ShopRite 10 for $10 Catalina Update
A lot of you have been reporting signs going up at your ShopRite regarding changes to the Buy 10 Get $10 Catalina deal at ShopRite this week. I just wanted to confirm that, starting today, 2/16, there will, in fact, be a limit of 1 transaction per Price Plus card holder for the rest of the promotion.
Here is the information that I received directly from Wakefern last night, which is effective this morning:
Customers who purchase 10 of the qualifying items in any transaction AFTER they earn and receive their initial $10 coupon, will receive a Catalina print that will explain the limit and remind them that they already qualified for and received the offer. The ShopRite Customer Care Center will be able to work with Catalina to confirm when the customer received and/or redeemed their offer, so please encourage your readers to contact us at 1-800-ShopRite if they have any questions.
As always, all of us at ShopRite are committed to helping our customers save on their grocery bill week after week. We appreciate your support and hope that all of our customers have the opportunity to earn and redeem this valuable offer.
Update: Here is additional information that I have received from Wakefern this morning. This should answer even more of your questions regarding the change in the catalina offer today:
Since the tracking program to enforce the limit one was turned on today, all customers are essentially starting with a “clean slate” even if they previously qualified in multiple transactions earlier in the week. Customers will be required to use their Price Plus card to qualify for the offer from this point forward and the first qualifying purchase registered in the point of sale system will count as their one offer. So, if a customer made six previous qualifying purchases of Sobe Water and received six Catalina coupons and they go in today to buy ten boxes of oatmeal, they will qualify and receive another Catalina coupon for $10 off their next order. Their Price Plus card will now be flagged in our system as having met the limit and they will not receive any additional coupons.
We regret that some of your readers have posted that they’ve been unable to find product in the stores. Staying in stock has been a challenge for some stores but please let your readers know that we’re doing our best to replenish our shelves as quickly as we can. The promotion is limited to store stock only, and we are unable to issue rainchecks.
Update from Cindy: While you all know that I love to hear your opinions and you guys are always great about being respectful of one another, in this instance, I have decided to close the comments at this point. Most of you have said what you needed/wanted to say. With so many differing opinions, I have to monitor the comments closely and, with today being Thursday, I am busy getting the store match ups ready for tonight and can not give the comments my undivided attention. So, I hope that you will understand that the comments on this are now closed. Thanks so much for your understanding!
Was fun while it lasted 🙂
it sure was.lol
My sentiments exactly Ted. I got 70 bottles. Well I’ll keep my $10 cat to start dollar days next week with a bang!
good for u .i got 40.and used my ten for meats.its ok it will getconsumed in this family of 5.have a great day
eh? I did the Sobe/Lipton deal a few times but was planning to go back and get 6 boxes of Quaker. Does this mean I won’t get my $10 cat for that? It may be time to get another card in a different name if this is the case.
I wanted to do the same thing. 🙁 Now I am bummed since I didn’t use my quaker coupons last week and wanted to use them now.
The limit STARTS today. I got some Sobe on Monday and this morning was able to get 10 no problem, but the next 10 it said I hit the limit.
So you can still do 1 Quaker deal.
Thanks Lori! Did one today and got a cat back….guess I will hold onto it until next week!
Awesome! Thanks for the info.
I have 2 questions. One, does the limit start today? Like if I did the deal yesterday, can I do it one more time? And two, yesterday my husband did the deal and didn’t use his card. They still all rang up at $1 each and he received the cat. Will the cat not print now if one doesn’t use their SR card?
i have these questions too.
If you already did the deal, you can not do it again. The deal is one offer per week now. If you did it at least once, you should not do it again. Hope that helps.
Thanks Cindy! I’m still wondering what will happen if you don’t use your SR card, like my husband did yesterday. He also didn’t give them our phone number. He said he just paid with the cat (and cash for the tax) and received a new cat. I guess the cat won’t print now if you don’t use your card, although they still may ring up at $1/each.
If you did the deal once, you shouldn’t do it again. The store has placed limits on it, and we should be respectful of those limits. Regardless of whether or not your card was used, regardless of whether or not it will work, as ethical couponers we have a responsibility to work within the confines of store policy.
It’s not unethical to do a deal more than once when it allows you to. Not once in my 4 trips did I clear the shelves. I did not do more than one transaction on those trips. There are plenty of deals posted here that people do more than once, because the store allows you to. I was well within the ethical boundries of couponing this past week and I still stand by the fact that this is a very poor business decision of SR and Catalina to change the deal midway through the promotion period, because no one in either organization had the foresight or the business sense (or common sense for that matter) to realize this would happen.
I know at EHT store the line manager is watching. she was telling the cashier that was checking me out it’s only one time after i checked out. and they need their cards. plus you can’t use the cashiers card because it won’t produce a cat. I was thinking about getting another card but i think i’ll step back i’ve done two trans. each day since sunday.
Cindy, I think Shoprite has hired someone to moniter your blog so that they can find out where their “glitches” are & correct them! lol 🙂
If they did, they took a long time! LOL
oh! i thought “rest of the promotion” meant the rest of the month. good to know it’s week to week.
Hmmm, I know a few people said it worked without a PP card. I wonder if they will change that too? I got a total of 60 bottles and I am happy with that. Just wondering if they will make it PP as well. I am sure someone will try it out!
Little late out of the gate on that one Shoprite, ha ha. Sure hope they don’t do this for the dollar days deals, that would be beyond depressing!
All I wanted was 6 oatmeals, and 4 teas or sobe’s(only was doing it for the oatmeal) and BOTH Staten Island ShopRites shelves were wiped clean so no deal for me and I doubt the shelves will restocked by saturday. Im glad for the change,if they restock it gives those who like myself who only wanted to do it once a chance. We just finised the last lipton teas from the lipton coupon a while ago and did not want anymore.
All of my ShopRites were cleared out also. And I shop on Sundays!
i agree with you tina, i did the deal once and got oatmeals and the drinks. i don’t find it necessary to have a hoard of drink bottles in my house and like to leave enough for other folks wanting to do the deal once as well. some of these comments about having 50+ bottles of tea in their house makes me wonder. i’m happy to see shoprite is keeping it fair here instead of letting the greedy ones who get up at 4am on a sunday get all of the deal and nothing left for others.
I think its wonderful that some areas have 4, 5, 6 or more shop rites where they can spread the deals out, however here on Staten Island we only have 2 and it does make it frustrating at times even though they both are almost never out of what I need which is a good thing. And Im an surely not paying $12 to cross the Goethals into Jersey, or paying any other toll to take advantage of a deal I only wanted to do once. We are a Military family not here by choice. Our kids don’t drink these drinks but they eat oatmeal almose everyday even in the summer so it would have been a nice addition to my stockpile to have a few extra boxes on hand and use the catalina on much needed produce which we go through like crazy!
I also agree, I shop in the middle of the week and even then I usually don’t get the really good deals, it’s a bummer when it happens.
I had only planned on doing it once for oatmeal and MAYBE a second time for some iced tea, but we try not to get carried away with this couponing and buy things we would not have normally brought into our house on a regular basis. I haven’t even been to the store yet! Let’s hope they have 4 bottles sitting there on the shelf waiting for me to get my oatmeal 😀
Have you guys visited your customer service desk? In the past when there have been deals with a catalina and they were out of stock, my service desk will give you a raincheck for the item’s price and print out the catalina that week and put it in a customer file to be picked up w/your name on it. I had to show my receipt that I bought the items when they were back in stock the next week and they gave me the cat. Of course, they only extend this courtesy once per deal. Just some thoughts – I know every store is different with their policies!
Tina- Stores normally get shipments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays…I would check back tomorrow or Saturday to see if they got any in.
Thanks Jean Im going to check in the morning when I go to redeem a free milk coupon.
When did you go? My mom went on Monday and they were cleared out. But yesterday she went to the one one Hylan BLVD, and she was able to do 2 transaction. The 1st one with 10 sobe and the 2nd with 6 oatmel and 4 teas.
Is it still one per day, or one $10.00 for the week?
and this is why i shop on Sundays….lol!
I went on sunday morn at 9am. all wiped out! Stopped at 2 shop rites! what a bummer!
i did 2 separate orders and didnt realize i had the ten qualifying items.if i go back can they print the cat.i almost feel like its too much of a hasstle.what u think?
I agree, its becoming to much of a hassle for me. And I’ll go to great lengths to get a deal!!!
“Too much of a good thing isn’t good”. Couponing is AWESOME (thank you, Cindy for all you do!) but we seem to have a bit of reverse greed going on lately and the stores aren’t going to keep just giving stuff away. I could see using the Catalina deal once or twice . . . maybe more if the items are being donated to a good cause, but when people just start taking things because they can get them free and hoarding them . . . the system eventually will cave in on itself. It HAS to. Businesses can’t stay in business without making money and many people are getting on the couponing bandwagon. We need to appreciate the values we can get, but not abuse the system . . . or it WILL go away. I bet they start doing this to ALL their catalina deals.
In regards to not having the PP card with you – your PP card is attached to your phone number. Even if you don’t have it, they can put in your phone number to give you PP deals and then, yes, it can be traced back to your club card.
Getting a 2nd PP card? Or a 3rd? I suppose people CAN do that, but I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. Dishonesty, whether small or big is still dishonesty.
Everyone, have a good day. Off to take care of a sick aunt!!!!
Kim~~~Thank you, I am not the only person that is fed up with people abusing the system. Cindy is awesome. She shows us where to find the bext deals for EVERYONE. However, everyone turns into a couple greedy resellers in my area. Terrible!
Kim…..Thank you, very to the point.The greed is coming out, main time.Thank you, Cindy for everything u do.
Sorry Kim, I disagree with you. Anyone who can do simple math could figure out that the sobes and liptons would be free after cat this week. So the stores knew this and decided to advertise it anyway, presumably hoping to bring people into the store to buy other things. Maybe they didn’t think people would catch on to the freebies, but whoever is in charge of these deals should have had the foresight to know this deal would generate freebie madness. Knowing this, they should have imposed limits the first day of the sale and written it out in the ad. Or, even better if your goal is to generate other sales, impose a deal with additional $15 purchase or something similar. Just my 2 cents (coming from a person who only did the deal twice).
I agree with Leeen, people were going to figure it out anyway and they should have limited it from the start.
it was written on the flyer one per card/household.but still…with the advancement in technology they should of done something.oh and not to mention this is NOT shop rites first year in business.
I disagree with Kim as well. If ShopRite and Catalina couldn’t figure out buying 10 items, get $10 back and having 2 items priced at $1 would make things free, then they are just stupid. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that one out. I’ve done the deal once/day since it started. I don’t think of that as hoarding. My husband takes 2 of these in his lunch per day, 5 days/week (one for lunch, one for afternoon coffee break). They will get used! And every single time we’ve done this deal, we’ve walked out with at least one other item that we wouldn’t have bought had we not gone to do this deal.
We’ve also had never tried Sobe before. This gave us a chance to try it and after this deal, will buy it again. Had this deal not been in place, we probably never would have bothered trying it.
And let me add that now I won’t be buying the oatmeal. I was planning on picking that up on my Saturday trip (plus probably other items) but now why bother. They’re just losing out on other business. Not a smart business move changing the deal midway through.
Well said, Kim. I went on Sunday to do ONE deal. All I wanted was a few Sobe drinks & oatmeal. I couldn’t get any of either item. I was told that a woman had already come & purchased all the drinks. That’s insane! When did couponing become a competitive sport? I’ve been doing this for a few years now & when I first started, it was a small community of people that wanted to save money & maybe donate some items if they had extra. Everyone helped everyone & no one would NEVER clear a shelf. Now, I feel like people watch the show & think it’s ok to go & buy 100 of something just because it’s free & because they can. I’m all for donating…don’t think that I’m against it in any way. I’m not. I donate all the time also. But everything in moderation, people. Donating 10 or 20 of something is perfectly fine. Donating 75 doesn’t make you a better person. It’s the thought that counts, no? I just feel like respect for fellow couponers (and fellow shoppers, in general) has gone out the window as of late. It really is sad to see. Cindy is amazing & is doing a wonderful service for everyone by providing this info & these deals. People shouldn’t abuse the system because if they do, there will be no system left to abuse. Rules will become stricter & stores will tighten up policies across the board. I’ve seen in happening all around just in the last year or so. I’ve seen cashiers get super picky, I’ve seen stores limiting purchases, I’ve seen the coupons themselves change. Again, Cindy, you’re awesome! You help everyone out so much & save so many people so much money day after day. Thank you for what you do!
can i get an amen!
Keirstin I agree. I’m reading people doing 10 and 12 transactions at a time. I went to 3 shoprites and they have been cleared since Monday. There are people basically gloating that they have 80 and 90 bottles. Now they figure out the limit issue didn’t catch and the next thing that happens is them refusing coupons and limiting deals in general. Greed in people has definitely shown itself this week.
Well said Kim! And shoprite did state in the paper limit one offer per customer, so next time they will know better and make sure to update the computer so it only spits out one for the entire time just like the turkey deal. But the greed got to people, and they had brag about going and doing the transaction 9 or 10 times, or maybe more.
Sorry Carol, but you are incorrect. The paper stated one per customer, PER TRANSACTION. That’s supposed to keep you from breaking up your transaction into many. If you follow the rules, you are doing nothing wrong. Stop blaming the people that just find the loopholes.
Looks like Catalina’s rolling is coming to an end…
I am HAPPY they limited it! It gives everyone a chance to get the same deal. I am sick of seeing people abuse deals and then find them reselling the merchandise on Facebook, the flea market, and yard sales! Kudos, Shoprite!
I SO agree with you on this one. I did the deal once and I was happy with that. I suppose if I didn’t have so much stockpiled oatmeal, that I would want to do that one too, but I think this policy is fair to allow everyone to have a chance.
I am glad too. My store was out on Sunday because one lady “cleaned them out” in the words of the stock person I spoke with.
Same thing happened to me. I went on Sunday to do ONE deal. Just one deal…that’s all I wanted. I was told that a woman had already come in & purchased all the drinks. What is that? Where do you shop? I wonder if it’s the same location. LoL
I shop at Greenwich.
Ah…I’m in NJ. Different shelf clearer, I guess. 🙂
The SR i shop at in south jersey only allows you to do 2 transactions in a trip anyway so no shelf clearing here. The front end guy actually told me he stopped a lady from doing 8 transactions at once and limited her to 2 on monday so they moniter it pretty well there. I am even allowed to do 2 transactions at 1 register to use 8 coupons instead of 4 with no problems. I am close by so I did go every day and did the deal 2 times (10 waters 10 teas) so I didnt clear the shelves either. With 4 kids and summer fast approaching these drinks will go fast.
Which SR?
Berlin NJ
lol i got to laurel rd in glo twp
This makes me nervous for future catalina deals at SR…I hope they don’t do this for everything!!
Oh man I was going today I didn’t get any
This is good news! I went on Sunday afternoon and all the shelves were clear already and are cleared everytime i stop after work. This is only fair!
I’m happy with being able to get this deal a few times, I went to Shoprite 4 times so far this week and there was a decent amount of stock each time and I got 10 each time I went. I’m grateful that I am stocked up with drinks for my son’s lunch for a couple of months now. Thank you, Cindy, for all you do.
i agree. i did the deal three times, but in three seperate trips to SR. I dont like clearing the shelves, so i split it between days to give everyone a chance to get some.
All the more reason why people should not FLAUNT the deals and draw attention to themselves in stores by clearing shelves. Better to have 1 good deal than NONE.
Exactly. It’s those who pile their carts with 100 items and want to do 10 transactions in a row that anger the stores and cause them to crack down. If you want to do the deal multiple times, spread it out among several stores or at least several shopping trips.
i would hate to think that you know of someone that coupons and hoards the food or items and dont use them.i do beliebe that if someone is doing the deal in question its because they NEED it and WILL use it.the economy is to rough to be paying full price for ANYTHING.so my husband takes 2 drinks for his long work day and my teenage daughter takes one to school.i take one a day while i do my running around with errands.SO PLEASE DO THE MATH.4 a day lets say for 5 days a week is 20.and if i were pying full price at a convinience store ($1.75ea) i would go broke or we would go thirsty n croak of dehydration.call ime cheap if u would like but its MY MONEY that i am trying to save/spend
I totally agree! My DH takes 3 a day and DD in middle school takes 1 of the bottles of sobe…4×5=saving me alot of money! I spread my deals out over 4 days, and 3 or 4 stores doing 1 at each store…leaving a TON at each. Never once being questioned or anyone blinking twice. Flying UNDER the radar in my goal!
There’s a wonderful product called water for thirst.
Dave,
I love your comment!!! Also it comes from a tap and costs next to nothing!
I was thinking the same thing. These drinks are definitely a treat and something I would never buy without a coupon or a deal. They are NOT a necessity. Please stop trying to justify doing the deal 10 or more times because your family drinks these on a regular basis. Just be honest and admit that you got carried away.
I was thinking the same thing… ever heard of FREE WATER?!!
If water is free, I wonder why my water bill is never $0.00!
“like”!!! I pay ~ $200 for my water every 3 mos (and we do not drink tap water).
This is cracking me up. All I can think of is the movie Idiocracy…”Water?…Like out the toilet?” LOL. No offense to those who comment it’s not free because that’s true. It’s NOT FREE, but very close to it. I sincerely hope that no one avoids tap water trying to save on the water bill. And for those whose water supply is nasty, I’ve been there…and water filters make it drinkable…And you can usually get some sort of filtration device FREE or very cheap with coupons!.
So, by your logic, no one should have done this deal because everyone can get water for next to nothing.
I go to church with a man who was in Vietnam. He doesn’t drink any water! NONE. Without going into too much detail, when he was serving there was “stuff” in the water. I can’t stand water but I try to drink it. He, psychologically CANNOT.
No, That is not his point. His point is that no one NEEDS Sobe or Lipton Iced Tea to survive. Some of the people on here are saying they had every right to do the deal many times because it is saving their family money. If you would not have purchased these drinks normally then you really aren’t saving money because you had to put $10.00 out to get started. I honestly do not care if anyone did the deal multiple times, but I do think it is silly to say that it was necessary. There are many many cheaper alternatives for beverages out there.
Wish there was a “like” button. 🙂
For Dave, that is.
I go to church with a man who was in Vietnam. He doesn’t drink any water! NONE. Without going into too much detail, when he was serving there was “stuff” in the water. I can’t stand water but I try to drink it. He, psychologically CANNOT.
Need a like button for you Dave 🙂
Dave, you are my hero. Water, it does a body good AND it is free! Everyday it is free, no sale or shelf clearing required.
Not that it is comparable by any means to the price of bottled drink-stuffs, but if you have city water, you pay for it.
AND….some of us live on well water and we still have to purchase bottled water…..so, NO, water is not always free.
our water here is disgusting. we have to buy bottled water.
And it’s FREE!!!! That’s what we use.. My husband takes a jug full of water to work each day..
you dont pay for whater?wow where do you live?
i might just move there.let me guess…filter is free too>
idk where you come from dave but i pay for water at my house.oh it also has a bottle deposit if i buy it
Kim – totally agree – too many times I’ve tried to shop a sale for a reasonable amount of transactions (you know, to feed my family?), and the shelves have been wiped out. Remember, we want them to stay in business, so we can continue getting the great deals 🙂
I don’t know if this is necessarily a decision made by Shoprite but maybe by Catalina. I’ve been doing this deal once per day starting on Sunday. On Monday I got the very last Sobe waters but then when I went Tuesday they had boxes and boxes stacked of Sobe and Lipton tee, I mean stacked taller than me. With this new limit I think my Shoprite is going to be stuck with a lot of extra stock of both items.
It was good while it lasted!
The signs were up yesterday afternoon at the Commack,NY location!!
That is the same store I was it. They were out on Sunday and did not order any for stocking until Tuesday. 30 cases were ordered only for Tuesday. I told the manager it was not enough and he laughed. I went back in on Wednesday, only 3 diet on the shelf. Saw him again and this time he told me it was Pepsi’s fault – they could not deliver enough. Next shipment was maybe today.
To his credit, he did promise me that if I was not able to make it back by Saturday (its not the most convenient store for me) he would honor the Cat – even if it mean giving me a $10 gift card.
So in the end, I will get my one deal – but I will admit I am a bit peeved at Shoprite for its lack on consistency on stores having stock (some having 7,000 bottles as reported on here and some having none). Also, why change the policy on Thursday – you only have 3 days left to the sale. Its really not fair to those of us who tried to get in on it (I was looking for 2-3 offers – so just about a case of iced tea) and due to either stores not ordering or Pepsi not being able to deliver that we were not able to take advantage of the offer as written in the circular.
Its one thing to say it was a typo on Sunday – but a complete other to wait until Thursday to change your mind on an sale (Shoprite).
I went this morning, (hadnt seen this post yet) I purchased 10 and the CAT didnt print. I did SCO, and the woman told me that I already received one, and that it was one per customer. I smiled and said OK, thanks! Little does she know that was my 150 bottle….lol
Sorry to hear about other’s experiences this week. Each time I went to the store, they were always fully stocked with plenty for everyone.
There was always plenty at every store I went to until last night….all were wiped clean 🙁
My Bergen County store had no signs posted and the Cat rolled just like yesterday. Got my Oatmeal yesterday and bought 10 teas and 10 Sobe today no issue. Got cATS for both transactions no issue. In fact they said that they had two Pepsi refills because of the promo. Good luck to those who missed out earlier in the week…
which store?
I was very happy to get my oatmeal and 4 sobe bottles once this week. I was lucky enough to be there the same time the pepsi man was restocking the shelves. Once is good enough for me, I really wanted the oatmeal. Remember you can always carry a refillable water bottle, those are free too 😉
I’m planning ahead for next week, does anyone have four of the .50/1 Old El Paso coupons they won’t use? I know this is a long shot but all of the coupons on ebay probably won’t make it to me in time… I’m willing to trade other coupons with someone to make it fair. Please email me at: aprilt83 @ gmail . com (remove the spaces) and let me know what you’d like for them! Thank you!!
Ebay will make it for next week if you buy today – it’s regular mail and the folks ship fast
Thanks, I thought they might but the prices are out of my range. I only need four and it looks like the smallest pack is for 10 (and it’s going for about $4 now- I’ll only be saving $4 by using them!).
Dusagree Kim, my shoprite let me preorder 600 of the drinks and yes they were free but I did not hoard them. I brought people from the charity i participate with me to the store. They could use the items especially since the government is constantly cutting there spending. I did keep 100 for myself but being diabetic I drink Sobe life water and Lipton diet tea bittlrs (4) a day. I understand what you mean about people just getting because there freeand is that fair not right but if you use a product or know someone who does then that is not hoarding.
good for you!
Drinking water is great for diabetics and is always free.
Again, water is not always free, our water is crap and we have to purchase bottled water!!
Pre-ordering is different. Those items are put aside just for you & are not being taken from the stock that is meant for the general public. If someone wants a huge amount of something, then this is the way to go. You did it the right way, my friend.
I live in the Princeton area and am fortunate enough to have 2 SRs within reasonable driving distance. That being said, the Lipton teas were nearly impossible for me to find, but I managed to get them twice over the course of a couple of days. I took advantage of the deal at the beginning of the week, too, with Quaker Oatmeal and have tried to space my transactions out so I left a generous amount for other folks.
This morning marked my last deal, and I was able to get another $10 CAT (but I had no idea that these changes were being made to the deal), so I’m not sure how they are cracking down on us around here – but I’m content with what I have and am grateful for being able to do the deal multiple times to keep us and guests hydrated for awhile!
Thank you, Cindy!
Just back from shoprite, it starts today, so regardless of prior purchases, you can do one more transcation
Can anyone confirm this? I really wanted the oatmeal and I’m bummed that I ‘wasted’ my 1 deal on 1 transaction of tea (that was a treat and we did not NEED).
We are a family of 5. With 3 boys who eat me out of house and home , I need all the help I can get. That said, I did this 2 x’s. Will I be able to use both the catalina’s I already have? Or will I be able to only use 1?
If you already have the CAT’s, they are valid. I’d probably space them out over two transactions though. Some SR’s have issues if you pay with several CAT’s.
I did the deal 3 times but didn’t roll the cat. Will I be able to use all of my $30 cats next week?
yes yes yes
The manager at my shop rite was on the phone to cooperate last night while I was there and him and I were appalled at the the way people were just blatantly abusing this deal.. This one family had her sons which was 3, 3 of their his friends, and her mother.. 8 people doing separate transactions, going to the car and coming back and doing it all over again.. When they came in the 3rd time he went and said something to the women and she in turn flipped out on him.. I am glad there has been a limit put on this..Maybe now some people can actually get a deal..
I think that people’s greed is evident in this thread. If you don’t normally buy lipton’s bottled iced tea, EVER, and are simply getting dozens because they are free and not leaving any for any one else- well, I think you are wrong, and I’m glad shoprite limited the deal so that everyone can get some.
I got my ten drinks, which are one of my favorites, and I often get them for car trips. I did do a second deal, but I bought other items, NOT drinks. I’m glad I did this before the deal came to an end, and my pantry is stocked with the same items it normally is.
Just to clarify for me personally…I don’t normally buy Sobe because it’s too expensive for me, but, it’s my favorite.
…maybe a bit harsh to judge? people donate, people consume….your limits are not my limits. I have 5 children and will consume everything I have purchased. Not my favorite either, def. a treat. Totally worth me shopping everyday to get several offers. No hoarding here….and plenty of room to store it all. Happy shopping 🙂
Thanks Cindy for finding us all of these deals- this website can either be a resource for honest ethical people who are trying to save some money, or it can become a resource for greedy people who are trying to rip off everyone else. I was at my Shoprite on Sunday morning early to get some tea and it was already wiped out- I got 10 from the last 12 that were left. The shelf clearers, no matter what their stated motivation, are ruining couponing for the rest of us. I have been couponing for years and I see the change in attitudes among store personnel since the advent of “extreme couponing”. Companies are in business to make money: how about if we all try to stay “under the radar” and be discreet so they will continue to offer deals. Anyone who is walking out of a store with 75 or 100 of anything, and I don’t care if you are donating it, unless you have pre-ordered, is ruining the deals for everyone. Greed is greed, period. Cut it out people, and get what you need only. Donating is ok too, but keep it reasonable. Lets be kind to each other and show some REAL compassion for the poor! Visit an elderly person or help out at a homeless shelter! Volunteer at a nursing home. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that you are making a big difference in someone’s life by donating 100 bottles of ice tea!Let’s keep it real, people, and there will continue to be deals for all of us to enjoy.
One more point I want to make…
There are some people on here that were point blank told that a single person came in and cleared the shelves. But others of you are just assuming that only a few people cleared the shelves. This was such a hot deal, how do you know that the shelves were not cleared by people doing exactly what you did? A bunch of people coming in on a Sunday morning to do this deal would not surprise me. Someone above me stated that there were only 12 left on the shelf and she bought 10, so the person who tried the deal after you would probably be thinking that you cleared the shelf.
All of this outrage about people doing multiple deals just wreaks of sour grapes to me.
I had went and did the deal and had one of Shoprite’s employee state he would have 100 bottles by the end of the week and would go to different store to get them. So it is the employees too. Times are hard so do what you need to do for your family!
Well said, Valerie! 100% correct. Just because someone “can” do something…doesn’t mean they “should”. Know when to say when, people.
One of the cardinal “rules” of couponing/saving is to not be brand loyal. I probably wouldn’t ever purchase these types of drinks because they are usually way overpriced, but of course if I can get a great deal I will buy them. It seems like you are saying that because YOU like these and buy these all the time that everyone else should miss out on the deal.
In this economic climate, I don’t consider it greed for people to get as much as they can at rock bottom prices. The early bird catches the worm, someone got there before you and they scored. Good for them. It’s all about priorities. If your priority was to get in on this deal like the early birds did, then you would have been there at the crack of dawn buying them too. It was not a top priority for you, so you missed out.
Take Black Friday…for me, my top priority is getting a good night’s sleep after Thanksgiving, so I miss out on all the great deals. I don’t have sour grapes about all the people who scored big because getting those deals was their top priority, so good for them.
And with this deal…getting hundreds of bottles and feeling embarrassed by doing multiple transactions at the store was not my top priority, so I didn’t score big, but did get in to do 2 transactions. I didn’t even get to the store until last night and went assuming all the drinks would be gone. I lucked out and they still had stock, but if they were out, no big deal.
C’est la vie and onto the next deal.
well said 🙂
Well said!!!!
Well said!!:
I agree and people have no clue your situations so I don’t get angry when I don’t get things trust and believe another deal is right around the corner. And you are right the early bird gets the worm..
wow i couldnt of said it better.ppl are getting so bitter on here its frustrating.well let me go take a sip of my free sobe water.bbl.lmao
Bravo. Perfect analogy. We live in the age of entitlement.
wow. so glad I did this yesterday! The store I went to had shelves FULL of Sobe, but the tea was practically gone. I did a few transactions for my family and 2 for my mom (on her card) but there were still lots left for others. Heading to SR at some point today to do the rest of my shopping. 🙂 Thank you Cindy for the heads up.
booo i was gonna go tomorrow!!
I am so mad that I didn’t check your website this morning ( I normally do) because I did two transactions and the second one didn’t print out the cat. When I went to return the items customer service wouldn’t refund me the money because I used a catalina to pay for it and they can’t refund coupons. 🙁
Yes they can they can give you back your coupon not the money, call the manager over an argue it!
they gave me my 10 catalina back last night
I called up the corporate HQ and they told me to speak to specific manager at the store who will give me a $10 gift card.
I work at the Scarsdale store. They ordered TONS more because of the rolling Cat and even put it on display in the promotional isle. Guess they are going to have way too much now
I was in NR yesterday and they had TONS!
i went once im glad i can do it one more time!
I used one 10 cat coupon today to pay for the 10 bottles of tea. I got another 10$cat. Will I be able to use it?
i personally did 4 transactions, 1 on Monday (Sunday the shelves were empty), 1 Tuesday, 1 Wednesday and did 1 this morning (I did not read this post so I was not aware of the limit). The manager last night told me that it is 1 transaction per day so he said you can come every day but can’t do multiple transactions in 1 day. This morning I bought 10 liptons and used my $10 cat from yesterday and got another $10 cat printed. Not sure whats going on.
what store?
what store?
East Stroudsburg, PA store
I didn’t do oatmeal last week OR this week. I hope there is another oatmeal deal soon. My three sons LOVE the stuff, and I feel better when they have oatmeal instead of cold cereal.
Do you have a giant food near you? They have a sweet deal on oatmeal this week!
i dont even get 1 sobe or lipton. they all gone everytime i went to sr. ppl already get more than 50 btls, n they said they want to back to do more stock. unbelievable.
For the people who “donate” 600 bottles…. What about the people who are trying to save money for their own family? I am all for donating but I thought this website was here to help people in this economy?
It is really no one’s business how people consume the things they purchase. If someone bought ten tshirts for $1 each would you be asking if they wore them all?
Wow people are donating free stuff, how thoughtful. I guess it’s the thought that counts. Plenty of people in need can go do this deal themselves. How about everybody else struggling to get by trying to get in on this deal, only to see the shelves cleared. Not to mention they are donating water and tea which I am sure is a top priority for the needy (not). I agree with your post “me” and am for donating myself.
thank you… I have been reading these posts and some of these couponers are completely addicted…. I think the limit is appropriate.
i was just going to email you a pic of the catalina i received this morning with the notice that it is limited to one per customer. i got 10 for free and i’m happy with that. i don’t know why people are complaining about not being able to get more than that.
i think sr want us to get free deal for reward for shopping in they store and maybe do 1 or 2 deal. but some ppl missplaced that and they make more, and more rules to make it hard for us the couponer. i have 2 kids too, all i want is just make 1 or 2 deals for my kids. but i cant because they always gone.
id like to know where people are going to store 170+ bottles of tea? people are nuts!
*like*
agreed
Boundaries and limits are always good. Keeps us all in check. If you got it, good for you. If you didn’t, there will always be another deal. No need for the blaming game…after all, all good things DO end at some point!
Well said!
I want a like button under comments. 😀 That would be nice.
“Like” LoL
I saw two young men walking out with cases of tea. I’m sure there were 100s, I guessed they special ordered them. I did 3 transactions on Monday and my store automatically applied the coupon to the same transaction
I saw two young men walking out with cases of tea. I’m sure there were 100s, I guessed they special ordered them that was Monday. I did 3 transactions on Monday and my store automatically applied the cat to the same transaction so I paid only taxes.
i am glad they put a limit on this. i was only planning to do the deal once to get iced teas(which are my fav) and everytime i go to the store there are none. same with the emerald peanuts which i only planned on getting 4. idk if it is shelf clearers or lack of inventory on shoprites part. it states in the ad no rainchecks.so it looks like i may miss out on this deal:( and i am also all for people who donate but i agree with the person above about US all trying to save money too. and i feel that just because you are donating it doesnt give the right to clear shelves!
and as for the people that are saying the early bird catches the worm or whatever… that may be true for black friday but its not possible for everyone.
i wanted the deal but i am not packing my baby up and going out in the cold to be at shoprite at 7am to get it
so does that mean i have no right to get the deal since im not there when the doors open?
this is a food store not black friday
I couldn’t agree more!! I have 2 small children & a husband that works A LOT. The only day I can get out is Sunday morning before they all wake up so I WAS an early bird just like I am every other week. I only wanted to do 1 deal…some oatmeal & drinks. I got nothing. And it’s not just about this one deal. It’s every single week. I get rain checks when I can for good sale prices but you can get a rain check on Catalinas. If I sound like I’m complaining…I AM! LoL It’s frustrating as hell. I’ve been doing this a long time & have never seen attitude & entitlement like this before. As I said earlier, I’m also for donating, but in moderation. A person who donates 100 of an items isn’t “better” than someone who donates 10. I donate when I can but my priority is to feed my family of 4 & stay within our means. I, personally, don’t care what people do with what they purchase…just don’t abuse the deals & leave enough for the rest of the population. What about people that don’t use coupons at all? Are they not even entitled to purchase certain items because they “didn’t get there early enough”? It’s just so wrong on so many levels. But some people are just so consumed by greed or by the “rush” they feel when they score free stuff that they don’t even see WHY it’s wrong. Maybe some places don’t see the stock problem & that’s great. But it’s an issue where I live & it’s frustrating. Sorry for the rant. LoL Have a great day, all! 🙂
i totally agree with you as well!!
i get rainchecks and my coupons expire before i can even use them. my shoprite is wonderful so i will be peaking to them about this.
*like* again! My dad went Sunday morning, just to get one deal, and couldn’t..He’s older and has been doing this before it was “cool.”
If you feel like you must have seventy of something- to donate, drink, take a bath in it, store it for a nuclear holocaust, whatever- I feel like you should make the effort to make sure that there’s plenty to go around, Like placing a special order, or going different days. We should be considerate of each other, not greedy. I wonder, if seeing how this went, Pepsi will ever allow a deal like this again?
Of course it doesn’t mean you have no right to get the deal, but it does mean that it is not a priority for you and you run the risk of not getting it.
Yes, it is a grocery store, but the deal is on drink-stuffs, not the end of the world if you don’t get them, just like it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get that big screen TV on black Friday.
If you really NEED these drinks, I’m sure there are other stores in your area that carry them, albeit not for free.
I’ve been in my local Shoprite (Staten Island) 3 times this week, and not a single bottle of tea to be found anywhere. Not even a sign or an empty display! I didn’t care enough about it to ask if/when they would be getting in more stock. I’m assuming they were cleaned out on Sunday.
Strangely enough, though, they have a large display of the Lipton 6-packs of bottles right outside the door. (It’s like they’re taunting me! LOL)
Are catalina’s linked to your price plus card? I only did the deal once but was planning on going today to get 10 more teas with my boyfriend. So would I be able to purchase 10 teas (scan his price plus card) use the catalina that i received yesterday from my price plus card and receive a $10 catalina since that is the first time he did the deal with his card?
Hmm…now I’m wondering. Maybe my Shop-rite is holding back stock pending the implementation of the one-per-card update? If that’s the case, maybe I’ll be able to get 10 of them today or tomorrow.
What really get under my skin, is that I make a grocery list every week. I put alot of work into this list.. I finally goto the store, and have to cross off alot on my list and pull the coupon… WHY?? Because the products are off the shelf… I buy enough products per wk that my family of six needs.. Do I have a stock pile.. of course I do, is it huge?? NO…… I’m not greedy person. I just want to get a good deal…
Shame on you people that are greedy, and because of people like you these stores have to put a limit… I’m glad Shoprite finally did this.. Now maybe people that are like me, and actually get 1 deal…
Food shopping should not be compared with Black Friday.. That’s once a yr.. This is every week… People in their right minds shouldn’t have to get up @ 5 am just to go food shopping.. Thats stupid and obsessive… That’s only my Opinion
i get dissappointed too every week after spending all the time on my list just to cross it off and let the coupon expire:/
Then you just don’t get the deal. And yes, it does compare to black Friday. It’s not like the same sale is every week. It’s called first come, first served. A lot of the time you can get a raincheck anyway.
You call it “stupid and obsessive”, I would call being the first one in line at 5 am because you spotted an amazing deal smart. And let’s be clear, we’re not talking about all food at the grocery store, we’re talking about this one specific drink-stuff deal, not really a NEED.
Also, if we woke up tomorrow and were told that there was a shortage of food everywhere and I knew that the early bird would reap the rewards, you bet I would be there at 5 am. It’s need vs. want.
“Because of people like you these stores have to put a limit,” if you only want one deal as you stated, this shouldn’t be a problem.
I am actually a fan of limits, I just don’t think we need to crucify the people that scored a fantastic deal because they were smart.
very well said very valid points
hi there,
(i know that most of us are, but) we should remember to be thankful…for ANY $ that we are given through a deal; for savings found on special items that are over&above our usual purchases; for having the extra $ to purchase these items; for being able to actually go to the store (once, let alone numerous trips!); for having allllll the wonderful blessings we each enjoy. just sayin’ <3
Nothing in life is free. Eventually, those who take advantage of the system will ruin it for the rest of the ones who play by the rules. In the end, it will wind up costing everyone more, one way or another. I see a lot of people trying to justify buying tons of Sobe and Lipton. If there was no issue of shelf clearing, shortages, and change of policies, then no justification is needed. Let’s get real. These items are not needs, they are wants. Go ahead, and treat yourself. Doing the deal a couple of times is acceptable. I think most people know when they are taking advantage, and when they are not. If you are playing by the rules, then there is no reason to have to justify your actions. We all have a conscience, and a choice to use it. The choices you make everyday, even with regards to couponing do not just affect you. Hopefully what SR has done (with limiting) will impart a change on how people view what is acceptable, and what is not. JMHO
Well said. 🙂
Well said!!
This isn’t really a couponing issue since there weren’t any coupons involved. No one is taking advantage of anything. A person walks into a store, fills their cart with hundreds of bottles, the STORE allows the person to buy all of them for free. I’m not understanding who took advantage of who in this scenario.
You took the word right out of my head 🙂
Still don’t see how you can tell someone they’re wrong for buying what they want to buy. Free country free market people can do what they please that’s the beauty of the country. Do I agree with someone going in and buying 150 bottles at once and clearing a shelf not really but its not mine or anyone else’s place to tell them what they can and can not do. I’ve got a total of 120 bottles spread over Sun-Tues from 4 different Shop Rites. And all of them had plenty more in stock for the most part except for a specific flavor here or there. And not that you need to hear my explanation behind what I choose to buy but there are 7 people in my household.
Well said…
RC–If you are referring to my comment, I never used the words right or wrong. The choice is free for you to make. However, it is obvious that SR and some of your fellow shoppers/couponers are being affected. To tell you the truth, I don’t really car why you bought 120 bottles. I have 5 people in my household, but I would never use that as a reason to take advantage or justify a decision I make in my life. No one wants to keep it real, and call it for what it is really is, or how it affects other people. That is all I was saying. These items are not needs, like other food staples. You are free to do as you please, and others are free call it like they see it.
The point is, that if shoppers had not gotten carried away with this deal, ShopRite would not have set a limit. To those who like to donate to the hungry: I also like to donate food, but clearing the shelves of all the FREE items so you can donate them somewhere else for free seems quite counterproductive. All you are doing is moving free items from one place to another – what’s the point? If a man gets a free item at the supermarket, he’ll feel good about himself for finding the deal; but if he gets it at a food bank, he’ll feel bad about himself for being “poor” and needing help. Why not rather leave some free items on the supermarket shelves and let needy people do their own shopping?
very well said!
Can anyone else confirm that you can do it one more time with the new limit? 1Idid one transaction Sunday (could kick myself). REALLY wanted the Oatmeal though.
I’m wondering the same thing. Seems like there are different stories going on here. Especially wondering about the one who said the manager told her one per day.
Question answered by new Wakefern update at top of post. SO HAPPY. Hope there is stock. Oh and by the response, it sounds like a Wakefern employee is reading this site. That could mean improvements to coupon training of their staff!
I was lucky with this deal, but let me tell you, I don’t have a Walmart near me, my cvs never has more than like, 5 of anything, and my walgreens never has clearance stuff. So I am crap out of luck for most deals. Some you can get, some you can not. And I went to 4 different sr to get it! There was plenty of stock in all of them .
Limits are necessary because left unchecked, greed will result which just means less for everyone else. But in our quasi capitalist system, this is the end result. So even when people can a make a case for both sides of the issue it comes down to your own personal values. I began couponing and feel it is a good way to save but I do not like to be chasing sales. It takes from my time which is the most valuable part of our lives. If there is a great sale, why not get one and be content. Someone asked me why I do not get tons of these great sales and I responded because I think we need to think of others who are also trying to get these deals. Whether the store you shop is better at restocking is not the issue. It comes down to thinking more about other people and less like individuals.
well said!
yes I agree with Ruby. The key point is that if we all truly believe in sharing, then there will always be enough.
I don’t do Black Friday either, but I like to pick up a deal at the grocery or CVS when they have one.
I was at Shoprite a few weeks ago, and there was someone at the self check who was using 110 coupons! ( the self check worker counted them).
Sorry but stuff like that makes the rest of us look nutty.
I am confused, is this (1) $10 cat a week, based 10 save $10 ~ or is just (1) $10. period. I was going to go to ShopRite on Friday for my drinks since I couldn’t make it earlier this week, then use it on Sat. Anyone???
Pam not sure I understand the question but you may use your Cat onany transaction $10+ so long as you do so by the expiration date. Also most stores will not let you use it on the transaction for which you qualified for the Cat. To qualify for the Cat you must purchase 10 of the products shown in the circular (you can mix/match). Hope that helps! 🙂
I had ordered 40 in yummy pom and they didn’t get them in until after they started tracking but the manager said because I waited and didn’t just clear the shelves I could check out at customer service and they would print the cats after each trans (my husband was there too so 2 trans were “his”). I’m happy they still let me do the deal but I LOVE the waters either way.
As per the new update, I plan to do my one more transaction, but I have written to both SR and Catalina, expressing my disappointment in their poor business decision by making a change, mid-pomotion. I did tell them both that I thought the initial promotion was done on purpose, with the knowledge that people would be doing multiple transactions. It’s brilliant marketing. Number one rule of marketing, get the people in your store! And that’s exactly what they did. Until today. Now instead of making 3 more trips into their store this week, I’ll be making one. Two lost chances at selling me more products. I can’t see how anyone can’t understand how that’s not a good thing (to those of you who are happy they put a limit on it….not only does it sound like you don’t understand a marketing concept; but sour grapes but you snoozed and therefore you lost.)
I couldn’t agree more!
One comment to your post (which I generally agree with) – many of us did not snooze on this – the stores either could not get stock or choose not to stock enough product. I was there Sunday midday (no stock), was told next order would not be in until Tuesday (so no stock Monday) and they only ordered 30 cases – 5 cases of each flavor. Assuming that is 24 bottles/case, that is 720 bottles – or only 72 transactions. When I got there on Wednesday, there were 2 bottles left – with an order coming in today.
My wife went to the store today which indicated this morning they got a fresh shipment. She got there at noon and there were less than 20 bottles left of Iced Tea. Assuming the fix went into place this morning to limit transactions, they still cannot get enough product to the shelves to cover the single transactions.
Did someone drop the ball? Yes. I don’t think we can blame Catalina – they are only doing what the store/Pepsi told them to do. I do put some blame on Shoprite (if there was supposed to be a limit, put it in place on Sunday – don’t wait until Thursday), some on Pepsi (who distributes the ices tea). I cannot imagine they did not have enough stock to get cases to the stores and some on the individual stores for not ordering enough product – my guess is that it is as much their fault as Pepsi’s.
I agree with you, Dana. The whole reason any store advertises a deal like this is to get us, the consumers, in the door and sell more product. Sometimes we do buy other products, sometimes we don’t. It’s a gamble the store takes.
I could understand if it was a misprint or an error, which happens from time to time, and the store almost always puts up a sign notifying the public. This was not the case here.
I don’t have a problem with imposing limits, but it should have been imposed up front, in writing, and clearly enforced from the get-go. Just like their 4 “like” coupons rule, or limit 4 items notifications, when the registers automatically ring the 5th item at a higher price.
I love Shoprite and this will absolutely not stop me from shopping there, but it is quite the snafu and should be corrected or avoided in the future.
I completely agree Leeen. Misprints and errors I understand. But you’re right, this was neither the case. I also don’t have a problem with limits. But say so from the start!
I love ShopRite too and will continue shopping there. I dont’ expect anythign from my emails to them but I wanted to let them know that as a loyal customer, I was disappointed.
Ok usually I don’t post but on this one I feel the need to.
I understand some people’s frustration at those who got like 50 or more bottles at ONE TIME because 1..this may cause others who come in after them not to be able to get any and 2. it sends off red flags to the store.
However, i think SOME of the people who complain are also being selfish. They don’t consider the fact that if someone single gets the 10 for $10 deal and drinks one a day that will last him/her 10 days. If someone else has a family of 7 (as I do) and only gets 10 then everyone in that family would only be able to drink one and thats it (with 3 left over). So if the one shopping for a large family decides to get 10 everyday of the promotion so that all in the family can have some for a few days who are you to say that is wrong. The single person who gets the “treat” is no better than every individual in a large family. They too deserve to have the “treat’ for a few days also.
Hey guys we all got some free sobe and/or liptons its allllll good 🙂 Some got more than others because now they are limiting but there is nothing we can do about it. *High Five* to those out there who got more than one transaction in before this morning and a *High Five* to those who only got one…10 free bottles is better than none!
Not sure but if you look at the exp dates on the drinks all the one’s I have seen have been for july 2012 So I’m thinking that pepsi had to move some stock and made a deal with shop rite to do the kick butt deal 1 to move stock and 2 to get us in the store because they know that we will buy something else to but maybe the stock moved faster then they thought and they don’t wanna loose money now. Just a thought DON’T kill me for thinking LOL 🙂
Mandee I do agree – I think it may have had something (or all to do) with moving stock. My iced tea expires even sooner – April! And please “don’t stop thinking” …. Hehehe thought of the Journey song there. 😉
If peope are still looking for sobe water there are plenty in woodbridge NJ shoprite and Carteret NJ shoprite i did the deal 4 times total at three different shoprites. The one in Jersey City is all out so none there. I think people that clear shelves are greedy in the past couple weeks i’ve come across that a couple times but i went once a day for the past four days and picked up these waters that my husband drinks all the time, not a crime and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it or try and make others feel guilty. Don’t be greedy by clearing shelves but for people thinking it’s ricidulous for doing more then one deal your just being silly.
I agree LEEEN!!
I personally think the deal was good, but instead of changing mid point, they should have started the promotion with a smarter start, like the coke deal they had a few weeks ago (4 pkgs for $10) but you had to have an additional $10 purchase along with your transaction. I think that would be better, rather than just have people go in, buy the sobe/Lipton and that’s it. (I haven’t done this deal yet.) but just my opinion.
Morality aside, the stores are getting wise to the especially popular sites like this one. If everyone would just do their deals, be thankful for the good fortune and shut up about it this might not have happened. And don’t think they will forget about this for future deals because they won’t. I realize sites like this need traffic to exist, so keep on visiting, but why do we have such a strong need to brag?
The sale is there why not take adventage of it when everything is so expensive and to someone who wrote that why moving the free stuff to the food banks if people can get it for free. Have you ever thought that maybe some people can not put the ten dollars up front because they will not have enough for other needs. These are just my thoughts. For all these poeple who do the deal only once and gang up on the people who do it more maybe you do not need to use this webside because if you yourself just take adventage of it once you can afford to buy it at regular price;)