Binny's to honor Sam's loyalty awards, sort of

October 28, 11:37 PMChicago Drinks ExaminerCharles Cowdery

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Binny's has a card too
It looks like this

As all drinkers in Chicagoland already know, Binny's has acquired Sam's and is in the final stages of converting the two Sam's stores into Binny's. Presumably they want to hang on to as many Sam's customers as they can, so they will honor any unredeemed reward certificates and birthday coupons that you may have obtained through the Sam's loyalty card program.

But there's a catch. Two, actually.

The certificates and coupons will be honored at the two former Sam's stores only, not chain-wide, and you have about two weeks to get it done. Doesn't it seem a little back-handed? Half-hearted? Stingy? Maybe that word you're not allowed to use that sounds like that other word, but sort-of means stingy? Would it really have been cost-prohibitive to sweeten the deal, maybe bump it up 10%, extend the expirations, and honor it chain wide? You know, as if you wanted to show them how great you really are. Remember, these are people who were shopping there instead of with you for a reason and you just killed their store.

You be the judge. Here's the official announcement sent to the Sam's email list earlier today. The headline reads: "We Listen And We Care."

Apparently Scrooge McDuck does their promotional strategies and Ned Flanders does their advertising.

Many of you have written and called us in the few days since we acquired Sam's asking about your unredeemed reward certificates and birthday coupons. In the spirit of our new beginning together, and out of respect for Sam's old customers, Binny's will honor Sam's rewards certificates and birthday offers through Nov. 15, 2009. This limited time offer is valid at Sam's former locations in Lincoln Park and Downers Grove, and all previously stated exclusions and expiration dates still apply. We're also happy to announce that effective immediately we can now accept all valid Sam's gift cards.