topic Re: APPS in Community Chat

APPS

beach-mom — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:04:18 GMT

I've avoided them because I really had no need for them.

A few days ago while grocery shopping I noticed grapes on sale. We like grapes, so I put them into my cart.

When I checked out, the sale price didn't come up. I've been a "loyal customer" forever, and I had put in my number.

I asked the customer service representative on duty why I couldn't get the sale price. It turns out I have to have the "app" to get this particular coupon. So these coupons are different from the ones in the flyers.

I wasn't happy, but she said she would help me download the app. Apparently the store doesn't think I exist as a customer. I checked out and my number went through just fine. She went ahead and discounted the grapes for me, which I appreciated. She said she was sorry she couldn't help and advised me to download the app later, explaining everyone is using apps now.

I tried to do that and this time it said my email was invalid. Really? So I called the main number. The agent I talked to started to walk me through it, then told me it had already been set up. ??? But I couldn't use it. He went through steps and finally got it working!

So I decided to download the app for my other favorite store. Guess what? They don't have one! LOL!

Re: APPS

spumoni99 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:26:07 GMT

I've had that happen also, its annoying!

Re: APPS

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:29:31 GMT

Hi @beach-mom

YIKES!! HORRIBLE!

Im not an APP type of person.

In fact, Im a minimal Cell Phone type of person.

I guess these Only APP/Cell Phone type things are the inevitable way of the future.

I needed a tow twice recently, & they wanted me to use their APP & text to deal with them for tow. And supposedly my Cell will tell them exactly where Im located. Oh really??

I had the darnest time trying to get a Real Person to talk to & get the tow, the old fashioned way. Not sure how long I'll be able to get a real person next time, esp in light of what you were put thru with those Grocery APPs for exclusive sales!

Thanks for this warning. Maybe the upcoming inevitable APP shock will abate somewhat.

Re: APPS

Sunshine Kate — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:38:40 GMT

I don't care for cell phone apps. I find them a bit time consuming and not at all necessary.

Plus, they take up memory on my cellphone. Which means if I have a lot of apps, I would possibly have to buy a cellphone with more memory!!!

Just not necessary. I'm not using apps anymore if I can help it. Not in my best interest.

Re: APPS

bikerbabe — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:43:22 GMT

I pretty much use apps for everything.

Re: APPS

Tori3569 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 05:52:02 GMT

@bikerbabe wrote:
I pretty much use apps for everything.

I do too. They're going to continue to grow in popularity. The use of apps allows a company to do more 1:1 marketing and learn more about which demographic buys what and when.

The company I work for has an app that our customers love because they earn points toward free beverages and food. They also get personalized offers based on what they usually buy.

Re: APPS

BlueFinch — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 07:44:58 GMT

If I hear one more person say --- get the app, I'm going to scream. If there's an app that I want, I'll get it, but I don't want to feel forced to load an app just to obtain a coupon, discount, membership, etc. It's just one more example of information gathering, with often minimal reward. Enough, already.

Re: APPS

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:18:54 GMT

I hate those things! Ugh!

Re: APPS

LizzieInSRQ — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:22:26 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
If I hear one more person say --- get the app, I'm going to scream. If there's an app that I want, I'll get it, but I don't want to feel forced to load an app just to obtain a coupon, discount, membership, etc. It's just one more example of information gathering, with often minimal reward. Enough, already.

Im sure previous generations of people felt the same about clipping coupons before when there was no such thing as a coupon.But when they came about, they had to present a coupon in order to get the savings. If you didnt have the coupon, you did not get the savings. Its the same thing.

Get mad or dont. Get the discount or...choose not to.

Re: APPS

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:52:43 GMT

@beach-mom it is the way of the world now. It is the same with texting v. email. I try to stay up to date in my use of technology. If you don't, you will miss savings, etc. it is a choice.

The texting thing is real. I work on several committees. We need to communicate with our municipal councillor on a regular basis. She only responds to texts as a rule. If you email her, she might get back to you and she might not.

I have a friend who lost her husband a year ago. She seldom used apps or a cellphone. Her cellphone was old school. She ended up having to get a smartphone to deal with all the institutions (banks, for example) to deal with changing accounts to her name and all the other administrative tasks associated with the estate.

You can opt not to use the latest technology but it will make things harder for you.

Re: APPS

Biftu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:35:48 GMT

I get that times and technology changes and I'm going with it but not happy about it. Seems like you can't do anything without a phone. When you're asked to do something at a prompt and it doesn't work there's no help, no one to to talk to.

i'm tired of trying to have a conversation with people because they are too busy doing whatever on their phones. People used to converse in waiting rooms, but now everyone is glued to their phones. Yesterday a tree trimming company came to do tree work. Three young guys sat in their truck for 40 minutes playing on their phones before they rang my door bell.

I'm tired of having to order take out food at a kiosk instead of talking to someone about my order. I'm tired of having to have an app just to pay for a parking meter. I could go on and on, but obviously this is the future. Ok i'm old and trying to adjust to this new world, but so often it ends up being more time consuming rather just speaking to someone.

What the heck are people constantly on their phones doing? I don't get it.

Re: APPS

Tori3569 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 11:18:14 GMT

@Biftu wrote:
I get that times and technology changes and I'm going with it but not happy about it. Seems like you can't do anything without a phone. When you're asked to do something at a prompt and it doesn't work there's no help, no one to to talk to.

i'm tired of trying to have a conversation with people because they are too busy doing whatever on their phones. People used to converse in waiting rooms, but now everyone is glued to their phones. Yesterday a tree trimming company came to do tree work. Three young guys sat in their truck for 40 minutes playing on their phones before they rang my door bell.

I'm tired of having to order take out food at a kiosk instead of talking to someone about my order. I'm tired of having to have an app just to pay for a parking meter. I could go on and on, but obviously this is the future. Ok i'm old and trying to adjust to this new world, but so often it ends up being more time consuming rather just speaking to someone.

What the heck are people constantly on their phones doing? I don't get it.

I can only answer for myself. If you saw me on my phone in a waiting room, I'm probably doing work. Having the ability to stay in touch and respond to my emails or work on a spreadsheet while waiting allows me to make an appointment during my workday whenever appropriate. For example, I used to have to visit the dentist on Saturday vs now I can get an appointment on a much less crowded Tuesday afternoon. Not to say that I don't also work on a crossword puzzle or scroll through IG at times too. Makes a wait go much faster.

Re: APPS

catter70 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 11:38:23 GMT

I do clip coupons online for Wegman's. Not sure if they are the same coupons on their app. BTW, they always say that it's free to sign up for apps, but do you have to pay something when you actually use it?

Re: APPS

Tori3569 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:38:45 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I do clip coupons online for Wegman's. Not sure if they are the same coupons on their app. BTW, they always say that it's free to sign up for apps, but do you have to pay something when you actually use it?

Re: APPS

Biftu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:43:47 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
@Biftu wrote:
I get that times and technology changes and I'm going with it but not happy about it. Seems like you can't do anything without a phone. When you're asked to do something at a prompt and it doesn't work there's no help, no one to to talk to.

i'm tired of trying to have a conversation with people because they are too busy doing whatever on their phones. People used to converse in waiting rooms, but now everyone is glued to their phones. Yesterday a tree trimming company came to do tree work. Three young guys sat in their truck for 40 minutes playing on their phones before they rang my door bell.

I'm tired of having to order take out food at a kiosk instead of talking to someone about my order. I'm tired of having to have an app just to pay for a parking meter. I could go on and on, but obviously this is the future. Ok i'm old and trying to adjust to this new world, but so often it ends up being more time consuming rather just speaking to someone.

What the heck are people constantly on their phones doing? I don't get it.
I can only answer for myself. If you saw me on my phone in a waiting room, I'm probably doing work. Having the ability to stay in touch and respond to my emails or work on a spreadsheet while waiting allows me to make an appointment during my workday whenever appropriate. For example, I used to have to visit the dentist on Saturday vs now I can get an appointment on a much less crowded Tuesday afternoon. Not to say that I don't also work on a crossword puzzle or scroll through IG at times too. Makes a wait go much faster.

i get it, but doubtful that is what the majority of people are doing. You can hear the "dinging"of games being played. Having to be "at work" 24hours a day is another reason I'm glad to be retired. After working hours I was still expected to answer calls. Family and down time has gone down the drain. What also makes time go faster is conversing with others in the waiting room. I used to meet interesting people in that situation. Can't fight the future, but I find it sad.

I understand that being accessible outside of work can be convenient, but what happened to personal time.

Re: APPS

wagirl — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:45:41 GMT

Sorry--I am all about the phone apps!! Makes my life a whole lot easier.

Re: APPS

Biftu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:48:25 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
Sorry--I am all about the phone apps!! Makes my life a whole lot easier.

No need to be sorry if it works for you. Doesn't make my life easier in any way.

Re: APPS

RollTide2008 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:03:40 GMT

I don't want to talk to strangers in a waiting room now nor did I want to do that before the advent of the iphone. I'd much rather order my lunch through an app. I can order what I want with the modifications I want, my rewards points get applied, and my order is almost always right. I want my favorite pizza order saved in the app to repeat on Friday nights and I love how the app alerts me if there's a digital coupon to clip. I love using my favorite grocery store's app to scan my groceries as I shop. Again, it alerts me to discounts and coupons available on the items I purchase most often.

I love having word games on my phone I can play with my friends and messaging apps to help us keep in touch in our own time. I like seeing their vacation pics online. It's convenient to do my banking and pay bills and manage my investment account on my phone. As someone else said, being able to access my work files on my file makes my schedule much more flexible. It's convenient to read the newspaper and library books on an app on my tablet.

Apps make so many things easier and more convenient. I think you sound old and obstinate when you fuss about how apps are the downfall of civilization without even learning to use them.

Re: APPS

Etoile308 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:04:07 GMT

I understand grocery stores using digital coupons, but I sure don't like it.

I never remember which coupons for which store. So consequently I'm walking around with my phone in my hand to see which I've clipped and what's the expiration date. I hate having my phone out of my purse.

I guess I just fail to understand why if you have a reward/loyality card with the store why must the coupons be "clipped" to your account.

My example is with warehouse clubs. I belong to Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. When Costco and Sam's have items on sale, or instant rebates the sale price is automatically reflected since you're a member. With BJ's you have to clip their digital coupons. Guess which store I'm about ready to drop and why. To me it's just an added pain in the backside.

Re: APPS

BlueFinch — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:21:39 GMT

@LizzieInSRQ I totally understand your position on this subject, but for those who have never had a major identity theft attack, they may not understand how devastating it can be. Should we trust all the apps out there? I don't.

A paper coupon of day's gone by was far different from having online info that can be exploited, or attacked. We're talking apples and oranges, here. That paper coupon had no info to be harvested, with potential of misuse. Everything we put out in the cyber world today needs to be done with caution.

And, no, I'm not just a person of a certain generation who is crazy paranoid and computer illiterate. So, I'll stay mad and cautious. I bet you would be, too, if you had been hacked.

Everything is relative to the individual. So, enjoy your apps, while not criticising those who don't. Thanks for the permission to get mad, or not get a discount...LOL.