Thursday, November 20, 2008 9:16:45 PM
Featured Sponsor



Add gas prices to your web site.
Click here to find out how!
GasBuddy News Article


Price Shopper, Sunoco Extend Gas Discount Program
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Convenience Store News -- Rutland, Vt. -- In an effort to take the sting out of high gas prices, Price Chopper announced a new campaign offering 10 cents or more off a gallon of gasoline at participating Sunoco stations in Vermont. The program, built into its existing AdvantEdge discount card, provides customers with a 10-cent-a-gallon discount on gasoline for every $50 of groceries purchased. "The FuelAdvantage program has been created by, and is being driven by Price Chopper, and we created it to increase customer loyalty because it's not a program available to any of our competitors," Price Chopper spokeswoman, Mona Golub, told the Rutland Herald. "And we think that it offers consumers an irresistible combination of discounts on food and discounts on gas."

Visit Convenience Store News for full article

Message Forum - Read Message
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  Post New Topic
Rate this topic:  Low   1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5  High  Avg rating: 5.0  (1 votes)
Author Topic: Price Shopper, Sunoco Extend Gas Discount Program Post a ReplyBack to Topics
JT
Moderator

Message Posted: 9/7/2008 9:28:03 AM  Ignore JT Report Abuse
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Convenience Store News -- Rutland, Vt. -- In an effort to take the sting out of high gas prices, Price Chopper announced a new campaign offering 10 cents or more off a gallon of gasoline at participating Sunoco stations in Vermont. The program, built into its existing AdvantEdge discount card, provides customers with a 10-cent-a-gallon discount on gasoline for every $50 of groceries purchased. "The FuelAdvantage program has been created by, and is being driven by Price Chopper, and we created it to increase customer loyalty because it's not a program available to any of our competitors," Price Chopper spokeswoman, Mona Golub, told the Rutland Herald. "And we think that it offers consumers an irresistible combination of discounts on food and discounts on gas."

Visit Convenience Store News for full article
REPLIES (newest first)
recjr
All-Star Author
Illinois

Posts:501
Points:85,245
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 11:34:44 AM  Ignore recjr Report Abuse
always save a few cents wherever you can
ShadowACE
Veteran Author
Boston

Posts:456
Points:528,015
Joined:Jun 2006
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 10:00:51 AM  Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse
esquared says, "I'll take my 5% rebate per gallon using my Discover card, thank you very much. A graduate of 8th grade pre-algebra should be able to figure out that it saves the consumer more to go this route...."

Why not do both? If you buy groceries and the prices at the store with the discount program are competitive, shop there. Then go to their gas station, swipe or scan your store card for the discount, and pay for your gas WITH YOUR DISCOVER CARD.

You'll be paying the same price for your groceries (they really can't increase their prices and remain competitive in their primary market) and you'll be getting TWO discounts on your gas. Sure sounds like a win-win to me.
Cyberpeep24
Champion Author
Oakland

Posts:1,550
Points:129,120
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:51:59 AM  Ignore Cyberpeep24 Report Abuse
I don't know of any Sunoco convenience stores in CA, they're probably too far to drive to even if they were offering this discount
REVLAW
Champion Author
San Antonio

Posts:2,104
Points:396,010
Joined:Jul 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:44:56 AM  Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse
Gimmicks abound. Wonder why they don't simply try to give "real value" in exchange for "hard earned money" spent at the establishment. (Of course, that statement assumes that most workers actually "earn" through "difficult labor" the money they spend.)
Mooseman1
Champion Author
Manitoba

Posts:2,032
Points:309,880
Joined:Jul 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:44:47 AM  Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse
Wonderful idea, except we don't have Sunoco here.
waterman71
All-Star Author
Michigan

Posts:608
Points:107,490
Joined:Dec 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:42:39 AM  Ignore waterman71 Report Abuse
It helps if it's not out of my way to buy it.
Somis1
Champion Author
Ventura

Posts:4,897
Points:1,062,225
Joined:Jul 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:42:06 AM  Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
Any retailer is making a profit, one way or another.
dabuzman
Champion Author
Seattle

Posts:1,177
Points:469,455
Joined:Apr 2006
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:39:17 AM  Ignore dabuzman Report Abuse
Forget all these price shopper and just lower all the fuel prices so everyone get the benefits. If they can cut the price that much how much is profit to the others? Big greed to the major oil company.
prajes88
Veteran Author
San Bernardino

Posts:377
Points:80,580
Joined:Aug 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:37:01 AM  Ignore prajes88 Report Abuse
that's good for us..
esquared
Champion Author
Oklahoma City

Posts:1,406
Points:630,950
Joined:Jan 2006
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:35:15 AM  Ignore esquared Report Abuse
I'll take my 5% rebate per gallon using my Discover card, thank you very much. A graduate of 8th grade pre-algebra should be able to figure out that it saves the consumer more to go this route....
Don20
Champion Author
Oklahoma City

Posts:1,525
Points:1,013,770
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:34:19 AM  Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
Yes there is several discount programs going, but if you look at the price of the product they sell, it will usually off set the discounted price of gas. (put the pencil to it) These could be a good deal if it is something that you are going to buy anyway.
bwatchin
Champion Author
Texas

Posts:6,124
Points:471,320
Joined:May 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:33:33 AM  Ignore bwatchin Report Abuse
competition is always good.
DFleming
Veteran Author
Alberta

Posts:397
Points:82,695
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:32:35 AM  Ignore DFleming Report Abuse
More places should do this
Zygnatz
Champion Author
British Columbia

Posts:4,981
Points:978,105
Joined:Oct 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:31:40 AM  Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse
Superstore does this occasionally but you have to drop $100 to $250 in the store first.
LaCajunDJ
Veteran Author
Louisiana

Posts:384
Points:89,180
Joined:Jul 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:29:56 AM  Ignore LaCajunDJ Report Abuse
They are just trying to compete with discount gas stations ie: Sam's, Wal-Mart, Raceway, etc.
sdarling
Sophomore Author
Ohio

Posts:152
Points:52,590
Joined:Aug 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:26:52 AM  Ignore sdarling Report Abuse
Yes they have these programs everywhere. But if you compare the prices of these local chains to Walmart your not really saving anything. This is old news.
robertsss
All-Star Author
Hamilton

Posts:761
Points:92,705
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:25:22 AM  Ignore robertsss Report Abuse
not here in Canada
Sealer
Champion Author
Charleston

Posts:2,689
Points:300,105
Joined:Jan 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:24:54 AM  Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
Several supermarkets offer similar promotions here.
jeep2003
Rookie Author
New York

Posts:60
Points:101,800
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:22:31 AM  Ignore jeep2003 Report Abuse
Just like Exxon/Mobil with their Card. They want the profits and they will do anything to get it. The only thing they will not do is lower the price to a responsible price for all not the card users. I had one. I got rid of it when I realized I was contributing to their profits and pockets.
MarkJM
Sophomore Author
Little Rock

Posts:240
Points:522,475
Joined:Oct 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:22:11 AM  Ignore MarkJM Report Abuse
Kroger has a similar program here in Arkansas. The posted price is genenerally the same as stations nearby.
2009TDI
Veteran Author
San Diego

Posts:476
Points:88,895
Joined:Aug 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:21:00 AM  Ignore 2009TDI Report Abuse
some times the loss leader is worth it to the vendor. you are paying with mark ups in other areas or with your future purchasing behavior.
SeerLV
All-Star Author
Las Vegas

Posts:537
Points:132,015
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:20:40 AM  Ignore SeerLV Report Abuse
Many supermarkets here offer this type of discount. All the ones who have their own gas stations.
dyeh
All-Star Author
Illinois

Posts:619
Points:179,310
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:17:40 AM  Ignore dyeh Report Abuse
The article doesn't say who pays for the discount. Simple economics: SOMEONE's gotta pay.

It's just like if you don't pay your rent. You're in effect asking your landlord to pay your rent for you.
USAFA82
Champion Author
Colorado Springs

Posts:1,521
Points:259,545
Joined:Feb 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:16:58 AM  Ignore USAFA82 Report Abuse
I just go to Costco.
hank1326
All-Star Author
Los Angeles

Posts:505
Points:126,730
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:14:49 AM  Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse
Let's make this a national program.
GasholeMI
Champion Author
Lansing

Posts:1,490
Points:114,515
Joined:Jul 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:13:05 AM  Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse
Wish more places would do this but it leads me to wonder--who pays the difference?
robertsss
All-Star Author
Hamilton

Posts:761
Points:92,705
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:11:50 AM  Ignore robertsss Report Abuse
too bad not here in Canada
amacquarrie
Veteran Author
Nevada

Posts:333
Points:77,235
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:11:13 AM  Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
we have this in NV, but the price of groceries at these stores are slightly higher then Walmart. So you actually don't save anything.
acknot
All-Star Author
Seattle

Posts:872
Points:642,575
Joined:Sep 2003
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:10:45 AM  Ignore acknot Report Abuse
NO, its not a good program. Higher profit margins off food. $0.10 per gallon savings is what $0.10 off of every $3.60 spent on fuel? Food profit margins are near 30% ($3.60 X .30 = $1.08). And who says they wont raise food prices to offset the lower margins on gas? People are suckers for gimmicks.
AC-302
Champion Author
Los Angeles

Posts:8,366
Points:1,316,380
Joined:Aug 2004
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:08:57 AM  Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
We have no such thing out here in ??LaLa?? land..
Dinogam
Champion Author
Toronto

Posts:2,066
Points:701,010
Joined:Aug 2006
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:04:58 AM  Ignore Dinogam Report Abuse
This sounds like a good program. Sunoco used to be affiliated with CAA here, but no longer.
hugrad2005
Sophomore Author
Kansas

Posts:128
Points:56,550
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:04:56 AM  Ignore hugrad2005 Report Abuse
I take advantage of the discount Kroger offers, but you have to spend $100 to get the 10 cent discount. If you have a loyalty card, you get 2 cents off per gallon no matter what.
omrperry
Rookie Author
Albany

Posts:23
Points:520,285
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:02:36 AM  Ignore omrperry Report Abuse
It's not bad where Sunoco's are competitive, like they are here in the Capital District.

Except for the fact that, although Price Chopper is HEADQUARTERED here, they don't ovver the program here.
hblee
Veteran Author
Ontario

Posts:370
Points:246,140
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:02:23 AM  Ignore hblee Report Abuse
Wish there was a program like this in (Ottawa) Canada. We all need
groceries so why not.
Jeff4U
Champion Author
Atlanta

Posts:1,927
Points:551,935
Joined:Nov 2004
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:01:23 AM  Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse
Big deal. Kroger has done this for years.
Gas_Buzzer
Champion Author
South Carolina

Posts:6,460
Points:1,105,325
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:00:53 AM  Ignore Gas_Buzzer Report Abuse
Wish we had these stations.
Matts_Pap
Champion Author
Pennsylvania

Posts:1,277
Points:196,990
Joined:Feb 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:00:09 AM  Ignore Matts_Pap Report Abuse
Caveat emptor: "Let the buyer beware".
roadkillGA
Champion Author
Georgia

Posts:1,291
Points:143,365
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 9:00:01 AM  Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse
old
Toppers
All-Star Author
Atlanta

Posts:882
Points:857,875
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:58:45 AM  Ignore Toppers Report Abuse
Nice Try!
domer2
All-Star Author
Gary

Posts:872
Points:379,000
Joined:May 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:57:38 AM  Ignore domer2 Report Abuse
haven't seen a sunoco in years.
rod1965
All-Star Author
Portland

Posts:616
Points:95,125
Joined:Jul 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:57:00 AM  Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
Safeway has the same type of discount except that it take $100 to get the price break.
Lengas
Champion Author
Gary

Posts:4,644
Points:1,111,445
Joined:Nov 2004
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:55:10 AM  Ignore Lengas Report Abuse
Proves they are gouging us.
TommyTraveler
Veteran Author
Cincinnati

Posts:413
Points:79,380
Joined:Nov 2007
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:49:10 AM  Ignore TommyTraveler Report Abuse
There is no free lunch. Prices are generally inflated to offer a simulated discount.
ramz77
Sophomore Author
Pennsylvania

Posts:209
Points:57,600
Joined:Aug 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:42:54 AM  Ignore ramz77 Report Abuse
There are some credit card like Citi Dividend which offer 5% cashback for gas purchases...10 cent a gallon combined with shopping aint much...
mplato
Champion Author
Columbia

Posts:1,297
Points:426,205
Joined:Jun 2004
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:41:06 AM  Ignore mplato Report Abuse
I like the Kroger discount....shop there anyway so why not get the extra $$$ discount....thats a discount you can really use.
AlaRedNeck
Champion Author
Kansas

Posts:1,172
Points:209,900
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:38:10 AM  Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
We've had this for years with the Dillons/Kroger chain
gasfrugal
Champion Author
New York

Posts:38,114
Points:1,712,530
Joined:Sep 2003
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:37:45 AM  Ignore gasfrugal Report Abuse
The local FuelAdvantage Sunoco has been consistently 10 cents a gallon higher than the next nearest station. Today for example - The FuelAdvantage Sunoco is 3.87 for 87e10 and the 3 closest Mobils are 3.77 for 87e10, and the LUKOIL is only $3.699 for 87e10! So the first $50 gets you parity at best, So you really need to spend $100 get get the first 10 cents in savings! The good thing is you can accumulate credits for up to 60 days, which is what I have done to save 50+ cents on a single fillup($250+ in groceries in less than a 60 day period) (which is actually saves 40+ cents) a gallon. So yes, one can save money, but imho it is not as good as it appears.
scrounger
Champion Author
Vancouver

Posts:6,271
Points:1,683,595
Joined:Mar 2003
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:35:06 AM  Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
come west with it
unclebobMO
Veteran Author
Missouri

Posts:259
Points:150,815
Joined:Mar 2008
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:32:42 AM  Ignore unclebobMO Report Abuse
It is likely that there is an offest in the prices that effectively minimizes the profit margin for both chains. However, it is business and the companies are only open to make profits. We might not like it, but that is the truth.
mattf373
All-Star Author
Atlanta

Posts:561
Points:106,745
Joined:Mar 2003
Message Posted: 9/8/2008 8:31:45 AM  Ignore mattf373 Report Abuse
BJ's and Costco u just have to be a mmember and not spend anything to get the discount.
Post a replyBack to Topics 

"Consumers working together to save on gas"
About Us | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Advertise With Us | Advertiser Log In | Contact Us   GasBuddy Organization Inc.