Elite customer status?

13 years ago

So I'm checking out of Safeway this morning...purchasing my usual, coffee, wine and baby formula (we're "that kind" of family) when I was accosted by the manager...accosted!! (He's a lovely guy really). Anyhoo, he asks if he can talk to me while carrying an odd looking envelope in his hand.

The girl who spent a lot of time in the principals office worries she's been caught...doing what I don't know, but still, that early ingraining sticks with a sneaky brat like myself...and the haggard mom thinks "what the hell is he trying to sell me now" as I debate answering his question "can I talk to you for a moment" for about a moment before the polite lady in me smiles and says yes (sure I know I'm gonna have to buy a ticket or something....but he's a local and he's nice).

Anyhoo, he tells me I'm one of their elite level clients and am now eligible for "special" benefits, cash back, 10 cents off of fuel, the ability to purchase a five dollar chicken on not only Friday, but Saturday and Sunday as well (I've never known they had five dollar chickens but that's another issue) blah blah blah including his personal number to call should I ever have a need to discuss product lines etc (as a side question, should I call at 2 am and ask if he's see that the formula I buy is stocked at eye level verses being literally glued to the floor? Or is that too much to ask at 2 am?) Ummm where was I?

OK ummmm nice...I'm elite...what does this mean? I SPEND TOO MUCH AT SAFEWAY!!!!! This is not a badge of honor! This is not something I want to share with my DH! This probably stems from the fact that my five year old is still on the bottom shelf formula ($15 bucks a day ladies...ouch) and I do buy it at Safeway all of the time....

Anyhoo, I've been watching too much "Housewives" where they brag about their black AMEX card.....I'm a Safeway Elite Shopper (eyes rolling) would this get me an episode? LOL holy cow I'm gonna refrain from shopping for one week! Just to prove them wrong heh heh

Any other idiots in the club? If not...want Bob's number? Or do you have a great reason to call him at 3 or 4 am I should use? LOL

I was dying of laughter when I left and just wanted to share it with someone who'd laugh along heh heh Diapers and formula...e gads the glamor of the elite life is almost too much to take!!!!

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Comments (22)

Mimou-GW
13 years ago
I saw this happen to a woman in my Safeway earlier this week! At first I thought he was trying to sell her something too! I am not sure how she felt about being named in the top 5% of Safeway spenders. I'm more of a Central Market gal but congratulations on your elite status. I'd certainly give him a call about that formula...
hhireno
13 years ago
Hahahaha, IC, you have an great take on life.

Isn't it funny that they think someone wants to be labeled an elite grocery shopper. Imagine the brain-storming sessions and committee meetings to come up with this new policy.

I wonder how they take away all these perks when you stop buying so much formula. Bob doesn't take your calls any more? You pay extra for the $5 chickens?

Enjoy your fancy-pants status while you can.
Jean
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deegw
13 years ago
The Piggly Wiggly cash register used to spit out check out coupons "especially for you" based on your shopping history. I always got coupons for the most pretentious products in the store. It was kind of embarrassing.
cooperbailey
13 years ago
Igloo dear- yah, you spend too much money in the store! I have had that happen to me- via the mail- that we were special customers at the Giant. Yep, its the only grocery store I go to, and have for over blank years. My kids have grown up with the cashiers kids! LOL
It ain't a black AMx ( isnt that a myth?)but enjoy your fryed chicken perks!
Faron79
13 years ago
"Fancy pants"....I haven't heard THAT one in a long time...LOL!!

Next thing you know, you'll be toting one of these...the SAKSFIRST Membership cards. Soon, you may be using their Sentient-Jet program for travel, at the $25,000/yr. level!!!

(Good Lord...HOW does one spend $25K at ONE store in a year?)

Wow. We just have a basic SAKS "Black" card!!

;-)
Faron

Here is a link that might be useful: SAKS Membership levels...
jojoco
13 years ago
What they really should do is give you your own checkout line, discreetly, of course.

I am tired of grocery stores "rewarding" great customers in non-meaningful ways. Want to say "thank you"? Take 10% of my next total.

Monopoly game pieces and cents off gallons of gas aren't all that helpful. Especially when the nearest participating gas station is 9 miles away. Each way.

Jo
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
13 years ago
Oh, that made me laugh! Too bad you didn't have the old Groucho Marx line handy (not that it would apply to you!).

Please accept my resignation. I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member.
Groucho Marx
maire_cate
13 years ago
Yes there really is a black AM Ex card. It originated as a myth but then AM Ex decided to capitalize on it by issuing it about 12 years ago.

I still remember watching Starr Jones pull it out of her purse one day on The View and announce how she spends so much money that Am Ex gave her one. Talk about an invitation - there's an upfront fee of $5000 and then an annual charge of $2500. It's called the Centurion card.

Maybe Safeway will upgrade Igloo and she'll get her own parking spot near the front door. That's my idea of customer appreciation.
Faron79
13 years ago
MC has a REAL good idea there!!

Custom parking-spots. THAT would be a neat reward!! ESPECIALLY in cold climates...

Faron
work_in_progress_08
13 years ago
Yes, I love the idea of the parking spot with your name ever so elegantly engraved on the "reserved for" sign! Seems as tho many of stores are starting to now track and pay special attention to their loyals. Are you sure he's not taken a shine to you - home phone number, etc. hehe

We're no longer one of "those" families since DD went off to college. Maybe during the summer, but at that time of year, I buy local fresh, very little at the grocery, unless we're having a bash. Also, we can't buy wine in the grocery here.

"The girl who spent a lot of time in the principals office worries she's been caught" too funny, BTDT!

Baby formula? Did I miss something? If so, that is awesome. Heartfelt congrats! Ohh, and kudo's on your Safeway status!
Mimou-GW
13 years ago
Did you see the wine steward is also at your service? : ~)
igloochic
Original Author
13 years ago
LOL I sense nan is a member :oP Yes I did see that heh heh Mind you we actually do buy most of our wine from the local wine merchant (we took him to Napa with us this weekend...people were very accomidating towards a guy who sells their juice!). But I do buy wine at Safeway if I was a white when DH is out of town...ok I buy a few LOL

I absolutely love all the great ideas for my exclusive umm elite, umm silly membership status LOL I am going to give ya'll bob's number so you can explain that I would really feel rewarded by that private parking space and my own line! And I'd like a special request...I want to be able to choose my bagger. There are some I just can't abide so I will change lines to avoid them...at which point they all play musical lines and swap out only to have Ms. Horrific (announces all of my purchases in a loud voice and bags like a snail) move to whatever line I'm in!

You didn't miss anything WIP, DS still has a formula based diet at age five. He takes puree food but most of his calories come from very concentrated formula...which is freaking expensive...hence my "elite" status heh heh

You PAY for a black AMEX? I don't care if I was dropping a mill a year on fluff I don't pay for credit cards! Especially just to be cool!

I wonder if the goodwill has an elite membership status? Now that's a card I'd be happy to flash...maybe it could bump my bids up over other people who bid me out at the last second???? I gotta call someone! BOB! I'm calling Bob! I'm sure he can do something about this....
DLM2000-GW
13 years ago
Interesting concept with the 'elite' status - we don;t have that at our local stores, but have to say it rubs me the wrong way. If they're willing to take a hit on some of your future purchases with the discounts they offer, they should offer them to a shopper/family that really NEEDS that discount. I'd shop at a place that did that just to support their community involvement. Wonder what they'd say if the elite customer asked to have their discount passed on to a customer in need?
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
Jack Donaghy is so elite he has an AMEX INVISIBLE card. Top that.

(Jack Donaghy is Liz Lemon's boss on 30 Rock)

When I get those extra coupons, they're for cat litter. Hm. I ought to look at my purchasing profile...
maire_cate
13 years ago
flyleft - that's great. Alec Baldwin's character is one of the best written on TV.
igloochic
Original Author
13 years ago
Dlm I think it would be a little difficult to make that determination wouldn't it? I would be offended if I was buying baby formula in my painting gear (dh says I look like a homeless painter) and was approached with an offer of a discount on xyz because I was looking a bit down trodden.

One of the reasons I shop there is because in both states we live in they are very active in supporting the folks in need in our community.

But I'd really feel supported today if I had that parking space! It's pouring and I'm out of formula again!

Come to think of it....they never have enough formula (I don't like to buy all twelve cans on the shelf because I worry about that one other desperate mom out there who might need it as much as we do). I think I'm gonna actually call bob lol. Maybe they could carry extra of my kind :). (and move it off the floor lol....maybe that's asking too much).
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
maire cate, did you watch it yesterday? It was one of our favorite episodes, repeated...about his wife giving birth in Canada...DH is half Canadian..."oh my gosh, where are my manners - would you like some meth?" LOLOL...

And igloo, yes, in our area (the Columbia-Willamette) there is the elite card, so elite it's not given out anymore...I have it and keep taping over it and taping so that it won't wear out. I love that card : )
maire_cate
13 years ago
igloo - Have you asked Bob if he'll order a full case for you? Then you can let him know that you're such a considerate shopper that you would never empty the shelf. And while you're at it see if he'll offer a case discount.

flyleft - That was a good episode. I love it when they lampoon GE and Comcast (a.k.a. Kabletown).
Here's a 3 minute clip of GE jokes.

Here is a link that might be useful: GE has a sense of humor
cooperbailey
13 years ago
Igloo there is an elite group at Goodwill. But you arent eligible. sorry dear. Senior Day is on Wednesday. 55 and over get 20% off!
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
maire, ah yes, allowing the gentle poking of fun at the dictator...I actually think it's insidious and horrible, seriously -- Kabletown? Really? KomKast is no bunch of laughable yokels. They're monopolizing the media and controlling the flow of information. 30 Rock is wallowing in its lovable court jester role without a second thought. Gives me the creeps.

But back to happy things...like the discount on my Goodwill card : )
Faron79
13 years ago
What.....no one uses the Sentient-Jet program?!?

;-)

(One just assumes......;-))

Faron
igloochic
Original Author
13 years ago
Lol Faron....I must admit that I immediately looked it up when I saw that post but didn't want to admit it lol.

We actually just returned from a weekend trip on a private plane (I don't speak boy....one propeller, eight seater french thing) and I told dh....I could roll with this life style lol. But Faron...it wad one third the price! You mystery be hanging with the big boys!

Elite customer status?

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