Proposal: Standardized Deals String

[Litesandsirens911]

good effort, but way too confusing for me

[snow00774]

Somerandom:

Hmmm, I get it...I think maybe you should have put the values before the
example as I was trying to guess what they were as I scrolled down. Once I saw the confirmation at the bottom I loved it!!

I've been trying to put together a very very basic version of this with manual updates every week as I too am new and trying to get the lowest price point at which to use my coupons and identify trends through the year for my local stores and area.

I was actually going to post the info in the basic chart I have and ask SCers how I can make it more efficient for me and anyone else newer as we always seem to be asking what a good price is...understanding and acknowledging the existing deals thread is fantastic as is when you have that information already.


Obviously the consensus from more seasoned SCers who are experienced in the ongoing production and use of the existing thread is that that thread does not need changing. I think proposing the deal thread you have in mind as a secondary offering to those specifically looking for this type of info in this format might be more successful. I'd be interested for sure as an offset offering, as I see greater value to the masses in the existing deal remaining as is.



edited to add I'm 4 glasses of wine in on the night

[somerandomcheese]

Where is the cheapest deal on Aspirin?

StoresOfInterest	TRUE		
			
				Week	
Description		Data	06|24-30	Grand Total
Aspirin 50's
	Max of UnitPrice	2.99		2.99
	Min of UnitPrice2	2.99		2.99

According to the data, Asprin has gone on sale only once in the last 9 weeks.

If it were on sale this week it would look like:

Aspirin 50's {}@WM[] < $3.67 : →$3.33← : ↓$2.99↓ > 1/$3.67 - $6.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = ($2.33)

I've used the real WM pricing from this week.

Notice however that the average sales price is incorrect. The current Database is filled only with actual sales, this is a regular price pretending to be a sale. ( for illustration purpose)

Because this "fake" sale is entered, the spreadsheet is automatically calculating that average and it is now using 2 sales pricing points ( 2.99 and 3.67) giving $3.33.

I only entered 5 things:
name: "Asprin 50's"
regular price: "3.67"
sale price: "3.67"
cents off : "6.00"
Buy#: "1"

Then copied, from the wiki column, the formated String and pasted here.

[Mings]

@somerandomcheese - I mos def get where you're coming from, but while it's an incredibly efficient way of compiling and sharing information, I can only assume you're a developer!

I will say that I do like how Anne is able to compile the information and I do think she does an incredible job with such a large weekly project (THANK YOU, ANNE!).

I will also say that you're on the right path for compiling a way that we can assess pricing. I've only been couponing for 4months now and in that short period of time I've started to notice trends and how to recognize a good price for a product. I'm also curious to see the cycle of product seasons (when/how often a product goes on sale) so I can effectively manage my coupons & household budget.

In closing, so long as Anne's happy, I'm happy. But, for you, I hope you'll continue to innovate, maybe something more basic? Perhaps you should coordinate directly with Anne and see what she finds are her challenges and work with her to create something she wants?

[FallenPixels]

As someone who has done the thread, the challenges are:

people posting flyers - it is frustrating that people complain that there are no deals for say Sobeys or for BC flyers when those are not yet posted. People post highlights or a single deal from it so have the flyer

People posting deals from in store specials or last week's (from their current flyer) flyers in the wiki, say a single store has a clearance on an item, they will include that so you have to double check all of the deals posted before adding them, its almost easier not to make it a wiki so you dont have to double check the list to see what has been added - also different areas have additional pages so its even more confusing

Honestly, I think the way Anne does it works for the majority of people and within a couple of months you get a feel for sale cycles for each product based on your individual shopping lists, apart from that, it works for her and she already spends 12+ hours on it, I don't see why it needs to be made harder.

[somerandomcheese]

Somerandom:

Hmmm, I get it...I think maybe you should have put the values before the
example as I was trying to guess what they were as I scrolled down. Once I saw the confirmation at the bottom I loved it!!

I've been trying to put together a very very basic version of this with manual updates every week as I too am new and trying to get the lowest price point at which to use my coupons and identify trends through the year for my local stores and area.

I was actually going to post the info in the basic chart I have and ask SCers how I can make it more efficient for me and anyone else newer as we always seem to be asking what a good price is...understanding and acknowledging the existing deals thread is fantastic as is when you have that information already.


Obviously the consensus from more seasoned SCers who are experienced in the ongoing production and use of the existing thread is that that thread does not need changing. I think proposing the deal thread you have in mind as a secondary offering to those specifically looking for this type of info in this format might be more successful. I'd be interested for sure as an offset offering, as I see greater value to the masses in the existing deal remaining as is.



edited to add I'm 4 glasses of wine in on the night

Sure a secondary offering in this format might be considered as it is now very easy to produce, however since the Offical Thread is already presented in "Store-Description" sort-order, it would be a duplication of effort and that's what I'm trying to avoid.

The official thread is a collaboration of many persons and is in constant flux. Syncronization for data between it and such alternate offering is key.

I only do it once, grab the official thread data, enter it manually, and product my alternate offering. ( Description-DealPrice ), I omit stores that are outside my area because they are of no use to me, but that makes my offering of no use for Users in BC for example and it does not benefit from corrections or additions made to the official source.

I would love to continue to use the official thread as the official source of deals, only the problem is the at the deals are presented in a format that is inconsistent and cannot be readily transformed to meaningful values.

It would be nice to be able to import that data without any manual intervention. That way, when I'm preparing my shopping trips. I import only the stores of interest. I need not worry about changes because I could simple re-import them.

My proposal is NOT to have the official thread provide this additional info. As it will be different for every user, due to local store availability.

It need only provide the basics in a consistent manner, and what I mean by that is :

• One deal per line. ( multple coupon reference are too complex)
• standard dollar formats ( $0.99 - Including dollar sign)
• Always format as if it were a multi-buy deal ( 3/$2.00 , 1/$2.00)
• Separate limits from the description by enclosing in {}
• Provide the page reference within [] ( so we all can find it in the flyer - good for PM)
• use the WUBXGY format for all coupons
• Optionally provide the Coupon barcode in ()

Some things cannot use the "WUB" style (FPC, MIR etc), but so far deals having these have been few, Manual entry of a few deals I would consider acceptable.


Aspirin 50's {}@WM[] 1/$3.67 - $6.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = ($2.33)

Boldness, colour and URL links can be effectively ignored. Import of the "Value" is what is important.

So someone suggesting a deal need only post this at a minimum

Aspirin 50's {}@WM[] 1/$3.67 - $6.00 WUB1G0 ( )

and this (if they are nice)

Aspirin 50's { SUN only, Limit:4 }@WM[ page 3 ] < $5.00> 1/$3.67 - $6.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = ($2.33)

Adding:

• Limits
• page reference
• < $5.00 > = regular price ( optional )
• calculation ( optional )
  

[somerandomcheese]

As someone who has done the thread, the challenges are:

people posting flyers - it is frustrating that people complain that there are no deals for say Sobeys or for BC flyers when those are not yet posted. People post highlights or a single deal from it so have the flyer

People posting deals from in store specials or last week's (from their current flyer) flyers in the wiki, say a single store has a clearance on an item, they will include that so you have to double check all of the deals posted before adding them, its almost easier not to make it a wiki so you dont have to double check the list to see what has been added - also different areas have additional pages so its even more confusing

Honestly, I think the way Anne does it works for the majority of people and within a couple of months you get a feel for sale cycles for each product based on your individual shopping lists, apart from that, it works for her and she already spends 12+ hours on it, I don't see why it needs to be made harder.

Yes, I can understand the frustration.

I like the idea for f-la-gging in-store specials and clearance deals.

Something I didn't think of yet.

Might be able to place the f-la-g for such after the Store ID

Maybe like " something { SUN only }@FB!trim&innes![] 1/$2.00 "


Image the scenario where the flyer is posted and deals are posted for it on the actual thread itself.

All of it mind you, meat, cheese, produce etc. Having page references and any other details that may be unreadable from the picture. A reasonable approach, in order of appearance in the flyer. Multi- product deals all broken out one per line.

not "Coke and Pepsi 12x610ml {}@FB[] 1/$2.50 " but rather
"Coke 12x610ml {}@FB[] 1/$2.50"
"Pepsi 12x610ml {}@FB[] 1/$2.50

Some nice SCr's have been doing this presently.

Users from each region, or the OP can take responsibly to generate the basics. That should be a simple thing, no coupon matching required. When the OP is satisfied that the data is good to go, they put some kind of indication in the thread..

Official user ( Anne) imports to the master spread sheet and does her coupon matching magic. Ignoring the items, as she does now, that have no coupon match up, and produces the official thread.

(Or DOES NOT - continuing to do how she does it now, only adding some extra formatting, so we can import. )


Other Helpful Users can then from the same flyer source data produce the Baby stuff thread, Meat Thread, Produce Thread etc.

All us casual users then, using our own copy, import from these various sources to produce our own personal lists suitable for printing, or share a new thread for a regional / local perspective.

( the clearance deals and in-store stuff in these local threads)

The casual user would then check for updates just before a shopping trip, just to make sure there data is up-to-date.

I'd really be interested in the actual time expenditure, 12+ seems (IMO) low, I doubt the best time for one weeks thread preparation has ever been only 12 hours.

[dealbreakers]

OK, OP, thanks for posting this... and for the awesome suggestion. Though it did confuse me you didn't show what was what in the beginning of your thread, above the price listings. I get it now though.

It seems like an awesome thing to do, though most SCers obviously like the way Anne posts everything (and of course, she does a GREAT job at it), I just don't think many people understand how much simpler it can be with the way you do it. Lots of people don't like change... even if it's for the greater good. I'm sure most of them would prefer good old fashioned snail mail (that's why we have this forum to trade coupons vs printables anyways lol). Perhaps there is a way you can post a thread with this type of database, so for those who would rather take a look at Anne's threads, or yours with the automatic formatting that would be great!

I'm very surprised and shocked at this capability. I am losing my job at the end of September and being replaced by automated computer systems, but this really intrigues me! It does take the "fun" out of it, that's for sure, but on the other hand, I would almost prefer to have this done automatically so I don't have to read through so many different threads to backtrack, etc when everything I need is in one small central place. Cheers to you, somerandomcheese, and a job well done!!

[annedougherty]

Perhaps someone could come up with a formula that would add an additional 12 hours to the 24 the already exist in your average Thursday, so that I might have time to "comply" with what you would like? Or perhaps I should just not sleep?

What you do not understand, is that what you are asking is not going to happen. The thread has to be, for the most part, complete by Thursday at 5pm for the upcoming week, so that Sally may post it on the blog. Anne gets up at 5:30 am on Thursday and Anne furiously types until 5:30 pm, as 50% of the flyers do not become available until Thursday.

If you have concerns please pm Boo, and Anne would appreciate it if you would stop talking about Anne. And using the phrase "nice Sc'ers" isn't exactly "polite" either when it implies that others aren't "nice Sc'ers."

[itsjustmebub]

I did this thread for 2 weeks - fully with input from other SCers and it was insanely hard to keep up with.
The list works how it is, it's efficient and doesn't take the entire week to write.

[itsjustmebub]

good effort, but way too confusing for me

me as well.

to the average SCer this is just WAY too complex.

[somerandomcheese]

So the following sample would be better accepted?

► Policy ◄

Royale Bathroom Tissue 24 Roll 1/$4.97 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $3.97
Royale Facial Tissue 6pk 1/$4.97 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $3.97

► Policy ◄

Aquafina + 1/$0.99 - $0.00 WUB2G1 ( ) = $0.66
Black Diamond Cheese Bars 500g 1/$4.44 - $0.75 WUB1G0 ( tear pad ) = $3.69
Black Diamond Cheese Slices 1/$2.99 - $0.75 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.24
Christie Cookies 1/$1.88 - $0.75 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.13
Eggo Waffles 1/$1.99 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.49
Gay Lea Real Whipped Cream 1/$2.49 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.49
Johnsonville Brats 1/$3.49 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.49
Kraft Salad Dressing 1/$1.99 - $0.75 WUB1G0 ( save.ca ) = $1.24
Maple Leaf Top Dogs 1/$2.49 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.99
Marc Angelo Butterflied Pork/Souvlaki 1/$7.99 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $6.99
Minute Maid Concentrated Punch 1/$0.59 - $0.00 WUB4G1 ( ) = $0.47
Miracle Whip 1/$2.99 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.49
Peek Freans Cookies 1/$1.88 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.38
Philadelphia Cream Cheese 1/$2.49 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $1.49
Ruffles/Tostitos 1/$2.49 - -$2.49 WUB2G1 ( ) = $2.49
Schneider's Juicy Jumbos or Grill Ems 1/$3.99 - $1.00 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.99
V8 Vegetable Cocktail 1/$2.99 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.49

► Policy ◄

Piller's Deli Meat 1/$2.57 - $0.50 WUB1G0 ( ) = $2.07

[dealbreakers]

OK, I am here to officially apologize to you SCers (esp Anne). I only read the first two posts from the OP and didn't understand why everyone else was getting so defensive.

I completely misunderstood this proposal. What I thought was that somerandomcheese had another way of pulling all the data into this proposed database. I didn't know that he was saying that he wanted everyone to adopt his formatting scheme. I think "I'd really be interested in the actual time expenditure, 12+ seems (IMO) low, I doubt the best time for one weeks thread preparation has ever been only 12 hours. " is really uncalled for, making comments like this to someone who dedicates ANY amount of time at all to help out fellow SCers.

I don't want to put my foot in my mouth any more than I already have, but my stance now that I have read through, is that if this involves any more additional work then it's just not worth it.

[FallenPixels]

These threads remind me of why we have gone through several people who did the deals thread

As for 12 hours, that is what you spend on Thursday alone to get it done when the majority of flyers get posted. You still spend time throughout the week doing the ones that do get posted early. I have been lucky the last 2 weeks and got my flyers a day earlier than usual and have helped Anne by posting, but without those there is nothing she can do until Thursday so she has no choice but work without break to get it done so Sally can post it on the blog around 5pm so people can do their individual shopping planning

[annedougherty]

These threads remind me of why we have gone through several people who did the deals thread

As for 12 hours, that is what you spend on Thursday alone to get it done when the majority of flyers get posted. You still spend time throughout the week doing the ones that do get posted early. I have been lucky the last 2 weeks and got my flyers a day earlier than usual and have helped Anne by posting, but without those there is nothing she can do until Thursday so she has no choice but work without break to get it done so Sally can post it on the blog around 5pm so people can do their individual shopping planning

Exactly, and a huge thank you to Pix and to people who are able to help out by posting flyers before they are available on websites. This is the biggest help to having an extensive list and having all regions covered somewhat. Thanks so much for those of you who take the time to help out.