SDM Optimum Point Program - Optimizing

[mcminsen]

gr8 post...the math would be totally different for province like BC, NL where no points on prescription drugs and 75/170$ bonus redemption. Can you give an optimizaton for that?

Actually, we get points on prescriptions here in BC. It's great because between Save On and Urban Fare and Safeway and Shoppers Drugmart there's usually a pretty good competition going on for our prescription business.

When you achieve PLUS status by accumulating 10,000 REGULAR points in one calendar year, it's effective immediately and then through to the end of the NEXT calendar year. Always make sure you're getting those regular points, though. If you use the SDM gift card trick, then you would only have to spend about $9.62 per week on average.

I use my Shoppers Optimum Mastercard to buy Shoppers Drugmart gift cards all the time. The points are coming in so fast I can't keep track of them. BTW, I wish I could see an accounting of how all my points are accumulated on the Shoppers Optimum website.

It's hard to distill all this info down to something that is easier to understand because you have to pay attention to myriad details like the difference between regular points and bonus points and the differences between the provinces and then there's the inconsistency with the way the SDM staff deal with things and apply policies. I applaud any effort to wade into this and try to make it more understandable.

***edit*** It now takes 15,000 REGULAR points to get PLUS status. So, if you use the SDM gift card trick, then you would have to spend about $14.43 per week on average (to get to PLUS status in one year).

[bdidol]

Actually, we get points on prescriptions here in BC. It's great because between Save On and Urban Fare and Safeway and Shoppers Drugmart there's usually a pretty good competition going on for our prescription business.

When you achieve PLUS status by accumulating 10,000 REGULAR points in one calendar year, it's effective immediately and then through to the end of the NEXT calendar year. Always make sure you're getting those regular points, though. If you use the SDM gift card trick, then you would only have to spend about $9.62 per week on average.

I use my Shoppers Optimum Mastercard to buy Shoppers Drugmart gift cards all the time. The points are coming in so fast I can't keep track of them. BTW, I wish I could see an accounting of how all my points are accumulated on the Shoppers Optimum website.

It's hard to distill all this info down to something that is easier to understand because you have to pay attention to myriad details like the difference between regular points and bonus points and the differences between the provinces and then there's the inconsistency with the way the SDM staff deal with things and apply policies. I applaud any effort to wade into this and try to make it more understandable.

thanks....

Regarding plus membership, I am pretty sure I had more then 10,000 points at the end of last year, but did not see anything mentioned in my receipt. Is there a way to verify it?

in my province SDM doing a very bad business....only couple of stores and just one of them occupy a bigger space with grocery shelves. Also I frequently noticed there sale price of many items still higher then WM/Zellers. I asked them about the points for prescription drugs and they mentioned its a provincial pharmacist regulations..whatever that means!

For milk and egg, I always found SDM very handy!! The regular milk price outside anywhere is 3.77 they sale it for 3.44 and 12 egss 2.99 and offer frequent sale of 1.97.

[Bumper]

I was factoring in the point you get back, because really it's only costing you 35,000 points if you redeem 40,000 and get back 5,000 right away. For example, if you have 100,000 points and redeem 40,000 and get back 5,000, you will still have 65,000 points.

i dont get it, you state plus member for bonus redemption are 35, 000 and 65,000 points but really you have to redeem 40,000 and 75,000 and you get 5, 000 and 10,000 back respectively imeediately upon redemption

[mcminsen]

thanks....

Regarding plus membership, I am pretty sure I had more then 10,000 points at the end of last year, but did not see anything mentioned in my receipt. Is there a way to verify it?

in my province SDM doing a very bad business....only couple of stores and just one of them occupy a bigger space with grocery shelves. Also I frequently noticed there sale price of many items still higher then WM/Zellers. I asked them about the points for prescription drugs and they mentioned its a provincial pharmacist regulations..whatever that means!

For milk and egg, I always found SDM very handy!! The regular milk price outside anywhere is 3.77 they sale it for 3.44 and 12 egss 2.99 and offer frequent sale of 1.97.

Remember, BONUS points don't count towards PLUS status. It's just the REGULAR points that will get you to PLUS status. When you have PLUS status it will tell you on every receipt.

I called SDM customer service a few days ago to find out about prescriptions in Ontario. Some provinces don't allow points for prescriptions. It's the law.

One way to get points for prescriptions in Ontario is to buy a SDM gift card and then pay for your prescription with the SDM gift card. I had this confirmed by SDM customer service over the phone. Always ask your SDM pharmacist if you can pay for your prescription with a SDM gift card.

[kashren]

To redeem you HAVE to have 40 000 or 75 000 points. The benefit of being a plus member is that they give you 5 000 or 10 000 points back upon redemption. Makes sense to me.

And technically, you can earn points on tax by purchasing a SDM gift card to cover the total with taxes. You earn the 10 points per dollar of taxes based on that.

You truly are a Shoppers Guru! My hubby thought I was nuts to buy a Shoppers GC but now he'll understand...TAXES make anyone understand!

[Bumper]

Wow! Can’t believe all the great ideas I never even dreamed of for reaching optimum status and maximizing point value. Will definitely be getting some SDM gift cards in the new year to help towards attaining plus status in 2011 and earn points on tax and other stuff you don’t normally get points for!
Also got some nice reps from a few people. Wanted to send a thank you for them all, but can’t seem to figure out how to get back into the list – can anyone help?
Had a few question from members about the calculations for the discount value of the points, so I will do my best to explain.
For regular optimum cards holder:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
If you purchase $200 worth of product during 20x points events, you will receive 40,000 points, which can be redeemed for $100 in free stuff (Ontario and some other provinces) on bonus redemption day. Therefore you are getting $300 for spending only $200 – a 33.33% overall discount on non-taxable stuff.
If the product is taxable you will have to pay tax on $300. Assuming 13% tax (GST & PST), that’s $39, so it is costing you $239 for product that would usually cost $339 without the points benefit. $239/$339= 0.7050, so a 29.5% discount.
For regular optimum plus cards holder:<o:p></o:p>
If you purchase $175 worth of product during 20x points events, you will receive 35,000 points, which can be redeemed for $100 in free stuff (Ontario and some other provinces) on bonus redemption day. Therefore you are getting $275 for spending only $175 – a 36.36% overall discount on non-taxable stuff.
If the product is taxable you will have to pay tax on $275. Assuming 13% tax, that’s $35.75, so it is costing you $210.75 for product that would usually cost $310.75 without the points benefit. $210.75/$310.75= 0.6782, so a 32.18% discount.

[kashren]

Ah, that's what I thought you were doing by looking at the overall picture. My hubby has to drive me so I'll stick with the 65ish% theory ...he'll never go if I tell him the REAL truth.

[S J]

I need a through study of this thread! now after my first redemption...........................got the taste of blood!{points}

[Insane]

=SDM cannot reverse back points when you do a return but they do a gift card for the amount of the purchase. .

They can return the points. They messed up on Saturday and they had to do it for me. I got my redemption points back and then did it again properly.

[aimeee]

[quote=mcminsen;1515225]
......
When you achieve PLUS status by accumulating 10,000 REGULAR points in one calendar year, it's effective immediately and then through to the end of the NEXT calendar year. Always make sure you're getting those regular points, though. ......

Can you confirm this thing?------Suppose I reached PLUS today(Nov29,2009), Can this PLUS status be effective till Nov28,2010 or just the last day of 2009?

[Poirot]

[quote=aimeee;1515510]

......
When you achieve PLUS status by accumulating 10,000 REGULAR points in one calendar year, it's effective immediately and then through to the end of the NEXT calendar year. Always make sure you're getting those regular points, though. ......

Can you confirm this thing?------Suppose I reached PLUS today(Nov29,2009), Can this PLUS status be effective till Nov28,2010 or just the last day of 2009?

You would have plus status until December 31,2010.

[julie.leeds]

I didn't do bonus redemption because I am only 1550 pts away from plus, and I figured that I will buy gift cards (depending how much I need by then) and use them boxing day and hopefully score a bunch of stuff half price, and pay for it with the gift cards taking me to plus then when I do a redemption I will be able to get points back.

[miztia]

I dont use a credit card, but can you use the SDM credit card to pay for groceries at other stores, and also use the other stores points program? Would I get SDM points per dollar spent plus airmiles if I shopped at Metro or Rexall? If that was the case, I may consider getting one.

[bdidol]

I dont use a credit card, but can you use the SDM credit card to pay for groceries at other stores, and also use the other stores points program? Would I get SDM points per dollar spent plus airmiles if I shopped at Metro or Rexall? If that was the case, I may consider getting one.

http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/engli...est/index.html

• Earn 25 points for every $1 in purchases at Shoppers Drug Mart (15 points^‡ for using your credit card, plus 10 additional points^♦♦ just for showing your Shoppers Optimum Card^®)
  
• 1.99% Introductory Annual Interest Rate^† on Cheque Cash Advances and Balance Transfers* for 6 months
  
• Feel secure with around-the-clock fraud protection
  
• Enjoy free online access to your credit card account
  
• Access unparalleled 24-hour customer service
  
• No Annual Fee

[bdidol]

sorry check this link instead: http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/engli...card/info.html