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Spices and Coupon Ethics

March 11th, 2007 at 10:55 pm

First on spices: most know that I rant and rave (ok, not exactly) about buying spices in bulk versus getting them at the dollar store, etc. I promise you, they definitely taste better. Moreover, chances are you will STILL get a better financial deal, and today I have proof!

I usually buy Italian blend herbs in bulk from my favorite natural goods store. They no longer carry it, so I was looking at having to buy it online Frown Before I did that and had to pay shipping, I decided to try Whole Foods.

Long story short: they will not replace my normal natural store (yay, local business!), but they do have the Italian seasoning I want. Specifically, I bought a pre-packed quarter pound of herbs for $2.29 before tax, which works out to be about 57 cents per ounce. Check the bottles you buy from the dollar store: I'm willing to bet a quarter that they're a buck for about half an ounce, aka 4 times the price!

The picture below is to give you an idea of just how much 4 ounces of herb actually is. I'd already refilled my spice jar when I took this picture, too! Assuming I just use this to cook, rather than making gifts with it like I normally do, this will last me more than a year.



And now, coupon ethics. My grocery store has a setup where you scan your own groceries as you shop, then go to self checkout, scan your coupons, pay and leave. Pretty nice! I scanned a coupon today that rang up fine, and I looked at it and it expired yesterday. ACK!!! So, if the self checkout will accept expired coupons, do you think it is OK to use them, or should I just trash them? Opinions, please!

Posted in General Commentary | 6 Comments »

6 Responses to “Spices and Coupon Ethics”

  1. monkeymama Says:
    March 11th, 2007 at 11:19 pm 1173655184
    1173655184

    IT depends. Does the store usually take expired coupons? Often places take them. Seems to me if they were nitpicky on the expiration date it would be in the barcode.

    You could always try a couple of more - or really expired ones - and see if they go through. IF they all do then it is a bit more of an ethical dilemma. If it just takes them once in a while, eh, I wouldn't worry when it does. I would be trying all my expired coupons then... Wink

    Hmmm, thanks for the spice tips will have to look into those.

  2. Ima saver Says:
    March 11th, 2007 at 11:30 pm 1173655848
    1173655848

    Sorry, but I do use expired coupons. But, I don't make a fuss when something is marked on sale for 89 cents, but when I scan it, I am charged $1.19. do you know how often that happens? It just happened to me yesterday.

  3. PRICEPLUS Says:
    March 12th, 2007 at 06:38 am 1173681495
    1173681495

    I buy bulk spices form the Atlantic Spice company. As for coupon ethics....well you can try and use a coupon....I love Bed Bath and Beyond as they alwasy take coupons regardless of expiration. They have done so so far!WinkSmile

  4. threebeansalad Says:
    March 12th, 2007 at 05:38 pm 1173721112
    1173721112

    Meridith at Like Merchant Ships has been doing some Spice Comparison posts. Check it out: http://likemerchantships.blogspot.com/2007/03/cheap-spices-cinnamon.html

  5. fairy74 Says:
    March 12th, 2007 at 06:43 pm 1173725039
    1173725039

    If the store has not taken the time to reset their coupon codes or if they accept expired coupons go for it. Laziness on another's part is just that, they are the ones that have the contracts with the manufacturers not you...just my .02 cents

  6. katwoman Says:
    March 12th, 2007 at 07:04 pm 1173726277
    1173726277

    Just a tip: the retailers are usually given 180 days (from the manufacturers) to get those coupons redeemed from the date they were submitted to the store by the couponer. THe retailer is also to provide, if asked, sales data to prove the sale and coupon redemption of the items. Now for the good part .......the manufacturers want the proof from the retailers because in the past some retailers committed.......coupon fraud! That's right, they would have someone clip/buy coupons without any corresponding sales and submit those to the fulfillment houses for the cash fattening the stores' bottom line!

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