Is it discrimination??

[pattyT]

I was telling my mother in law that when I went grocery shopping yesturday it was over $200 - then I remembered to hand the cashier my key chainwith the store card on it - and the new total was $163.
she says 'WOW youreally save that much with a card (she hates this store and always says 'how can you shop there it is sooo expensive')
THAT IS DISCRIMINATION"
(I don't think so - as she can go get a card... but some people don't like others knowing to much personal info - I even showed her my long slip of coupons - all stuff I regularly buy - but didn't buy this trip - lol)

 

[Christine]

No, it's not discrimination. But, I agree that you shouldn't have to sign up and give out personal information just to get the sale prices. Three of our grocery chains do this and I hate it. Only one chain that I know of here doesn't do it (Shoppers Food Warehouse).

 

[Frantasmic]

No, it is a marketing tool.

Coupons aren't discrimination; if you go to the trouble of clipping coupons and browsing the store's ads, you get a better deal.

I see it more as a frequent shopping discount. In exchange for letting the grocer know exactly what you buy and when, you get a discount. It is symbiotic information exchange.

 

[Tracey1974]

Discrimination? I don't understand-
Saving money to me is always a good thing- especially on groceries! I love my shoppers card!

 

[jenny2]

Tell her that she can say "I forgot my card at home" and they'll ring their card through and she'll get the sale prices. I lost my card for the longest time and I did this all the time. Never a problem, and they don't get any personal information.

And for the record... no I don't think it's discrimination. Discrimination is when you get treated differently due to something you cannot change (your sex, color, disability, age, etc) not because you don't feel like signing up for a store card!

 

[golfgal]

No, discrimination is when you exclude a group of people because of race, creed, sex, etc. If everyone can apply for the card then it isn't discrimination. If they are not allowing a group of people, say Hispanic people, to apply for the card, that is discrimination. I look at those saver cards as a good thing. If the grocery store I frequent has those and track my spending/buying habits then they will have what I want when I want it.

 

[jrydberg]

I hate those discount cards. Everyone's got one these days. In order to get the prices I used to get just for shopping at the stores I go to all the time, now I have to carry a wallet full of discount cards. Pain in the butt.

 

[Brianne]

What a bizarre thing to say---I agree with the others. It's not discrimination, just a business tactic. Luckily the store I shop at (Publix) hasn't introduced cards, yet have a lot of "2 for 1" offers in-store, etc. If they ever do end up with cards, I won't be happy about it, but I like this particular store enough to keep shopping there.

 

[Christine]

I hate those discount cards. Everyone's got one these days. In order to get the prices I used to get just for shopping at the stores I go to all the time, now I have to carry a wallet full of discount cards. Pain in the butt.

HA! I had to get a SECOND wallet to hold all my cards. Not only do the grocery stores have them, but all the clothing stores/hair product stores/shoe stores all have frequent buyer cards. Add that to the usual credit cards, health insurance cards, driver's license, military ID, etc, and one wallet just doesn't work anymore!

 

[Missy1961]

I hate those discount cards. Everyone's got one these days. In order to get the prices I used to get just for shopping at the stores I go to all the time, now I have to carry a wallet full of discount cards. Pain in the butt.

Drives me nuts too!

 

[malibuconlee]

I hate those discount cards. Everyone's got one these days. In order to get the prices I used to get just for shopping at the stores I go to all the time, now I have to carry a wallet full of discount cards. Pain in the butt.

We don't have to use any where we live here, but what we used to do was this. They have the full size credit card size cards, and most have the little ones that go on your key ring. I didn't want 5 on my key ring, so I kept another key chain in my purse pocket just with these on them. We moved a lot and had several. Even one for a grocery store we went to occasionally when we visited family.

 

[RadioNate]

HA! I had to get a SECOND wallet to hold all my cards. Not only do the grocery stores have them, but all the clothing stores/hair product stores/shoe stores all have frequent buyer cards. Add that to the usual credit cards, health insurance cards, driver's license, military ID, etc, and one wallet just doesn't work anymore!

Actually that's not a bad idea. I carry a pretty large bag, maybe I'll get a cheap wallet to hold all the cards so I'll have them with me! I am forever taking something I need out since I can't fit them all.

 

[Galahad]

We've used the various store discount cards for years and nothing particularly bad has ever happened to us because they had our "personal information". A few extra flyers in the mail to throw away and that's it.

 

[trip]

HA! I had to get a SECOND wallet to hold all my cards. Not only do the grocery stores have them, but all the clothing stores/hair product stores/shoe stores all have frequent buyer cards. Add that to the usual credit cards, health insurance cards, driver's license, military ID, etc, and one wallet just doesn't work anymore!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that does this. My family teases me about it - but oh well that is what works for me!

 

[SC Minnie]

I love the discount cards. This weekend my grovery bill was $178 after the card and TRIPLE coupons I ended up paying $100 and change. There were a few items they paid me to buy (they were on sale and with the triple coupon it was more than free).

I use the small that fit on the key ring. They don't get in the way.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Not discrimination, it's variety.

Just like having: JC Penney, Macy's, Filene's and Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neimen Marcus, Tiffany's, etc.

 

[mrsltg]

You can get a card and keep your privacy. Give false information on all but the address. You get the benefit with none of your info being given.

Erin

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Discrimination? I don't understand-

Thank you, I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that!

 

[bicker]

"THAT IS DISCRIMINATION" (I don't think so - as she can go get a card... but some people don't like others knowing to much personal info - I even showed her my long slip of coupons - all stuff I regularly buy - but didn't buy this trip - lol)

The term "discrimination" is misunderstood by many. 99% of the time, discrimination is good. When the State certifies a physician, it is essential that they be very discriminating. Even when you hire a new employee, you need to discriminate on the basis of intelligence, capability, experience, etc.

What is "bad" is discrimination on the basis of qualities that do not have bearing on the objective of the decision being made: For example, not offering a place in a University on the basis of race, since race has no bearing on the capacity for academic achievement.

It is very important for for-profit businesses to discriminate on the basis of a customers willingness and ability to contribute to the profitability of the enterprise. In the case of affinity cards, personal information, such as buying habits, is valuable, and therefore businesses should reward customers willing to offer them that value.

 

[ead79]

No, it is a marketing tool.

Coupons aren't discrimination; if you go to the trouble of clipping coupons and browsing the store's ads, you get a better deal.

I see it more as a frequent shopping discount. In exchange for letting the grocer know exactly what you buy and when, you get a discount. It is symbiotic information exchange.

Exactly. The grocery store can get valuable information from those cards (like which items are purchased most, which are typically purchased together, which products customers are brand loyal to, etc.), and in turn they give you a discount. I prefer not having to use cards to get a discount, but as a marketing major, I understand why they like them. On the positive side, when they know more about customer purchases, they can make better deals for customers.