Nice Thread for People New to SDM Optimum points tricks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bumper
Updates (in blue font):
Since this thread has gotten so long, with lots of great optimizing tips throughout (thanks to mcminsen and all the many other posters) I thought I’d consolidate them all, though I will probably miss a few, so if I do, let me know and I will add them as long -if they are not too “iffy”. Good luck at the Jan 2 20x points event :)
Thought I’d start a thread on strategies for optimizing SDM optimum points, as I have a few tricks I use and I’m guessing there are many other good ones tricks out there.
Attributing a discount value to points events (just my personal preferences)
For 20x events, I allocate the points value (savings) equally between purchases on 20x day purchases and future point redemption purchases. For redemption, I assume I’m redeeming 40,000 (35,000 with Optimum Plus) for $100 of product on a bonus redemption day. If I’m redeeming 75,000 (65,000 with Optimum Plus) for $200 I allocate the extra saving directly to the bonus redemption purchases. I carry around this cheat sheet that allows me to quickly reference the saving and determine if it is a good deal for me or not. Savings are adjusted for taxable product, because you can’t use points to pay for tax and there are no points earned on tax.
Regular Optimum Point Card holder Cheat Sheet
20x event or bonus redemption day (40,000 points): 33.33% off Non-taxable Product/29.50% off taxable product
Bonus Redemption Day (75,000 points): 37.49% off Non-taxable Product/33.18% off taxable product
Optimum Plus Member Cheat Sheet
20x event or bonus redemption day (35,000 points): 36.36% off Non-taxable Product/32.18% off taxable product
Bonus Redemption Day (65,000 points): 40.91% off Non- taxable Product/36.20% off taxable product
Suggestions for attributing value to bonus/coupon points (WARNING: for math geeks and those with blind faith only).
Regular optimum members
· 400 bonus points worth $1 off free product on BRD (bonus redemption day).
· 100 bonus points is worth $0.25 of free product on BRD (bonus redemption day). Since you will be assuming a discount on redemption day assign 8.3 cents of that value to that discount on points redemption and 16.7 cents of that value as a discount on the product you are purchasing and earning the points on.
Optimum plus members
· 350 bonus points is worth $1 off free product on BRD (bonus redemption day).
· 100 bonus points is worth $0.285 of free product on BRD (bonus redemption day). Since you will be assuming a discount on redemption day assign 9.5 cents of that value to that discount on points redemption and 19 cents of that value as a discount on the product you are purchasing and earning the points on.
Tips for Achieving Optimum Plus Status
Coupons & Regular points towards Optimum plus:
Use as many coupons as possible, because you still earn regular points on the value of the coupon as well as bonus points on 20x points day, which helps you reach optimum plus without having to actually spend $1,000 in a year.
Always purchase Milk (competitively priced at $3.97 for 4L) at Shoppers, if it is conveniently located for you. You will be $200 closer to optimum plus status, even if you only use one 4L bag a week. Eggs and butter are frequently priced competitively too.
While most other product is regularly priced 10 to 30% higher at SDM than anywhere else, don’t just assume it is. Do some price comparisions on product you regularly purchase. I.e. in my area Dole pineapple slices are $1.27 at RCSS, $0.87 at Walmart and $0.99 at SDM.
· Purchase an SDM gift card and use the card for your purchases. You will receive regular points on both the GC and the purchases made with the gift card, getting you to + status for spending only $500 (less value of coupons used) instead of $1000.
· Use coupons/MIRs – regular points earned on coupons count towards Plus status.
· If you are sure you are going to achieve plus status this year, save your points till then and calculate value as if you are a plus member.
· Use gift cards to purchase stamps, prescription and other items you don’t normally earn any points on, to get at least one set of regular points.
Collecting Points
· Participate in “Tell A Friend Events” on SC and/or get hubby a card and use that to participate.
· Shoppers Optimum Mastercard gets you 25 points per $1 spent (+ bonus points) at SDM instead of 10, plus 5 pts for every $1 spent at other locations.
· Look for product you need that have bonus points – you can earn them on top of 20x points event or when redeeming points
· Shop for other people
· Coupons: At 20 times points events, you will also earn 20x points on the value of the coupon if the cashier uses coupon code 2001, if they use code 2002 you will not earn points. Based on comments from posters it looks like they use code 2002 on FPCs, and code 2001 on other coupons, but this may not always be true. I’ve alway’s earned 20 points on regular coupons.
Things to be wary of
· Amex gift cards – most who purchased these regretted it, even with the additional points they got.<o:p></o:p>
:):):) :cool::cool::cool:
