Email from Your Bucks email about "small group" abusing catalina?
I copied and pasted my email here. I think we went and did it this time.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Valued YourBucks Member,
As the company proud to bring you high-valued savings, we want to express our appreciation for your participation in the YourBucks test pilot.
This test is designed to reveal the unexpected. Meaning, if the YourBucks program is rolled out nationally, we want to deliver a flawless, exceptional experience for our members.
Unfortunately, during this period of learning, some offers are being abused by a very small group of shoppers which is forcing us to modify the following three offers:
From
- Buy any ONE Ragu Pasta sauce 26oz or larger - $2.00
- Buy any ONE Suave® product excluding trial or travel size - $2.00
- Buy any ONE Degree® Anti-perspirant/Deodorant item excluding trial or travel size - $2.00
To
- Buy any 1 (One) or more Ragu Pasta sauce 26oz or larger - $1.00
- Buy any 2 (Two) or more Suave® product excluding trial or travel size - $1.00
- Buy any 1 (One) or more Degree® Anti-perspirant/Deodorant item excluding trial or travel size - $1.00
Please know this is not a decision we take lightly. And, we apologize that you are being impacted due to the questionable actions of so few.
Ultimately, our intention is to secure the long-term viability of the YourBucks program, and to continue to offer you and your families high-valued savings. Again, thank you for your participation and patience as we work to build a solid, lasting YourBucks platform.
If you have any additional questions, please connect with us at http://tv.catalinamarketing.com
Sincerely,
YourBucks Customer Service.
I have been trying to purchase Suave since the YB program began. The Cary Jewel cannot keep it in stock. The stock lady told me she filled up the shelves (3 ft. wide) a number of times until they were bulging, and they are gone by the next day. They are cleaned out by the same 3 ladies each time. Sometimes theses women even return the merchandise for a refund! Yes, it is a good deal, but this behavior extends it only to a certain few. We all don't have time to camp out in the shampoo aisle and wait to pounce on the shipment when it arrives. It is no surprise YB has been changed. At least we can find Suave when we need it now.
The CS people at Cary Jewel have been very patient through all of this!
Consider the last few weeks a bonus and now the deals are more like avenue or cellfire. Who cares why they changed it, it is changed. Let's get back to couponing and work the deals with what we have.
sister/brother couponers.
"Dear Valued YourBucks Member,
We’re marketing supergeniuses who decided to give $2.00 back on an $.89 product and then were very very surprised when people actually bought a lot of them. So we’re going to change the terms, cause we can. Ooh! And let’s blame people for buying too much, too. That way they’ll start fighting each other about being too greedy and messing it up for everyone else, rather than being mad at us for changing the deal in the middle.
Love,
YourBucks Customer Service"
she went on to say: "This is a smart way for them to shift the focus, and they’re unlikely to say, hey, we didn’t think this through, sorry guys."
I think most of us anticipated from the outset that there was a great potential for people to abuse this (and they did) and for them to have to make a change. It was not completely unanticipated as they left themselves the wiggle room to do so in the original terms and conditions. I think, that we should be glad:
1. that we ever had it in the first place
2. that they didn't yank the whole program
3. that didn't go to the other extreme and set a limit of like 1
We also need to remember that someone is footing the bill for all of this. There is a wide range of companies participating with a variety of products. From a financial aspect, I seriously doubt we can expect to see any great coupons coming forth for the remainder of the year from those companies, as they are going to have "find the money" to cover the HUGE response to this. I hope they have seen the error of there ways, and will make the necessary adjustments so that programs like this will continue and flourish rather than disappearing all together. In the end it will still most likely work out to our benefit.
Just my two cents :0)
I was pretty upset reading the letter mainly for the "abuse" term but it was never really out in my stores (course Jewel is all over on the southside). I sent them a reply back complaining about how it sounds more like their R&D team abused the R part of their job and thought that they sounded like a politician looking to place blame and that if they ever wanted to look for another job the should apply at Dominick's Corporate seeing how they like to place the blame on customers also. But after reading how the three ladies camping out in the shampoo section I actually feel bad for sending that letter.
I also complained to Jewel when they switched the self checkout aisles to having to wait for someone to do the coupons like I was incapable of doing it and now the self checkout takes longer. I couldn't understand why they would do that. Then I come to find out that people were throwing in blank pieces of paper instead of the coupons and I felt bad about that too (not too sure if it was because I hadn't thought about it first j/k).
My whole point is with all the deals Jill has taught you guys why must you cheat the system. You've constantly screwed up a good thing and I sure it's the same people everytime. For all you rookies on here take note if you don't abuse it, it'll stay around longer, and if you see anyone abusing it witch smack 'em and take their YB!
Stepping of my soapbox now.
Now This is FUNNY!!!!
I think their creative marketing tool backfired on them. I'm sure they intended this for the average non supercouponer and in theory expected someone to walk in enticed by a few your bucks items and walk out w/ handful of things, working in their $$ favor. But times have changed and they should have seen this coming a mile away...
...and since I haven't abused the program, I didn't find it offensive. It was to the point. If I'm correct, stores have the right to limit quantities and it could be feedback from the store managers that have prompted some of this change as well. Having cashiers/managers limiting quanities is an area I'm sure none of them want to venture into. I agree with other posts they should keep the high valued Qs and just put limits per household like they do with Avenu.
When deals come through without limits it's like crack. It's hard to focus on everything on a whole. What else does my family need - fresh fruit, veggies, etc. Not 400 boxes of fruit snacks or 200 shampoos.
But, as you all know, many, many people on here have gotten around the limits per card before, owning multiple cards - husband, sister, mom, neighbor, gram, whatever . . . I don't mean to be a buzzkill but there is no logical solution but to beat everyone there or get there after a shipment. Shelf-clearing will not be abolished no matter how much we complain about it. I know someone (not mentioning any names) who even has a Trib subscription in her pet's name. There's always a way around the system and I would have to bet there aren't many people on this site even that have limited themselves to one preferred card. Am I right? And what's the difference between coming 3 times per day taking 20 items or coming once and taking 60? I do believe it's harder and harder to do some deals but even with the increased difficulty aren't we all still saving a BOATLOAD of cash???
I only have one preferred card. But why would someone subscribe to the Trib in their pets name? The Trib doesn't care how many subscriptions you have as long as you pay the bill. I don't get it?
This comment had nothing to do with YBs - the poster was just sharing another example of 'working the system'. The Trib can't give you 5 subscriptions in the same name to the same address. In order to get mult. papers delivered, people have been known to put a subscription in their name, a subscription in their spouse's name, a subscription in the dog's name, etc . . .
I realize my comment had nothing to do with YB's, but I can still ask a question about something that was in a previous post. It was a genuine question, because I really honestly didn't get why someone would do that when the Trib will allow you to have multiple subscriptions. :)
I wasn't trying to be rude - just clarifying if for you since you didn't get it. The original post was about YBs, but the part about the Trib subscription was not. I never stated that you couldn't ask the question or accused it of not being genuine, I was merely trying to be friendly and answer it for you. MANY people on here have reported that the Tribune will not allow them to get multiple subscriptions - at least with the same discount code. This is why many people have signed up pets. Thats it. Thats the ONLY message I was trying to convey.
Aha! Now it clicks! Now that you said "with the same discount code" I understand why the Trib wouldn't allow it and Fluffy has to get her own paper. :) Before I was just like hu? Why couldn't you? I didn't think you were trying to be rude, I just was trying to say that was a genuine question related to the previous post even though it wasn't related to YB's. And I wasn't just picking apart a previous post. I have never read that on the blog before (I'm sure it's been posted but I don't usually read the posts about subscription codes).
Wrong. I have four subscriptions placed on three separate occasions. They are all in my name (exactly), same address, email and phone numbers (home and cell) and paid for using the same debit card (for the easy-pay give me a free Target card promo) starting over one year ago. I have never had any Tribune customer service person suggest another name or even care one way or another if I got one or one hundred papers delivered.
Alright - then change my word "can't" to "won't"! :) I don't subscribe at all myself because I live in a condo and would never actually get the paper. I just know I've read this from other people!
When I lived in a condo years ago, I got the delivery guy to toss the paper on my balcony every week :)
I get 3 papers and it was actually the girl at the Trib's suggestion that if I wanted to use the discount code on all 3 subscriptions, I would have to use different names for each of them. She said they only allow one. Probably like most companies (as we all know 1st hand! lol...) not everyone over there is doing it the same. Really doesn't matter as long as we all get our papers right!?!
I find the people shopping in such a way offensive,Not the words of a company that was taken by a storm of mad shoppers on a high to make $1 or more on each shampoo they bought . And I guess Ragu had the same award .
I think they could have stayed away from the term abuse. There was no need for that. I don't think any of us our mad that the program changed but the fact that they tossed out the term abuse is offensive.
I would have loved to see a more honest approach to this issue. Limits would have been a better way to go but I'm not sure if they are able to do that? I know the card is registered but perhaps since it's not a "live" program and instead only updated once a night with the CAT machine that they are unable to do "limits" like the Avenue program which is Jewel related and works against their own "live" computer system.
With that said, a program like this needs to determine the average cost of an item before they determine the amount they are going to give back. That information right there would have done a fine job curbing any perceived abuse. Perhaps they could have used the phrase "took advantage of"?
What, in their mind, constitutes "abuse"? 5 transactions? 50? 200? I think a qualifier if they were going to toss out the abuse part since so many of us who have done a few of each might even feel that we are the ones responsible. Almost like a Dominicks corporate person wrote this...
I have to agree that those individuals out there that are clearing the shelves needs to stop. Sure you might feel like it's the stores problem for not properly stocking for these kinds of deals. Sure you might be doing it for a good reason (food pantry, fund raiser, etc) but it's still not fair to the rest of us who would like to stop by the store and be able to get our one item. Or the fact that the store does not have enough for those not even interested in obtaining a YB or CAT. It's the same mentality when someone clears out the blinkie machines or takes all the peelies.
Those individuals that are grabbing the YBs and then walking out of the store without paying needs to stop. The economy now is putting some individuals in a position that makes them feel they need to do this perhaps? Perhaps there will always be a segment of the population that will take something to the extreme. Its sad because that behaviour goofs up these deals for the rest of us.
Okay, I'm rambling now. I'll get off the soap box because I'm preaching to the choir.
I agree with the person who said that they should keep the high value coupons but put limits on it.
Personally, the prospect of getting an item free (or almost free) is enough to motivate me to make a trip to the store (where I will likely buy other things). I'm not going to make a special trip just to get a $1 off.
I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. Nor would I blame anyone who took advantage of the program. While I'm not thrilled to hear that someone would line up 20 items and do 20 separate transactions, the root of the problem was someone didn't do their homework on how much these items cost to begin with! 2.00 back on any Suave product? Anyone who's shopped this century knows that Suave products are typically one of the cheaper toiletries out there. I think this is more Catalina/Comcast correcting their mistakes and blaming it on those who capitalized. Heaven forbid it be their fault.
I second that BD, you said it perfect!
I have to laugh .I have bought in the last 2 weeks 5 bottles of shampoo ,Between DH sujury and my new hip ! Lets face it not getting out to much ! No Ragu hate it and not ever found degree cheap . So I think everyone taking advantage of a good thing has ruined it for all of us . But what do you expect Nice new company trying to help out and then all the FORCE comes out to shop.
I was at Jewel yesterday thinking I would try Pepsi Max because with YourBucks it would only come to .39 There were none left on the shelf. When I asked the Pepsi rep who was stocking the shelf if he had any, he said one woman came in and bought over 20 bottles and then had the cashier ring them up in separate orders! This same Jewel was cleared out of .99 bread, Suave, and Buitoni. I am all for donating to food pantries, but when the entire stock is cleared out, companies will start to react they way they now are and change their policies and that will affect everyone.
My husband and BIL both used to work for CocaCola stocking shelves. Even if the company can anticipate sales and SHIP enough product to cover purchases, workers can't always keep up.
Discussing my couponing with the family, my BIL said that the worst work day of his life was when Coke ran a sale which coincided with a catalina deal. These stockers aren't just in charge of one store - they are usually allocated 5-7 stores per day to stock. On days like this they might have to hit each store twice.
Just thought it's always interesting to hear stories of how it affects different people from different angles... :)
I was just at Jewel. One of the stock people was saying to another... "We're so behind. Do you know if this is Monday's shipment or yesterdays?" Poor guys.
Did only some customers get the email? I didn't get one from them.
I got the email as well and had to laugh.... I wondered when Catalina was going to figure out that no limits wasn't the smartest thing to do . The lady in Crystal Lake that takes care of Cosmetics dept said she couldn't order the suave fast enough before it was cleaned out. They also had no advanced notice on these Cat deals so they were unprepared for such a response. I know the larger sizes worked too but noone was buying those. I enjoy a money maker like the next shopper but really free is free. I bought the larger size shampoo and still got the cats.Pennies instead of dollars back but enough pennies add up to dollars.
I think both Catalina and Jewel need to take a good hard look at their marketing departments!! Any time you offer a $2.00 cat for a $.89 product your going to have a problem. Everyone likes FREE let alone make it FREE and give me a buck! Can you imagine GM, Ford or any other manufacturer doing this type of selling. Though Toyota maybe look hard at this type of sale in the future! Still I have to believe that Jewel made money in the long run and food pantries made out as well. We all had fun while it lasted. Now life can get back to normal!!
I sent a reply with my email with a suggestion. Maybe they could keep the high value discounts but limit the item per card. Say Ragu 2.00 Limit 3 per card registered. Just a suggestion.
I submitted the same suggestion. Not sure if they have power to stop the catalinas printing after one specific preferred card has triggered it x amout of times? but I think that's the best suggestion.
We stay happy, we get our free/MMs
Companies stay happy, their product stays stocked but is still purchased
Hoarders are eliminated (ok, at least PREVENTED some)
Another option is if CS sees someone with their whole stock of ______ (enter item here) they forbid them to buy them all. But that sure would be a stinky job for our gracious & helpful Jewel employees.
Unfortunately I've also heard of people registering for multiple preferred cards. Hopefully that can be tracked or prevented somehow too so sneaky rule-breakers can't always get around the system! :)
I think it just sounds like they are making a smart move to try to curb hoarding, which only makes good sense business-wise. Face it, no company could survive giving away their products for free for any extended period of time! (You'll notice that those are the specific products they mentioned in the email.)
is the people that go to u-scan and scan those items and say they forgot something in the car and grab the cats and walk out the door.
I think that's one big change they need to make, have the cat's print after the transaction just like the other ones do. I'm sure there's a reason why it was set up that way in the beginning, but it's giving people an opportunity to take advantage. Sadly there are people out there who will do that.
wow, I know comments have already been posted but just had to say my goodness, I can not believe someone would actually take the cats and not buy the merchandise. I would NEVER have even thought to do this and when we are basically getting the items free anyway why would someone scam the system for a buck? Very sad!
Glad I was able to stock up on Ragu and Sham/Condt while the deals were still going on. I did make a lot of transactions, but never cleared the shelves. I also went during off times so I didn't hold up any lines.
of people doing that. That stinks!
I think so too. I think we should be grateful that the whole program wasn't dropped, just modififed.
I think they should change the program, so that cats print after payment, like other cats from other deals do.
I can't help but wonder what kind of message are their kids getting from their parents behavior of shopping . I was so glad to see this great program happening at Jewel ! Its so sad that people like the ones Your bucks mentioned ruin it for everyone . But thats life . I guess they would make great politians with the experiences they are getting )+:
And I sure hope they don't drop the program by the actions of some people !!
I just hope they can fix my card # entry so I can get any at all!
You should unsubscribe & then resubscribe. I had to do it because I entered my card number wrong. But, once I did that everything was fine! Good Luck!
Do you have an old card with the raised numbers? If you do, you need to get a new one.
You might try and get a new card at the check out, and try activating that one! Just ditch your old card!
I went to jewel in wooddale and I had 4 coupons for the free tennesse pride sandwiches when I ask the chashier where they were located she told me but said there was none left some one just came in wit 60 coupons and bought all of them. Give me a break how greedy can you get. If your going to be greedy brake them up and use them at different store. Let some one else have a chance to use them and not waste there gas.
I shop this Jewel only when I'm visiting my mom...is it just me or are the cashiers there super rude?? and NOT coupon friendly? I find myself double and triple checking their entries, because they always enter my coupons in as "grocery", and did I mention they are RUDE?
I agree you should split up your purchases at different stores if their shelves are light. HOWEVER - 60 sandwiches for 2 people every morning is 4 weeks worth of breakfast. For a family of 4 eating 1 per morning, it's only 2 weeks worth. Never waste your gas on trying to buy one item - I always walk in thinking that one deal or two will probably not be available. We aren't even the only couponing site, believe it or not, and look how many followers just Jill has. I have many deals lined up, if one is sold out, it's expected and I move on to the next, or have different scenarios lined up. We also have NO IDEA what that person did with those sandwiches, maybe it was to feed 60 people one breakfast on the street - right? It's easy to judge, but judge who you know by their intentions not their actions. Call ahead to save the gas, ask about their next shipment, etc. There are abusers and then also just downright poor or just plain generous - we do not know . . . everyone is fighting some sort of battle, if not for themselves then maybe for someone else.
for these TN sandwiches for two weeks now. I alerted her I saw them at one store where they had at least a 100 at 7:00 a.m. but by the time she got there, all gone and never to be seen again.
I am all about buying lots and saving lots. I admit I have 20 jars of Ragu, kids shampoos (.59 after $2YB), Colagte, degree, etc. But! Never once did I clean out the store! Each time I went to the store I would buy a few of each, not the whole shelf. I stocked up only on things my family could use. So, I guess my point would be that the high value coupons are great, but a limit would be nice. 12 is a good number. It would make for good food storage. One item for each month of the year. Now the fruit snacks to was a great deal. I myslef bought 70 boxes, 30 at one store, 40 at another. I know that is alot, but there were still TONS left. I didn't buy all of them, not even close. I don't hoard, I just wanted to stock up on things my family uses, when it was a great price. I understand why they changed it, and it was fun while it lasted. Sorry I rambeled.
I am all about buying lots and saving lots. I admit I have 20 jars of Ragu, kids shampoos (.59 after $2YB), Colagte, degree, etc. But! Never once did I clean out the store! Each time I went to the store I would buy a few of each, not the whole shelf. I stocked up only on things my family could use. So, I guess my point would be that the high value coupons are great, but a limit would be nice. 12 is a good number. It would make for good food storage. One item for each month of the year. Now the fruit snacks to was a great deal. I myslef bought 70 boxes, 30 at one store, 40 at another. I know that is alot, but there were still TONS left. I didn't buy all of them, not even close. I don't hoard, I just wanted to stock up on things my family uses, when it was a great price. I understand why they changed it, and it was fun while it lasted. Sorry I rambeled.
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