UPDATED - SDM is making up policies again

I decided that I'd go to SDM on the way home and pick up a Kindle. DH is always reading with mine and I want to read too! They're $140 there, but wth.

So I got there, went up to the photo lab first to ensure that they had them in, I took a look at the one they handed me, ensured it was what I wanted. I told them I'd be right back for it; I had a $100 GC in my hand that I was going to buy first.

The clerk said wait, you're buying a gift card to buy the Kindle? I said yes. She said oh, you're not supposed to do that! I asked, why is that? She replied with a shrug and a laugh, said that they've stopped allowing people to buy gift cards to make their purchase with. I replied, so you're saying that I should have bought my GC earlier. And I told them they could keep their Kindle and left.

I'll be emailing HO again tonight. Last year I had an issue with this location telling me I could not purchase transit passes with a GC. When I asked for a manager I got a supervisor who agreed I couldn't do it. So I went to another SDM and completed my transaction no problem. Emailed HO that time, they agreed that i was correct, and informed the store of this fact. I think they gave me bonus points too, I forget.

If they don't want people to earn points on GCs, then stop giving them on GCs. Meanwhile, I should be able to bloody well do what I want with my GC!

Ugh!! that's the reason why i always stop at the SDM down the street to get the GC and then go to the next one to spend it. Good thing there's pretty much an SDM on every corner round here. Try buying the GC at the cosmetics counter first then taking it to cashier

Do you have any points saved up? You could redeem this weekend for it instead.
In the meantime....major frustration....I don't know what is up with that store and the "each cashier has their own policy" issues..

My store gave me a refillable one and now what they do is they ring through all my purchase put the coupons on and then suspend the transaction so I know how much to put on the gift card. Then we buy the gift card with the exact about rounding it up. Then they put the suspended transaction in and put my gift card through. They rock so much love my shoppers.

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Originally Posted by krazytwacy

My store gave me a refillable one and now what they do is they ring through all my purchase put the coupons on and then suspend the transaction so I know how much to put on the gift card. Then we buy the gift card with the exact about rounding it up. Then they put the suspended transaction in and put my gift card through. They rock so much love my shoppers.

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Wow. You should write to HO and tell them how much your store rocks!

I don't have enough points to cash in for much, will save them a bit longer. It wasn't just a cashier that told me this 'policy' it was a supervisor. Such BS! I think I'm just going to avoid this location from now on.

Yes, call and complain -- try to have the store # - you can find it on a previous receipt, usually at the top. I complained about a store and was told I'm the only one. So if we start complaining, they can see where there's a pattern with a particular store.

Btw, they make stuff up at HQ too... I had someone tell me we couldn't use coupons during bonus events because promotions could not be combined and coupons were considered promotions! I could tell he was making it up on the spot. A supervisor or colleague must have overheard him because he got off the line and came back 20 secs later and reversed himself :rolleyes:

Silk

The GC rule is fairly new.
I was at SDM today to order my Rx's and there was a lady ard the corner tearing a strip off of the Cashier...
The policy is along these lines:
Basically SDM will NOT be allowing GC Purchases to earn points SPECIFICALLY on Points Promo Days
Whether its a Secret email or a 20x or a bonus redemption/mega redemption b/c of the "ABUSE" (hey not my words)
of certain customers... The will have an amended policy on FB by month's end she believes.
There is also Talk of limiting to 2 bonus point transactions per customer/per offer
IF it is true I can see why the Cashier would've said that today as it is an Email exclusive Bonus Day
Time will tell what happens w/this.
Sorry you got the short end of the stick today!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by <3 My $aving$ <3

The GC rule is fairly new.
I was at SDM today to order my Rx's and there was a lady ard the corner tearing a strip off of the Cashier...
The policy is along these lines:
Basically SDM will NOT be allowing GC Purchases to earn points SPECIFICALLY on Points Promo Days
Whether its a Secret email or a 20x or a bonus redemption/mega redemption b/c of the "ABUSE" (hey not my words)
of certain customers... The will have an amended policy on FB by month's end she believes.
There is also Talk of limiting to 2 bonus point transactions per customer/per offer
IF it is true I can see why the Cashier would've said that today as it is an Email exclusive Bonus Day
Time will tell what happens w/this.
Sorry you got the short end of the stick today!

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I wonder why they care what day you earn the points on your GC? If I buy the GC the day before, is it really that different? Not like you get bonus points on your GC purchase. Again, I think they make things up as they go along!

But thanks for the support all. I don't rant very often, but I'm almost done with SDM, their stupid points are almost not worth the aggravation!

Yeah that sounds strange to me it they were worried about it being abused they would just stop giving points on the gift card. I don't think its a rule I think someone is just confused.

I'm never sure what the employees are saying is correct :S

In my store, you aren't allowed to use SDM GCs for the post office. And also not to buy transit tickets (but I think you are supposed to be allowed?? Does anyone know for sure?)

@ My $aving$: I bought gcs during both 20x events last week (Tuesday and Saturday). I didn't do the events but they didn't know that when I bought the gcs. It doesn't make sense to me.

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Originally Posted by smileyKT

I'm never sure what the employees are saying is correct :S

In my store, you aren't allowed to use SDM GCs for the post office. And also not to buy transit tickets (but I think you are supposed to be allowed?? Does anyone know for sure?)

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I don't know about the p.o. but I've been buying my transit tickets with a gc at sdm for years. It might be something left up to the discretion of the store -- SDM hq can tell you.

Silk

My son has been buying smokes with gift cards.

There are Cashiers who WILL ring up GC's as Other/Misc and award points for purchasing GiftCards :(
SDM is beginning to WRITE UP Cashiers for Coupon infractions if you will...
Which is why you will notice as they roll out the new policies the Cashiers will now CIRCLE the Expiry Date place a checkmark on the coupon to Verify a CanadianClearing House Addres and Initial it so they KNOW who to track it back to!

GCs automatically ring up with points. The cashier does nothing special with it. It is up to shoppers to kill the GC points. Not the cashiers the cashiers do nothing special. I can see them getting written up for coupons and there we have to help by watching our dates which I do and making sure we get the proper merchandise, which I also do. There is nothing going on with the gift card right now. Its the cashier.

I just did my 20x no less than half an hour ago and my store did what they always do for me. I used a gift card.