Ask The Readers – What Are Your Thoughts On Store Loyalty Cards?
October 4, 2012
My buddy Bill over at Coupons in the News emailed me last week to get my thoughts on grocery store loyalty cards. He wrote a great article called “Down With Loyalty Cards: Another View”.
I thought about his article as I headed out this morning to drop off my son’s clay Davy Crocket. Davy was very fragile, so I didn’t want Jake to have to worry about it in carpool. My hands were full, so I asked my husband to grab my keys from my purse. He pulled out the keys and asked, “How many of these stores do you actually shop at?” He was referring to the huge stack of store loyalty cards piled on my keyring!
I counted and have 19 tags on my keyring…and the scary thing is I have other ones in my wallet. Am I really the one who thinks that is just crazy?? Why do I have to use a card to get a deal. Just put the dang item on sale and I will buy it…no need to jump through hoops. I know it only takes a couple of seconds to get the card scanned…but, if you have ever been at checkout with a screaming baby while trying to dig out your keys from the bottom of your purse, I bet you can understand my frustration. Plus, since almost everyone has a card now…it can take a couple of minutes just to filter through the pile to find the right one. Ok–so I am being a bit dramatic…but you get the point.
It got me thinking that I can’t be the only person who is not a fan of these store loyalty cards. So, I thought I would see what you guys had to say. Share your thoughts in the comments.
Well I like the whole saving with the loyalty cards but for example I went to the store today to do my groceries and I forgot to give my loyalty card cause of all the problems the cashiers have been giving but I don’t get mad I just for get or having to go wit my kids I forget to go and take the card out to give the cashier so I miss out I rather do it with out the card it’s one less thing to worry about “like the saving hate the hassle” who already have our coupons in mind but to have to remember to give that when it separate from your coupons it becomes a problem.
I’m with you. I would just like for stores to put the item on sale and let me loose with my coupons.Store cards are irritating and one reason why my wallet is stuffed to bursting.Its a hassle looking for a card in your wallet. One of the reasons why I shop publix so much because I don’t need a card.And also a reason why I’ve dropped off on walgreens shopping because of the card program being started up.
I like that stores with loyalty cards are able to limit the number of sale items you can purchase. It’s hard if you did want more than the limit, but it also means that product is more likely to still be on the shelf. This is one of the reasons I gave up on Walgreens – the deals are gone by the time I get there!
sometime you pop in with out your keys and cards such a pain at times!!!!
That is why I prefer shopping at Publix, you don’t need a card to get the sale price
I’ll have to agree that sometimes it’s a pain dealing with the card…but I have to say I do like the perks (freebies) that come from the stores who send me coupons based on my shopping habits….Have gotten quite a bit of free food coupons!
It depends on whether you get extra rewards by using the loyalty card in a certain way. For example, with the ExtraCare card at CVS, you get a certain % back on quarterly purchases, ECB for prescriptions, etc. — rewards that are made possible only by allowing the store to track your purchases through the use of a loyalty card. But, for stores that require the card simply to get the sales price and nothing more, I don’t see the point.
Also at CVS you could just tell them your phone number instead of using your card. I’m not sure about other stores. I love my extra bucks and use them to get great deals on make-up.
Doesn’t work for the Magic Coupon Machine, though.
I have mixed emotions on loyalty cards: I use several frequently (Kroger, CVS, Dick’s) but I decline a lot – even though I may be able to save in the future with them – I just need to keep it simple or I get burned out so I just keep a few. A few months ago I scrapped the two dozen or so I had amassed in my purse.
I am gonna do what you did and toss the ones I havent used in years
I keep all my cards on a seperate keyring that i only pick up if the store I;m going imto uses a card. The rest of the time they are in my purse or the tray in the car.
Willowbeth, that is brilliant! I am definitely going to do that with my 16 loyalty cards!
I only have about 3 loyalty cards on my key ring, one being my library card. I just tell them my phone number and they look me up in the computer. I already have a million and one tings on my mind, especially when I have to bring my 3 year old son shopping, so I dislike these “programs” very much. Just have one sale price for everything please! I also stopped shopping at Kroger’s Mega Events because you have to buy in increments of 10 and half the time the shelf is cleared of anything FREE with coupon. Publix is by far my favorite store!
I’m not a big fan of the cards for “sales” unless they give “money back” towards a future purchase. I don’t like the fact they are keeping track of my purchases, feels a bit creepy. For storing them I have a small coin purse that fits them perfectly and have it chained to my purse strap. That way I can just unzip it when I need a card and forget about it the rest of the time.
The only time I appreciate loyalty cards is when they limit the amount of a sale item someone can buy. Otherwise they are a pain.I really limit the amount a sign up for. If I don’t shop somewhere frequently, they are not worth the time.
You really got me thinking about this one. I have mine on my key chain along with my car and house keys. I looked and I actually have about 10 of these “loyalty” store cards. I was able to throw out the Albertson’s and Food Lion cards as we no longer have those stores in my area. I admit, I love the savings you can get with the cards, but I hate having to sign up for it and then, remembering to use it when I am at the register.
I highgly recommend Key Ring App, no need to carry any cards, just remember to take your phone.
Tanya…I also use the “Key Ring” App on my iPhone.
It’s so convenient to just whip out my phone and have them scan it!:)
Saving star coupons are one good thing about loyalty cards. We can’t get credit for them at Publix (this is the ONLY thing I don’t like about Publix).
they usually give you 2 key cards and a wallet card.
i use the 2 key cards. 1 set with my keys and another set in my binder’s zippered pocket.
i don’t care if i use them or not, they’re just there when i need them.
I used to use my store card to load electronic coupons on but it seems that the paper coupons have higher values. I want the store to know what I buy then they send me coupons for items I buy and also coupons for items I don’t buy because the items are more expensive. But once in awhile I have been able to use the coupons when the items were on sale or use the coupon at Publix for a sale. Kroger sends store and manufacturer coupons. I have received free coupons: 3 for cereal and 1 for frozen vegetables this year.
I find loyalty cards to be very annoying to deal with. I do have some, but I tend to only get loyalty cards if I’m going to get some sort of reward back for my shopping (like CVS) or if it’s somewhere I shop frequently that gives a special price for using the card (like Petsmart). Otherwise, I say forget it if it’s someplace I may shop only once a year. That cuts down on the cards in the wallet.
for that matter…how about just give us the price regular paper coupons would allow instead of going through the hassle of clipping coupons?
I absolutely HATE loyalty cards for two reasons:
1. I travel extensively. I have loyalty cards from national chains, from regional chains in various parts of the US, and cards from chains in other countries. They literally will not all fit on my keyring nor in my wallet, so I am constantly shuffling cards out of my wallet depending on where I anticipate being.
2. I detest the fact that somebody somewhere is keeping a database of what I buy. I understand that stores want data to target promotions to individuals, but to be frank, it is nobody’s business if a specific shopper buys feminine itch cream or jumbo-size condoms, or if a drugstore chain knows that sugared soda is being purchased by a diabetic because of the prescriptions that they have filled.
I can understand how digging in a purse for a loyalty card would be irritating to someone in a hurry or dealing with fussy children, but it’s a simple matter to use one and becomes automatic after a while. Is it any more difficult to dig for a credit card, debit card, or check if you haven’t organized the contents of your purse ahead of time to be ready at checkout? I am willing to spend quite a bit of time looking for, printing, cutting, and organizing coupons to get the best deals, and compared to the effort that goes into couponing, having to use a loyalty card at the register is hardly onerous.
Not only that, but at Winn Dixie, Walgreens, and CVS, I can give my phone number to the cashier and get all the sale prices on what I am buying even if I don’t have my card. There are some restrictions to using a phone number rather than scanning the card (I don’t get fuel perks at WD, I can’t use CRT coupons at CVS), so it’s always better to have the card, but I know I will still get the sale prices even if I don’t have the card with me. I believe most retailers have a fallback like that for people who are signed up but can’t put their hands on the card at checkout. The fuel perks and CRT coupons are retailer bonuses offered to me for using the card, and wanting those bonuses incents me to make sure I have the card.
Even though Publix does not have a loyalty card, if I am planning to get a UPromise deal at Publix during a particular shop, I make sure the UPromise card is clipped to the coupons I will use before I leave the house so I don’t forget to have it scanned. When I wanted to get $.75 off Truvia through my UPromise account last week at Publix, I didn’t resent having to hand her the card to scan because I wanted the extra discount. So why would it be any different if Publix instituted a loyalty card program? It would probably be easier in one way because I could link my Publix card to UPromise and perhaps eventually get the advantage of having SavingStar deals available at Publix instead of only through WD and CVS.
I can see tremendous advantages for the retailer in having people use loyalty cards because they are able to track customer activity to see which sales have broad appeal and which are being bought up in large quantities by a minority of customers. It would help them to select future storewide sales that are likely to have widespread appeal while tailoring individual coupon offers based on customers’ prior purchases. I believe the midwestern groocery chain Jewel offers something called “Just for You,” a couponing program tied to a loyalty card that enables the chain to offer very nice coupons to customers tailored to their individual purchase histories. People love it from what I’ve read.
But loyalty cards allow retailers to exercise the option of limiting the best deals to X per card, and IMO that is the main reason a lot of people don’t like them. This week WD has butter for $1.99/lb, and the ad says something like “Limit 2, please.” I have not pushed it to see if a third would ring up for the sale price or if WD is relying on the honor system, but stores have a right to limit quantities, and loyalty cards are an easy way to ensure limits will be maintained. Whenever CVS has a hot deal that is limited to one per card, I often find myself wishing I could get another deal, but I don’t resent CVS for only letting me have one. I think
I think Walgreens will eventually do the same, but right now they are letting people get used to Balanced Rewards and are collecting data on how people shop. I am quite sure they are closely watching the number of RR and BR deals being sold relative to the number of customers who are shopping for them.
There is a Big Brother-ish aspect to loyalty cards that I dislike, but I would be kidding myself if I didn’t admit that I am already being thoroughly tracked by computer searches, IP coupons printed from my computer and redeemed, credit card use, etc. In another generation, I expect everyone will own a Smartphone or similar device, and the digital equivalent of retailer loyalty cards will be loaded onto the phones, eliminating the need for dozens of key tags and probably eliminating the need for paper coupons eventually, which will allow retailers to tightly control the discounts we can get. Isn’t that really one of the strongest reasons why couponers are uneasy about loyalty cards and digital coupons?
just counted i have 19 as well.some of them are really old and dirty,i am embarrassed to hand them over to be scanned.
They don’t need loyalty cards to track your shopping habits (they can track it through your check/credit card purchases) see article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
If you are uptight about your personal information/shopping habits then you can sign up for the loyalty card with fake information or shop somewhere that doesn’t have them and use cash.
It is creepy and I fought against it for years (didn’t like the big brother thing) but I gave in because I wanted the deals and big brother has other ways anyway. Still don’t like all those cards on my key ring so I keep a different ring with those I don’t use often in my coupon box.
I don’t mind using loyalty cards at all. I understand the Big Brother argument, but if someone has nothing better to do than to count how many boxes of Tampax I buy, I don’t really care.
That being said, I use an app on my iphone called Keyring. My husband has it on his android phone too. All you do is scan in your loyalty card and it stores it on your phone. You can sync your cards to an online Keyring account and if you ever lose your phone or get a new one, you can just log into your keyring account and it will download all your cards. Then when you go to the store they just scan your card. It’s hit or miss with some places – BiLo doesn’t seem to scan well, but CVS works great.
I tossed 13 when I got the Key Ring app on my iphone and have added more to it since! I’m not sure if it’s available on Android, too, but it’s a definite must-have. It’s free and it works great! You just scan your cards into the app and open them up for the cashier to scan or type in when you checkout. I even have my library card on it!
I prefer the card if it’s for bonus back such as CVS/Rite-Aid. As far as giving phone numbers at checkout that’s creepy. Have you ever called it out to the cashier and some sneaky looking freak is eyeballing you in line. I hate that! As far as having my sales tracked I’m not ashamed of anything I buy and it’s computerized (not like a little man is watching, making comments) so I don’t see the harm in that. Seems to me, with the printing of cards and the new systems they have to design (such as Walgreens), this has to add to the cost of products and I bet it doesn’t draw new customers, so what’s the point of starting one now. I don’t want digital coupons because of the disadvantages I’ve heard about. I hope Publix does not get a store card, I like it just the way it is!
They don’t bother me a bit. They are a minor inconvenience for some great savings.
I like loyalty cards for restaurants such as Panera, Red Robin, etc., but I’m not a big fan of them for grocery or drugstores. That’s one reason I like shopping at Publix – I don’t need a card to get a BOGO, etc.
In the olden days, I hated, absolutely hated them. I used to get them at grocery stores but not fill in my information. I wanted the deals but didn’t want them tracking what I bought. I now have a separate ring for just the fobs, an alumawalet for the big cards and the only one I use on a semiregular basis is CVS. I guess I don’t hate them any more but I’m still not a fan.
I keep some on my keychain and others go right onto the Keyring app on my smartphone! I use it all the time! It’s free and if you shop at a place like michaels, the coupons pop up on the phone.
i like loyalty cards..and this next issue is out of the topic but i am so disappointed i forgot to use my upromise card at publix today after i bought glades..could have been a start of my savings for my little boy that will be born in december. i loaded it with ecoupons but never tried to use it yet.. another thing today that really disappoint or the right word is it pissed me off, there was this lady with a small basket and shopping for glades, she have a few target coupon and she just picking the scent that she likes so i told her before i left to check the packs she pick and use the coupon inside of it when she checks out ( most fall collection and other regular scent have 1.00/1 coupon inside ) with her target coupon..she didnt know she can do that and she was soo happy and thankful for the tip i gave her. Sadly she was the wrong person to help because after i left…she was still there picking all the coupons inside those packs that shes not buying,then after 10 mins i pass that isle again and she was still there picking on all the packs..i sooo regret helping her out i texted my husband about what happened and he told me to say something, the lady was soo greedy even if there was a publix staff stocking so close to her she was still picking on the packs, so my husband told me not to help anybody again that i met in the store, i feel soo bad for other shoppers that will be getting those packs without coupons..never again will i help strangers i guess…practically ruins my shopping trip.
they dont have that problem in this area as all the stores have gotten rid of any kind of loyalty cards. The Winn Dixie in Hudson has one that is it.
I’m not crazy about the loyalty cards myself. I wish they would just put the things on sale where we didn’t have to use a card. I have quite a few and some I don’t even use.
I don’t mind the cards, especially the ones for CVS and Staples. Because their limits are tied to the card I find these stores rarely run out of the best deals. I much prefer to be limited on the number of items I can purchase than to make the trip only to discover the shelves are empty.
I never go to Walgreens any more. Unless you are there when the doors open on Sunday morning all the great sale items are gone. At least that is the case in my area. I am hopeful their new card will help, but I’ll give it time before I sign up.
BTW, I keep all of my small cards on a separate keyring attached to my purse strap. It clips off easily for scanning but is secure enough I don’t worry about losing them.
Uh… need I say more. I hate loyalty cards not so much for me but for the elderly who have been in front of me at the pharmacy and get charged full price after reading the ad and they dont understand why or they dont want to carry a card around. Don’t blame them. Walgreens switch to this too and I am just not going to go for it. Couponing is hard enough and a card on top of that. They should go the Kmart way and go cardless and limit one deal per transaction so you can do multiples if you wish (for the catalinas, etc.) I have come to a point where I go to Cvs when the deal is jut unbelieveable, grab a card do transactions back to back to use ECB adnt throw the card out. I have three toddlers and balancing a key chain is jus not for me. One of the reason I love Publix.
PS. Do not carry this on the car keychain. My mechanic says a heavy keychain can eventually damage your ignition.
HATE store loyalty cards. Such a pain in the rear! This is one of several reasons I don’t usually go to Kroger. I’d rather go to Publix where their prices are better, their employees are friendly and eager to help, and I don’t have to deal with keeping up with a card.
I can never find my CVS card either. I always have to get a new one and it’s such a hassle. What is really the point of these cards? To track what I buy?
Do not keep these cards on the same “ring ” with your house keys. All someone has to do is find the lost ring, go purchase an item using your shopper card at a store like CVS where your name prints out on the receipt. Google the name, find the address and they have access to your house.
I have 15 on my ring. And yes…they are a pain!!!!
I prefer Publix because I don’t need a card to save. I tried shopping for a sale at Winn Dixie, only to discover I had to have a membership card to get the sale prices. The cashier gave me a card so I could complete my transaction but didn’t keep it when I got home. It just wasn’t worth it!
OTOH, I do have a CVS card but I discovered that I can give them my phone number after I lost the card and never bothered to get it replaced.
Yes, it has become rediculous that almost all stores are requiring them to get their sales or use their coupons. Not only that it is tied to a lot of your personal information. They also know your buying habits and can sell this information.
I also detest loyalty cards but get them regardless as I like the savings! Like others have already said, I generally don’t carry the cards with me; I just use my phone number. But I was at Hancock Fabrics recently & Tried to use my phone number. They told me that they didn’t accept that method any longer & that I had to bring my card with me!! Huge bummer (b/c I think I threw away my card!) I just wish they wouldn’t make it so hard…. (Okay, whining over!!)
I refuse to use them and avoid stores that “lure” you in to their so-called sales with bonus “bucks” that make it “like getting the product” for such and such a price. Just put it on sale and be done with it.
Right on, Lana! Need more shoppers like you.
HI, PEGGY FROM PENSACOLA FLORIDA–I keep my loyalty cards on a separate ring which I also keep a small fold up scissor. This ring is on a band I put on my wrist to carry in the stores when I need them.
I would prefer just entering in my phone number like I do at Kroger or a pin number so that I don’t have to keep up with all the cards. It would be cheaper for the companies as well not to have to print up all those cards. After awhile the cards get ragged and won’t scan and need to be replaced, It seems like a big expense for companies and a big hassle for customers.
When I shop, I have to be very organized. Every week I put together my shopping list along with coupons for that store, and my loyalty card clipped altogether. If it’s a big list, I keep a separate plastic envelope for each store that I need to visit. When everything is contained in one place, I don’t have to waste time searching or risk forgetting something. I get some really great deals with the CVS rewards stacked with a sale and coupons!
I also hate them. The last time I was at Walgreens I was informed that they too were going to a loyalty card. I told the cashier that one of the reasons I shopped Walgreens was because they DIDN’T have one, so now it makes no difference where I shop now.
I noticed that too, when I flipped through their ad, it was promoting their new card. I was disappointed to see that.
And I think Walgreen’s was the last holdout among drug stores. Are there any others that still don’t require a card, for best prices?
I share your same complaints where the cards are concerned. It is too much of a hassle, just for the sale price alone. The only place I do not mind a store card, is CVS. They do track and implement limits, which can be unnerving. However, the pay back is they do give quarterly extrabucks back and I can use it at the magic coupon machine and for their beauty perks.
Grocery stores, like Food Lion (they closed them all here), it is a pain. I never knew of anything besides getting the sale price when I used mine.
I am fed up to the eyeballs with the whole notion of loyalty cards. As a customer I deserve the best the store will give, without being required to declare loyalty or show membership. The recent switch of Walgreens to cards is the last straw — I’m done. I’ll keep CostCo, because that’s a different type of outlet altogether. For the rest, I’ll show at stores that accept me and my money at face value. Require me to carry a card and you’ll do without my business.
I avoid Kroger, Randalls, Walgreens etc. because of these cards. Generally, I’m trying to simplify my life. I tend not to associate with anyone who is out to make my life more complicated. Why should we jump through a bunch of hoops for these stores? It’s a game and I don’t understand why folks don’t see it. Just compare the prices to other stores that don’t require a card and you will find that you have to have the card just to pay the going rate for stuff. In other words they intentionally jack the price up and then have you present the card to make you think you are saving all this money… It’s a game! Also, I don’t want to carry around extra things. I have a very slim wallet and 4 keys on my keyring and I like it that way.. Simple!