Price Chopper’s Change To The Fuel Rewards Program

Price Chopper is changing the Fuel Advantage program?

When I first saw this story, I thought to myself, NO I need this! Let’s face it, gas prices are high and this program is a saving grace especially for those of us driving SUV’s who spend $80 to fill up!

After reading the whole story, I realized they are not ending the program, just tweeking it. From now on you have to spend $100 to get $.10 off a gallon. It is currently $50 to get $.10/gallon.

Ok, so it will take a little longer to build up, but it’s still something. It’s still the only Supermarket fuel program in our area. As I continued to read the story, I found SO many people are upset. Trust me, I know how hard it is to tell you customers you are changing something. Change is not something we like to deal with and with todays medium to voice you opinion, people are jumping at the chance to express their dislike.  I found a bunch of negative, and some positive reactions on their Facebook Page.

But I don’t think its going to be all bad. I mean how many times have you seen on the coupon blog “I shop somewhere else because they raise their prices to make up for the fuel program”. Now they are making it so you can have both!!! Lower prices AND Fuel savings!!! That’s a win win in my book.

But, ultimately, my wife does the bulk of our grocery shopping, so I asked her, she also happens to be your local “Coupon Lady”, what she thought and as always, she made some pretty good points! (She told me to say that!)

First, she said, there is still a program for fuel savings, that’s what matters. It’s a bonus for grocery shopping, something everyone HAS to do! Second, lowering prices only means the coupon match ups will help us save even more money! Third, there will be opportunities each week to buy certain items and earn points toward the fuel program. For example, more offers like “spend $20 on Arm & Hammer and get $.20/gallon”. She is excited for the lower prices. When grocery shopping, she is concerned with getting the products we use at a cheaper price. The fuel program is just an added bonus!

So what do you think ? If there is one thing I know for sure is the public can often times react from the heart and the gut before taking the time to realize that some things just can't last forever, no matter how much we want them to. And often times in the hardest times, the best things are the first to go.