Thursday, August 2, 2012

Randalls Just For U - giveaway expired



Ok, so I asked you for questions you had about the Just for U program before I went to the Blogger event here in Houston on July 24th(yes I know I am LATE to post! What is new, lol) That pre-event post was HERE.  Feel free to hop over to that post and get caught up, but I will give a refresher and a few more details HERE:

So what exactly is the just for u program?

Well as the name implies, it is Just for U.  This program is catered to YOUR shopping habits (to an extent).
You know that loyalty card you have been carrying around in your purse/wallet/keychain for awhile now?
Well, that loyalty card has been telling Safeway(Randalls, Tom Thumb, etc) just what you like to buy and how often you buy it.  The benefit to this is catered coupons to YOUR personal buying habits!

Randalls is taking a NEW approach on savings and trying to offer more value to your shopping by offering MORE value to your shopping!  There are 3 sections to the Just for U program, each a bit different, but easy to tackle quickly.

So lets get started, for Randalls shoppers, click here, for Tom Thumb, click here, or for my RARE Safeway reader, click here (and if you are actually under the Safeway banner, please post here as I would love to hear I have a shopper there too :D)

Ok, so the Coupon Center is the first section when you log in

The Coupon Center is VERY active!  In this section you will find all the coupons from Cellfire, Shortcuts, P&G Esaver and several others.  Randalls has partnered with these 3rd parties to bring all the coupons in one spot so you don't have to log into 4-5 different sites to load coupons.
There are 2 advantages to this strategy
1. You only have to go to one site to get ALL the coupons loaded up to your card
2. We were told even when the load limit has been readed at these 3rd party sites, Randalls gets different load limits so you might still be able to score the coupons here, even if they have exceeded the print/load limits at other sites!

If you are in a hurry, we were advised these coupons are organized based on your shopping habits that are tied to your store card, so the first 2 pages should have the most relevant coupons for you(sort of purchase history).  If you don't trust programmers(yes I am anal) you can also do your own sort by new offers or offers about to expire.
Most of the offers in this section are considered manufacturer discounts and thus cannot be combined with manufacturer paper coupons.  If you forget these are there and use paper coupons the registers are programmed to offer the best deal so will beep if paper coupon does not offer better discount or will KICK out the electronic coupon if the paper coupon offers better value :D (SCORE for Randalls on benefiting the customer in THAT programming!)
So what does this mean for you?  Well, in this section, if you see a "save $X on X product", that is a coupon and cannot be combined with a paper coupon.  If you see a price point offer, like recently I have a $2.88 each price on Minute Maid orange juice limit 2 in this section.  I can combine that with a paper coupon to save extra money but these are typically ONE time savings.
Some have limits and some don't, but MOST if not all these offers are one time only which means ONCE you have purchased at least ONE of these, those savings will be removed from your card in subsuquent visits.  Pay attention to the limits in this section but keep in mind THOSE offers are only in a SINGLE transaction!

The second section is the personalized deals
These are where you should really see your personalized shopping habits.  And for this reason, this is going to be a nightmare section for a blogger like me(lol).  This section is going to take the last 6 months of your shopping habits (100% based on your shopper card) and so what I have on my personalized deals might not always be what you have on your personalized deals.  The good news is, IF you have the same personalized offers locally, they will be at the same exact price point as mine.  For example, right now one of my personalized offers is for Pillsbury Brownie Mix for .99 a box. Everyone that has that offer in my region will have it at the same price as me, but NOT everyone in my region will have that as a personalized price.
This is gonna be interesting to blog about, so please keep in mind to view your personalized offers for additional matchups I might miss on items I don't purchase!!!!!!
The GREAT news about this, is these are price point offers so can totally be combined with paper coupons!!!
Another bonus, these deals are UNLIMITED for the time line of the offers!  These can last UP to 4 weeks!
Right now I have an awesome offer for $5 off a Ranchers Reserve beef purchase of $20 or more, once per day.  So basically, I can get $20 worth of beef for $15 daily from now until 8/7!
Again, these are default sorted by your spending habits, so the first page or 2 are the important ones if you are in a time crunch!
And finally, the third section is the club savings section:
If you are in a HUGE rush, don't even bother in this section.  This section is actually a breakdown of everything that is currently on sale at your most shopped store* and your offers.
While your printed ad only has about 400 items in it, there can be over 5,000 items on sale.  So while you will note many of these items are already in the weekly ad, some are not and this will give you the breakdown of the deals at your local store.*
*As you know from my post HERE, prices can vary on the same product in the same region, your club savings will only show you the sale price in your highest spend store in the last quarter.

Ok, so the additonal features, for those of you with smartphones, you can download the app and have it open on your phone, OR if you are like me and HAVE to have a printed listed(that you can scribble all over,lol) you can go that route too.
Please note there is no app for those with Windows phones or Blackberrys. If you are a Windows phone user, you have hopes of having a workable app in 2013,for Blackberry users, give up now and get a phone that doesn't strain your eyes (just kidding, but Randalls does not see a workable app in your future!)

Ok, are you still with me?  Are you upset because you don't have a smart phone?  The good news is EVERY Safeway should be equipped with a tablet or device of some kind that you can load coupons onto your card directly while in store.  They also should all have printers in case you have short memory like me AND they only ask you to wait 5 minutes before check out for the coupons to work (and that 5 mins is only in case of weak internet/cell signal!)

So, feel free to ask any other questions of this program, If I cannot answer, I will inquire with Safeway on your behalf to find the answer.

So now, the sweet stuff!!

How does sweet stuff sound?? How does $50 in free spending money sound???
Still interested????? Read ON!

I spent the day with the wonderfully nice folks at Randalls learning all about their new program Just for U.

Part of ther event involved Randalls bussing us bloggers over to the beautiful Randalls store located at Westheimer and Gessner to shop and test out the Just for U.
The awesome folks at Randalls let 10 of us bloggers (at least 6 of us coupon bloggers!) loose in their store!  I have to admit I was 2% from having the highest savings but that was partially because my main goal was to find the flaw in the system!  I have to adimt I am the blogger/couponer stores LOVE to hate!  I looked over all my offers and KNEW I found a potential glitch in the system (and I was correct!)

I had a personalized price on Safeway Pasta for .84 unlimited for 12-16 oz.  As most my readers know I majored in math so numbers stick in my head as well as a few other deets.  Well, in my past shopping experience, Lasagna noodles have NEVER been part of sale price HOWEVER, the only restrictions listed were 12-16 oz( lasagna noodles were 16 oz).*
*As I was informed in this meeting with the folks at Safeway, the details should clearly state the requirements and if the discounts do not come off, it is because 1. you did not purchase the correct item based on restrictions, or 2. a rare "bug" in the system - these are bound to happen in all programming**

**As a couponer I strive to find the rare exceptions to programming and improve upon them as I have taken programming and know not even the best programmers can prepare for every "WHAT IF"  I intentionally LOOK for those "what ifs" SERIOUSLY!  I am a 9+ yrs couponer and don't post many FAILS I test cause that is totally boring for most readers.  But trust me, I am out there testing and IMPROVING these deals daily for ALL of us!

I have to say, the Randalls folks were AWESOME!  Upon walking in the doors I was greeted by Connie Yates!  OMG AWESOME (if you are asking who she is, you seriously need to spend more time shopping Safeway, Randalls, Tom Thumb! Connie Yates does the Good Neighbor Minute you hear over the PA in Safeway stores.

Ten bloggers showed up for this event and got schooled on the ins and outs of the program. I have to admit I was embarrassedly called out(as is typically for me) in these events for having a laundry list of questions
(yes I was called out and they even used my  page of questions as a visual aid* to the class)
I feel I have learned quite a bit about this program and feel confident that all stores should have been well educated on this program(my main stores contact has told me he has been to at least 8 meetings on this program!) that you should have limited issues*.
Worse case, if you have issues and don't have time in store to resolve, you can call the following number to get a credit on your account for the discount you were due (1-877-Safeway).

*I took 2 years of programming and thus know NO programming is flawless as humans are involved. Not only that every time you see Bonus packaging(ie a free trial size sample with purchase) that is a separate barcode.  If that has not be relayed to a third party reward program, it causes hiccups(ie a pain for the consumer- I have worked both sides of this equation so can see both sides of the fence)

Ok so Congrats to those of you that are still here and listening to me, I HOPE it is ALL of you cause seriously, winning small victories feel good but LEARNING TO FISH(IE learning to save) IS THE GOAL HERE!  While I  cannot and will not control those who win, learning HOW to shop will make this $50 gift card be easily worth $100 bucks.

So, to enter, here you go
The rules:
One entry per person/email
Anon entries only accepted with a way to contact you( ie an active email account)
You must have a contactable link or leave contact info to be eligible for entry
If you are reading via email, twitter or gplus you must post on the official blog post here to be eligible for the $50 gift card.
You will have 24 hrs to respond to the winning announcement I post on August 7th!
I will at my discretion delete ANY comments that are not directly posted to THIS blogspot blog with a active contact.

Disclaimer: All information was supplied by Safeway and I was given a gift card to shop with their Just for U program and offer my opinion as well as a bag of safeway brand products  I was offered additional gift cards to keep or giveaway.  As always all comments are my own and are not swayed in any way.

Don't understand my lingo? Go here.  
Some links provided in this post may help fund my blog - see my disclosure statement here.

65 comments:

markala22 said...

Markala Smith
markiecakes@gmail.com

I love Randall's! Thanks for the breakdown of the new system, I'll probably be trying it in the next week or so.

A said...

Awesome! I would love to win. I signed up for the just4u program. The funny thing I noticed is I had a personalized price for milk of $2.490and the milk was on sale for $2.50! I saved a penny wben I checked out.

Daniela6968 said...

This is so cool. Now, I won't have to be green with envy when I read about it at SD.

One question I do have is, I, also have the $5/$20 Ranchers Reserve. How does that work with discounted meat? Original price or price after percentage taken off? Thanks!

Christy said...

you just had to knock the blackberry? really? It is the dumb smart phone, small screen and all.

christy (guinea) although I am not living up to the nickname lately.
$50 would go a long way in cheap meat :)

Daddy Day Dream said...

Lets do this! I saved $6 last week from Just4U

Hilary said...

I will sign up now for sure! THanks for the details. Would be thrilled to win! Hilre@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I'm excited about this new program and had the chance to use it a few days ago when I went shopping. Everything went well and I had no problems at all. I look forward to your future posts on the program. Thank you for the opportunity to win the gift card!
nat.benitez@yahoo.com

Alyssa [Frugal Stepmom] said...

Headed to Randalls right now with the Just 4 U I loaded last night! Thanks for the opportunity!

katycouponers said...

Daniela, I have yet to test out the actual meat but, I purchased eggs that were discounted and it took off the discount from the original ring up price, so I suspect if you find $20 of meat with 50% off sticker, you can get it all for $5 after J4U savings

misty said...

Thanks for all the new info! I'm super excited about Just for U in our area now!!

Misty Dozier
misty.dozier@Yahoo.com

Shawn M. said...

I signed up for Just For U as well. I'm excited to take advantage of some great deals. And winning a $50 GC would be pretty awesome too!

shawn1davis@yahoo.com

Kyle and Ali said...

Aliceson
kyleandali@gmail.com

I'm not normally a Randall's shopper but will give them another try with this program. Sounds interesting! Thank you for all of the great information, Stephanie!!

amy and the bad cats said...

thanks for the detailed info! the hubby signed up our account, but i haven't had a chance to check it out yet!

GlennJ said...

I tried out the program last month when you first announced it (at least a week before it was advertised in the local circular!) and have been very happy with it so far.

Now that my newly purchased Android-based tablet arrived yesterday, I will HAVE to try out their app!

Thanks for the contest, and more importantly, thanks for the advanced notice and breakdown of the program that you've given us on your blog!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for explaining this program...I'm signed up & ready to try it out!!

picklecoupon@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the information.. It sure cleared up some questions for me.
I would also love to win the gc..

Ana
Anab6310@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

This program look interesting! Will definitely try it out, thanks katycouponers!!!

jackolantern978@hotmail.com

qrazyguy said...

I love j4u!! Been waiting to get it here for 2 years! lol

RutgersKittyn said...

Thanks for all the details!

annemarie said...

I need to check this out - sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.

lovemomx2 said...

rslarsenx2@sbcglobal.net

Thanks for all you do to help us save money and thanks for helping up understand this new Randall's program! :)

Anonymous said...

Kcxid.0938@xoxy.net
In for gift card, but but probably won't get it since I actually have a complaint. my free item just for u never works and had to deal with some rude clerks who tried to claim I must have already used it, they didn't understand that one time deals disappear from the deal page once used

Juliana said...

I have to travel a bit to get to a Randalls, but I am giving this a try. Thanks for all the info.

JC said...

I love Just4U program, it makes shopping easier for me.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

Lori Sifuentes said...

thanks for the info. I am excited to try this.

Thanks
surveys4lori at rocketmail.com

Shelley said...

That's great that we can load all of the coupons from one place. Yeah Randall's
mrspoofa(at)aol.com

Anonymous said...

I'm signed up and think I'm going to love it! Thank you!

Ger
g(underscore)m(underscore)moore2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

Susan said...

Interested in trying out this new program! Thanks for all the details.

susan (at) cravingthesavings (dot) com

Anonymous said...

ill get on board-thanks for all the info and your time
tcogbill at live dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm excited to try this j4u! I have 2 Randalls near me and between the 2 the cashiers do not understand coupons. I am really hoping for change with this new program. Thanks Katy Couponers for all you do for us!
zenamikel@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the opportunity! TT is within walking distance of my house and we do most of our shopping there. A gift card would certainly help out!
Carrie - eekrop@hotmail.com

Rebecca MCCoy said...

Thanks for asking all of the questions to help make this program the best it can be for everyone else. We appreciate everything you do.

Rebecca McCoy
RebeccaAMcCoy at Hotmail dot com

Pheobie said...

I signed up but have not really had a chance to use it yet. Thanks for all the time you spend helping us save money!

Pheobie
pheobiejenkins @ gmail.com

Anonymous said...

They closed the Randalls by my house and it is throwing my shopping schedule off but the Just 4 U program may just make the drive worth it. Thanks for all you do.

Kim
Kimnc_2011@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm in humble so there's a Randalls not to far from here. Would love to win. Just signed up to try the program.

Cynthia
cindysdaisys@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am really excited for this new system. Was bombarded at the door by employees wanting to show how it worked. Randalls is really getting behind this.

tiffanydavis24 @ hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds great! I signed up for Just 4 You this week. Looking forward to trying it out.
Thanks,
Lanann
Lanann_Ross@yahoo.com

Deanna said...

Thanks for the great post! I'd love to be included in the giveaway. :)


calidreamin87 (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, thanks for all your hard work on this blog, I now understand the Randall just for U, and also for your honesty, keep up the good work!!

Sonia_calvo@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info! Would love to win. mdmcoupons@gmail.com

Manu Garg said...

Would love to try it

Manugarg111@gmail.com

Mariah Washington said...

L-O-V-E Randalls (so far this month I have shopped at Randall's, Tom Thumb and Safeway!) LOL

Anonymous said...

I signed up for the Just For U and I love it!

Mayra C. said...

I've been waiting for this program to get here my aunt in California told great things about and I can see why... Thank you Stephanie for the great info you gave us about the program!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the details!!
Jcjmiddleton@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks Stephanie for all that you do and generosity with this giveaway! I've tried the program and it was very easy. I would love to win! thank you!!! mrs.kimdinh@gmail.com

Susan S said...

thanks for the great info and all your money saving help! your the best! Susan Sz

Amy B. said...

Thanks for another great explanation, Stephanie! I hope to get some great deals from this program and thanks to you :)

bridgins@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

The new programs looks really good - will try it this week
One more try - to see if my comments get counted.

ortacards@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

So excited that JFU came to Houston finally!!!

Courtney Brown
courtneyrtr@gmail.com

Davotney Rodriguez said...

Thank you for such detailed information! I'd love to win the gift card.

Laura said...

Great information! Thanks for posting.

Laura
clfou@cox.net

Allisyn said...

I worked @ Randalls for 3yrs as my first job, too bad I didn't coupon then b/c I would have had inside info!

Haven't shopped there in over a year, would love to win and score some produce :)

Allisyn
allykat2296@yahoo.com

Rebecca said...

I would love to win the gift card. Thanks!!

Jennifer Zimmermann said...

Bless you for the Just for U breakdown - heard awesome things about it - heading over to randalls site to check mine out now. Would love to win the gift card - enter me please! :)

Jenn
jennzie.jz@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Randalls for sponsoring this giveaway. And a huge thank you so much to Stephanie for taking time from your busy schedule to spend the day at Randalls learning all about the Just For U program. The readers of your blog will benefit greatly. Please enter me in your giveaway. My email is dealsformercedes at yahoo

Delmi said...

I just signed up!
delmivillegas@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've got the app and it works! I added a coupon on my phone while at the register and it immediately recognized the value on their system. Great way to save at Randalls!
rcswope (at) ymail (dot) com

Katy said...

Thanks so much for all of the info! I'm signed up! I love Safeway stores!

katygmorris at gmail dot com

Rori said...

Thanks for all the info and your hard work Stephanie!!!

Unknown said...

kasikirby@gmail.com

Wow long reed but extremely informative, may have to read it a couple more times to make sure I understand it all. Thanks for all you do for us

Kasi Kirby

Susan said...

Thanks for the information!

susanthurman@juno.com

Orlando Carreon said...

Cant wait to give it a try! Thx Steph!
orlandojcarreon@yahoo.com

Van said...

So do the coupons double and triple? This app is going to be alot better than doing it the old way! Nvperez1@gmail.co

Anonymous said...

so who won? huh, huh, huh? :-)

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