topic Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE? in Among Friends

PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Shanus — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:32:53 GMT

I checked my Sephora cart this morning to put it through for the sale. Another three items were sold out. Only one item left. VIBROUGE was able to purchase first and receive 20% off. I’m a VIB and only get 15% off. I’m not sure what the INSIDER’S level receivers or when they are permitted to shop the sale. The levels are based on how much you spend during the year.

Nordstrom ropes off areas w/ bright yellow ribbons for Nordstrom Card Holders Only. This leaves others left unable to shop the sale until a later date and many items or sizes are sold out.

QVC does the same thing with the Q Card. Extra easy payments only using their card. The incentive to get the card varies from a $20-$40 credit to your account.

The more I thought about this monetary “caste” system, the more it bothered me. I don’t think Ulta’s 21 Day Sale has any hierarchy of spenders.

I cleared the last item out of my Sephora cart. It does not sit well with me.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

haddon9 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:43:25 GMT

I have a Q card and wish that they would send us real savings like coupons instead of more ez pays!!! I think that stores should offer benefits to those who are willing to open a store CC or buy more.

There is a small local shop near me that sells olive oil that I love. They offer frequent buyers' cards...if you make so many purchases they will give you a free bottle...I like that.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Maestra1 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:50:10 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
I checked my Sephora cart this morning to put it through for the sale. Another three items were sold out. Only one item left. VIBROUGE was able to purchase first and receive 20% off. I’m a VIB and only get 15% off. I’m not sure what the INSIDER’S level receivers or when they are permitted to shop the sale. The levels are based on how much you spend during the year.

Nordstrom ropes off areas w/ bright yellow ribbons for Nordstrom Card Holders Only. This leaves others left unable to shop the sale until a later date and many items or sizes are sold out.

QVC does the same thing with the Q Card. Extra easy payments only using their card. The incentive to get the card varies from a $20-$40 credit to your account.

The more I thought about this monetary “caste” system, the more it bothered me. I don’t think Ulta’s 21 Day Sale has any hierarchy of spenders.

I cleared the last item out of my Sephora cart. It does not sit well with me.

I'm Rouge and items I had in web cart for midnight 8/20 were already sold out and unavailable.

I use this sale to purchase gifts (Chanel L'Eau body spray, LaMer lip balm)

I like to think it is the Cosmos telling me i have enough already

The Rewards at Sephora stink and when a decent one comes in they sell out immediately in the 2000 point ranges. I use other rewards as stocking stuffers as we get closer to Christmas.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Shanus — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:06:32 GMT

At ULTA isn’t it points for dollars? You just redeem them at checkout? I’d rather have cash back for purchases.

Years ago I was VIBROUGE. I never took advantage of any perks except free shipping once in awhile. I’m usually in that store or a dept. store to purchase what I need. Nordstrom free ships all the time. Neiman’s, too. I never went for free makeovers or any “parties” to preview a new product. Spending that much money in one store was not worth keeping the “status”. If I needed one thing, I felt pressured to purchase more. Emails kept reminding me I had to spend more or lose my standing and drop to a lower level. OMG! Would I survive?

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Shanus — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:13:58 GMT

All the jumping up & down w/ excitement for free shipping days? Come on, Q. That’s, most of the time, a savings of $3.50. Not an incentive to purchase for me. How about a code for % off, a real sale..not a clearance on old, tired items w/ limited sizes and colors. Uh, by the way, over the weekend, many stores offered fall clothing and other items at 40% off!! Shop at Q with no discount? Why?

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

millieshops — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:31:01 GMT

@ShanusI believe all the incentives are designed to get customers to spend more. They are not "rewards" for anyone, they are not signs a company "cares" about us as individuals. They do care - they care if we spend more!

I use sales, coupons, etc. but I do best "saving" money at retail when I buy less. In fact, I've stopped thinking about buying with incentives as a saving technique. I'm still "spending" - 60%, 75%, 80% etc. And just like in the casinos, the house winds all the time, we shoppers win once in a while.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

wonderfulworld — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:33:15 GMT

I am with you Shanus.

Last year I ordered a number of things and Sephora said they were not available...evn though they showed up on line after my order was cancelled. Things like a Clinque lipstick. Because I didn't get the points I lost my VIB status. They did offer me a consolation coupon but was too chintzy to bother with.

I am done with Sephora.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Isobel Archer — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:36:58 GMT

About the only retail shopping "rewards" I really use are those offered by Talbots. Free shipping, and ability to shop some sales before other people etc.

It may be a "caste" system, but I appreciate it. And I don't see anything really wrong with rewarding loyalty and spending.

What annoys me are the companies which offer significant discounts to new customers, but never offer anything to people who have been with them for years.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Shanus — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:39:44 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@ShanusI believe all the incentives are designed to get customers to spend more. They are not "rewards" for anyone, they are not signs a company "cares" about us as individuals. They do care - they care if we spend more!

I use sales, coupons, etc. but I do best "saving" money at retail when I buy less. In fact, I've stopped thinking about buying with incentives as a saving technique. I'm still "spending" - 60%, 75%, 80% etc. And just like in the casinos, the house winds all the time, we shoppers win once in a while.

Ah, thank you @millieshops . That’s the exact point I’m trying to make. It’s almost “forced spending” for some w/o willpower.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

millieshops — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:47:14 GMT

@Shanuslol Ulta has lots of company - those that give points, cash back certificates redeemable only in their stores, anything so they get more of our money going forward. Exactly why I believe in the long run, they benefit more than I do!

Although I never followed his plan, I think Dave Ramsey's advice to use cash and planned buying works well for consumers who have difficulty controlling their spending when they shop with plastic.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Trinity11 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:05:43 GMT

I don’t understand Sephora making this sale such a big deal. I received my 15% off but Macy’s, L&T and other stores have coupons for cosmetics off and on all year.

And yes, I have had the same thing happen in regards to sold out merchandise with both Sephora and Nordstrom. It does not sit well with me either @Shanus .

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

PamfromCT — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:35:09 GMT

@Shanus, I completely agree with you. Of course, I try to avoid certain stores like crazy. Call it buying what I need and will use, rather than adding to my mountains of stuff. So I would never qualify to get any reward from Ulta or Sephora.

I have ordered a few items I use from the Walmart site. They have two categories of beauty items for sale. One drugstore and one higher end. When I first heard about a Walmart site for higher-end products, I thought it was a joke. It’s worth a look. They are selling items gathered from many different sources.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Shanus — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:41:34 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@Shanuslol Ulta has lots of company - those that give points, cash back certificates redeemable only in their stores, anything so they get more of our money going forward. Exactly why I believe in the long run, they benefit more than I do!

Although I never followed his plan, I think Dave Ramsey's advice to use cash and planned buying works well for consumers who have difficulty controlling their spending when they shop with plastic.

@millieshops Except for my Nordstrom card and an “emergency” charge card we never use, we operate basically on cash using only debit cards. Oddly very few use actual dollars. We ate dinner out the other night and DH tried to pay with a hundred dollar bill. The restaurant did not have enough cash on hand to make change. We used our debit card instead. I have read and agree w/ Ramsey’s theories as well.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Anonymous032819 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:42:05 GMT

Is it "unfair" that those with "elite" status get to board planes first?

I see nothing wrong with "loyality" points or systems.

There will always be things that those with more "points" or whatever can have that the non-members can't have.

That's life.

Afterall, who said that life was supposed to be fair?

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Sooner — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:47:52 GMT

Why shouldn't stores give their best customers special perks? The most loyal shoppers should be rewarded. That only makes sense to me. Otherwise why would they shop there?

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Mj12 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:07:46 GMT

Stores/airlines/restaurants/etc. absolutely should give loyalty rewards.

(But I don't think that the Q offering more easy pays on their card is any sort of incentive, neither is a one time $20 - $40 credit).

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Sweetbay magnolia — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:18:33 GMT

I think more than anything, it's about building relationships. Successful retailers know that.

Plus, the consumer is notoriously fickle, so it's an ever-changing landscape.

I've spent most of my career in front-line retail. Honestly, psychology majors should be running things, not the MBAs.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Isobel Archer — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:26:42 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
Is it "unfair" that those with "elite" status get to board planes first?

I see nothing wrong with "loyality" points or systems.

There will always be things that those with more "points" or whatever can have that the non-members can't have.

That's life.

Afterall, who said that life was supposed to be fair?

Exactly. Should people who pay more get better seats - e.g, first class, business class, now apparently even aisle seats in some planes? I really don't see a problem with that either.

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Bri369 — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:31:31 GMT

I don't have a problem with people being rewarded for shopping. It's a perk.

You can get early access to the Nordstrom sale with their debit card also. I'm not sure a lot of people know about that

Re: PRIVILEGES FOR SPENDING MORE?

Alison Wonderland — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:15:58 GMT

There are also privileges in location. I went into the local store and some of the items sold out online were in stores.