SDM sucks big time since Loblaws took over

[The__Rock]

Anybody else feel the same way?

I used to look forward to the upcoming flyer to see what kind of optimum deals could be had. Now I don't even bother looking.

[johnb56789]

Agreed!

I haven't really been into couponing long (early last year/ late 2014) and even in mid 2015 I was excited when I got my optimum coupons to print off. I still have a PDF of some of the coupons like;

3000 Pts WUS $10 on OTC Medication
Pay $2.99 for 400pk Q-tips
Pay $2.99 for 12pk Coca-Cola
600 Pts WUB Neilson Milk 4L
$4.20 off Liquid Tide
Pay $0.99 for a Colgate Manual Toothbrush
2700 Pts WUB ANY Toilet Paper

[SavvyLady]

I agree, there's not as many deals, and the flyers all start looking the same week after week. I'm using my stock pile, and only buying what I need or if it's an amazing deal!! One of my personal deals was something like $4.99 for head and shoulders, first I may have bought this a year ago when it was on sale and with coupons, so basically free. Now, they think that's a deal at $4.99!! I miss all the old promotions and deals!! Oh well, I'm saving a lot!!

[lecale]

I have earned $350 points on $850 purchases this year so I am not going to complain for a second. That's a 40% bonus.

[nalaric]

Still better than any other rewards program out there. It may not be as good as it was a few years ago, but there are still good deals to be had! I've redeemed for over $2000 in free stuff this year, for just over $4000 spent. (I do the shopping for 3 households). I'd like to see you get 30-35% overall savings anywhere else.

[krrosell]

I hardly buy anything there, mostly milk and diapers and wipes when the sales and coupons are good enough and I have already made $200 in points! It is much better than PC points I find and I get lots of tailored point offers for milk diapers and wipes. I guess it depends on what you buy

[annedougherty]

I get more points than ever lol. Sorry to those who feel that way!

[mulock]

I still feel the Optimum loyalty program is the best one for me, although I have to agree that a lot of the product bonus offers aren't very applicable (not surprising since Loblaws wants to push their product lines), but I find I always use the "Spend $10 get 2000 points" offers....I get this offer almost every 2 weeks like clockwork so I buy my eggs and bread from Shoppers Drug Mart when they are on sale and with this offer.

[Poirot]

I hardly buy anything at Shoppers anymore.I never buy PC or no name.Optimum bonus points are stuff I never buy.

[Frugalbigmama]

I had decided last year to give SDM another go this year and rack up points for FALL/Christmas redemption. A few times took advantage of good sales and 20X the points for for personal use but my points are mostly from shopping for work. I have enough for 3 high level redemptions plus 20,000 pts for a small one. I was tempted to redeem for a cologne sampler pack on the weekend if I found other sale items to go with it to get the best bang for my buck. They were sold out of them and don't expect more for months!!!! So thinking I better redeem soon when out of town to get those for gifts since my SDM is going to be hard for me to redeem at.

[Natalka]

No, I don't feel that way - though I sure miss some Life products.
I only shop there for the specials - even before, I rarely spent enough at one shot to make use of pts WUS. Just slowly and surely build up pts.

[lecale]

They are the closest cheapest milk to home for me, and getting the bonus for buying milk each week keeps me coming back. (There is a convenience store literally across the street from me but their milk is off-date, they don't have 1%, it's more expensive...no reason to bite.) 50% of what I spend at Shoppers is basic grocery like milk, eggs, flour, coffee and 50% of that total is milk alone. I only buy when things are at rock-bottom prices and to get points back...well, they're subsidizing me.

I hope they don't change the program but my feelings are changes are upcoming for 2017.

[barbis9]

I agree, there's not as many deals, and the flyers all start looking the same week after week...... I miss all the old promotions and deals!!

I agree 100% - the same products go on sale each and every week. I no longer stock up because I know in two weeks the same thing will be on sale. I used to love Life brand but it is slowing getting replaced by Presidents Choice which I buy at Fortinos.

What we need is a USA drugstore chain to open up in Canada to create some competition and deals.

[barbis9]

They are the closest cheapest milk to home for me, and getting the bonus for buying milk each week keeps me coming back. (There is a convenience store literally across the street from me but their milk is off-date, they don't have 1%, it's more expensive...no reason to bite.) 50% of what I spend at Shoppers is basic grocery like milk, eggs, flour, coffee and 50% of that total is milk alone. I only buy when things are at rock-bottom prices and to get points back...well, they're subsidizing me..

My Shoppers is ALWAYS out of stock when there is a sale on food.....very frustrating.....I can't depend on them for grocery basics otherwise I would have a lot more points by now.

[barbis9]

I also wanted to add - because each Shoppers is independently owned by a pharmacist - I have noticed prices do vary from store to store on non sale items.