# I DON"T WANT another DAMNED card in order to "save money" at your store! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 1, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542 "2013-04-01T16:21:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/101 "2013-04-03T06:10:32Z")
> [@](#): > > I had a similiar experiance at Borders with their loyalty card. The cashier giving me the hard sell, I really annoyed, and I guess it showed the 3rd time I said no because she reponded “Well, you don’t have to be rude about it.”. _That_ pissed me off, I chewed her out to her manager, and left. > > The company that took over the local Borders store has it’s own program, but the moment I told the cashier “that’s the reason I stopped shopping at Borders” he shut up. Cashiers and other drones will sometimes have quotas to make. Some of the quotas are chain wide, sometimes it’s just a manager telling a particular cashier “your numbers on \ are low, you need to start pushing \ harder”, with the implication that the cashier’s performance rating or even job depends on bringing those numbers up. Loyalty cards are sort of like cats. Most people who want one already have one, or know how to get one. Nagging someone to take a card or a cat does little except to aggravate that person. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/102 "2013-04-03T06:17:55Z")
Yeah, I know the deal; I’ve been on both sides of the register. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/103 "2013-04-03T09:39:07Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > So what do you carry in place of all the things a smart(er) phone could do for you? Lists, for example? How about time and convenience? > > We have a household whiteboard on which we write down things we need. I always hated it because it means you have to stop and write down a take-away list, which likely included only the things you thought you were going to go buy. Many was the time I found myself at, say, the hardware store, wishing I had the notes for household hardware that were on the board. But no, I was only going to the grocery store, so unless the HW store has carrots… > > Now, I snap a shot of the board on my way out the door, using EverNote. I always have the complete household list with me for that 5 seconds of effort. > > Maybe your life is simpler and you can remember everything all the time; I remember those days. And have found a pocket mega-organizer of priceless value in saving time, frustration and money not spent in buying the wrong product or having to make extra trips. There are apps that all family members can update lists on and retrieve while they’re out and around (my husband and I use Cozi, but others exist). Either of us can update lists from his/her phone or computer, and look up those lists while shopping. Seems more convenient to me than the whiteboard photo system, but YMMV. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/104 "2013-04-03T09:48:15Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > If they decide to roll out a loyalty card program, you can bet that it is to increase profits, and no other reason. Any benefits to shoppers are side effects, and not part of their consideration. You have just described every business decision ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/105 "2013-04-03T13:26:21Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > You aren’t buying the same foods. Oh sure, the foods have the same names, but they’ve been reformulated to be more addictive! Damn those banana manipulators! Damn them to hell! ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/106 "2013-04-03T15:51:10Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Limited conclusion. Try: “But, this means the entire marketing industry will know all of your purchasing preferences, individually and in aggregate, at that store, and will use that information to target you more specifically for other purchases.” > > If you don’t understand the difference, and the downside, I won’t waste any more of your time. Happy shopping. > > If you wouldn’t permit these institutions to look through your windows and search your house at will, I fail to see why you’re undisturbed by this degree of snooping, especially when it has no benefit for you at all. > [@black\_rabbit](#): > > I typically hang out at the same bar a couple of nights a week. Occasionally, one of the bartenders will kick me a free drink, for being a regular. I then throw it back in their face, and yell “DON’T TRACK ME, BIG BRO!” > > I used to work at a major retailer already mentioned in this thread, and I’ve worked with several major CPG manufacturers as well as the marketing analytics firm that pioneered the retail loyalty concept. I currently work for a company that does similar work farther back in the supply chain. > > Honestly, nobody gives two shits about tracking you individual purchases (other than occasionally tossing in a “free drink” in the form of some coupons, or maybe Amazon building a recommended reading profile based on your book purchasing habits [which I find immensely valuable]). > > The real value is in the large, aggregate data sets to eliminate inefficiencies in their replenishment models or more effectively target their marketing promotions. It’s really no more intrusive and creepy than other tracking methods that people voluntarily submit to, like being a Nielsen family or posting every detail about their lives and preferences on Facebook. OK, **NitroPress** your turn. Please explain to me like I’m five, how is them knowing I bought a jar of peanut butter, a box of condoms and a bottle of rubbing alcohol yesterday going to negatively impact me. Why is it a bad thing to be ‘targeted more specifically for more purchases’? It doesn’t mean I am obligated to buy what they suggest. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/107 "2013-04-03T16:23:49Z")
Winn Dixie offers a reward card for shoppers. I think your get free gas after so many purchases. Even though the price of the groceries is the same without the card, I can’t help wondering how much more expensive groceries are at that store to help pay for this rewards program. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/108 "2013-04-03T16:36:35Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > Winn Dixie offers a reward card for shoppers. I think your get free gas after so many purchases. Even though the price of the groceries is the same without the card, I can’t help wondering how much more expensive groceries are at that store to help pay for this rewards program. A local news channel does a comparison of grocery staples prices regularly; the stores with the loyalty cards (Safeway and Co-op in my local area) always have the highest prices. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/109 "2013-04-03T16:43:29Z")
> [@VernWinterbottom](#): > > My town has a Rite Aid, a Walgreens, a CVS and an Osco. We get our prescriptions from one of those places and we have their card. However, if I need to pick up some random health or beauty aid, a greeting card or whatever, I might pull in at whichever one of the four is on my way. So when I walk in and see the item I want with a regular price 50% to 100% higher than their “member price,” I’m upset. > > And no I’m not going to sign up for their card. I’m going to Walmart where all the prices all the time are about the same as Rite Aid’s “member price.” Really, don’t worry about it. Just give them [del]your[/del] Jenny’s phone number (Area Code + 867-5309). This trick has been around for so long that pretty much every loyalty card everywhere accepts it. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/110 "2013-04-03T17:29:08Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > If you wouldn’t permit these institutions to look through your windows and search your house at will, I fail to see why you’re undisturbed by this degree of snooping, especially when it has no benefit for you at all. Read for comprehension, I derive plenty of benefit from these cards with NO downside. Also, _again_, I don’t care who knows what I buy. Let me ask you, why should I? Not about cards or targeted marketing or any of that nonsense, but why, _ **specifically** _, should I care if someone knows what I bought? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/111 "2013-04-03T17:34:16Z")
And for the purposes of full disclosure, here’s my most recent shopping trip… “Store Brand” Rye Bread “Store Brand” Pre-Sliced Deli Provolone “Store Brand” Skim Milk Special K Bars, Chocolatey Pretzel Wheaties Bananas Eggland’s Best Brown Eggs Wholly Guacamole Classic Guacamole Joyva Raspberry Ring Jells have at me marketers! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/112 "2013-04-03T17:38:29Z")
Let me guess, **Justin** - you also think Facebook is there for our entertainment? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/113 "2013-04-03T17:50:17Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Let me guess, **Justin** - you also think Facebook is there for our entertainment? Sigh… Facebook is a commercial website that has ads on it. But before you say it (because I know you’re thinking it), that does not make Facebook users “the product.” That’s just some tin-foil hat bullshit that people like NitroPress love to pull out to sound smart. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/114 "2013-04-03T17:56:42Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Read for comprehension, I derive plenty of benefit from these cards with NO downside. Also, _again_, I don’t care who knows what I buy. > > Let me ask you, why should I? Not about cards or targeted marketing or any of that nonsense, but why, _ **specifically** _, should I care if someone knows what I bought? I think the theory is that they’re using this information about you (and everyone else) to see how elastic demand is and will raise the price _almost_ to your breaking point, and will learn to manipulate what they offer and how they price it to maximize their profit more than they could without this information (and thus cost you more in the long run). I, however, welcome our new tracking overlords and see no way to fight the power. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/115 "2013-04-03T17:59:35Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Facebook is a commercial website that has ads on it. But before you say it (because I know you’re thinking it), that does not make Facebook users “the product.” That’s just some tin-foil hat bullshit that people like NitroPress love to pull out to sound smart. Wow. You’re either arguing to be an asshole or really, really, really clueless. _ **Justin Bailey** _ - the brand nine out of ten commodity processors prefer!\* Now in six packs for your data crunching convenience! \* ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/116 "2013-04-03T18:03:17Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think the theory is that they’re using this information about you (and everyone else) to see how elastic demand is and will raise the price _almost_ to your breaking point, and will learn to manipulate what they offer and how they price it to maximize their profit more than they could without this information (and thus cost you more in the long run). Probably correct, as far as it goes. The point is that the whole continuum of consumer monitoring and manipulation is not about any one thing - many replies here have tried to bring it down to a single issue, whether to agree or disagree, and it’s not that compact. It’s about that entire continuum of seller/consumer interaction. Reducing it to one absurd point is, well, absurd. > [@](#): > > I, however, welcome our new tracking overlords and see no way to fight the power. No? Okay. All I can say is ‘stay tuned.’ ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/117 "2013-04-03T18:03:30Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Let me guess, **Justin** - you also think Facebook is there for our entertainment? It better not fucking be. I don’t spend half an hour every six months updating my music and tv likes for my grandma’s benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/118 "2013-04-03T18:03:55Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Wow. You’re either arguing to be an asshole or really, really, really clueless. Believe it or not, Facebook has a massive competitor in Google+ and thousands of other minor competitors in related niches (including this very message board). Pissing off the populace with too many ads or ads that are too intrusive _ **will** _ push them away. Any business that treats their users like “the product” does so at their own peril because brand loyalty is at an all-time low. Still waiting for the answer to this question too: “Let me ask you, why should I? Not about cards or targeted marketing or any of that nonsense, but why, specifically, should I care if someone knows what I bought?” ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/119 "2013-04-03T18:05:23Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Damn those banana manipulators! Damn them to hell! I fucking know right? Those goddamned motherfucking assholes reformulating my water and apples to make me all addicted to them. Jerks. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542/120 "2013-04-03T18:40:12Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Believe it or not, Facebook has a massive competitor in Google+ and thousands of other minor competitors in related niches (including this very message board). Pissing off the populace with too many ads or ads that are too intrusive _ **will** _ push them away. Any business that treats their users like “the product” does so at their own peril because brand loyalty is at an all-time low. > > Still waiting for the answer to this question too: “Let me ask you, why should I? Not about cards or targeted marketing or any of that nonsense, but why, specifically, should I care if someone knows what I bought?” Because it’s important; it doesn’t seem important that some data-miner somewhere knows that you buy peanut butter, but it is. They wouldn’t be spending all this time and money on it if it wasn’t, and you can bet that the end results benefit the companies, not you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-want-another-damned-card-in-order-to-save-money-at-your-store/654542.md?page=7)