Is it just me, or do things like this provoke others too?
In Canada, We have a chain that sells boxed, frozen meats and other items. It's called M&M Meat Shops. We have never done a lot of shopping there but do drop in from time to time to purchase this or that. In fact, I dropped in just yesterday for such a purpose but will probably never do it again.
They had those frozen, skinless boxes of chicken breasts on sale, and, since we usually keep a box in the freezer, I decided to pick one up. However, it was not to be.
You see, I had to have one of their silly Customer Club cards to take advantage of that particular sale. "Oh it's free, and you can have it right away." I shook my head in perplexity and walked out sans chicken.
It's the principal of the thing. It's so stupid to make you take out a membership to purchase an advertised, on-sale box of chicken. What's the point? It's just plain silly and wrong, and I can't be bothered to play thier ridiculous little games. For one thing, I don't need one more card to keep track of, and, for another, I don't need one more company keeping track of me.
So, I am without the chicken, and they are without a sale and without further custom from this consumer. Presumably, a company advertises a special to attract customers and widen their clientele, so, how does alienating customers assist in this pursuit?
I'm actualy a fairly even-keep kind of guy who doesn't get terribly upset about too many things, but stupidity bothers me, and I am still shaking my head in utter frustration at sheer folly of this particular policy of M&M Meat Shops.
That is very irritating, I've run into that sort of thing here, too. Good for you to not play their little game.
ReplyDeleteI figure that kind of subtle pressure can mesh quite well with a bit of deception. I have many of those cards for Albertson's, Raley's, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd they all have entirely false information associated with them. I chuckle to myself when I notice how they pay so little attention. They can not ask for ID. My guess is that I truly do not look like "Chanakarn Deumlaokeng" but what can they say?
:)
Peace,
~Chani
I would have done the same thing. I generally resist those frequent customer cards for the same reasons as you. About the only ones I have are for air miles because I fly a fair bit.
ReplyDeletethere is a way to get around it.tell them you dont have a card and you dont want one could they please use one of their cards to skan it!if they dont do it for you then say that is why I dont want your card.and then dont ever shop there again.it does chap ones hide to have to deal with stupid gimmic,s.theylose shoppers because of it.have a good day.God bless.
ReplyDeleteI will not carry those cards. Our Kroger store lets you tap in your ID number to get the same discounts the card carriers get. It's the only way I save any money. If they want to record my buying habits - I figure - &#@% it. They can't make me purchase items I don't want. They can coax - but they can't coerce. (Can they?:0)
ReplyDeleteI have a Pet Smart card, because I am a frequent buyer there. I just let them use the store card at Albertson's.
ReplyDeleteThe only good card is one's library card.
ReplyDeleteCount me forewarned! I haven't been to M&M's for a couple of years, so I wasn't aware of this new policy. You have just save me valuable time and frustration!
ReplyDeleteI guess that wrinkle in marketing backfired on them. I don't imagine it speeds up the line for sales either. Still on the midway principle, some people will spend enormous sums if they get something for free as a payoff eventually. Customer card gives bonuses eventually I'd guess.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to get around this is to lie! I usually say I am visiting my daughter and forgot to get her card...and they always offer to scan a card that they have on hand at the counter. It's all so ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteAh, it's nice when you can get around it, but in our area here in the U.S. it's practically impossible. Both our major supermarket chains require that you have one of their cards if you want to get the sales price reduction on groceries. If you don't have the card, well, you're out of luck and must pay full price. We do have one old family-owned supermarket nearby which is holding-out making us use cards when shopping, and Aldis doesn't require them-- but one wonders for how long. And though, all these years later, I'm still against having to use a card when I shop, I'm also against not being able to save money on sales items at the stores which carry items which the other stores don't! :) Sigh... (and after reading your post and the comments, I'm feeling like a sell-out nonetheless... Thanks....heh...)Blessings, Debra
ReplyDeleteI agree! Wholeheartedly! I have a Safeway card because I shop there quite a lot but I really don't like using it. They won't give me their specials without it though.
ReplyDeleteI too am getting quite annoyed how almost every retailer one deals with now expects you to fill out a card.. or at the very least.. wants your phone number. Many seem quite surprised when I simply say.."no thank you".
ReplyDeleteYup. I'm with you there, AC. Coles Books tried to entice me to accept a Coles Points Card recently. I told the young man I'd come for a re-usable, biodegradable book, not another plastic card.
ReplyDeleteI try to use stores that don't require "loyalty cards" the official name of this marketing gimmick. I used to be a loyal Kroger shopper, and saw their prices soar when they instituted this.
ReplyDeleteHowever, because I go to Panera's every day, I do use a paper card that gets stamped, and every 8th cup of coffee I get one "free," although it's important to know that retailers don't stay in business if they give their products away--everyone who shops there is paying for my extra cup, even me.
coupons
sweepstakes
contests
green stamps
frequent flyer miles
They are all the same.
I'm a wimp, I've got a few.
ReplyDeleteThey do have all the wrong information, though. It sort of makes me feel better.
I have a M&M Meat Shops card. These things don't bug me though I do think it is stupid to have to get a card just to get a sale and like you we don't shop there that often.
ReplyDelete