Finally! Some Significant Improvements to the Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards Program

Pampers disposable diapers have been marketed in the United States since the 1960's, and are the first choice in baby diapers for millions of American families. With lots of competitors seeking their share of the lucrative diaper market, Pampers has created a consumer loyalty rewards program, "Gifts to Grow".

"Gifts to Grow" works pretty simply- The diaper consumer finds the special code on the packaging of Pampers diapers and wipes, and then enters it on the pampers.com website. After accumulating as few as 20 points, participants are able to exchange their points for free rewards. Over the past year or so, however, the very availability of rewards was in question from day to day. The site featured pictures of great merchants and logo products, from Blockbuster Video to Nickelodeon, and the rewards would be available one day and gone the next. Gone, sometimes, for good or for months at a time.

This absence of reward items was extremely unfortunate for parents who were saving points in the hope of redeeming them for a special occasion gift for their child, only to have the gift unavailable when the points were accumulated. On internet reward boards and forums, moms from across the country expressed their outrage with the manipulation of the Pampers corporation, with many of them expressing particular disdain for the fact that such a large and financially sound company would leave it's consumers in the lurch. No doubt, some of those mothers are now using Huggies.

I have been personally participating in the "Gifts to Grow" program since the birth of my most recent child last August. I have personally witnessed the on and off nature of the rewards being available one day and unavailable without notice the next. I have ordered a Blockbuster Night Card after having to wait several weeks for it to reappear after inexplicably being removed. Fortunately, I received the card quickly, but have read some real horror stories from other mothers who had to wait months for their rewards, if they ever received them at all-An especially sad tale when the mothers were waiting on special gifts for their children.

In the last 2 or 3 months, however, Pampers appears to have updated their site. There are not as many rewards offered, especially logo merchandise for kids. However, they have added Movie Cash and LL Bean and Lego gift certificates in amounts up to $50.00. At the 20 point level, a few Sesame Street books remain. Each time I enter points, I check the gift catalog and have noticed that in these last few months they have not been in the business of pulling rewards only to put them back on at a later date, which seems like a major improvement to the program.

Only time will tell of their consistency, but as of today, it appears that Pampers may have responded to customer complaints about their "Gifts to Grow" program. If these changes remain in place, consumers of Pampers products would be well served to save their codes and take part in this rewards program. There are some nice rewards to be claimed before your baby is potty-trained!