All Eyes on Scanned Pricing

                                                                                  Week 30 ( Save $30 )
                                                                                  Week 31 ( Save $31 )

What if I told you that you can get up to $100 or more of FREE stuff .. all you have to do is be a sharper and informed consumer and look at your cash receipts or scan items. That is all to it! ... and thank you to SCOP!

SCOP ? Never heard of it...what is that gibberish all about?   SCOP is also known as the Scanning Code of Practice. This code was enacted in June 2002 as a promise from major retailers to the consumer that will be accurate scanning at the register on all UPC codes.  It basically means “the price we have listed on our shelves will be the price that rings up at the register”.


The Code state: If the product scans in at a price HIGHER than the price listed on the shelf, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 imaximum (customer will receive $10 off when the item costs $10 or more).

SCOP does not include pharmacy related products or price-ticketed items (ex. markdowns, 50% off tickets or red ticket items for quick sales). 


Example senario's of how the code works:

1.  If you were to find an item with a label on the shelf advertising it at $9.99, but when scanned it rings up at $12.00, you would end up getting the item for FREE because the lower advertised/correct price of $9.99 is less than $10.  SCOP only applies to the first item. The other item would ring in with the adjusted lower price that was advertised on the shelf.

AND

Note that each item has its own unique UPC. Such items, often shampoos, conditioners and hairspray have different UPC codes even though the store may be advertising a sale of $5 each.

If all three items ring in incorrectly, you would get the shampoo, conditioner and hairspray FREE if they have different UPC codes on the bottles.

2.  If you were to find an item advertised in a store flyer for $50, but when scanned it rings up at $60, you would pay $40 for the product after SCOP is applied because they would subtract $10 from the advertised/correct price of $50.

3. If you were to find an item with a shelf label of $12.00 and it rings up at $9.99, SCOP does not apply at all because the price is lower at the checkout than advertised. You would most likely pay the scanned price of $9.99, not the $12.00.

Finally, if you were to find an item with a price sticker affixed to the item itself for $9.99, but when scanned it rings up at $12.00, SCOP would not apply because it does not apply to products that are individually labelled with a price. You would most likely pay the lower price of $9.99
.
The Scanning Code of Practice does not apply when items have price tickets on them. It only applies for displayed signs in stores. So If the store did not remove it's sales price display from last weeks sale. SCOP is applied here. You will pay at the display price not the scanned price.


Stores that are signed up with SCOP and agreed to follow the code:

• Best Buy
• Canada Safeway Limited
• Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd.
• Co-op Atlantic
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
• Federated Co-operatives Limited
• Future Shop
• Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
• Home Hardware (2 franchisees only)
• Lawton Drug Stores
• Loblaw Companies Limited
• London Drugs
• Longos Brothers Fruit Markets
• Lovell Drugs
• Metro Inc.
• Overwaitea Food Group
• Pharma-Save (BC only)
• Rona
• Shoppers Drug Mart
• Sobeys Inc
• The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Canada Limited
• The Groupe Jean Coutu (NB and ON only)
• The Harry Watson Group
• The Home Depot Canada
• The North West Company
• Thrifty Foods
• Toys R Us
• Wal*Mart Canada Corp.
• + 1374 independent locations

The Scanning Code of Practice is endorsed by the Competition Bureau of Canada and was created from the collaborative efforts of the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.

If you are not satisfied with the cashier’s decision regarding the application of the Code, at a participating store, the Competition Bureau recommends you first speak to the store manager or supervisor. If you are still dissatisfied, you may register a complaint with the Scanner Price Accuracy Committee, by calling 1-866-499-4599.

Tips for taking advantage of the code:

 

SCOP happens a lot on the first morning of the advertise sales week. Some of the stores have not changed over all shelf and display prices from the previous week.  Nor have their systems have fully been updated with the new sales prices.  You may stumble on a few good deals.

A new sales flyer, a new cycle of errors.  Keep a sharp eye out on the those days.  Once the errors have been caught by the retailer, you guaranteed those price tags will be updated quite quickly.

If you happen to return to the store on a different day and the price have not been corrected, you can take advantage of another SCOP item effortlessly.

From time to time, you will benefit from the UPC's that were not inputted into the computer programs correctly from the price switch. 

Check your purchases before you reach the check out with some retailers in-store price scanners for consumers.  You can find out before you head to the check out if you have any SCOP items or take advantage of the other products.

One experience a few weeks back, when I was out buying 3 packages of hot dogs.  The hot dogs rang in at $5.97. The cashier and I discussed the price difference, I was 100% sure the hot dogs were displayed at $3.00.  The floor manager went back to check the price.  At the cash, I was checking the UPC 's on the packaging while waiting, I knew for sure I was getting 2 packages for free ( YAY! ) and willing to pay only $3.00 for the whole lot (I had two packages of the all beef and one package of the cheddar ).  In speaking to the floor manager, he was impressed that I actually caught price scan and surprised that NO other customers caught the price discrepancy all  week since today was the final sales date.  I was so proud of myself for calling them on the SCOP "card".   Duly noted: I was entitled in this matter.. hotdoggins!
 

In most cases, the cashiers are trained on the scanning code of practice and will implement SCOP but for those cashiers who forgotten or  undertrained who look at you baffled and have never heard of such nonsense.  Just point out the white sticker displayed and you may need to ask a store manager to resolve your pricing issue.  You actually have rights!

Look for the SCOP sign posted in the entrance doors or look just below the cash register check outs, usually where you sign for your credit card or debit transactions. This signage has been there all this time but we missed it for some reason. 

It absolutely does PAY OFF to watch the register prices as consumers and we can take advantage of this law in Canada protecting our right to freebies!


                                                           Good Luck!

 

Get ready to compost

                                                                               Week 28 ( Save $28)
                                                        Week 29  (Save $29)

What is composting?

Composting is a simple, natural easy way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into dark nutrient earthy decomposed rich plant food.  The compost creates humus which helps soils retain moisture and ward off plant diseases and pests. No more need for chemical fertilizers!  Composting can reduce your landfill waste up to 50% .. so let's get composting!

Here are a few tips to start your back yard composting:

Select a level spot on the earth where there is good sun exposure and good water drainage to place your bin.

Add acceptable organic materials *. such as your kitchen scraps, garden waste, etc.  Make sure the material are broken into small pieces, this will speed up the composting process.

Keep the pile moist but not soaking wet (or remove the lid just before a rainfall) The pile should not smell or have an odor.  If it does, try adding some dry leaves to absorb the moisture.

Turn the pile over with a pitchfork once in a while to give it some air.

With the natural elements of heat and sun, your compost will be ready to use within a few months to a year.  Results would be this rich and dark crumbly compost.

You can continue to compost through the winter months.  The process will slow down but once the spring arrives the pile will become active again.

For a " no fuss" option to composting, the decomposition may take much longer but the results will be the same.

*acceptable organic materials : fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea, egg shells, garden waste: grass trimming, leaves, twigs, plants, flowers, dried weeds, peanut shells, and saw dust.

**Never add any meat scraps, fats or even milk products. 


Remember that Composting is FREE and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

 

 

Strawberries to jams

                                                                         Week 26 ( Save $26 )
                                                    Week 27 ( Save $27 )

Strawberry season is finally in full swing at your local berry you-pick farms across Ontario.  This year the strawberry season has been pushed back due to the long winter and the wet cool spring. But with the hot summer weather, these delicate berries may not be able to bear the heat and the season may be cut shorter.  Gather your friends and families and head to the berry patches and get picking before these delicious sweet organic strawberries are gone for another year.

Wouldn't it be amazing if we could just bottle summer it in a jar? Why not turn summer's yield into delicious jams - you will be able to enjoy a bit of summer all year long.

This is an simple delicious strawberry jam recipe that does not use pectin.
This recipe yields 3 small jars.  Feel free to double or triple the recipe or try any combinations of berries such as blackberries, raspberries or blueberries. 

Ingredients:
6 cups of fresh strawberries ( washed, dried, hulled, cut to same size )
3 cups of white sugar
2 Tbsp. of lemon juice

In a heavy bottom pot, mix together the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice.  Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Increase the heat to high to bring to a rolling boil. Stir often and skim off any of the impurities forming on top of the jam.  Cook for approximately 20 to 25 minutes . 


In sterile jars, fill the jars leaving 1/4 to 1/2 headspace and seal with the sterile lids.  Process the jams in in water bath for 15 minutes.  Remove the jars and allow the jars to cool over night.  Tighten the lids and store in cool dark place. 

Is it just pure coincidence that strawberries are heart shaped? Everything about strawberries are good for your heart. It packed with antioxidants, fiber and full of vitamins.                            

Enjoy mother nature's perfect fruit this summer !