Shoppers Drug Mart/Optimum

[peachies]

I love optimum points and i'm never "fooled" into buying something just for points. I do have a family so its easy for me to spend 50.00 just on the basics. I never pay "more" for anything. Sometimes during promos i do part of my grocery shop at shoppers and the rest at a different grocery store based on deals. I have been able to redeem almost $2000 worth of stuff from shoppers in 2012. I'm sorry but walmart doesn't reward me to shop there and i often find walmarts prices much higher. So i'm a happy, smart shoppers shopper!!

[amandabananda]

Now that I'm married, bought a house and have a 2 year old, I'm all about Shoppers Points. When it wast just DH and I in our tiny apartment I just bought what we needed, when we needed it. No room to stock items, so I can see where you're coming from. On the flip side, looking back I could have easily reached the $50 to get 20x points - on things like eggs, milk, butter and other sale items.

I agree with others about reading the shopping lists of others. This will help give you an idea what others buy and what some good deals are. For example, this past week, I bought turbo tax during the 20x event, was it cheaper at Walmart? Yes, not by much, and it helped me reach the over 20,000 points I received almost an extra $30.

[torontogal12]

The price increase is shoppers' way of limiting items. Other stores will just limit you at 4 and refuse to sell you 5 items. Shoppers will sell it but one will be at a higher price. I don't think this is bad. This is how they make sure everyone gets stock. No different from other stores

This is exactly what I am talking about. If I go over the max like when eggs are $1.99, or butter is $2.99, the prices increase to an amount that I can get cheaper at another grocery store?? Let alone trying to spend $50 or $75 in one single trip. Does the min $50 or $75 have to be in one transaction only? Otherwise, as I mentioned before I am not fooled into spending more money just because of Optimum points. I can save more money by spending way less at another grocery store (Optimum points value vs cheaper prices over the long haul).

So unless you have a large family as people stated (which I dont), or you happen to make it to the $50 min purch with buying about 2-4 of several different items before the "sale" price spikes due to this "MAX purchase per item rule", then this promotion is a PASS!

[Chado]

Trust me, this is not how they ensure everyone gets stock when it comes to Shoppers (for other grocery stores yes that is the case and is why you are not charged more)...this is how they ensure they make all that extra coin nationwide on extra items. They know what they're doing when it comes to charging extra to hit that min $50, min $75, etc.

Higher prices in general, plus increased prices on mutiple items = equals more money for Shoppers

[Kbearry]

This is exactly what I am talking about. If I go over the max like when eggs are $1.99, or butter is $2.99, the prices increase to an amount that I can get cheaper at another grocery store?? Let alone trying to spend $50 or $75 in one single trip. Does the min $50 or $75 have to be in one transaction only? Otherwise, as I mentioned before I am not fooled into spending more money just because of Optimum points. I can save more money by spending way less at another grocery store (Optimum points value vs cheaper prices over the long haul).

So unless you have a large family as people stated (which I dont), or you happen to make it to the $50 min purch with buying about 2-4 of several different items before the "sale" price spikes due to this "MAX purchase per item rule", then this promotion is a PASS!

I guess it all depends, I live with my bf (no kids) and we have no trouble finding sale items to make $50. But I guess it all depends on what you are purchasing. He really love Coke, so we buy the cases when they are 3/$9.99, my local grocery store usually puts them on sale for $4.99 a case. He also like those vitamin waters, which go on sale for 2/$3 (no limit), where they are $2.49 at my local grocery store and rarely go on sale (I did see it once and it was $1.99 each, so still more expensive).

Looking at a recent receipt, I spent $87.00 before taxes (almost every item is "sale" and I know what I bought is much cheaper than my local grocery store). Not only that, I gained 19,400 points since it was a bonus day and another 1,300 for putting it on my mastercard. So that's a total of 20,705 points, which is almost a $30 return. I would like to find a grocery store that would give me those kind of returns on my purchases, even if I had a credit card that would give me 1% cash back, that would be a whopping 90 cents on my purchase. Also, the more points you save, they become worth more, and if you redeem on a bonus day, you get even more money back.

[Kbearry]

Trust me, this is not how they ensure everyone gets stock when it comes to Shoppers (for other grocery stores yes that is the case and is why you are not charged more)...this is how they ensure they make all that extra coin nationwide on extra items. They know what they're doing when it comes to charging extra to hit that min $50, min $75, etc.

Higher prices in general, plus increased prices on mutiple items = equals more money for Shoppers

Honestly I'm not sure why you started this thread, it seems you're not here for an actual discussion, just to complain.

[Chado]

This thread was started to find out the benefits/cons of Shoppers. I have received some good pros, and some good cons. With no way around the increased prices in general, plus the increased prices after MAX buys, there is no benefit to me other than when I get cheap milks, eggs, and butter in small quantities. However, for those that mentioned pros (such as having a big family, or only being able to get 12 packs of pop on sale for $4.99 at their local grocery store), then it may work for them, just not me and that's fine!

[redhdlois]

I only buy during 20x points days and even then, if there isn't good sales that day I will pass. That and use as many coupons to bring down your OOP as much as possible. (ps....I am a single person and it still works fine for me!)

[renegado]

4x egss @ $2 = $8
4x 4L milk @ $4.50 = $18
4x butter @ $3 = $12
4x unsalted butter @ $3 - $12
Total: $$50

These are Shoppers' best sale prices. Even if the price of butter increases after 4, you can still easily make $50. (If you want 8 of everything, do a second transaction.) And if you don't make $50, chances are the flyer will have a fairly good price (that becomes a great price when you factor in 20x points) on cheese or peanut butter or bread....

[torontogal12]

Well seems like you aren't convinced no matter what we say. To each their own . But I don't understand why it would be the case for grocery stores but not Shoppers who likely get their stock from the same suppliers?

Do you work for shoppers? How do you know that this is not how they ensure stock? You have knowledge of their supply chain management? I'm not trying to be rude, just asking an honest question because you seemed so sure but didn't say why. Limits are limits no matter where you go. Just seems like they have a different method of doing it compared to other stores.

Trust me, this is not how they ensure everyone gets stock when it comes to Shoppers (for other grocery stores yes that is the case and is why you are not charged more)...this is how they ensure they make all that extra coin nationwide on extra items. They know what they're doing when it comes to charging extra to hit that min $50, min $75, etc.

Higher prices in general, plus increased prices on mutiple items = equals more money for Shoppers

[uanoor]

And for for price increase, I observed some time its not much, as when eggs are 1.99 after limit that week they are 2.32 which is still lower then most stores, and same with most itoms, if need to pick one or two more to reach $50 (only most of time less then $1-2), and you save atleast $12 (10,000). And with any bonus point coupon its compensated. We are a middle class family al kids are now out of diapers (thanks God)and never spent extra, skip many 20X sales, and never try to spoil huge bonus point offers, even then able to redeem in two years for a Wee, a 3DS, extra controllers for PS3 and WEE, few game, few toys which otherwise was only a dream, and not to mention few on groceries every time. And this year my target is a nice tablet and or a nice Camera (most probably which you suggested). Every year I'm able to get points for 1 full and 1 half redemption atleast from last 2 years and satisfied with this.


QUOTE=torontogal12;5260149]Well seems like you aren't convinced no matter what we say. To each their own . Why would it be the case for grocery stores but not Shoppers who likely get their stock from the same suppliers? Do you work for shoppers? How do you know that this is not how they ensure stock? You have intimate knowledge of their supply chain management? I'm not trying to be rude, just asking an honest question because you seemed so sure but didn't say why. Limits are limits no matter where you go. They just have a different method of doing it compared to other stores.[/QUOTE]

[louie11]

Well, except for the return policy on electronics, I have no complaints about Shoppers. Their sale prices can be great and some of their regular pricing is not bad too. I used to get all of my cleaning products, detergents, soap etc with my regular groceries but now I buy all of that stuff on 20X points days and often at pretty good prices compared to the grocery store.

Just wish I had found the Optimum program back when I was buying diapers and formula

[shoshana]

Hello, Can someone please tell me why is it that only shoppers drug mart does not cover the taxes with the points, in Ontario at least.
Every other store does , like Sears the Bay, Loblaws.Thank you

[sparky_starky]

I have a new baby girl, and I am really getting into the whole 'Optimum Thing'. I only ever purchase items that I need, and when they are on sale. I can easily hit the $50 amount when the 20x points promo is on - for me, that's two tins of formula! Today I was in shoppers and I purchased -
1x Huggies Diapers - usually $27.99 on Sale $19.99
1x Huggies Wipes - usually $4.99 on Sale $2.99
5x Natvia baby food - usually $1.29 on Sale 23c!!!!
Philly Dips - Usually $4.29 on Sale $1.99

I had a $10 Huggies gift card
1x $1.00 Philly Coupon
1x 3000pts coupon
1x 2000pts coupon.

I paid oop $15.10!!!! I saved $18.00 and earned 5260 pts (8000pts = $10)

Not too bad.....

[Minou]

Trust me, this is not how they ensure everyone gets stock when it comes to Shoppers (for other grocery stores yes that is the case and is why you are not charged more)...this is how they ensure they make all that extra coin nationwide on extra items. They know what they're doing when it comes to charging extra to hit that min $50, min $75, etc.

Higher prices in general, plus increased prices on mutiple items = equals more money for Shoppers

Loblaws chain stores also have item limits. Once you hit the limit, you're charged for a higher price for the extra items. Loblaws stores also have $150 and $200 spend amounts to be able to use a coupon to get something free... the bonus is nowhere near what you get with Optimum points -- and it's a higher spend than $50! Imagine trying to get an "extra" $40 in your cart to hit $250 and get a $25 gift card? That's 10% back. Shoppers points can EASILY equal 30% back on your purchase if you're doing it right.

Haven't you noticed that people have just told you how they shop at Shoppers to make sure that they really ARE getting a deal and not spending more than they would elsewhere just to get points at the $50 level?

It's clear to me that you haven't yet learned how to shop at Shoppers, so you certainly can't be an expert on their 'tactics'. Listen and learn, Chado!