Would you lend your shoppers card to someone in line?

[HM]

I would share.

I've also asked for myself before. I've never been turned down by someone.

I didn't have one the other day, but I was only buying two drinks. The savings would have been $.60. I didn't ask for help that day.

 

[gwynne]

The only discount cards I have all specify they are for cardholder use only.

Fair enough, if that's your take...
On the plus side, I figure I can count on sticklers having a life-long policy of never taking more than 10 single items in the 10 items or less express line.

 

[Nancy]

The cashiers here always scan one if you don't volunteer yours, so honestly I would have been a bit taken aback by the cashier's refusal to help out. The cashier's attitude would have discouraged me from asking a customer.

The cashier might not be able to swipe a card. The grocery store I worked for did not allow cashiers to swipe a card. That would result in being written up if you were seen swiping a keytag or card for a customer. I always thought it was a rather stupid rule..but since I was just a lower level management person my opinion did not count. Cashiers also could not ask another customer in line if someone could use their card and that I agree with 100%.

I would and have let someone borrow my card. They are not going to get any of my personal information off of it. I've also seen people say no to letting someone use their card, my thinking is that they just are not comfortable with the whole idea so I'm not judging.

 

[Hrhpd]

Yup. I've had cashiers ask if someone can use my card. It's not a big deal. Posters here would probably demand the manager and try to get the cashier fired because of it. There's such an odd holier than though attitude that people here get over the dumbest stuff. The superiority that oozes from some posts astonishes me. I think some people need to find a little more joy in their lives.

I was one of the ones that said I would be taken aback and be befuddled if somebody asked me.

That is because it just doesn't happen here. I have had my shopper's card for 20+ years and have never been asked by a customer or a clerk. We are not a touristy area that gets lots of non-residents shopping. And if somebody from out of town was visiting, they would just use their host's card. It would be highly unusual to have somebody ask.

That isn't a holier than thou attitude, just one of surprise and shock. And I would not be thinking quickly on my feet and my brain would be quickly trying to figure out if there were any ramifications.

But now that it has been discussed, I will be more informed that there really aren't any ramifications and probably let somebody use it if asked.

The only exception was if I didn't see what they purchased. Often there are limits on how many of the discounted items you can purchase. Somebody mentioned a turkey up thread. Our grocery store sells Thanksgiving turkeys at a loss leader, obviously hoping to get you to buy all your other Thanksgiving trimmings there. But, you are only allowed one turkey at the loss leader price.

So, if I allowed my card to be used for a turkey, I would not be able to purchase one myself.

Our store runs these loss leader sales almost every weekend. The regular sales flyer is for Wed - Tuesday, but there is always an additional sale with huge discounted items purchased on Sat and/or just Sunday. And there are always limits to these items. So, if the shopper had items I wanted, I would decline the use of my card and suggest they open their own.

I still think it highly presumptuous to ask rather than taking a minute to fill out your own form. You can opt out of the advertising. I never, ever get an e-mail, text or even snail mail mailings from my shopper's card. That is a stupid reason to not want one.

 

[Nancy]

My goodness, they aren't asking for one of your kidneys. I have lent mine - it's no big deal. A big red spinning light didn't go off over my head, sirens didn't sound, a loudspeaker didn't announce that I had just purchased a bag of licorice.

I'm laughing at the visual. I can just see the light coming down from the ceiling, bars popping up from the floor..etc.


The only thing I can see is maybe, going back to the OP, is that the person she asked thought she was asking to use an actual credit card. As in, the person said "hey can I use your card?" and the person thought she asked to use a credit card and the brain went into "OMG..I can't believe this person is asking me to pay for the bag of twizzlers she is buying, if she has no money why is she even in the store?"

 

[Mkrop]

When I have filled out those forms, it has taken much longer than a minute, and I would be annoyed if I was the person in line behind them.

I dont live in a touristy area, and this happens all the time.

 

[ceemys]

I have never asked for myself, but if I see someone who doesn't have it, then...Yes I offer mine. It's always a nice gesture.

CVS is good about scanning their own card.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Sure... why not?

 

[stsomewhere]

Someone asked me to use my card at Sam's Club gas station. I said no. It just did not feel right. I did not know if I could be charged if the credit card they were using to pay was stolen and could link me to it.

I pay a yearly fee for SAm's club. If they want to purchase gas there, then they need to buy their own memership.

 

[snapppyd]

Sure... why not?

 

[K and K's Mommy]

See I just think asking a total stranger in line a question like that as just way to personal. Would you ask to use a lipstick in her purse because you wanted to try the color and see if it looked good on you.

You probably haven't read the TOS for you shoppers card. Maybe look at and read all 42 pages of the one you use and you will understand why she was taken aback at you question.

I live in Washington state and work in Oregon and it would be considered a presumptuous question where I shop even for people who do not have an associates card.

I've always thought you were from Indianapolis with your name! It's not a big deal here. My DH offers his all the time. Hoosier Hospitality! (I do get with an employee card that you cannot.)

Where I do 90% of my shopping, the cashier runs the cashier card so I've never been in the position to offer that I can remember.

 

[Hrhpd]

Someone asked me to use my card at Sam's Club gas station. I said no. It just did not feel right. I did not know if I could be charged if the credit card they were using to pay was stolen and could link me to it.

I pay a yearly fee for SAm's club. If they want to purchase gas there, then they need to buy their own memership.

I have to admit, that was one of the things that went through my mind. What would be my liability if the person who used my card was also using a stolen credit card or even stopped payment on their purchase after they left.

Could or would they come back to me since I allowed my card to be used I do not know the answer to that. While the card does not show any personal information on it when you use it, there is plenty of info attached to it when you sign up for it.

That is one of the reasons I would be befuddled if a stranger asked. What would my liability be if I allowed use?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Fair enough, if that's your take...
On the plus side, I figure I can count on sticklers having a life-long policy of never taking more than 10 single items in the 10 items or less express line.

I guess my point is I'd be surprised to see the cashier even permit it. So, the question strikes me as odd and I'd probably say no eve if that means losing points - potentially, anyway.

Now, I HAVE handed my discount card at Pizza Hut (no points, just a straight discount) to my boss when he's picking up the tab. But, I know him.

 

[gwynne]

I was one of the ones that said I would be taken aback and be befuddled if somebody asked me.

That is because it just doesn't happen here. I have had my shopper's card for 20+ years and have never been asked by a customer or a clerk. We are not a touristy area that gets lots of non-residents shopping. And if somebody from out of town was visiting, they would just use their host's card. It would be highly unusual to have somebody ask.

That isn't a holier than thou attitude, just one of surprise and shock. And I would not be thinking quickly on my feet and my brain would be quickly trying to figure out if there were any ramifications.

But now that it has been discussed, I will be more informed that there really aren't any ramifications and probably let somebody use it if asked.

The only exception was if I didn't see what they purchased. Often there are limits on how many of the discounted items you can purchase. Somebody mentioned a turkey up thread. Our grocery store sells Thanksgiving turkeys at a loss leader, obviously hoping to get you to buy all your other Thanksgiving trimmings there. But, you are only allowed one turkey at the loss leader price.

So, if I allowed my card to be used for a turkey, I would not be able to purchase one myself.

Our store runs these loss leader sales almost every weekend. The regular sales flyer is for Wed - Tuesday, but there is always an additional sale with huge discounted items purchased on Sat and/or just Sunday. And there are always limits to these items. So, if the shopper had items I wanted, I would decline the use of my card and suggest they open their own.

I still think it highly presumptuous to ask rather than taking a minute to fill out your own form. You can opt out of the advertising. I never, ever get an e-mail, text or even snail mail mailings from my shopper's card. That is a stupid reason to not want one.

Just a couple of thoughts:
It is interesting to me how varied the reactions are to newcomers/tourists/visitors and offering or allowing the use of a discount card. To me, it's 3 seconds. No big deal at all. And it's kinda neighborly.

It honestly wouldn't occur to me that a newcomer/tourist/visitor might potentially going to screw up my (as an example) great thanksgiving turkey deal.

Interesting thread.

 

[dawnball]

Fair enough, if that's your take...
On the plus side, I figure I can count on sticklers having a life-long policy of never taking more than 10 single items in the 10 items or less express line.

It's pretty tangential, but no, I don't exceed the limits in the express line. I also think that you ought to be moving expeditiously in the express lane - no hunting for credit cards, paying by check or otherwise moving like a snail. It's an express lane, after all.

Someone asked me to use my card at Sam's Club gas station. I said no. It just did not feel right. I did not know if I could be charged if the credit card they were using to pay was stolen and could link me to it.

Yes, one of the grocery stores I used to shop at used your loyalty card as "ID" for check writing. Grocery stores are prime targets for fraud - I'd rather not be involved in that.

That said, I think I've been asked once, and loaned my card to them. I thought it was a really odd request, and probably gave them a look like they were insane. I've never asked, and it wouldn't occur to me to ask at a grocery store I don't frequent - I either ignore the sales that require a card or apply for one.

 

[gwynne]

Someone asked me to use my card at Sam's Club gas station. I said no. It just did not feel right. I did not know if I could be charged if the credit card they were using to pay was stolen and could link me to it.

I pay a yearly fee for SAm's club. If they want to purchase gas there, then they need to buy their own membership.

A Sam's club card isn't what is being discussed on this thread. One has to pay for that card. Your photo is on it.

You should have said no to someone using your card. It doesn't matter how it "felt". You can always say, nicely, "They sell the cards inside."

 

[stsomewhere]

A Sam's club card isn't what is being discussed on this thread. One has to pay for that card. Your photo is on it.

You should have said no to someone using your card. It didn't matter how it "felt". You can always say, nicely, "They sell the cards inside."

Who made you in charge of the thread?

It discussing if some one asked to use your store card. Sam's club is a store.

 

[gwynne]

Who made you in charge of the thread?

It discussing if some one asked to use your store card. Sam's club is a store.

Well, gosh...my bad.

Sam's club is a store. True. But, Ummm..their card isn't free.

 

[msjprincess]

Who made you in charge of the thread?

It discussing if some one asked to use your store card. Sam's club is a store.

Seriously? A membership card is completely different than a loyalty card.

 

[Hannathy]

Who made you in charge of the thread?

It discussing if some one asked to use your store card. Sam's club is a store.

It isn't what is being discussed.

It wasn't a membership card it was the free get the sales so we don't have to print coupons and get all kind of information about shopping patterns card, they are free.