Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the Co-op?
Who controls the Co-op?
Who can become a member?
How do you become a member?
Why do I need a Co-op number?
Why do you need to record my purchases?
What is Co-op Equity and Cash Back?
Do I have to be a member to shop at Saskatoon Co-op?
Do I have to give my member number each time?
Who can use my membership number?
When will I get my first refund and what period does it cover?
What purchases are included when calculating my patronage refund?
How will I receive my cash refund?
How much cash will I receive?
When do I get the rest of my equity allocation?
Is my cash refund taxable?
Why don’t I receive all of my allocation in cash?
Why is the allocation rate different in each department?
How does the Co-op equity and cash back program compare to other petroleum company loyalty programs?
Can I use my local Co-op number when I purchase from other Co-ops in other communities?
What is the Co-op’s pricing policy?
Why should I get involved in a Co-op?
Why should I shop at a Co-op?
How does Saskatoon Co-op contribute to the local community?
What is Saskatoon Co-op doing for the environment?
Is Saskatoon Co-op a good employer?

If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please call our Member Relations department at 933-3801 or e-mail us at saskatoon.coop@sasktel.net.

Who owns the Co-op?

Co-ops are locally owned by people just like you. Owners, or members, are usually regular shoppers. Co-ops are the only business where the shoppers own the store.

Who controls the Co-op?

Co-ops are democratically controlled by local members (one member, one vote). Members control the Co-op through a locally elected Board of Directors. Members can become a Director of the Co-op by allowing their names to stand at an annual election. Members can also exercise control by attending annual meetings, by proposing or voting on resolutions, or offering suggestions to Co-op management and directors. Local control means that decisions affecting the Co-op are made locally in the best interests of the members and the community and not made by executives in far off national or multi-national corporations. Co-ops are an alternative to the growing concentration of corporate power and control.

Who can become a member?

Anyone over the age of 16 can become a member. Co-ops have an open membership. Being a Co-op member means that you own a share of a business in your community.

How do you become a member?

To become a member you fill out an application form available at all locations. You will purchase a one-time share for $10. You will then receive a Co-op number.

Why do I need a Co-op number?

Having a Co-op number means you are a part owner of the business. It means you share in the earnings of the Co-op. Every time you make a purchase at the Co-op, you will be asked for your number, which is used to record your purchases.

Why do you need to record my purchases?

Any earnings from the Co-op are distributed to member owners based on their purchases. Earnings are returned to members either as equity or cash, depending on the Co-op’s financial situation.

What is Co-op Equity and Cash Back?

As owners, members are entitled to share in the earnings of the business. Co-ops return the earnings to members based on the purchases they have made during the year. This return is paid out partly in cash and partly in equity.

Do I have to be a member to shop at Saskatoon Co-op?

No, but by becoming a member you become a part owner of the business and you share in the earnings of the Co-op. You can also attend annual meetings and vote on resolutions and run for a position on the Board of Directors.

Do I have to give my member number each time?

Yes. The cashier will ask you for your membership number. You will be given a receipt which includes your membership number as verification of your purchase.

Who can use my membership number?

You and your immediate family can use your membership number.

When will I get my first refund and what period does it cover?

You will receive your first refund in June of the year following the fiscal year in which you joined. The Co-op’s fiscal year runs from February to January. Your refund will be based on purchases you made during the previous fiscal year. For example, if you join in February 2008, you will receive your first refund in June 2009, based on your purchases between the day you joined and the end of January 2009.

What purchases are included when calculating my patronage refund?

Any purchases at your local Co-op Food Stores, Service Stations, Gas Bars, Convenience Stores, Car Washes, Home Centres and Agro Centres.

How will I receive my cash refund?

Your refund cheque will be mailed to you so it is very important that we have your current address.

How much cash will I receive?

To calculate how much cash you receive there are two steps involved. First, you are credited with an equity “allocation”. Your allocation depends on how much you spent in each department. Each department’s allocation rate is different. For example if you spent $3,500 in Petroleum, and if the allocation rate on Petroleum was 7.5% your allocation would be $262.50

Second, the cash you receive is calculated as a percentage of the allocation. The percentage that applies depends on how much equity you have accumulated before the current year’s allocation, as set out in the following table:

Equity Before Allocation	Cash Repayment
$10 to $1,000	30% of Allocation
$1,001 to $3,000	35% of Allocation
Over $3,000	40% of Allocation

To continue the Petroleum example, if you had $1,500 in equity before this year’s allocation, you would receive a cheque for $91.87 ($262.50 x .35). The equity portion of $170.63 ($262.5 – $91.87) is credited to your equity account. The minimum cheque issued is $10. If your refund is less than $10 this amount will be added to your member equity account.

When do I get the rest of my equity allocation?

The rest of your allocation goes into your equity account. When you move away from the trading area or turn 69 you can apply for your accumulated equity. You will receive your total equity less $10, which is retained to keep your membership active. If you die your equity is paid out to your estate.

Is my cash refund taxable?

A tax of 15% is withheld from refunds exceeding $100. If your purchases are for personal use they are not taxable and you can claim back this amount as pre-paid income tax by using box 22 of your T4A and including this amount on line 437 of your Income Tax Return. If your purchases are for business purposes the amount of your rebate can be included as part of your income tax calculation.

Why don’t I receive all of my allocation in cash?

The Co-op Board of Directors reviews the financial position of the Co-op each year and decides how much can be paid out and how much will be retained to finance operations and maintain and upgrade assets to ensure on-going success.

Why is the allocation rate different in each department?

The allocation rate is reviewed each year and may change as a result of fluctuating market and competitive conditions.

How does the Co-op equity and cash back program compare to other petroleum company loyalty programs?

This chart compares some of the reward programs offered by our fuel competitors to the Co-op equity and cash back program. As you see, it pays to be a Co-op member.

Co-op Versus Other Loyalty Programs

Retailer	Your Spending	Points/Refund Earned	Reward/Refund
Shell (Air Miles)	$5,250	175 Air Miles	$20.00 fuel certificate
Saskatoon Co-op	$5,250	8.55% refund	$448.88 equity $ 157.10 cash
Esso	$4,300	4,300 Esso Extra Points	$25.00 gift card
Saskatoon Co-op	$4,300	8.55% refund	$367.65 equity $128.67 cash
Petro Canada	$3500	35,000 Petro Points	$20.00 free gas reward
Saskatoon Co-op	$3,900	8.55% refund	$333.45 equity $116.71 cash

This chart is based on the 2006 Co-op member rebate on Co-op fuel purchases and member equity between $1,000 and $3,000, an average fuel purchase of $30 and information obtained from competitors' websites in August 2007.

Can I use my local Co-op number when I purchase from other Co-ops in other communities?

No, each Co-op is independent with different policies regarding equity and cash back.

What is the Co-op’s pricing policy?

Our policy is to provide quality goods and services with friendly service in pleasant surroundings at competitive prices. This does not mean that our price on every item will always match the lowest of our competitors. It does mean, however, that we are constantly checking prices at our competitors that offer the same level of quality and service to ensure that our prices represent fair value to Co-op members.

Our Value Priced Every Day program offers everyday low prices on hundreds of everyday items. Four times a year we have our very popular Warehouse Sales. Our Seniors’ Days offer special discounts to people 65 and over. And, you get the benefit of multiple item pricing on single item purchases.

Why should I get involved in a Co-op?

Co-ops provide an opportunity for you to learn about business, to work with other people and take advantage of training programs provided for directors and delegates.

Why should I shop at a Co-op?

Shopping at a Co-op means much more than just meeting your everyday needs. When you shop at a Co-op you are supporting a local business and investing in your community. Any earnings generated by the Co-op are returned to members, either as cash or equity. Until that equity is paid out it is reinvested in the local business, improving facilities and services. We have a Code of Ethical Standards for dealing with customers. We try to conduct our activities in the interests of the consumer and emphasize ethical human values rather than technicalities or legalisms. We offer superior customer service and a “No-Hassle Guarantee” on all our products. We publish a newsletter three times a year to keep members informed.

How does Saskatoon Co-op contribute to the local community?

Saskatoon Co-op donates to a wide range of community organizations that contribute to the social, cultural and recreational needs of the community. We have donated to hundreds of local community groups over the past few years, including: The Friendship Inn, The Food Bank, Child Hunger and Education Program, Nutrition Positive, Everybody’s Playground, Care and Share, Seniors’ Bus Program, Co-op Youth Camp, 4H, Secret Santa, and the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation. Our Charity Brunch program allows local groups to increase public awareness and receive a donation based on the number of brunches served. As part of the community we try to operate in a responsible, quiet and considerate manner.

What is Saskatoon Co-op doing for the environment?

Our initiatives include: On-site recycling bins for newspaper, and in-store recycling of plastic grocery bags, egg cartons and plastic margarine tubs (Greystone only). Members can reuse their shopping bags and receive a 3 cent credit per plastic bag. We encourage the use of re-useable cloth grocery shopping bags. We encourage members to recycle used books by donating them to the Co-op Book Exchange. We constantly upgrade with energy efficient equipment, coolers and lights to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We practice environmental due diligence in all our petroleum and crop input locations.

Is Saskatoon Co-op a good employer?

We provide employment for local people and offer competitive salaries and benefits, training programs and opportunities for advancement.