Shoppers Drug Mart: Official Coupon Policy

Monday, June 13, 2011

Shoppers Drug Mart has just posted their updated Coupon policy on their Facebook Page. I think this is great to have it laid out like this, it will clear up any misunderstandings that customers may have with cashiers. It's a good idea to print it out and bring it in with you. They are working on a printable version as well. I recently had a SCOP situation at Shoppers, I wasn't given the item for free, and wasn't going to make a fuss about it in the store, but reading this, I should of.

Basic Rules
Q: Are there limits with coupons per transaction? For example, I heard that there is a limit of 4 coupons only per transaction. Is this correct?
A: This is not correct. There is no limit to the number of coupons you can use in a single transaction. However, you can only use one coupon per item in your purchase, provided they are all applicable.

Q: Can I use more than one coupon to buy a single item? For example, I want to buy a bottle of shampoo that costs $5. Can I use 2 coupons worth $1 each to bring the price down to $3?
A: There can only be one coupon accompanying each individual product. In this case, you could only use one coupon for a total discount of $1 (see next question for details).

Q: Can I use one coupon for more than one product? For example, I have 1 coupon for $2 off a bottle of shampoo, and I want to buy 3 bottles. Can I use the same coupon for all three?
A: You cannot use one coupon for 3 products. However, if you have three coupons, you can use one coupon for each item. However, if the second coupon is for Optimum Bonus Points, you can use both the standard coupon to lower the price and the points coupon to claim the Bonus Points.

Q: I have a $10 off coupon. Can I use it in a purchase toward the [Cosmetics 20x] Event? The rules say the Event cannot be combined with other offers, but it also says it has to be $75 after discounts. Which is it?
A: The $10 coupon can be used on your purchase, but it will NOT count toward the pre-tax event threshold. This means that if the Event says something like "Receive 20x the Points if you spend $75 in store," then you would need to spend $75 before tax and after the coupons have been deducted in order to qualify. Please check the rules and regulations for each event or promotion to make sure these rules apply to that particular offer.

Q: I have a coupon that was printed in the United States. Can I use it at Shoppers Drug Mart?
A: Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix will only accept coupons with a Canadian redemption address printed on them. We cannot redeem manufacturer coupons that were printed in the United States of America or in other countries.

Q: I have a coupon from one of your competitors. Can I use it at Shoppers Drug Mart?
A: No. We will only accept coupons from Shoppers Drug Mart, vendors or manufacturers.

Digital and Online Coupons:
Q: I found a coupon for a product online. Can I print it and use it in your stores?
A: Yes. Coupons printed from the internet or from email are accepted at all of our locations, provided they meet industry standards and are valid. Our stores retain the right to refuse any coupon that does not meet legal standards or appears to have been tampered with.

Q: A company sent me a coupon for their product via email. Can I print it and use it in your stores?
A: Yes. Coupons printed from the internet or from email are accepted at all of our locations, provided they meet industry standards and are valid. Our stores retain the right to refuse any coupon that does not meet legal standards or appears to have been tampered with.

Q: Do you accept digital coupons displayed on my mobile phone or tablet device?
A: Not at this time. We will post an announcement on Facebook and Twitter if and when this changes.

Coupon Amounts:
Q: I have a $2 coupon for a product, but sometimes the sale price for it is only $1.99. Can I use this coupon for this product during the sale?
A: Yes, you can. Our cashiers will enter the actual price for the item with the coupon code, instead of the printed price. In this case, they will enter the coupon value as $1.99 instead of $2. No change will be provided.

Q: I have a $2 coupon for a product and just purchased it on sale for $1.89. Will Shoppers Drug Mart pay me the $.11 difference?
A: No. Coupons and portions of coupons have no cash value, so no change will be given.

Coupon Rejection/Refusal:
Q: What are some conditions that might lead to my coupon being refused?
A: Coupon offers are variable, so you need to pay particular attention to the coupon details to make sure you have met the minimum pre-tax or product purchase requirements. All coupons must have manufacturer information, a valid expiry date and country of origin. Some reasons why a coupon might be refused include:
   • The redemption address is not located in Canada
   • You have not met the minimum pre-tax or product purchase requirements as stated on the coupon
   • The coupon does not appear to be valid or is missing required information
   • The product brand, size or type does not match the coupon
   • The coupon is for a product not sold in store
   • The coupon shows evidence of tampering

Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)
Q: Do you follow the SCOP (Scanning Code of Practice)?
A: Yes, we do.

Q: What is SCOP (the Scanning Code of Practice)?
A: The Scanner Price Voluntary Code is not legislation but is, instead, a voluntary code which has evolved from the collaborative efforts of the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. It was implemented in 2002. A copy of the Code can be found on www.retailcouncil.org.

The Item Free Scanner Policy, which forms part of the Code, provides that "on a claim being presented by the customer, where the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the price displayed in the store or than advertised by the store, the lower price will be honoured; and (a) if the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer free of charge; or (b) if the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the corrected price".

There are several exceptions to this Item Free Scanner Policy set out in the Code, including that it does not apply "to a product where, in respect of the product, the law (a) establishes a minimum price (or specified price); or (b) does not permit the retailer to offer a discount or a rebate". Further, the Code provides that "when a retailer cannot immediately correct a scanner error in respect of a product, it will post a correction notice in a conspicuous place. Once such a notice has been posted, the Item Free Scanner Policy is no longer in effect in respect of the relevant product."

Other Questions:
Q: I am going to a store to buy some products with full value coupons, so I won't pay anything out of pocket. Will I get a receipt for this purchase?
A: Yes. You should always receive a receipt, even if your entire purchase is paid for with coupons. It will show that a number of coupons were applied and that you didn't pay anything. This will also make it easier for you, if you need to return or exchange something.