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I really do not like these cards but to get discount at grocery stores they require it . I am sure they sell the information.

Richard,

I enjoyed reading your post. I dislike all these plastic rewards cards too!

Yet another stream for them...selling your name to the...shampoo company ?

Yet another stream for them...selling your name to the...shampoo company ?

Oh come on Rich!  You can put it on your key chain next to your Kroger, BP, CVS, Blockbuster, and your Pizza Hut card.  What's the big deal?  :) 

It's a corporate disease that's going around everywhere these days.  From department stores to grocery stores, everywhere!

Richard, i have a 'gaggle' of these cards on my key ring & i feel it's enough...they know enough about what you buy by your debit & credit cards...we need to be more conscious of privacy going forward...good post

Geez!  Another blankity-blank card to hang on your key chain.  Are you going to get a discount????  That would be the only reason to have a card for that particular vendor. 

Someone sold them on an affinity marketing program.  Sing up, get the card, then get e-mail alerts ad nauseum.

Good for you.  Take a stand. 

Rich...

The fact that is it required really surprises me. I don't mind the optional cards, especially when you get discounts.

I'm with you Rich, I hate all those cards.............oil up your clippers, you're on your own, at least for now.

I, too, am selective about affinity programs...if I'm going to get a discount or earn $10 bucks off my next purchase, ok, I'll bite. But just to fill my inbox with "affiliated company products chosen just for me"? NOT.

I love it (not) when I am making a purchase and they ask for my phone number.  Why?  In case I want to make a return, they can facilitate the transaction.  I don't think so, you're giving me a receipt, right?  I'm a big girl, I'll hold on to it.  I pay a monthly fee for an unlisted phone number, why would I just give it out to "anyone"?  We need to protect our identities!

I HAVE HAD IT WITH THESE STUPID REWARDS CARDS PROGRAMS!

Initially when the supermarkets / stores starte using them I thought they were great, and easier to use than having to clip coupons from their stupid flyers.  But now they're everywhere and it drives me BONKERS! If I forget the right set of keys or leave the wallet card in my other purse I'm SOL for savings unless the customer behind me is nice enough to let me use THEIR card.  Wegmans and Borders will look it up for you by your email or phone number. 

This just invades my privacy though.  They can tell which products are popular by how quickly they disappear off the shelf.

Turkey Hill (a convenience store like 7-11) recently started a VERY aggressive campaign to get people to sign up for their rewards program.  It was VERY annoying. Every time I went in- which often is once or even twice a day for a soda or a snack...I was asked, "Do you have a rewards card? Would you like one?"  Even if the employee KNEW you didnt' want one they had to ask you every time or they would get in trouble.

So I fired off a nasty letter to Turkey Hill telling them that because of this I was going to start going to the sunoco mart next door because they didn't keep pestering me about some silly card that I didn't want.  I could get everything i needed there without the hassle.  Then I said "Or I will just say YES, I want a card!" every time they ask and just keep taking them, every day, until they run out and have to order more.  I would be happy to stockpile them. 

Interestingly enough, Turkey Hill no longer asks about the reward card.  LOL.  I'm sure I was not the only hothead to complain...but I like to think that my email helped us locals who dont' want another stinking card and grew weary of being bugged about it every time we wanted a slushie or hot dog.

Sorry to be so long winded.

It's the fastest way to turn down a lot of business by demanding unnecessary info.

When I am at retail stores in the USA, the cashier sometimes asks for my ZIP Code.  Depending on how I feel, I either say "NO" or "I don't have a ZIP Code" since I don't have a ZIP Code.  ZIP codes are only used for US addresses.

I don't like the corporate barber shops anyway. I like the small 3-4 chair owner operated shops that are customer friendly.

This is really entertaining.  And, while these progs can sometimes be annoying, sometimes you do get some side benefits - coupons.

I feel the same way about being forced to purchase something on-line using Pay Pal, I had a bad experieince with pay pal and will not purchase if that is the requirement. BTW if you have blackberry, I-phone, or Droid phone you can get an App called Cardstar to get all those little cards off your key chain, I have it and it is great

I didn't realize this type of marketing had made it over to the haircutters.  I guess it means my bush is due for a trim.

I enjoyed reading your post.  I guess the days of Mayberry RFD are gone?  Floyd didn't need a plastic card to remember his customers' names. =)

I can't imagine why they would require it - seems ridiculous to me.  I'm going to have to check out that app that Gerry mentioned because I am trying to scale down my bunch of keys.

Richard, Congrats on the Feature!!! Tis but another way that "Big Brother" peeks over our shoulder peering at what we do and purchase...

Rich it appears that the person at the front desk just outright lied when they said it was required.  Lying is no way to build a relationship.  Also as far as I'm concerned, discount cards are just a way for you to avoid paying the jacked up price.

OK I admit it.. I have 2 of these cards on my keychain - the drug store and the barber shop (they don't call it that anymore). Scan my card if it speeds my contact with you!

Richard, What amazes me is that they are actually ready to let you walk of the store with no purchase if you don't have a card, want a card and/or are unwilling to pay full price for an item.  Crackers!

Excellent ~ Reminds me of my dear ol' Dad writing.  You must like your barber well enough to keep coming back.

They should call it the "we want the privilege of annoying you with emails and phone calls" program.  You're $16 haircut is creating too much surplus at corporate...there's marketing people that need to justify their salary by dreaming up a new program every couple of months.   

They might do better with a free car wash and valet parking for a $16 haircut. 

You might help them by brining in a carboard box with "suggestions program" scribbled on it, and donating that to their front desk...for free.

Hi Rich:

These card programs are out of hand.

For people who take these cards, they carry a pocket full of them.  With so many of them, they probably need to keep them in alphabetical order!!!  :)

Thanks Gerry #18 for the info on Cardstar.  Can't wait to sign up and lose all the cards on my keychain!

Sonya R Nevins (Star Realty, LLC) Waterbury, CT

Is nothing sacred anymore? Wait until you have to provide all of your information just to buy toilet paper!

I'm with you.  Treat me right and my loyalty is yours.

You are right. The people running the corporations do not think. They do not think about the headaches they are creating for their workers or the hassles that they are putting on their customers...makes no sense. Think of the customers that simply do not go back...

Hi Richard,

I absolutely hate those tactics. They make it very difficult to get people to sign a register at an open house, because the public has been stung by so-called reputible stores either hounding them constantly or selling their contact information, so, of course, a REALTOR will be much worse, right?

It's very hard now to convince people that I only want to know their names and phone numbers before they tour someone's private home to protect my sellers.

Rich, I was going to sign up for one the other day. One point for every dollar you spend. 2,500 points gets you $5.00. What a deal.

It's really annoying that every place I shop has some sort of loyalty card.  I don't have room for my money because my wallet is stuffed with these useless cards that compute every move we make.  I say no now & I won't go back if I have to fill it out.

Do you think you can 'trade' some of your AR points for a hair cut next time?

What every happened to building customer loyality through good service?  Why should I get a discount on a few grocery items every week because I signed up for a "loyalty" card and the person next to me not?  I have learned to say NO to loyalty cards and I check coupons instead.  Found one yesterday for a free super car wash down the street.  Sweet!

If it could get me my 10th, 12th hair cut free I would do it. In fact I wish the place I get my haircut would do this rather than the little card's they punch...same thing computerized? I don't keep going back because of a card computerized or otherwise but I certainly can not blame them for collecting data.

It seems to have worked for grocery stores.

Pretty soon you won't be able to buy a gallon of milk before given your address and phone number. It has gotten totally out of control.

The cards that bother me are the ones that require you to pay an annual fee. For example. Barnes and Noble wnt $25.00 per year to give you a discount. It's worth it to me because I buy a lot of books. But I won't do it. I'll go else where. When I happen in to a B & N and they ask me if I have a card, I tell them no and why. But it's only a clerk. And tehy'll never tell the CEO. Shame

I'm not a fan.  Don't get me wrong.  I like discounts but I can never find the little plastic card when I am at the store.  I am more of a "take a number and won't for the single barber chair to open" guy.

I agree- although I like the discounts- you EARN loyality.

Hi Richard,

We don't have that here in Atlantic Canada YET!!!  I'm sure it's not too far in the future...  I just have to get my shampoo back that I left on Saturday from them... Thanks for the reminder... ;>))

Richard:

I have researched this topic myself and was just amazed (shocked is more accurate) at the amount of information corporate America gleans from data mining. They know so many things about you its scary. I hate these programs with a passion. I am happy to pay 10% and in cash thank-you very much...

Good post!

I bet the shop misunderstood the entire program.  It's probably optional.  The fact that they would refuse to serve a customer without the card is nonsensical. 

I am really surprised by all the comments.  Yes I get asked for stuff like this too but it doesn't upset me and make me go somewhere else.  But then no one has said they won't deal with me if I don't have it either.  I would walk away from that too.  They can't make you give them your personal informaiton! At least not yet!

Rich, I walked out of the Crofton Kmart the other day after waiting in line for nearly 15 minutes, leaving behind the many things I intended to purchase, because they wouldn't ring up anything without first having my birth date... to pay CASH, no less.  It just felt like an unnecessary invasion of privacy, regardless of what their goal was.  Target is close, cleaner, and there's no such thing as a 15-minute wait to check out - and that's where I went to spend my $100+.  When I read your reaction to a request for personal info before you could get a haircut, it sounded very familiar!

Rich,

Even at stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot they want my phone number and email when I make a cash purchase. Claim it will facilitate returns.  Having worked in retail for a bit, I know that is bogus.  They can keep their plastic cards!

On the other hand...we were recently on vacation and stopped by the only grocery store within 20 miles, purchased supplies for our family of four and was asked if we had the magic card. Of course not, their stores are not in our area. The kindly young man on the register promptly broke out his own card, saving us $47.32 -- nice! So, I slipped him a $20 and we were both happy as clams.

Good for you for making a stand!!  I HATE those cards everywhere!!

I have a separate keychain for my cards. 

Not everyone wants to sign up so that is a foolish policy in my book, too. I bought sheets a year or so ago from a reputable ??? company and when they asked for my SS# I said, ""You're kidding, right?" That wasa big no in my book and he dropped all lines of questioning from that point forward.

Rich Congrats on the feature - it was well deserved for this post.  Arthur always complains when a young lady at Lowe's asks for his ZIP code - he tells her he remembers when she would have asked for his phone number

I am SO tired of all those little reward cards as well. Just give me the discount because I'm standing in your store. I think the first company that advertises "we will give you a discount without a card just because you are standing in front of us" will be a huge success!

They have other "customer (client) identifications" for Buyer Agents. I think they went over like a lead balloon.

Congrats on the feature Rich! The word 'required' just doesn't make sense when you are patronizing a business, it should be a choice! You could always get that contraption that goes on the end of your vacuum hose and get it done!

Hi Rich - I used to get a #1. Very nice in the summer. I signed up for one of these cards and 2 weeks later I get a coupon in the mail for a $6.99 haircut. I save $7 just by giving them my name, address and phone.

Rich, that is amazing that it was not optional. I would be hunting for a new location.

Payless shoes insists on your phone number when you pay.  Then they send you unsolicited texts!  I do NOT like all these so called loyalty programs which is just another way for me to receive spam.  Nice blog - great comments.

Rich....There has to be a better way to identify loyal customers!  These cards are a real bother.

Requiring  you to sign up for the card is surprising... and intrusive.

Enough already!  I don't want to give out my email address, zip code everytime I make a purchase. Last week I was at a local chain grocery store and forget my preferred card in the car.  You guessed it, had to go out and get it to get the "sale price".  Some stores are just going to hassle the customers so much with this nonsense they will be out of business.

I don't like this either.  The other day I was at a sporting store and they asked me for my phone number to close out the transaction.  Unless I gave it they couldn't finish the transaction.  Hello?  I don't like to give out my number while I am in line at a store.  Bad policies!

Jamey

All the comments were interesting but what really stayed in my mind was going in and asking for a #3 clipper cut. I want one of those! No long drawn out discussions about what kind of haircut I want this month.  Haha - I'll be sure to change my profile picture if I actually follow through!

Rich, I like your personal style - a straight shooter. Stick with the clippers they save tine, money and you never have to make an appointment. Trust me I know . . . lol

You know what my solution is to the phone number question: (800) 555-1234.

Sorry for going off topic but....$16 for a haircut? Awe come on, you can do better than that. I get mine cut for $6, $10 with the tip. Before that I went to a place that was $6, and they raised it to $7, after I told them they were losing business because some people won't step foot into a place that does $6 haircuts. I was one of those people until I came to the realization that the quality of the cut and the service have absolutely nothing to do with the price.

These programs were popular in the 1990s, not so much now. The shop really needs to update their marketing.

Hi Rich,  My local pharmacy has this program where they want very detailed info in exchange for some discounts and a receipt which tends to be a couple of feet long !

I get tired of every store asking for my information just to buy something. If they are willing to give me a benefit in return maybe I'll think about it, but just so they can send their marketing materials or call me - forget it!

Because of all the plastic we use, THEY know when we get our hair cut, fill a prescription, grocery shop, buy gas and use our computers and so much more. Like Gina Davis said in "The Fly"...be afraid. Be very afraid.

It's a way for BIG brother to keep an eye on us. I try not to do these at all.

Rich,

Good comments, it seems as though customer loyalty falls under the heading of "common sense"  but as Mark Twain once remarked "if common sense is so common, why is it so rare!".  I agree keep the cards just perform consistently (good).

Ed

Simple, refuse the information and plop the $16 on the counter-they'll get the message soon enough.

Ok, now back to the topic at hand. I'm sitting here looking at my WD receipt and it says I've saved a zillion dollars on groceries by using their little plastic card over the last six months. Significant savings does = loyalty, in this case at least.

Richard, Those cards drive me crazy too.  Big brother, information-gathering isn't something we need more of!

Yet another example of the suits coming in and ruining everything. 

It applies in our industry also. Thank God I am an independent. 

I've told cashiers, "I'm homeless" when asked for my zip code. The whole thing smacks of Facebook.

I get my haircut every two weeks... lol! I guess I would win out in that race!  :)

Ha. It's only a matter of time before Realtors start handing out cards like these with the deluded thinking that people would actually carry them around on their keychains. But who knows. Maybe there are collectors out there.

I have more cards than keys on my keychain! At least the Stop & Shop one is good for 10 cents off a gallon of gas! :)

I love my plastic loyalty cards and the discounts they represent.

#4 clipper on the sides and blend the top with the sides.  Maybe I will be going to #4 all around.  Do you think that they will give me a break in the price?

I DON'T WANT YOUR card.....I want a service or a product.  Quit the third-degree.  If you want that information, pay me.