Saving - Shopping Necessity: Expiration Date Check!

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn over the past year and half (when my obessision with coupons started...lol), is that you cannot trust the face value of a sale and the product on the shelf.

Yes, one would think that stores are held accountable for the products they sell and would ensure that these products would not be outside of expiration.  However, I have found SEVERAL examples of expired products on shelves of many of the stores I shop and trust(ed).

In the picture above, the microwave popcorn I was going to purchase on Sunday (9/11/11) actually expired on December 16, 2010.  Don't let the Month and Day fool you, I'm talking about 9 months worth of expiration here, still on the shelf!  Not 1 box, but more than 10!!!

Here are my tips and/or suggestions while shopping:

*ALWAYS check expiration dates on products (ALL products). 
*Keep in mind that some of the really *hot* sales or unadvertised deep discounts can be an alert for 'close date' (or expiring soon) products.  Businesses are looking to make something off of a product that may be expiring soon, so they drop the price.
*If a product is 'close date', consider your usage for this product.  Can you use it by the date suggested for use?  If yes, be sure to store the product at the front of your pantry, refrigerator, etc to ensure you do not forget about it!
*If the product is expired, *PLEASE* take it up to Customer Service to avoid others from accidentally purchasing the product! 
*If you are purchasing multiples of the same item and stockpiling, check for later expiration dates to the back for the ones that you know you will not be using right away.  And then be sure to store accordingly with the closer expiration dates to the front!
*And of course, be sure to rotate your own stock at home to help avoid your pantry becoming filled with expired items!

There's nothing like getting a deal on something and then going to use it a week later and finding out it expired 9 months ago!!

What tips do you have about expiration dates?!  Do you agree with my tips or have anything to add?  Please share!