Do you use store "loyalty" cards?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Years ago, we got senior discounts, especially at grocery stores. Then came store "loyalty" cards. Supposedly the cards provide some savings???? Do you use store "loyalty" cards?

I have cards from three grocery stores. At the check out, they always tell me how much I saved. I got a few from other stores.
 

The only stores that offer them here are more expensive than Walmart and Aldis, so there is nothing to gain from my loyalty. Walmart offered a card, but just this month, they lowered all discounts to 1% off. I'm not even renewing my card, because the main credit card I use gives me that in cash back anyway. So I'll have one less card to keep track of.
 
Safeway uses those cards and we have one. In lieu of a card, when paying with a credit card, Safeway asks for a phone number, a number that counts the same as an existing store card. Amazon stores recognize credit card numbers in use on-line.
 
I don't know how loyalty card schemes work outside of the UK.. but here the customer is penalised for NOT having a loyalty car with the big Supermarket chains. It's not that prices are lowered for Card holders..much as the supermarkets would like to believe that.. it's that if you don't have a card you will pay significanly more for an item at the checkout.

This is how it works.. Box of after dinner mints ..on the shelf ticket it says £5.00.. but yellow stickered to loyalty card holders £3.50... Box of kellogs cornlfakes.. £4.00... but to loyalty cards holders...£2.80


The fact is is we buy elsewhere in stores which have no loyalty schemes, these items cost without the need for a loyalty card the 'reduced price''... that the big chains are using as a fake incentive for people to sign up and give the supermarkets the right to know exactly what we're buying, when and where....


_129366460_gettyimages-1407139718.jpg.webp


265939388_6879066958771840_7172805131877265146_n.jpg
 
Yes the main supermarkets here have them.

And various other stores and coffee cards ( buy 5, get 6th free)

I use them.

I only ever buy what I was going to buy in first place and bonus if I get some discount or freebie from it.
 
Most businesses will give a 5~10% discount, which doesn't affect their bottom line significantly, but is attractive to customers. It's a money maker in the long term.
 
hollydolly said:
The big chains are using as a fake incentive for people to sign up and give the supermarkets the right to know exactly what we're buying, when and where....
Click to expand...
They are also profiling every single person that uses the loyalty card. Other profiles are bought so that a complete expenditure has been amassed. Those profiles are then sold and believe you me, they are big business. Long gone are the days when your loyalty was rewarded.
green shield.jpg
Nowadays the so called loyalty card is as much a spy on your shopping habits as the electronic gizmo is on your lifestyle.
 
hollydolly said:
I don't know how loyalty card schemes work outside of the UK.. but here the customer is penalised for NOT having a loyalty car with the big Supermarket chains. It's not that prices are lowered for Card holders..much as the supermarkets would like to believe that.. it's that if you don't have a card you will pay significanly more for an item at the checkout.

This is how it works.. Box of after dinner mints ..on the shelf ticket it says £5.00.. but yellow stickered to loyalty card holders £3.50... Box of kellogs cornlfakes.. £4.00... but to loyalty cards holders...£2.80


The fact is is we buy elsewhere in stores which have no loyalty schemes, these items cost without the need for a loyalty card the 'reduced price''... that the big chains are using as a fake incentive for people to sign up and give the supermarkets the right to know exactly what we're buying, when and where....


_129366460_gettyimages-1407139718.jpg.webp


265939388_6879066958771840_7172805131877265146_n.jpg
Click to expand...
I suspect you're quite right, but since it doesn't cost anything to have a loyalty card, you might as well. I don't like Tesco, but it's the nearest big store and I can get most branded goods there. I wonder if everyone had a loyalty card, would all the prices rise?

It's not worth it for us to have a Lidl card, but Morrisons have started to give some discounts for their card. Previously they just gave points and when you had enough you got a 5 pound voucher. At least Morrisons has a filling station, which our Tesco doesn't.
 
Capt Lightning said:
I suspect you're quite right, but since it doesn't cost anything to have a loyalty card, you might as well. I don't like Tesco, but it's the nearest big store and I can get most branded goods there. I wonder if everyone had a loyalty card, would all the prices rise?

It's not worth it for us to have a Lidl card, but Morrisons have started to give some discounts for their card. Previously they just gave points and when you had enough you got a 5 pound voucher. At least Morrisons has a filling station, which our Tesco doesn't.
Click to expand...
I feel the same..I know what's happening when I have a Loyalty card which is why I just have 2.. T esco and Sainsbury.. and only because I'd be paying much more on my shopping if I didn't have one, plus I get petrol there if I'm not near a Costco and that adds more ..... but that's where it ends ..like you I don't have a loyalty card with anyone else..in particular not M&S... I shop there a lot but you get almost nothing for having an M&S smart card... however at least they don't blackmail you into paying less or more for shopping...like S&T

Just this morning I got my 3 monthly vouchers. £15 from Tesco.... with that I'll buy my annual Seniors Rail ticket... which is what I buy it with every year. The normal cost is £30 and with the Tesco vouchers I get it for half price...
 
I only use a loyalty card if it gives me enough to make it worthwhile. If it‘s one of my regular shopping stops, it’s worth it.
 
some stores require them. i "lost" mine on purpose. The sales clerk didn't know what to do. She rudely said well then you will not get the sale price. I said, can I still buy it? She reluctantly rang me up.
 
horseless carriage said:
They are also profiling every single person that uses the loyalty card. Other profiles are bought so that a complete expenditure has been amassed. Those profiles are then sold and believe you me, they are big business. Long gone are the days when your loyalty was rewarded.

Nowadays the so called loyalty card is as much a spy on your shopping habits as the electronic gizmo is on your lifestyle.
Click to expand...


yes that's true with all the electronically linked cards - I think most people understand that.

Not the coffee cards here as they are just cardboard cards, nothing electronic

I dont mind my shopping habits being profiled - it makes no difference to me
 
I have, and use, one store loyalty card (Shoppers Drug Mart). They also have Senior's Day, once a week, which is 10% off any product purchased.

Points are saved up, and when $10.00 or more is accumulated, you can use it toward your purchases.
 
Last edited:
I have a Safeway card. Not a Raley's card because I rarely go there.

Then I mainly shop for groceries at places that don't use them: WINCO Foods, Trader Joes, Grocery Outlet.

One of our health food stores which is kind-o-pricey, has 10% off always for over 60.
 
If a store wants a card for the discount and also gives points, see if you can find a friend that wants your points. Sometimes the person behind you in line will let you use the card so they get the points.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top