What Is the Shoppers Optimum Points Program?

So I generally think things at Shoppers Drug Mart are over priced.  I used to use the program on the 20x the points days but I gave that up when I started using flyers to track the deals.  Now that I'm also using coupons, I've decided to give it another shot.  Here are the basics of the program.

What is it?
The Shoppers Optimum Points program is a loyalty program offered by Shoppers Drug Mart free to customers.  Points are earned on each purchase and can be redeemed once set levels are reached to pay for a portion or all of your purchases.

How Many Points do you Earn?
You earn 10 points for each dollar (rounded down) spent.  Shoppers Drug Mart has special days when you can earn 20 times the points or 200 points per dollar spent if you spend $50.  Sometimes it also offers 10x the points on fragrances and beauty or other specific items. 

What are Bonus Points
Product with bonus points will give you extra bonus Shoppers Optimum Points when you buy them.

What are they Worth?
8,000 points = $10
22,000 points = $30
38,000 = $60
50,000 = $85
95,000 = $170
Shoppers also has special days when you can redeem at the higher levels for even more money off your purchase!

If I Redeem More than the Price of my Purchase Do I Get the Excess Back?
Nope, you would lose any extras in this case.  You could choose to redeem at a lower level in this case.

Shoppers Drug Mart Sep 3, 2011 20x Optimum Points Purchase

I haven't done a 20x the points event at Shoppers Drug Mart for a while.  To me, everything in the store is about 30% over priced, so the program cancels itself out.  Well, this was the first 20x the points day since I started this blog so I figured I'd give it a shot.  I did quite a bit of planning only to get a little flustered at the store and not follow through completely. 

At the cash the cashier, manager and other cashier were adamant that I needed $50 after coupons to get the points.  I got home and calculated my receipt and only the free product coupon affected the points balance.  So now I know that even if my out of pocket is $1, if the total before tax and coupons i'll $50 I'll get the points.

Some of my deals did not pan out as well as I'd hoped. 

1. I expected to get a free toothbrush.  The cost was $5.49 but the free product coupon only went up to $4.99 so I had to pay the difference. 
2. My mail in rebate will only cover up to $14.99 on the purchase of a Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System and it was priced at $15.99 so I have to pay a little extra there.  
3. The selection of Febreeze sprays didn't have the type I was looking for (the odor eliminator one). 
4. Lastly, I forgot to buy peanut butter.  Thankfully I have a raincheck at Zellers for a cheaper price anyway.

Overall DH was impressed with my haul.  Here's a (dark, it's going to rain today) picture of my purchase:

5x Cheerios 1.99*5=$9.95

2x Lays Chips (we're having people over today) $1.99*2=$3.98
1x SDM Men's Pack $8.99
1x Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System $15.99-MIR only up to $14.99=1.00
1x Honey Bunches of Oats $2.49 - $1.00 = $1.50
3x Crest Vivid White Toothpaste $1.77*3=$5.31 + 1000 Bonus Points
1x Oral B Vivid White Toothbrush $5.49 - $4.99 =$0.49 free WUB 2 Crest Vivid White toothpastes
3x Febreeze Air Effects $2.99 - $4WUB3 = $4.97
Subtotal after coupons $51.28
Total $56.97
"You have saved $35.66" ($10 of coupons, so regular cost of $82.63)
- MIR 14.99*1.13=16.94
- 12200 Points earned worth $15.25 at lowest level rate
Net OOP = $24.78
Savings of $70%

So overally I saved more than the 30% I think they're overpriced, so I should be happy.  I think next time knowing for sure that coupons do not affect the $50 total and I've got more coupons on hand I'll be able to get a better deal.

So, today wasn't the perfect day for me, but I am kinda excited for the next 20x the points event now.