ACME ~ Question: Is any other Acme doing this?

[pookie111]

Originally Posted by kdawn73 When there are really good cat deals (like the double dips in the past), one of the acmes near me put up signs at the shelves limiting purchases to 4 per customer. At the door there were also signs stating their right to limit quantities. I haven't seen any recently though. Doesn't the 10/$10 ad say something like buy one, buy two, buy ten or more?

Yes it does.

[Theresat]

It's a shame some people (store owners) ruin the deals for all of us. I don't think I've ever done more then 4 transactions a day - and that was maybe 1x a "hot" week. Most "hot" weeks I go 3x's. I like MM deals as much as anyone but I do get a dose of guilt when I'm making a big profit and getting frees.

[RockyGap]

Would'nt surprise me at all if they change the cats to go off of sale prices.Last cat deal I did at the Easton ACME the female manager did'nt believe that cats were going off shelf prices.So it would be easier to change the cats to sale prices than trying to make managers understand cats go off of shelf prices.

[rcbrad]

Originally Posted by RockyGap Would'nt surprise me at all if they change the cats to go off of sale prices.Last cat deal I did at the Easton ACME the female manager did'nt believe that cats were going off shelf prices.So it would be easier to change the cats to sale prices than trying to make managers understand cats go off of shelf prices.

I agree, I would not be surprised either if the system is changed to no longer recognize the shelf price. If it was easy for the promotion to be based on sale prices for the catalina to print, it would have been changed months and months ago in their system.

The intent of the promotion has always been to buy the items based on sale prices to earn the reward. The fact that it does print based on shelf prices is because of the way their systems are programed. It must be an undertaking to change this, otherwise it would have been done a long time ago. There must be reasons internally why it still works on shelf prices, as corporate is well aware of it. I am sure that most shoppers do not know about the shelf price benefit, but the list keeps growing.

[edxzxz]

Originally Posted by rcbrad I agree, I would not be surprised either if the system is changed to no longer recognize the shelf price. If it was easy for the promotion to be based on sale prices for the catalina to print, it would have been changed months and months ago in their system. The intent of the promotion has always been to buy the items based on sale prices to earn the reward. The fact that it does print based on shelf prices is because of the way their systems are programed. It must be an undertaking to change this, otherwise it would have been done a long time ago. There must be reasons internally why it still works on shelf prices, as corporate is well aware of it. I am sure that most shoppers do not know about the shelf price benefit, but the list keeps growing.

How do we 'Know' what the intent of the promo is? and it is incredibly easy to change what price the cat is triggered for - look at how they mess with knockdown prices that are only in effect the week the cat promo runs - they did that for kraft and capri sun last week, so it is easy, and instantaneous, completely under Acme's control any time they choose to do that. acme doesn't cover the cost of the cats that are redeemed, at least as far as i know, so why would they want to mess with it? unless a manufacturer or the cat company insists on prices being knocked down, idk why acme would instigate any changes at all - they're moving product, and making $$. there's a reason they pay people to work at a higher level than cashiers in the acme chain of command - because cashiers don't always comprehend that it's not necesaarily a bad thing for profits when customers wheel cart fulls of stuff out the door for low or zero oop - as long as the catalina co. is paying, or manufacturers are paying via mfc's, acme is getting paid.

[rcbrad]

Originally Posted by edxzxz How do we 'Know' what the intent of the promo is? and it is incredibly easy to change what price the cat is triggered for - look at how they mess with knockdown prices that are only in effect the week the cat promo runs - they did that for kraft and capri sun last week, so it is easy, and instantaneous, completely under Acme's control any time they choose to do that. acme doesn't cover the cost of the cats that are redeemed, at least as far as i know, so why would they want to mess with it? unless a manufacturer or the cat company insists on prices being knocked down, idk why acme would instigate any changes at all - they're moving product, and making $$. there's a reason they pay people to work at a higher level than cashiers in the acme chain of command - because cashiers don't always comprehend that it's not necesaarily a bad thing for profits when customers wheel cart fulls of stuff out the door for low or zero oop - as long as the catalina co. is paying, or manufacturers are paying via mfc's, acme is getting paid.

If you go higher and higher up the chain of command at ACME/Supervalu or spoke with the manufacturers, I would doubt that anybody would say that the reward is designed/intended to be paid based on shelf prices, if the items are on sale. (I could be wrong, but this is just my take)

Months ago there was much conversation in the shaw's thread about it being hard to change their systems, but you may be right with the KD prices it seems it could be easy for them to control shelf vs sale prices!

I did not realize that some items were on knockdown, just during the week of the catalina offer. It could be that they were KD because of the shelf/sale price circumstances, but I really do not know.

Yes, products are being moved, but the profit level goes down/way down for the store and the manufacturers in many cases, but I guess it must be acceptable, since this practice continues. (at least for now)

I wish that the cashiers would comprehend that it is not a bad thing, when people use coupons and can get items free or cheap. It gets tiresome to have cashiers think you are trying use coupons improperly or use too many, when you are playing by the rules and using coupons properly.

[Supergirl9801]

Originally Posted by rcbrad If you go higher and higher up the chain of command at ACME/Supervalu or spoke with the manufacturers, I would doubt that anybody would say that the reward is designed/intended to be paid based on shelf prices, if the items are on sale. (I could be wrong, but this is just my take)

There's no way anyone's gonna get me to believe that whoever designs these sales doesn't "know" how they really work. It's all about marketing. The manufacturer's are the ones paying Acme and other stores for the coupons that are being used...even the cats...those are MF q's...it's no dime out Acme's pocket. The only reason for limits is b/c it pisses off other customers when Acme is sold out on something b/c of shelf clearers. It's not that they don't want the product moved...they just don't want complaints from 20 people who didn't get anything vs. one who couldn't go in and get 20 items.

Sure....cashiers...even store managers and DM's usually just don't "get it"...but I can guarantee some marketing muckity muck explained it all out and said...hey, we'll move tons of products to those "in the know" b/c they'll buy tons with their q's and we'll get reimbursed...and to those not "in the know"...we'll still move these products at an even bigger profit b/c they'll buy based on the sales price...so it's a win win for them! I can picture them all sitting around their big mahogony desk just .....yeah they'll change the way it works....yeah right They haven't changed it yet.

It's all about enticement....for example....I got some Olay Body Ribbons wash for free at RA a couple weeks ago. I'd never buy that stuff b/c it's like $8-$10 a pop. But I LOVE IT....it's awesome...leaves my skin so soft and actually moisturized. So....I got it for free once...but now I'm willing to pay for it....of course, I still want it dirt cheap though, but I'd be willing to go a little OOP for it .

They know the game....somebody does....might only be a handful of em'...but they got the big wigs ear and put it into motion, and I highly doubt that will change!

[barb540213]

LOL this gave me the biggest laugh today . . . because last fall during the 30/15 cat deal the manager at the ridley pa acme was going nuts because no joke every jar of mayo (like 4 carts full) was being bought by one guy with a new york accent it was funny to me at the time i just thought maybe he was a caterer or something but the cashier told me they have a problem with stores buying up their goods, especially soda! the worst part about the mayo guy is that he didn't buy the whole triple cat concept and was doing each trans seperate!!! this was at like 10:30 at night with only 2 cashiers!!

anyway i hope it isn't ruined for us loyal acme shoppers!!

[LianneSNJ]

Originally Posted by barb540213 LOL this gave me the biggest laugh today . . . because last fall during the 30/15 cat deal the manager at the ridley pa acme was going nuts because no joke every jar of mayo (like 4 carts full) was being bought by one guy with a new york accent it was funny to me at the time i just thought maybe he was a caterer or something but the cashier told me they have a problem with stores buying up their goods, especially soda! the worst part about the mayo guy is that he didn't buy the whole triple cat concept and was doing each trans seperate!!! this was at like 10:30 at night with only 2 cashiers!! anyway i hope it isn't ruined for us loyal acme shoppers!!

I think if the store manager is wise about such things, and it's within Acme protocol to allow, they should limit sales as needed. Doesn't the manger have the right to do this without selling themselves short (literally!) for the sake of avoiding such a situation with one or two individuals.

I can do a TON of shopping on the big sales but I don't think it's causing any distress to the stores (I don't buy carts full of mayo) so why limit that? They move large amounts of items the manufacture is trying to move out, and have some left for others. I think the limits should be that ace that you hold up the sleeve for emergencies!

[pookie111]

LOL Mayo snatchers are back. Now are the Post snachers. Cart fulls of it. 5 at a time for $4.00 cat.