SDM Optimum Point Program - Optimizing

[mcminsen]

Darn!!! I wasn't here most of last week, so I missed a lot.

I am very near to achieving the Plus status. Guess I have to content with SDM GC purchases then.

Thanks for the responses.

ummm... just to be clear, the bonus points you would have gotten with the AMEX gift card deal would NOT have counted towards your getting PLUS status. Just REGULAR points count towards PLUS status.

[couponclipperfun]

I like how you've taken into account the taxes that may have to be paid on some stuff that you get for redeeming. A lot of people forget to take that into account when trying to weigh the value of Optimum points.

As long as SDM gives regular points for buying a SDM gift card, it doesn't make sense to pay for anything at SDM with anything other than a SDM gift card. Get twice the regular points for dollars spent using the "SDM Gift Card trick". Especially valuable for getting up to "Plus" status.

Even in provinces where you can't get points on prescriptions, it's a way of getting at least one set of regular points. It's my understanding that you can pay for anything at SDM with a SDM gift card. So if you can buy your transit tickets and passes at your SDM, pay with a SDM gift card. Some people even buy other retailer gift cards with their SDM gift cards. That's had some mixed reports of success lately. My attitude is that you can just assume it's allowed and if they refuse then fine.

Also, don't forget to buy your SDM gift cards with your Shoppers Optimum Mastercard. Anything charged to that card at SDM will get you 25 points per dollar. 10 show up immediately on your receipt and 15 later with your monthly statement.

As we go into the new year, I would strongly urge people (Plus members and non-Plus members) to make sure you get those extra regular points all the time throughout the year so that you're not scrambling at the end of the year to meet the deadline to get your Plus status that will be good until the end of the next year.

Just off hand, I find the 20Xpoints events to be one of the best points collecting events. The only other one that is better is the "Tell a Friend Event" where you can get points at almost twice the rate as the 20X event.

Lots of great tips here. If you use the SDM MC rather than purchasing the SDM GC, wouldn't it be an extra 5 points? So do GC purchases of any kind qualify for the 15x points on the MC?

[stuffedpandapuppet]

Lots of great tips here. If you use the SDM MC rather than purchasing the SDM GC, wouldn't it be an extra 5 points? So do GC purchases of any kind qualify for the 15x points on the MC?

The best case scenario is to buy a SDM GC with your SDM MC, because you do get 25 points/$ (15 bonus when the statement comes and 10 immediately at the cash). Then if you use that SDM GC again at the store, you will earn another 10 points/$ spent. It is simply a no brainer.

Not sure what you mean by the second question you asked though.

[couponclipperfun]

The best case scenario is to buy a SDM GC with your SDM MC, because you do get 25 points/$ (15 bonus when the statement comes and 10 immediately at the cash). Then if you use that SDM GC again at the store, you will earn another 10 points/$ spent. It is simply a no brainer.

Not sure what you mean by the second question you asked though.

But if you use the SDM GC you are getting 10 x the points onthe next purchase rather than 25 if using the cc all the time? Right?
The second question meaning if you buy a gas gc at sdm, you do get points for purchasing gc but only the 15 x but even so, it is worth purchasing at sdm.

[short_skirts]

When it comes to Plus status, if I have it now, do I keep it until December 31, 2010? Or does it expire at the end of this month? I earned it this year. Thanks!

[Poirot]

When it comes to Plus status, if I have it now, do I keep it until December 31, 2010? Or does it expire at the end of this month? I earned it this year. Thanks!

December 31,2010

[ahazaras]

I didn't get any points for buying the sdm card. Do you need a young cashier that doesn't know what she is doning?

[ahazaras]

I didn't get any points for buying the sdm card. Do you need a young cashier that doesn't know what she is doning?

[mcminsen]

It is my understanding and my experience that... ANYTHING that can be purchased at SDM can be paid for with a SDM gift card. The only exception would be another identical SDM gift card and occasionally other retailer gift cards (depends on individual store policies?). You can also pay for anything at SDM with your Shoppers Optimum Mastercard.

It doesn't make sense to do one or the other. Do both! I never pay for merchandise, transit tickets or prescriptions at SDM with anything other than a SDM gift card. I always pay for the SDM gift cards with my Shoppers Optimum Mastercard. That means every dollar I spend at SDM gets me 35 points per dollar, and that's before any bonus points coupons, product bonus points, or bonus points events etc.

If you want to buy ESSO gift cards (or some other retailer gift card) at SDM, try this... buy some other stuff along with the retailer gift card so it's part of a bundle of stuff being purchased. I think you're less likely to be refused the opportunity to buy a gas gift card with a SDM gift card. They may still say no but they can't blame you for following the instructions on the back of your SDM gift card, which imply that the SDM gift card is to be treated and used like cash "for payment of products and services".

[ahazaras]

sorry about the double post. Can i get rid of it?

[mcminsen]

I didn't get any points for buying the sdm card. Do you need a young cashier that doesn't know what she is doning?

You probably didn't get the points because the cashier didn't scan your Optimum points card, which is not uncommon. A lot of cashiers don't think you get points for the purchase of ANY gift cards, including the SDM gift card.

Insist that your Optimum points card be scanned! Or buy something along with the SDM gift card so they have to scan the Optimum points card. A box of tissue or pack of gum is usually cheap. Actually, if you watch the cash register, it will usually give the cashier a prompt at some point asking for the Shoppers Optimum card to be scanned... and they may be ignoring that prompt.

(btw... are there Christmas gremlins in the Smartcanucks system or what? )

[mcminsen]

sorry about the double post. Can i get rid of it?

Don't worry about it... there's something funny going on in the system right now.

[savergirl123]

ummm... just to be clear, the bonus points you would have gotten with the AMEX gift card deal would NOT have counted towards your getting PLUS status. Just REGULAR points count towards PLUS status.

Were they not also giving regular points too with the offer?

[pmmstanca]

I bought YRT transit ticket today at SDM and tried to use my GC bought previously, the cashier told me either cash or debit only. I tried to tell her that the SDM GC says to treat it as cash, she just brush it off and say "I know, but the mgmt just doesn't allow for transit tickets". I had no choice but to use debit..

[spinster_30]

I bought YRT transit ticket today at SDM and tried to use my GC bought previously, the cashier told me either cash or debit only. I tried to tell her that the SDM GC says to treat it as cash, she just brush it off and say "I know, but the mgmt just doesn't allow for transit tickets". I had no choice but to use debit..

I have encountered different experiences @ different SDM's...each and every one of them seem to have their own rules.Hopefully you can find one ( or a clerk) that will be more accomodating.
SDM had kool-aid jammers/delmonte drinks on for 2.49.I phoned The one close to my house and asked if they would have 30 packs on hand( for a kids x-mas party) and they said that there was a limit of 4. I argued that there was no limit in the flyer.They said that is store policy.I phoned another one that is about 2 miles away and they said " no problem" !!
When I got there they had all 30 boxes loaded on a cart AND helped me put them in my car!!!
From now on I will be driving the extra 2 miles!!