It seems like every retail store has some kind of rewards program. This can be a bit annoying when all you want to do is pay for your stuff and go, but the cashier is obligated to offer you the opportunity to sign up for this money saving opportunity and when you say, "No thanks", an "Are you sure? You'll get money saving coupons and the rewards add up fast!" is sure to follow. Now you feel like a jerk and a bit annoyed that your initial polite response was ignored, but you have somewhere better to be! Well, go if you're short on time, but if you have the extra couple minutes and the rewards program is FREE, fill out the paperwork! Here's an example:
I don't shop at Famous Footwear. Ever. I can't even tell you where one is although I'm sure there are some on my usual routes. I think I ordered some shoes online a year or so ago because they had some deal on something I wanted with free shipping. Somewhere in the online transaction it asked if I wanted to become a rewards member. Yes. I like rewards and discounts and whatnot. So I took the extra couple minutes to fill out the forms. What I quickly learned is that they send out $10 off your $10 purchase cards every so often. Yay! Today I cashed that in for some shoes for my daughter that are EXACTLY what I have been searching for for about 4 months (brown Mary Janes in a toddler size... didn't think it would be that hard, but it is!). They were $14.99 (which was 50% off) + $10 off + shipping and tax, my total came to $9.80. YAY! You may say, sure you saved money, but you SPENT money by signing up for that rewards card at that store that you NEVER used to shop at. True, but I got exactly what I wanted that I haven't been able to find anywhere I usually shop, and do you know how fast toddler feet grow?! We always need shoes!
Another example: I have a total of 1 retail store credit card. It's the place I shop the most for clothes for our whole family. The reason I have it? It's not to pay interest on the stuff I buy - it gets paid off almost as soon as I get home from the store. The rewards add up fast and I get $10 off your $10 purchase cards ALL THE TIME. You have to check each store's policy on what coupons and rewards can be combined because sometimes they just see your "reward" as a coupon.
Final example: The grocery store rewards card is ESSENTIAL. Their prices can be ridiculous and their discounts deep (because of the ridiculous prices). Even if you don't coupon or make a plan around the sales, you'll save about 10% every time you go. At least that's the truth where I shop. And if your total comes to $100, that's $10 that the grocery store doesn't take out of your wallet! (I love simple math.)
Bottom line, if it's free and you need the product anyway, or you're always buying things from that store, take the time to sign up for the rewards card. The worst that can happen is you get a few extra emails and you have an extra card or two in your wallet.
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