This is the exact same process by which bookstores "return" magazines, comics, and mass market paperbacks, as D mentioned.
They use the same justification, as well. Retailers report the items as unsold and receive a partial credit from vendors.
I would not be surprised if grocery stores deal with their unsold goods in the same way - it's not like they send their produce back to the farmers, so they must destroy what's left, but then they probably report it as a loss.
Though, obviously, the shelf life of a book, CD, or DVD is longer than the lifespan of the average orange.
It's a bit of a tricky situation, though - I understand that for tax purposes and business reasons it makes more sense to destroy remainders than to ship them back, but I do question the illegality of going through "destroyed" property and making use of it.
You'd think the items could be donated, or put to some other beneficial use, but if you were caught taking "stripped" merchandise anywhere but the trash, you'd get fired for the attempt.
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As D Mentioned... (as Former Bookseller)
They use the same justification, as well. Retailers report the items as unsold and receive a partial credit from vendors.
I would not be surprised if grocery stores deal with their unsold goods in the same way - it's not like they send their produce back to the farmers, so they must destroy what's left, but then they probably report it as a loss.
Though, obviously, the shelf life of a book, CD, or DVD is longer than the lifespan of the average orange.
It's a bit of a tricky situation, though - I understand that for tax purposes and business reasons it makes more sense to destroy remainders than to ship them back, but I do question the illegality of going through "destroyed" property and making use of it.
You'd think the items could be donated, or put to some other beneficial use, but if you were caught taking "stripped" merchandise anywhere but the trash, you'd get fired for the attempt.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by hinotori.
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