Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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Do any of you guys use those plastic membership fobs that they give out at stores like Office Depot, Staples, Borders Books, and other similar national chain retail stores? I was looking at one that I received today and realized that I'm not even sure that I receive any sort of nominal discount for using the stupid thing.
Do you think this "membership" is beneficial at every one of these stores? The LEAST you should give me in exchange for a map to personal shopping habits is a suitable discount. How many do you have? What kinds of stores? |
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*AD SPACE FOR SALE*
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cleveland-ish, OH
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I do have the Best Buy Rewards Zone one, but that was only because when I bought my big screen, if I used it, I would get $150 in gift cards back, so it was well worth it.
I wish Guitar Center had some kinda rewards program. I always heckle them when I go there. Ive spent a couple grand there in the past year and it'd be nice to get something back for free. Die young and save yourself.... @yontsey |
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monkey with a tiny cymbal
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lost
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Oh, I hate those things. The only one I have is for my grocery store... and I actually think that it's in the name of Fred Flintstone.
All the other places (if there's a discount), I make a show of searching for one at the counter and then say "Oh, shoot, I left it in the car" or "Oh, crap, the wife has it" or "it's at home" and the cashier will typically scan his/hers for me. |
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Less than Stellar Member
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I've got lots and use them all the time, especially the grocery store one. I won't pay for them but if they're free, I'll usually sign up if I go there often.
Just make sure to give them a fake number (and remember it so that if you need to have them type in your "phone number" because you forgot your card). I just add 1 to my number - 3219 becomes 3220. Really easy. |
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is the next Chiquita
Join Date: Feb 2005
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But think of poor sod at 3220 who's getting all those mysterious mailings and calls!
On topic- I haven't seen any fobs; I'm still toting plastic cards, for three grocery stores. All were free so no problem with signing up. If they ask for phone number, no biggie, as I don't have a phone number, just a standalone DSL. |
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Cynical Old Bastard
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As someone who works in the 'data' business, I can tell you that all those fobs are VERY valuable to the store.
They do intensive data analysis and tracking on everything you buy (using the fob) so that they can market towards you more efficiently, they join the data with their 'partners' data and do some more data analysis and many of them sell the data to 'other sources'. I have a few of the fobs. None of them have any of my real information associated with them and all have different (unique) information. I also NEVER give out my real telephone number or zip code to these stores. Now that I know what they do with the data and how the data makes the 'rounds', I am very uncomfortable with giving out any data about myself to any business. You're looking at eons of repression getting purged. If only they'd let us jerk off. Beware the man of one book. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas |
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Ice Arrow Sniper
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I have a different alias for each one, but I sign up for the free ones at places I frequently shop.
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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I, for one, welcome our new plastic Overlords.
At least they're trying to sell me stuff I'm interested in now..... the bastards. |
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Veteran Member
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Fresh Off the Boat?
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