Wendy A. wrote to Mouse Print* saying she had just gotten an email from MyPoints promoting a free turkey at Office Depot. Not only did it seem odd to her that an office supply store was giving out turkeys, but she was even more taken aback when reading the fine print.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Besides requiring a $125 minimum purchase, it instantly became clear that one could not purchase a whole turkey for the measily $10 coupon that the company was actually offering. She says, “Why not just say “Get $10 off a Thanksgiving turkey?” We agree.
Free and discounted turkey promotions are more popular at supermarkets certainly, and Shaw’s in the northeast jumped on the free turkey bandwagon too. They just sent out emails with the subject line: “Enjoy a free turkey for Thanksgiving”.
It almost sounds like the supermarket is being benevolent and giving away free turkeys. But, there is that dreaded “see terms and conditions”.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Once you’ve spent $500 on eligible items, a coupon with a maximum value of $20 will automatically be printed on the bottom of your receipt.
A $500 purchase requirement [not necessarily all at one time] for a free turkey? That makes Office Depot seem generous, only requiring $125. At least at Shaw’s they realize that a turkey normally costs more than $10, so they are promising $20 worth of turkey AND fixings.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I was curious how long the spending period was and found this discussion:
http://www.afullcup.com/forums/shaws/411576-shop-shaws-earn-free-turkey.html
“2. When you shop with your Shaw’s Rewards Card, your eligible purchases will be tracked on the bottom of your receipt. Once you’ve spent $500 on eligible items, a coupon, with a maximum value of $20, will automatically be printed on the bottom of your receipt. A maximum of one coupon may be earned per $500 spent on eligible items. You can participate as many times as you would like between 10/8/10 – 11/18/10.”
It’s over a six week period which averages to around $85 per week in groceries. I certainly don’t spend that much on groceries every week but looking at the discussion on that link, some people have no problem with that weekly average and don’t seem to think twice about it.
While you pointed out half of rule #2 that makes $500 seem absurd, also pointing out the other half that shows it’s over a six week period, makes it seem more reachable. The context was changed with just a bit of editing to rule #2.
Edgar replies: Julie… the post above clearly disclosed that the $500 purchase requirement did not have to be accomplished in just one shopping trip.
Most places in our area (Twin Cities of MN ) have turkeys for 39 cents per pound. But perhaps that is because our Vikings are a bunch of turkeys this year! Go Pack!
Shaw’s is a freaking joke. In my area you would be nuts to do regular shopping at Shaw’s when Hannaford’s and Market Basket are available. We shop Shaw’s only when they have specials and sometimes those specials are the regular price at Hannaford’s and MB. Spend $500? LOL! Tukey’s at Hannaford’s are 47 cents a pound and MB at 58 cents a pound and no silly cards to use.
I’ve bought my family turkeys for the past several years (about 15-18lbs), and haven’t spent over $7. Last year I got my turkey for $0.19/lb, and this year it was $0.39 (I went with a smaller turkey this year, so it was more expensive per lb, vs the $0.29/lb for an over 18lb turkey).
So it’s entirely possible to get a turkey for $10 or less.
Edgar replies: Amber, the coupon is for a Butterball turkey, and they are virtually never less than 99 cents a pound on sale. And, you would be hard-pressed to find a 10 pound Butterball. I bet the birdies you got were not Butterball for 19-29 cents a pound.
My local grocery store had a promotion to spend $50 (excluding milk) and get a free 10-12 pound turkey of a certain variety.
So since I go there often (and usually spend more than $50) I went and collected my usual items (totalling about $70) and went to go get my turkey but the only ones left were 13-15 pounds.
I asked the girl at the register where I can get the 10-12 pound turkeys and she told me they were out so I should just take one of the others.
I got my 13.5 pound turkey for free*
* with $50 purchase of items I would have eventually bought anyway, most of it on sale or decent-priced staples!
FYI
A recent news report here in San Diego indicated that the average nationwide price of turkey this Thanksgiving rose from 79-cents per pound to over $1/lb in 2010.
Note that the Office Depot add doesn’t say “A free turkey” or “One free turkey” or “One whole turkey”; only “free turkey”. So, if you use the certificate it’s legit – some of the pounds of turkey you buy are free, and you’re paying for the rest.
If the certificate is good on a turkey breast that costs less than $10, then they’re being honest about it.