Gum purchase Ethics

[mm1761]

I am not trying to be mean. This is just my thinking and ethical views.
Is that ethical to use only a 10 cents stick of gum and one manufacturing coupon for another item and 1 register rewards on your purchase so that you can get the total purchase for cheap? For example, you get $3 register rewards printed for something that costs $4 and is already on sale and you have one manufacturing coupon for $1. So you pay $3 and get $3 register rewards, essentially making the item free as long as you use the register rewards. Out of pocket is $3. Then you purchase another item and use the $3 register rewards. The item is down to $1. You use another manufacturing coupon that's worth $1 for the item to make the item free except that now you need to purchase something so that you can use 2 manufacturing coupons. (Register Rewards are considered manufacturing coupons). Only one manufacturing coupon per item is allowed. You use the stick of gum for 10 cents in the same purchase (meaning two things will print on your receipt). This way you can have 2 items and 2 manufacturing coupons. Out of pocket is now only 10 cents. Your total out of pocket for everything is $3.10 cents.
My question: Is it ethical to only buy a stick of gum to make the other, more expensive item, free the second time and only pay 10 cents for everything the second time? This means that for the 3 products your out of pocket is $3.10? Isn't that kind of "sneaky" to only use the stick of gum? I buy something else for the same purchase if I have more register rewards and manufacturing coupons than the number of items and the item I buy is always more expensive than a few cents, even if it is on sale. I really do not like the idea of the 10 cents gum purchase because it seems like it's abusing the system.

[Amandarada]

I Have no problem using a filler item to use two q's at walgreens. This is their written store coupon policy, it would only be unethical if you where breaking policy to get something for free and your not you are followng their printed requirments. Also before i knew about what a "filler" item was i had a cashier educate me on the 33 cents caramel pieces so i could use my q and rr on one item. i had one item and one q and one rr. scanned item and q, then gave rr and she said you can use this but i have to ring up another item how about a 33 cent caramel, that way the rr goes through. Just today i had a manager check me out and they too had no problem with the "filler" item because this is their rule, no one is pulling the wool over someones eyes here

[Rooster]

It's not unethical if it is working within the confines of the rules, regardless of the price. Strategic shopping relies on some deals like this to keep your RRs rolling with little out of pocket.

[NatPatBen]

I always get the .33 caramels at CVS. They don't carry them at my Walgreens or I'd def use that as a filler. Those things are GOOD!

[Mizstomp]

If you feel that is unethical, then by all means, don't do it. But it's not against their policy, I had the store manager tell me to go get a laffy taffy for $.25 and use it as a "Filler"...I had no idea I could do it, until the manager said it was A OK.

[Bear]

I think it is unethical for Wags to require a filler at all. I wish I could find something for less than $0.10.

[KristenG]

I think it is unethical for Wags to require a filler at all. I wish I could find something for less than $0.10.

Agreed! I wish they treated RR's like CVS & Rite-Aid do their rewards. No "fillers" necessary. If you feel really bad about buying the cheapest thing, then go ahead and get something more expensive, but you're spending more OOP than necessary & are playing by their rules either way.