Shopper Loyalty Cards

Nowadays many stores offer Shopper Loyalty Cards. They have cute names, but they really all have one thing in common...they can save you money.

These cards often allow you access to sales prices (most stores that offer these cards tie sale prices to their use, meaning if you don't have the card, you pay full price), special promotions, and other savings benefits.

The Downsides

There are downsides to using these cards. You often have to provide personal information (such as name, phone number, and home address), and unless you are willing to provide blatantly false information, the stores will be able to contact you. There is also a risk that this information will be sold to third parties, so by signing up for such programs, you run the risk of being the recipient of a ton of junk mail.

The stores also track what you purchase. While this can be good for you (as often it allows you to receive special coupons, rebates, or other store benefits), it can also mean that someone is watching. Stores use this information to base marketing programs, new products, and their purchasing patterns. As long as you don't mind companies knowing what you brand of toothpaste you buy, then this isn't much a downside.

The other downside is that you often have to have the card on you when shopping. This means that if you lose the card or leave it at home, you lose the benefits. Stores will usually allow you to replace the card (normally you can get a new at the customer service desk), but if you had built up any benefits on the other card, you lose them.

The Upsides

These cards certainly have a lot of benefits. The biggest one being that often times you cannot get the sale prices at your store without one, so they offer you immediate savings on your items.

Many stores also offer frequent buyer programs, that track overall purchases or purchases of certain items, and give you points . These points add up and then often can be redeemed for special savings (such as a percentage or dollar amount off your next purchase, free items, or sweepstakes entries).

Other programs include clubs for certain groups. The most common one that I have found is tied to baby products. Most stores have some savings gimmick for individuals who frequently purchase baby products. My favorite one is from SuperFresh (and east coast grocery store), which tracks your baby purchases (crediting they purchase price to your account), and when you have spent $200, you get a certificate for $20 off your next purchase.

Some stores (such as Weis Markets) also offer clubs for those who purchase pet products and other frequently bought items.

Another benefit to using a store Shopper Loyalty Card, is found in UPromise. This is a program that offers you money for college for buying certain items. Companies sign up to participate, and select some of their products to offer. You receive 5% of your qualifying purchases, which is placed in an account for you. Your purchases can be tracked in two ways: through your credit/debit card(s), which you have to register, or Shopper Loyalty Cards which you also register. Once you register your Shopper Loyalty Card, UPromise starts to track your purchases, and will send you a quarterly statement about your account balance.

You should check with your local store to see what Shopper Loyalty Card they offer (if any), and what the requirements of their program are. Often they will have a brochure or other information regarding the requirements and benefits of their card. Only you can decide if you want to utilize this service, but if you are looking to save money, these cards can offer you plenty of ways to do it.