Another moan about shops - loyalty cards

If the stores I have loyalty cards with are keeping tabs on me I’m completely unaware of it. In all the years I’ve used these cards it’s all been one-way traffic, in my favour. I never receive pop-ups or any promotional material of any kind, I just get generous discounts on the goods I choose to buy, on presentation of my card. I don’t usually bother with apps.

On the other hand, when I agree to receive emails from companies I buy from online I do receive daily promotional emails.

Green/pink shield stamps are the way forward.

No one has to do anything. I do wish they would price food realistically for everyone but cards areaway of keeping tabs on us.

Maelil

They aren’t “insisting”!
You have a choice not to but if you want the cheaper prices then you need to have a loyalty card.
It’s not difficult, the clue is in the name.

Gosh…that was unnecessarily rude.

Thank you justwokeup I forgot to mention (in my rant) that it's not just the face that without them you are paying up to 50% more but as you said - your personal information is required.

Which pop ups? I don’t get ads (I use an ad blocker), and only shop online, if that has anything to do with it? I know I get Nectar prices on things I buy regularly, but that makes more sense than getting ads for things I don’t want.

Don't use them as loyalty cards, get the ones for any shop you're likely to use and always use them. That way you are shopping as you please and getting any discounts/offers available. I never bothered when l had to carry actual cards but now they are all on my phone and accessed in seconds I have loads. I'm not a loyal loyalty card user but I'll take a discount anywhere l can.

DoodleDog
You might resist the constant pop ups telling you some of your favourite items have been reduced even though you only bought those items last week but the majority dont
Loyalty cards are to encourage you to spend more.
Most shoppers think that the add they get is going out to everyone, they’re not. They are only going out to people who have bought those items before.

We have a new Sainsburys here. I hate apps but I collared a young man in there to get him to try and download the Nectar app. He said “I’m actually a security man but you look nice so I’ll try.” 🤭. He couldn’t do it as my phone is a bit old. I then spent over an hour on their website and phone trying to order a plastic card. Takes up to 10 days to arrive.

What do people think can be done with the sort of info provided by loyalty cards?

I know the cards can tell a lot about our way of life, but what harm can it do if someone finds out that you (generic) use X brand of cat food, or how often you buy wine? At worst, they can target you with offers or adverts, which you can take up or ignore as you choose.

I am a private person, but I really don't care what Sainsbury's knows about my shopping habits, as I don't know what they can do with the information. Am I missing something?

Isn’t it done to incentivise you to shop with them rather than their rivals, they offer you discounts, and send you offers for things they know from your shopping habits that you buy regularly so you don’t go elsewhere?
I’m not a loyal shopper, but I do have the loyalty cards. I can’t find any one supermarket that has everything I like and want, a particular challenge when you’re gluten free I think.

justwokeup

Maelil
It’s not difficult, the clue is in the name.
But I think you’re missing the implications of what Elless is saying. To have a loyalty card or to shop online you need to give Tesco, Sainsburys, M&S, Co-op et al your personal details. The computer systems of the latter 2 were recently hacked, including the personal details of some customers. Some loyalty ‘cards’ are phone only so your phone number is linked to your account too. It’s another variation of the being careful with your personal details thread isn’t it? You exchange your personal information for cheaper prices that supermarkets used to, and can afford to, give to everyone as special offers. If you’re happy with that, that’s ok. It smacks of Big Brother to me.

Not to mention it is all a big faff.

Like having to download an app to park in some places.

Life being made more difficult. Unnecessarily.

I quite agree, Elless. It drives me mad!

There are people who refuse loyalty cards because they don't want their privacy compromised. They must be quite rich to be prepared to pay the inflated prices when a loyalty card "offer" is made,available.

Maelil
It’s not difficult, the clue is in the name.
But I think you’re missing the implications of what Elless is saying. To have a loyalty card or to shop online you need to give Tesco, Sainsburys, M&S, Co-op et al your personal details. The computer systems of the latter 2 were recently hacked, including the personal details of some customers. Some loyalty ‘cards’ are phone only so your phone number is linked to your account too. It’s another variation of the being careful with your personal details thread isn’t it? You exchange your personal information for cheaper prices that supermarkets used to, and can afford to, give to everyone as special offers. If you’re happy with that, that’s ok. It smacks of Big Brother to me.

I hate loyalty cards.
... but it's easier to have them all on my phone!

Elless

Why are retailers insisting on you downloading apps and having loyalty cards. I know Tesco and some other supermarkets offer discounted prices to card holders but I went into Superdrug last week for some shampoo - £2.99 for card holders, £5.99 for non card holders! That's double 😲

It suits retailers to have detailed insights into consumer behaviour.

My local supermarket of choice didn't insist I have a loyalty card. I chose to have a card , it costs nothing and saves me money with no effort whatever.

Why don't you get a Superdrug card? It's FREE'.

They aren’t “insisting”!
You have a choice not to but if you want the cheaper prices then you need to have a loyalty card.
It’s not difficult, the clue is in the name.