Glitch messes with PC Optimum points promotion
A promotion for the PC Optimum program went haywire after a glitch in the system revoked customer points this week.
On Monday, members of the points plan were enticed to win one million points if they spent $60 or more at Shoppers Drug Mart as part of the “Load. Shop. Surprise” promotion.
In the hours following the campaign, many customers saw a spike in their points after they spent the minimum amount to enter.
“I didn’t expect to win anything, but then I went out to the car and I had 340,000 points,” customer Doug Biers told CTV News.
ALSO READ: Scam alert: PC Optimum points stolen through 'household' feature
That thrill was short lived for many, who soon discovered all their points had been wiped. Many took to social media to vent their frustration.
@pc_optimum so what is your official statement about awarding and then taking back millions of shoppers points from people who won your contest yesterday?? I was told - on the phone when I called - it was a technical “glitch”. No apology. SHAME ON YOU LOBLAWS.
— dahancock (@Copperpotscat) December 10, 2019
@pc_optimum Used my bonus coupon @ShopprsDrugMart was so excited for my Christmas miracle of 500,000 points! Imagine my shock when 6 hours later they have all been removed and they have put me in the hole and apparently too bad so sad...merry Christmas
— Brittany 💛 (@brittbooktime) December 10, 2019
@pc_optimum over 2000000 points taken away today because of a glitch ?? REALLY i was so excited in the store along with the cashier who said that was the biggest amount won that she had seen today !!!!! I want my points back that was my christmas dinner money,
— lisa mclain (@leisamclain) December 10, 2019
Thought I won 560,000 @pc_optimum points today. My receipt and online account showed the points earned. Now the points have been removed due to a technical error. Heartbreaking and extremely disappointing. Online support has been less than helpful. I’m going to fight this.
— Chad Hendricks (@MisterHendricks) December 10, 2019
I am beyond done @pc_optimum Since November 29, I have been given not one, not two, but three different timelines for 120 000 points owed for me. It was a Loblaws offer and yet, I can't get anyone to honour them, let alone SPEAK to someone.
This should NOT be this difficult.— Renee (@31MileMom) December 12, 2019
@pc_optimum I'm guessing that's a typo?! pic.twitter.com/PkVqFSmhgx
— anti-tanya (@tanyaphillips18) December 12, 2019
@pc_optimum is this correct Just 19 points when seeing $50 ps optimum pic.twitter.com/M4C2eav45m
— Kate-Lynn Rose (@Kate1421) December 12, 2019
@pc_optimum here's the lovely response. Even though it was an instant win, they are calling it an error. Not letting this go pic.twitter.com/62bErIrYlh
— Mike Dambra (@picklestruth) December 10, 2019
In a statement to CTV News, Loblaw, the parent company for PC Optimum, explained that the problem has been fixed.
“On December 9, a system error resulted in some of our PC Optimum members receiving an incorrect amount of points when shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart,” the statement read.
“We will be re-instating those points associated with the promotion shortly and hope this helps everyone have a little bit of a happier holiday.”
The PC Optimum program, which allows customers to collect points that can be spent on groceries, has about 18 million members.