Getting Tired of "Coupons"

[s0me0nesmind1]

I'm really getting sick and tired of all the games retailers are starting to make in order to "save" money. Don't get me wrong, I love saving money and do my best effort to do so. But it used to be simply clipping some coupons from the newspaper.

Now I need to check the Target Cartwheel app to see if anything applies in there. Same goes for my grocery store. They have an app you select "coupons" for that get applied at the end transaction.

The problem I have with it is simple: It's bullshit. Anytime you see a coupon for 10% off in those coupons, it simply had its price lower a few weeks ago. When a retailer wants to sell a certain product (overstock, move inventory, etc..) - why not just lower the product price directly? Why have stupid "coupons" in order to get to what the price SHOULD normally be at?

Real coupons have their purpose. They are a discount FROM THE MANUFACTURER. Hence, they foot the bill when someone uses a coupon, not the retailer. Anytime a retailer does a coupon, it's just bullshit. I'm tired of searching through 20 different ways to save money everytime I want to go to the store.

/Rant

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I also hate this BS plus the stupid store discount cards. I'd like my state to pass a law saying advertised price has to be before the discount that would cut down on this crap.

 

[lxskllr]

It lets them give the impression of low prices without having to deliver 100% of the time(they get more money). You're more likely to remember the low prices in the flyer than you are to clip the coupons, so you spend money at the store, but don't get the discount.

 

[MarkXIX]

Not only that, but they data mine the shit out of it all too.

I have to say though that between Cartwheel and my Target Debit card, I at least FEEL like I save money over other places I shop at.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Not only that, but they data mine the shit out of it all too.

That's the whole point, they pay you to get your data. The transaction is completely voluntary on your part, you're 100% free to not take part. What's the problem?

People hear data mining and run around like Henny Penny because they don't understand what it means. Trust me, you're not that interesting. Nobody has people sitting around watching your every move and laughing when you buy nothing but frozen dinners for one and 55 gallon drums of baby oil. They're targeting their advertising for geographic areas, checking which promotions are effective and which ones are not, figuring out cross-merchandising opportunities based on shopping patterns, etc. The most sophisticated will do nothing more nefarious that offering you specific coupons for products you're probably interested in based on past purchases. But for the most part they're mining large numbers to see that 32% of their customers come from area X and only 3% from area Y, so they can stop putting flyers in the newspaper that covers area Y, they're determining that 19% of moms buy juice boxes and fruit roll ups on the same trip, they're getting the redemption rate for coupons mailed to loyalty card holders versus the redemption rate for those in the flier, etc. So either take the discount or don't, but get over the paranoia. They're not watching you, they don't even care whether you live or die. You're just a tiny tiny tiny blip in a very large pool of numbers charting overall trends, not individual people.

 

[holden j caufield]

what's BS is when you got to the store and it says you have to buy 4 or 6 of some grocery item to get the lower price of an item that they've now shrunk.

 

[MarkXIX]

That's the whole point, they pay you to get your data. The transaction is completely voluntary on your part, you're 100% free to not take part. What's the problem?

People hear data mining and run around like Henny Penny because they don't understand what it means. Trust me, you're not that interesting. Nobody has people sitting around watching your every move and laughing when you buy nothing but frozen dinners for one and 55 gallon drums of baby oil. They're targeting their advertising for geographic areas, checking which promotions are effective and which ones are not, figuring out cross-merchandising opportunities based on shopping patterns, etc. The most sophisticated will do nothing more nefarious that offering you specific coupons for products you're probably interested in based on past purchases. But for the most part they're mining large numbers to see that 32% of their customers come from area X and only 3% from area Y, so they can stop putting flyers in the newspaper that covers area Y, they're determining that 19% of moms buy juice boxes and fruit roll ups on the same trip, they're getting the redemption rate for coupons mailed to loyalty card holders versus the redemption rate for those in the flier, etc. So either take the discount or don't, but get over the paranoia. They're not watching you, they don't even care whether you live or die. You're just a tiny tiny tiny blip in a very large pool of numbers charting overall trends, not individual people.

I know all that, I understood it when I entered into the agreement to get my discount. I was simply pointing it out to the OP that perhaps he didn't understand what's really going on.

Also, I find it unnerving at times to get coupons printed out at certain times of the month in my household because my wife and I share the same account if you know what I mean. I don't care enough to stop though, it's been beneficial at times.

 

[waffleironhead]

Its all about the data.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmir...teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/

 

[Tsavo]

My local supermarket recently got rid of coupons, member cards and member discounts in a pilot program. They still have Sunday sales, but no coupons or cards needed. Hear tell, the results are pleasing to everyone and store sales are up.

 

[WelshBloke]

That's the whole point, they pay you to get your data. The transaction is completely voluntary on your part, you're 100% free to not take part. What's the problem?

People hear data mining and run around like Henny Penny because they don't understand what it means. Trust me, you're not that interesting. Nobody has people sitting around watching your every move and laughing when you buy nothing but frozen dinners for one and 55 gallon drums of baby oil. They're targeting their advertising for geographic areas, checking which promotions are effective and which ones are not, figuring out cross-merchandising opportunities based on shopping patterns, etc. The most sophisticated will do nothing more nefarious that offering you specific coupons for products you're probably interested in based on past purchases. But for the most part they're mining large numbers to see that 32% of their customers come from area X and only 3% from area Y, so they can stop putting flyers in the newspaper that covers area Y, they're determining that 19% of moms buy juice boxes and fruit roll ups on the same trip, they're getting the redemption rate for coupons mailed to loyalty card holders versus the redemption rate for those in the flier, etc. So either take the discount or don't, but get over the paranoia. They're not watching you, they don't even care whether you live or die. You're just a tiny tiny tiny blip in a very large pool of numbers charting overall trends, not individual people.

Where's that gif of people applauding? Cos this needs that gif.

 

[lamedude]

JC Penny's previous CEO got rid of coupons. It didn't take long for that experiment to fail.

 

[Tsavo]

JC Penny's previous CEO got rid of coupons. It didn't take long for that experiment to fail.

Getting rid of coupons isn't what killed JCP. Read the article you linked.

 

[CraKaJaX]

what's BS is when you got to the store and it says you have to buy 4 or 6 of some grocery item to get the lower price of an item that they've now shrunk.

I agree, though I think displaying gas prices with fine print "cash only" underneath is worse. That pisses me off so much.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

That's the whole point, they pay you to get your data. The transaction is completely voluntary on your part, you're 100% free to not take part. What's the problem?

People hear data mining and run around like Henny Penny because they don't understand what it means. Trust me, you're not that interesting. Nobody has people sitting around watching your every move and laughing when you buy nothing but frozen dinners for one and 55 gallon drums of baby oil. They're targeting their advertising for geographic areas, checking which promotions are effective and which ones are not, figuring out cross-merchandising opportunities based on shopping patterns, etc. The most sophisticated will do nothing more nefarious that offering you specific coupons for products you're probably interested in based on past purchases. But for the most part they're mining large numbers to see that 32% of their customers come from area X and only 3% from area Y, so they can stop putting flyers in the newspaper that covers area Y, they're determining that 19% of moms buy juice boxes and fruit roll ups on the same trip, they're getting the redemption rate for coupons mailed to loyalty card holders versus the redemption rate for those in the flier, etc. So either take the discount or don't, but get over the paranoia. They're not watching you, they don't even care whether you live or die. You're just a tiny tiny tiny blip in a very large pool of numbers charting overall trends, not individual people.

I live by one simple notion in life: If I'm taking a survey, I better be getting something out of it. Take a survey after a customer service call? No thanks, what are you offering me for it?

It's simply that all statistics and surveys have an intent to make more money and world domination. If I'm helping you, then I better be getting a cut of the slice.

But for places like Kroger where you are pretty much screwing yourself out of $25 if you don't get their stupid card then it's pretty much putting a gun to your head and making you be a part of their statistics for free.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Video games are a joke - just wait until the game hits $19.99. And, at that point, you will most likely get all the DLC with it as well.

 

[rh71]

I just use snipsnap or retailmenot. If it's not there, I don't bother using a coupon.

Video games are a joke - just wait until the game hits $19.99. And, at that point, you will most likely get all the DLC with it as well.

if it's a multiplayer game there'd be less of a following and others are way ahead of you by then, putting you at a disadvantage. So, only if you couldn't care less and just want the meat of the game.

 

[Newell Steamer]

if it's a multiplayer game there'd be less of a following and others are way ahead of you by then, putting you at a disadvantage. So, only if you couldn't care less and just want the meat of the game.

Those that love multi player games - yeah, they will spend that $60 + DLC costs to play it upon release.

They also get the honor of paying for beta testing the game for the rest of us cheap bastards.

Thank you early adopters.

:biggrin:

 

[MarkXIX]

I just use snipsnap or retailmenot. If it's not there, I don't bother using a coupon.



if it's a multiplayer game there'd be less of a following and others are way ahead of you by then, putting you at a disadvantage. So, only if you couldn't care less and just want the meat of the game.

That's fine with me, by that time I hope all the shit talking little punks who need a belt to the ass have left and only the old guys like me are left to play against. :biggrin:

 

[poofyhairguy]

JC Penny's previous CEO got rid of coupons. It didn't take long for that experiment to fail.

It failed because there is a hoard of older women who treat JCP like some nerds treat Microcenter (aka know the price of everything and when it goes on sale).

 

[poofyhairguy]

if it's a multiplayer game

You lost me there. I burned out on multiplayer in the 90's before XBox Live lowered the maturity level forever.

Give me a good single player game I can put 10-20 hours into and I am happy to pay $20 or so.

 

[rh71]

That's fine with me, by that time I hope all the shit talking little punks who need a belt to the ass have left and only the old guys like me are left to play against. :biggrin:

You lost me there. I burned out on multiplayer in the 90's before XBox Live lowered the maturity level forever.

Give me a good single player game I can put 10-20 hours into and I am happy to pay $20 or so.

PC multiplayer is better than consoles. I don't touch the latter.

 

[mizzou]

it is bs..but if you combo target card with cartwheel and maybe a manufacturer coupon you can get a great deal

 

[MarkXIX]

PC multiplayer is better than consoles. I don't touch the latter.

Master race, blah, blah, blah.... :awe:

I largely refrain from online play anyway unless it is with close friends or family on a casual basis.

Also, to the poster above me, concur. If you can combine the 5% with a Target debit card, whatever Cartwheel app is offering, other coupon and sometimes that 5% off any purchases for a day card Target occasionally sends out you can really rack up some savings.

 

[KeithP]

Real coupons have their purpose.

True but that purpose has never been to lower the price to the consumer. Lowering the price is a tool the retailer uses to accomplish other goals.

Maybe 20 or 30 years ago it was simply to move excess product or get more exposure for a new product. Using the data for the discount cards has given retailers and manufacturers a lot more opportunities to make more money.

For instance, I guarantee you there is data somewhere that says when a consumer buys more product A, they also tend to buy more product B and/or product C. So, if you give a discount on product A you can make more money selling extra B and C. That is just one possible example.

It is unfortunate that retailers play these games. I think many people feel the way you do but the situation seems a little like congress. Year after year congress gets horrible approval ratings. Yet, for the most part, the incumbent gets reelected.

People say they hate these things but every time a new one becomes available, lots of consumers are there to jump on board.

-KeithP

 

[feralkid]

Oh, the horror that the world has become.