I just don't get why grocery chains insist on keeping up this shopper, loyalty, bonus, call it whatever card customer annoyance practice going. The scan drill slows down the checkout process and provides mountains of data that I suspect the store never uses.
Most consumers have accepted these "discount cards" as a way of doing business. Of course, I haven't.
I resent the deliberate mark-up then discount down system of the cards. I find the entire process annoying and a terrific waste of my time. If a grocery store would like my loyalty, help me get out the door quicker. Trying to convince me that I save bundles of dollars because I shop at a store just doesn't work.
You scan everything sold. You know what sells at a store and what doesn't. Face it, your systems aren't smart enough to take advantage of my individual preferences yet. Your help is barely smart enough to know the difference between endive and escarole.
To get the edge on the competition:
- Teach the help to smile
- Move customers out through the check out as fast as possible
- Keep the carts tuned for high speed pushing
- Advertise " No card game with us" everyone gets low prices.
Doug, I'm with you -- down with the shopping card scam! The "No card game with us" sign would get my attention!
Now, what are your thoughts on the "mail in rebate" pain in the butt, that too many companies are pulling? I HATE this one!
Posted by: Joni Solis | May 02, 2006 at 12:09 PM
Good thoughts Doug. I'm not necessarily opposed to the idea of a loyalty card, but businesses should realize the card isn't what makes people truly loyal.
What blows my mind is that Barnes and Noble makes people buy their loyalty card. I never understood that one.
One more bullet point for you:
• Stop building your stores to trap customers.
I avoid Wal-Mart like the plague mostly because I know I can't get in-and-out in less than 45 minutes. They designed it that way.
Posted by: DUST!N | May 02, 2006 at 02:03 PM
The mail-in rebate is to be respected for its design and cleverness from the vendor side.
From the customer side, I still resent the paperwork and time waste I had to go through to buy a Toshiba laptop. It just leaves a very bad taste for someone with a long memory.
Posted by: Doug | May 03, 2006 at 11:52 AM
DUST!N, Great point about store design. Lets include all big box stores on the indictment for creating the "box trap".
Home Depot always loses me on small item sales because I refuse to pack a lunch just to pick up seven dollars worth of nuts and bolts.
Posted by: Doug | May 03, 2006 at 11:59 AM