Complaint Review: Pepsi

Hello, I used to work for Pepsi Cola in Mississippi so all these facts might not be true for your case. Most of the time you have to redeem caps in a case amount, for twenty ounce bottles is 24. That way the salesman can give you one free case. Even though it is in the rules that anyone may choose not to participate in the giveaways, Pepsi (or franchisee in that area) could simply lower the amount of caps needed to a half case so smaller stores could accept them. I really just falls back to pleasing the consumer. I can go to a Exxon, Cstore or where ever but really I shouldn't have too.

Per previous rebuttals, I have read the "official rules" regarding cap redemptions for various Pepsi (and other soft drink) promotions. From past experience, I have had better luck redeeming "free product" or "buy one get one free" bottle caps via chain stores as opposed to mom and pop's/independents. There are some mom and pop/independent stores that DO accept the bottle caps; either they do adequate enough volume with soft drink sales to make redemption worthwhile, or they are willing to fight with Pepsi/Coke/Dr Pepper-Seven Up to make sure that they get credit for the bottle caps that their customers redeemed. Most retailers, both chain and independent, treat these bottle caps as a "manufacturer's coupon". But then again, there are many mom and pop/independent food stores that refuse to accept manufacturer's store coupons as well, again because either they deal with low volume, that they won't be compensated, or that they don't want to be bothered with them. A suggestion I had, and I've seen stores actually do this, is to post signs, either on the pop coolers or by the registers, that their business will NOT accept the bottle caps, which will read, "Sorry, we do not accept Pepsi bottle caps" or something similar. This will avoid confusion for those customers who DO NOT read the "official rules"; all they see is that "buy one get one free" cap and expect the store to honor it. And also, from my past experiences, sometimes finding a store that accepts/not accepts the caps can be confusing, especially if it involves stores that are part of a "chain", but in which either all of the stores are individually owned and operated, or if some locations are "corporate" and other locations "independent". One store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Convenient Food Mart on East 71st Street in Cleveland, OH...I have redeemed caps at other Convenient Food Marts without any problem...either the other stores were corporate-operated or in which the store's owner chose to participate. Another store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Bi-Rite supermarket (a chain of independent co-op stores) at East 65th and Fleet Avenue in Cleveland...I assume that there are other Bi-Rites that DO accept the bottle caps. Again, depends on the owner or franchisee. To repeat, posting a sign will avoid confusion for those trying to redeem bottle caps that DID NOT read the "official rules".

Per previous rebuttals, I have read the "official rules" regarding cap redemptions for various Pepsi (and other soft drink) promotions. From past experience, I have had better luck redeeming "free product" or "buy one get one free" bottle caps via chain stores as opposed to mom and pop's/independents. There are some mom and pop/independent stores that DO accept the bottle caps; either they do adequate enough volume with soft drink sales to make redemption worthwhile, or they are willing to fight with Pepsi/Coke/Dr Pepper-Seven Up to make sure that they get credit for the bottle caps that their customers redeemed. Most retailers, both chain and independent, treat these bottle caps as a "manufacturer's coupon". But then again, there are many mom and pop/independent food stores that refuse to accept manufacturer's store coupons as well, again because either they deal with low volume, that they won't be compensated, or that they don't want to be bothered with them. A suggestion I had, and I've seen stores actually do this, is to post signs, either on the pop coolers or by the registers, that their business will NOT accept the bottle caps, which will read, "Sorry, we do not accept Pepsi bottle caps" or something similar. This will avoid confusion for those customers who DO NOT read the "official rules"; all they see is that "buy one get one free" cap and expect the store to honor it. And also, from my past experiences, sometimes finding a store that accepts/not accepts the caps can be confusing, especially if it involves stores that are part of a "chain", but in which either all of the stores are individually owned and operated, or if some locations are "corporate" and other locations "independent". One store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Convenient Food Mart on East 71st Street in Cleveland, OH...I have redeemed caps at other Convenient Food Marts without any problem...either the other stores were corporate-operated or in which the store's owner chose to participate. Another store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Bi-Rite supermarket (a chain of independent co-op stores) at East 65th and Fleet Avenue in Cleveland...I assume that there are other Bi-Rites that DO accept the bottle caps. Again, depends on the owner or franchisee. To repeat, posting a sign will avoid confusion for those trying to redeem bottle caps that DID NOT read the "official rules".

Per previous rebuttals, I have read the "official rules" regarding cap redemptions for various Pepsi (and other soft drink) promotions. From past experience, I have had better luck redeeming "free product" or "buy one get one free" bottle caps via chain stores as opposed to mom and pop's/independents. There are some mom and pop/independent stores that DO accept the bottle caps; either they do adequate enough volume with soft drink sales to make redemption worthwhile, or they are willing to fight with Pepsi/Coke/Dr Pepper-Seven Up to make sure that they get credit for the bottle caps that their customers redeemed. Most retailers, both chain and independent, treat these bottle caps as a "manufacturer's coupon". But then again, there are many mom and pop/independent food stores that refuse to accept manufacturer's store coupons as well, again because either they deal with low volume, that they won't be compensated, or that they don't want to be bothered with them. A suggestion I had, and I've seen stores actually do this, is to post signs, either on the pop coolers or by the registers, that their business will NOT accept the bottle caps, which will read, "Sorry, we do not accept Pepsi bottle caps" or something similar. This will avoid confusion for those customers who DO NOT read the "official rules"; all they see is that "buy one get one free" cap and expect the store to honor it. And also, from my past experiences, sometimes finding a store that accepts/not accepts the caps can be confusing, especially if it involves stores that are part of a "chain", but in which either all of the stores are individually owned and operated, or if some locations are "corporate" and other locations "independent". One store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Convenient Food Mart on East 71st Street in Cleveland, OH...I have redeemed caps at other Convenient Food Marts without any problem...either the other stores were corporate-operated or in which the store's owner chose to participate. Another store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Bi-Rite supermarket (a chain of independent co-op stores) at East 65th and Fleet Avenue in Cleveland...I assume that there are other Bi-Rites that DO accept the bottle caps. Again, depends on the owner or franchisee. To repeat, posting a sign will avoid confusion for those trying to redeem bottle caps that DID NOT read the "official rules".

Per previous rebuttals, I have read the "official rules" regarding cap redemptions for various Pepsi (and other soft drink) promotions. From past experience, I have had better luck redeeming "free product" or "buy one get one free" bottle caps via chain stores as opposed to mom and pop's/independents. There are some mom and pop/independent stores that DO accept the bottle caps; either they do adequate enough volume with soft drink sales to make redemption worthwhile, or they are willing to fight with Pepsi/Coke/Dr Pepper-Seven Up to make sure that they get credit for the bottle caps that their customers redeemed. Most retailers, both chain and independent, treat these bottle caps as a "manufacturer's coupon". But then again, there are many mom and pop/independent food stores that refuse to accept manufacturer's store coupons as well, again because either they deal with low volume, that they won't be compensated, or that they don't want to be bothered with them. A suggestion I had, and I've seen stores actually do this, is to post signs, either on the pop coolers or by the registers, that their business will NOT accept the bottle caps, which will read, "Sorry, we do not accept Pepsi bottle caps" or something similar. This will avoid confusion for those customers who DO NOT read the "official rules"; all they see is that "buy one get one free" cap and expect the store to honor it. And also, from my past experiences, sometimes finding a store that accepts/not accepts the caps can be confusing, especially if it involves stores that are part of a "chain", but in which either all of the stores are individually owned and operated, or if some locations are "corporate" and other locations "independent". One store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Convenient Food Mart on East 71st Street in Cleveland, OH...I have redeemed caps at other Convenient Food Marts without any problem...either the other stores were corporate-operated or in which the store's owner chose to participate. Another store that refused to accept my bottle caps was a Bi-Rite supermarket (a chain of independent co-op stores) at East 65th and Fleet Avenue in Cleveland...I assume that there are other Bi-Rites that DO accept the bottle caps. Again, depends on the owner or franchisee. To repeat, posting a sign will avoid confusion for those trying to redeem bottle caps that DID NOT read the "official rules".

I just visited the Mountain Dew website, and located the rules on their current promotion at http://pepsi.yahoo.com/everyten/official_rules.php . In section C specifically regarding the Buy One, Get One Free caps:

>>C. TO REDEEM OFFERS, present bottle cap with the buy-one-get-one-free message at a participating retailer on next store visit before 11/30/05 when you buy one 20 oz. (or in some areas, a 1 liter bottle) of any Pepsi, Mountain Dew or Sierra Mist product , and get another 20 oz. (or if applicable, another 1 liter bottle) for free. Redeem by 11/30/05. You pay tax and deposit charge if applicable. Limit one redemption per person per store visit. Not all retailers are participating.
It clearly stated to present the cap "at a participating retailer" and then goes on to state "Not all retailers are participating".

It's up to the retailer to decide wether or not to participate. Blame the store, not Pepsi. If I was running a smaller store, I'd still honor the caps because it would give me opportunity to sell more stuff like chips, snack foods, etc.

Its not Pepsi's responsibility to see who honors what. If your "mom and pop" store refuses to honor the caps, then that your problem with the store. ITS not PEPSI"s responsibility to MAKE These stores accept them.

its the "mom and pop" stores business pergative. just like they can refuse service to any customer they feel like, they can refuse to participate in a promotion that will cause them to lose money.

AND PEPSI does make it quite cleare the some stores may not redeem the plastic caps. Its written on the bottles.

Read next time.