with you…..I only normally get 3 – 5 blinkies because I dont want to wait 5 million years for the next to pop out. Tearpads I read the coupon, if it is one I will use or one of my friends I trade with will use I will take 3-5…. If not I dont even bother taking it. Peelies I believe should only be taken if you are buying the product….however if there is a peelie on say blueberry flavor and not one on chocolate and the peelie says good on any flavor I will remove it from the blueberry so I can purchase the chocolate.
kristen
I have taken peelies, but I also leave coupons I’m not going to use by items.
kirsten
The other day i bought two packages of maxi pads that had peelies on them. Both were for $1.00 off. But since I had a $2. off coupon in my coupon organizer, that was about to expire , I used one of the peelies and the $2 coupon and saved the other peelie for another time. I Dn’t take peelies off of packages unless I am buying them . I have however been know to take a couple of extra coupons from the store tear pads and save them for a later time. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking a few extra if you know you’ll use them and you don’t go crazy and take too many.
Hita
There were Try Me Free Peelies on shampoos and the variety of shampoo I wanted for “thin hair” was out of stock so I took one from another variety next to it on the shelf and bought my shampoo a few days later when it was restocked (WITHOUT the peelies!!) . Stealing ??? Shoplifting??? I don’t think so. Just common sense. Those of you that are preaching with “I WOULD NEVER” might have done the same thing. I left the store feeling like a smart shopper taking advantage of a good deal…not a thief.
Melissa
It never even crossed my mind to take a peelie for later use…. with that being said I have “swapped” peelies (for example, the original cheez its was missing it’s peelie, and the low fat still had the peelie on, I would take the lowfat one, but purchase the regular) nothing wrong with that- and yes, the pads of coupons are for consumers who will use them, I will take as many $2 off cheezit coupons as I think i would use by the experation date (as long as the stack is full
Catherine
Yesterday while at CVS, I was lucky enough to find a save $5 now peelie on the listerine whitestrips I was buying for my mom. It was the only one left and it gave me 3 ECB. But sadly someone had stolen the strips inside. Didn’t even know until we went back home.
I think 3 is a good imit on the tearpad coupon.
Bonnie
Why 3? If I am going to use 10 coupons to buy 10 of their product, why is that bad. I can understand not clearing the pad, but there are usually plenty to take, even multiple pads most times. I am a big fan of finding great drink peelies at convenience and gas stations and using them at the grocery stores where they double. If I am going to drink and use 10 gatorades, why wouldn’t I try to find 10 coupons, I’m trying to save money, isn’t that the point. I know that manufacturer’s are trying to push their products and get people to try new things, but these blogs and shopping with coupons the way we do, that’s saving money, not trying new things!
Sharon
I can only think of one product I have ever used that even HAD a peelie on it. Perhaps it’s just me, My brands never seem to offer peelies in the first place. I’ve taken a few blinkies but again, i rarely see a blinkie for a product I buy. I do take a few of the bottle neck coupons. The ones placed on the neck of the bottle of soda or juice. I buy those things and maybe not get them that particular visit but future visits. Most people just tear it off andthrow it away anyway
jennifer
Blinkies, tear-pads, peelies, hang-tags – they are all put there by the manufacturer to be used by the consumer, either now or later – I take and use them all!
Hita
well said!
madmommy
Found this link while searching on the legality of removing peelies…you all have really made me think about this topic. I agree with the manufacturer in this article…
madmommy
whoops, sorry
here’s the link
https://www.dailybreeze.com/business/ci_14962217
Candice S
That is only one perspective though. My SO works for Pepsi as a Salesrep; and when stocking product they often have stickers to stick to product as they fill. My Brother does the same thing for Frito, and often they give him rolls of stickers. The peelies are always given to them to entice the customer to buy product, and they are encouraged to encourage customers to take them. I have seen my SO and other Pepsi reps even have customers take a peelie off of a box of crush (and the peelie said “good on purchase of two crush”) and tell them to use it on their purchase of DrPepper or Pepsi (their coupons work the same no matter the flavor). For the Salesreps and Merchandisers I know, the peelies are to get people to buy product and help create a good feeling that will leave the customer coming back, and they don’t care if they are used on the product they stick them on or another.
Emma
I take extra blinkies to use at a later date (usually at the same store though), and my 2 year old gets a kick out of looking for the blinkies and pulling a coupon!
Constance
I don’t take peelies off one item to use on another. But tear pads and blinkies are “first come first serve” in my book. The manufacturers WANT you to use them, and they couldn’t care less what store you use them at as long as you buy thier product! If I stumble onto a great deal, I’m going to take it, and if I don’t use them, I will leave them on a stores’ shelf for someone else to find b4 they expire. It’s nice to be nice, but I’m not going to lose out on a super deal…. that’s why I coupon to begin with.
Caroline
I actually thought you couldn’t use a peelie on a different package than the one it’s on. Apparently I’m naive! I take a couple of blinkies when I see good ones. My Kroger has very few so it’s pretty much a moot point. My biggest pet peeve and I’ve really only noticed it at CVS is when people peel back or take off completely the Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards stickers. Then the purchaser can’t use it! Frustrates me every time I see it!
Candice S
I never use those because I am not a mom! I do have a few codes though from some wipes I bought, if you would like the codes I can message them to you :)
Caroline
I’d love them! [email protected]
Candice S
I sent these to you :)
Carrie
I read through a lot of this and have a question: Does anyone else’s store have a time-sensitive blinkie machine? Mine will allow you to take one, pause and take another. If you try to take three or more, there is a large lapse in time between them printing. Maybe it’s a problem in my area? I can’t imagine that by the dirty looks I get from my coupons. And yeah, I’ve taken four or more blinkies, when I am buying four or more of the item the coupon is for!
Cindy Waddill
It is never ok to take a peelie off a product you are not buying right then. But as far as the blinkie are concern, yes, the manufactures put those out for the consumers and I believe it is our choice as to when we use then. It is hard to “empty” one out since they will only dispense a couple at a time. If it is an item I use a lot I may linger on that isle for a few minutes to take another couple, or make sure if I come back in the store again later for anything to check again to see if the blinkie is still there. Some of them are up for a few weeks, so that allows us to get multiple coupons.
Amy
i dont see a problem if you are taking a tear pad or blinkie coupon – as long as it is with in reason – not to resell… but if you know that you really like a certain product, and there is a blinkie or tear pad, take a couple… so when u do see them on sale then u have them…
i dont think it is right to peel them off of items… i ran across that at one time… i went to get the ritz toasted crackers….and they had a 1.00 off coupon on the front – there was a huge stand that had them (and it was like 1130/midnight..) i went back at 9am that next morning – there was a huge stock, but there were no coupons on them… you could see the little plastic sticker they were attached to, but no coupon, that really upset me…beacause i was going to BUY The product and use the Coupon. :( o well,
Cheryl
I see ppl in target all the time peeling coupons off of items they do not buy. I think what a shame. When I go down the baby isle I see that the j&j powder,lotion,oil and such have had all the coupons peeled. I don’t think that is cool. Tear pads I will take 1 or 2. If it is an item I know is going on sale and it has to be something I am low on. Like ziplock bags or something like that.
Dee
I don’t see anything wrong with taking blinkies, peelies or tearpad q’s if I know that I will use them at a later time. I don’t take every single one or anything crazy like that but I will take a few if I know that I will absolutely use them. I won’t take them if I know that I won’t use them because someone else might need them a lot more than me. I’ve seen places were someone has went thru and taken all but one of the peelies and I think that they must be selling them or something. Its just common curtousey to leave some for the next couponer! :)
Laura C
I’ve read all the comments and read the article linked by madmommy above, and I would like to play devil’s advocate. The peelies are commonly for the same amount and having same wording as the coupons found in the newspaper inserts. Most recently, I saw peelies for $2 off any 2 Scrubbing Bubbles products, and I had a stack of the equivalent newspaper insert coupon sitting in my coupon binder. I have also watched the stock guy at Target slap peelies onto products, and believe me, he was haphazardly sticking them on ‘whichever’ products he was closest to with no rhyme or reason to variety. He obviously had a roll of stickers to stick, and he was sticking. Thus, is the peelie truly part of the product packaging such that one is stealing them when they remove them? Or rather, isn’t the peelie just an alternative dispensing/distribution means used by manufacturers to provide coupons for consumers to use. The exception: peelies which specifically state that they should only be removed only by the cashier. Given that some peelies make that specific statement, while others are silent on that point, can we not view this as the manufacturer setting the standard by what they print on their coupons? To make an analogy, would those who consider taking peelies stealing also not use a coupon to get a free travel sized item (promoted by most bargain bloggers as a positive) when the manufacturer supposedly ‘clearly intended’ by the value that it should be used on full sized item but failed to make the trail/travel size exclusion?
Tara G
Laura C said :To make an analogy, would those who consider taking peelies stealing also not use a coupon to get a free travel sized item (promoted by most bargain bloggers as a positive) when the manufacturer supposedly ‘clearly intended’ by the value that it should be used on full sized item but failed to make the trail/travel size exclusion? — My reply to that is: One cannot assume that one should not use such a coupon on a sample or travel sized item. Product manufacturers surely are aware that some might use coupons ( indicated as “good on any size” with or without that wording) toward small packages. Perhaps it IS some manufacturers’ intent, instead holding sample promotions & sending samples through the mail.
Marissa
Yes, I’ll take peelies off one item to use on another item. Example – today at Target – I peeled off .55 shout manf. q’s from the big bottles to use on the little bottles. Just because I peeled them off doesn’t mean they are not going to be used. Sorry to whoever wants to buy those big bottles..but I got there first. I think I’m just smart enough to know that I can use them on a different size…Just because they are on the big bottles doesn’t mean I have to buy the big bottles. Also, if I see peelies at walmart and the product is on sale at target (but there aren’t peelies at target)…I’m gonna peel the walmart peelies off and use them at target. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s frustrating when people sell peelies on ebay, though. I hate that! I wouldn’t take peelies off if I wasn’t absolutely sure I need them.
My mom buys stuff all the time because they have peelies on them..and then she forgets to use the peelies. I used to do that before I got the “couponer eye”. I can spot a coupon from a mile away. A lot of people don’t even use/see the peelies.
Amy
I was just looking for Kashi coupons on Ebay and low and behold someone is selling a whole stack of peelies! ARGH! That is so not fair.
carolyn
I wonder if they are aware that this is illegal and Ebay is under litigation right now from coupon suppliers like Smart Source,because of allowing people to sell them?
Diana B
To me, peelies and blinkies are the same thing, just different methods so I will take one or two and save them for later if I know it’s something I’ll probably buy anyway.
The people who are writing that it’s wrong to take a peelie haven’t really stated WHY it’s wrong…
Rachael Mercer
In my coupon workshops I teach that peelies/tearpads and blinkies are a great source of coupons….and that you don’t wait until you want to buy the item. If you see it now, get it now. Because I guarantee when you go back to buy the item on sale, the peelies/blinkies/tearpad coupons will be gone.
I think there’s nothing wrong with removing peelies or taking blinkies or tearpad coupons with you. Typically, if I can find 4, I pick 4. If they have outlandish exp. dates a year or two in the future, I’ll pick off more.
You see, I purchase 2 double papers in my area, so typically I have 4 of each coupon anyway. If I’m going to do any matching or stacking, I need 4 of the peelie/blinkie/tearpad.
I do have a problem with tearpad stripping–where you come along and steal the whole tearpad to distribute yourself–whether to friends or by selling. I don’t think the manufacturer would be happy to know you’ve done that. They didn’t appoint you distributor.
But overall, unless the coupon says save on THIS product or save NOW when you buy this product, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to help yourself–within reason!
Kristen
The way I see it…not everyone uses those peelies. They buy the product and throw the box away (peelie still attached). My girlfriends do it all the time. They’re not into couponing, so the peelies just get tossed.