Is the Vons/Safeway gas deal worth it?
The Vons and Safeway grocery chains have a new gasoline promotion, but there are a ton of rules and caveats. Looking over the information, I don't think this is worth it for me, but it may be for you. Here's how it works:
Go to the "power pump" page at Safeway.com. Enter your zip code and click on the store you shop at to find out what is specifically being offered at that store. The promotions vary widely from store to store. Many Vons/Safeway stores in SoCal are offering some kind of gas deal.
The Vons in Woodland Hills, West Hills and Canoga Park are participating in this promotion. Spend $600 in groceries and you get a $9 gas card that can be used at Arco. If you only spend $400 or more, you get a card for $6. If you spend less than $400 you get nothing.
Purchases now until December 8, 2008 count towards your total. You can buy at multiple stores and have them count towards your total as long as...
...the stores are both participating in the same "power pump" promotion.
Assuming you make it to the $400 threshold, you are earning $1.50 for every $100 you spend. That is a 1.5% rebate. The gas card expires January 1, 2009.
Caveats: alcohol, prescriptions and tobacco do not count toward your total. The card is like cash so if you lose it they will not replace it.
At some Vons and Safeway stores the "power pump" promotion is quite different - you earn $.10 off per gallon every time you spend $100. That is a one-tenth of one percent rebate. Why even bother?
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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FYI, the promotion you reference in the last paragraph is actually 10¢ per gallon, not just a flat 10¢.
A grocery store on the east coast where my parents live actually did (and is still doing) a similar promotion this summer. It was $0.10 off per gallon for every $50 you spent--and you could combine as many coupons as you wanted. My Mom was very proud of herself for combining coupons many times to get 50-70 cents off per gallon at the pump!
I guess it makes sense that it's $100 here, since LA is more expensive than northeast Massachusetts, but I think it's still a pretty good deal, and for my big trips to the grocery store, I may even switch stores to get the coupon! Especially if you have a family (more than 2), and are spending $100 every week or so on groceries anyway, I think it's totally worth it!