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In Colorado the local Kroger chain (King Soopers) also owns fuel centers. Every $100 of purchases earns a 10 cent per gallon discount on gas. Certain purchases can earn more than that. Since their gas prices are comparable to the local gas stations before the discount, I can save $3 or more on a fill up for buying food items that I would have bought in the first place.
I shop a lot at Fry's, part of the Kroger chain. Scanning my card there generates special coupons I get in the mail every couple of months. They aren't generic coupons, they're discounts for specific brands and things I buy all the time. Sometimes it's not just cents off ... it an entire free item. In this batch of coupons I got a coupons for a free box of Kroger cereal of my choice, a free tube of the Colgate toothpaste of my choice, and a free bag of greens. Given the free items, other coupons I used sent to me by Fry's, plus two I got from the Sunday newspaper, I saved $17.
Had I bought that stuff without repeatedly scanning my price card, the same haul would have cost me $57, instead of $40. I fully realize I'm surrendering a lot of privacy using a price card, but for that kind of savings on a regular basis, they can have my buying data.
What I've heard about those store cards is that they generate lots of data about your purchasing history, which is sold to those with an interest in what you buy, like your healthcare insurance company, and other corporations that want to sell you stuff and target market you for it. Supposedly, if you buy what your healthcare provider considers unhealthy food, your premiums can go up. I've not been able to verify this, but they are indeed collecting data on your purchases, and what gets done with that data? Who gets it and what do they use it for?
I have no store cards or rewards cards, nor do I want any. Recently Winn Dixie bought out the Sweetbay chain here, and when I went in to the store I used to shop at all the prices had gone up, unless you had their store card. I never went back there again. I don't like being herded like that.
You really should get a card. You can save a lot of money by stocking up on tin foil next time there's a sale.
Shoppers cards in most instances save you money. If you don't use one then you automatically pay the highest price, unless it's on sale.
The problem I have with them is the idea that the customer has to have one to save money. Why not give all the customers the good price? Why does the store feel the need to hassle customers (even if it's a minor hassle)? Walgreens has the card thing as well and now they have this complicated point system that makes even the hotel point system seem easy. However, if it is used to track customers' shopping habits, I assume the reason is to put items on sale that don't sell very well, thus it actually serves a purpose, at least on the store's end.
In Colorado the local Kroger chain (King Soopers) also owns fuel centers. Every $100 of purchases earns a 10 cent per gallon discount on gas. Certain purchases can earn more than that. Since their gas prices are comparable to the local gas stations before the discount, I can save $3 or more on a fill up for buying food items that I would have bought in the first place.
This^^. Most of the Kroger stores here have gas stations & you can save a LOT on gas. I think you can also get a gas discount at Shell stations as well (not sure which stations, but it's a lesser discount than at the Kroger stations). A discount's a discount!
If you have privacy concerns you can always sign up using a false name, address, and phone number. My default is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 202-456-1414!!
Taken right off the bottom of my Kroger receipt this week: "You saved 33% on you order today. Total savings with your Kroger card $86.10." And that's just sticking to my list.
They issue cards to create loyalty. I don't see any difference between that and frequent flyer mile perks.
The problem I have with them is the idea that the customer has to have one to save money. Why not give all the customers the good price? Why does the store feel the need to hassle customers (even if it's a minor hassle)? Walgreens has the card thing as well and now they have this complicated point system that makes even the hotel point system seem easy. However, if it is used to track customers' shopping habits, I assume the reason is to put items on sale that don't sell very well, thus it actually serves a purpose, at least on the store's end.
I don't understand how the system would work if it didn't require a card....
BTW, you don't have to carry a physical card anymore.
Yep, it's mainly to ensure loyalty. Aside from using the coupons for products they know you purchase I always think twice before doing a big shop at any store besides my preferred one. Spending that money at King Soopers (Kroger) instead of Albertson's means I get points for my next gas purchase. I've gotten as much as 60 cents a gallon off the normal gas price.
Sometimes they run special 4X points for gift card purchases. I buy these for my grandchildren for Subway, Starbucks, etc. which I would do anyway so why not get a return on my grocery dollars?
Last edited by Lost Roses; 09-06-2014 at 10:44 AM..
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