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Store cards

Back in the summer I bought a dress from a department store that I don’t visit very often.  At the time in order to gain a discount I signed up for one of their store cards whereby the more of their goods you buy, the more points you earn towards another future discount.  Today I received this email from their Director of Retail:

‘Dear Mrs Turner,

I am pleased to inform you that, as at 2nd December 2015, the balance for your card is 0 points with a value of £0.

Points gained on purchases before 30th January 2016 will count towards your next cash voucher in February 2016.

  • For purchases of £30 and over, you will receive 2 points for every £1 you spend. 
  • For purchases up to and including £29.99, you will receive 1 point for every £1 you spend. 
  • Cash vouchers will be issued to you twice a year in Spring and Autumn.
  • You will benefit from exclusive offers and events ensuring you receive the rewards you deserve. 

Over the next three weeks, you have a unique opportunity to spend, save and build rewards points all at the same time during our “Best Ever Christmas Sale”. ‘

Hmmm……the Director of Retail is ‘pleased’ that I have zero points?  I have already decided that if I don’t buy anything at all from them before 30th January, then I would have saved even more!

Do you think store cards are worthwhile?  I have one particular card that when I visit the shop and try to buy something with the points I have, I’m always told that unfortunately the points are not valid for my particular purchase.  The card seems to be as useful as a chocolate fireguard.  I’ve come to the conclusion that all they want is your personal details, so that they can bombard you with spam emails for the rest of your life.

Also, now I’m on my soapbox, what irritates me about paying for goods at the till is that as well as shoving their store card in front of your nose,  in more and more shops now you’re asked to buy more, for example their special offer bar of chocolate, a store magazine, two for one rolls of sellotape, or suchlike.  Sam, after having made his way to the head of the queue recently in a greeting card shop, was asked if he needed to buy anything else.  Keeping his face straight he replied that he really needed a sack of cement.  There was a snort behind us, but the shop assistant failed to see the funny side.

It’s no wonder more and more of us are shopping online!