Today I pick up a couple shirts at my local Kohl’s store when over the PA, they announce that I get a 15% discount on any purchase with my Kohl’s credit card. When I got to the check out, I asked why I was being penalized for bringing cash to buy their merchandise?

*DEER IN HEADLIGTS*

After a frozen ten second stair, I was told I could have an open charge “RIGHT NOW”. I said I’d rather bring my money and not be charged more for doing it. I told her I knew she doesn’t make the stores policies, but wondered if any body else had a problem with the penalties for buying with cash? The couple with nodding heads behind me were interested in an answer too, as well as the young couple sitting on the bench with the palm tree next to the cash register. As I passed, he says “You’re right about that.”, having over heard.

After handing over my $70, I stared out scowling, knowing I could have had my shirts for under $60 if I wanted to be in debt to them. I knew I had to come home and rant to my Pixie family.

We all know they promote “charging” it because they make more money from interest and service charges than the 15%. They DO NOT set up an entire credit department with all the administrative, mailing, posting and bad debt write off costs unless they are making money doing it. The long term result HAS to be that the average consumer gets less merchandise, at a higher than necessary cost.

My problem comes not from them taking advantage of the person that willing enters their scheme, (well yes it does too ) but with the fact that the system is set up that if you don’t want to play, you are going to pay a non-entry fee.


Am I the only one that has a problem with this?
If I ever hit the lottery, I’ll give the other half of the parasitic society some of it to test this in court.

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My response to a place like this would be to say I either get the same discount or I go next door, and if I don't get the discount walk out. I beleive that if enough people do this they will get the message.

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PantyFanatic,

In addition, by analyzing your buying habits over time, the company can design highly targeted sales campaigns. When summarized over hundreds of thousands or even millions of accounts, and distributed over several years, this information can be used to great effect.

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Eudaimonia

You are preaching to the choir here. What rips my hide is the fact that chain dept. stores offer incentives for people to get these cards and then charge then an exborbitant ampount of interest. Often the people who jump at the chance are the very same people who can least afford the outrageous interest charges. I don't use my credit cards anymore except for online and then very often I use paypal or a straight funding source, but the cards I have are all under 6% interest. Some of these stores charge people 21%. Once this lady a a clothing store bugged me asking, "Why don't you want to get our card? Don't you want to save 10%?", I told her she did not want to know why. She pushed, so I launched into a 20 minute lecture on how companies like the one she was working for were taking advantage of the very people who could least afford to be shafted, told her I had an ethical epiphany deciding I had best not shop there at all, and left.

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Another viewpoint: I think the store should have the right to charge whatever they want and provide discounts in any manner they wish...and we as customers have the right to buy or to NOT buy from them.

Reasons why stores do this include
1. Interest charges they derive (ka-ching)
2. Understanding buying habits (ka-ching)
3. Ability to direct market that is less costly and more effective than advertising (ka-ching)
4. Holders of store credit cards tend to be better repeat customers (ka-ching)
5. Savings because those customers aren't using Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, etc on which the store would have to pay credit processing fees (negative ka-ching)

So, PF, maybe you you'll just have to learn to sew and make your own shirts in the future ... or take the Pixie's Challenge---go naked all the time.

There is as much chance of me learning to sew as there is of me standing still for there methods and keeping my mouth shut while they make ME pay for it. I totally understand and support the use of technology to monitor point of sale and distribution efficiencies, demographics of market, JIT inventory control and cash flows. My grip is that I have to pay EXTRA to not do this FOR them.

Don’t get me started with the personal privacy issues.

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I agree with you PF. In fact, we've turned our backs on sales requiring use of a credit card. In fact, like Lilith, we've basically quit using the dang cards.

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I think in that case, they are using your card as a means to trace you for something that has to be returned Sharni. You SHOULD be able to make your reservation as a “cash patron” when you make the reservation and they can check you out if they so chose. They sure as hell can check you out in a heart beat for anything that will serve them. But it isn’t that way anywhere.

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I absolutely hate being asked every single time I check out at Target if I'd like to save 10%. I just tell them no, and pay i cash. What's so wrong with cash, anyway? If you can't pay cash in this house, it's because we can't afford it, so why buy it?

I should also mention that we don't have a single credit card, atm card, debit card, or even a checking account. We pay cash for everything, from groceries to bills.

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Another reason companies want to move from cash to cards is that it costs then to actually deal with cash: moving it, handling it, security to guard it etc etc.

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What is life?
If not an excuse for death,
and what is death,
if not an escape from life?

Sharni one reason most places that rent (or book) cars (and most hotel and motels) want a credit car now days is if you do damage to the car (or room) then they can charge you or if you decide to just take off with it (or steal stuff from a room). They do it to protect them selves from poeple who try to screw them.

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As a marketing person, I can understand why that data is so valuable. It gives us insight into your hobbies, needs, and practices which help companies create new products to suit your needs. However, as an individual, I also resent the loss of privacy...

I am one of those people who LOVE to accrue frequent flier miles (and I have oodles) ~ so I use my AmEx for nearly everything and then pay it off at the end of the month. I'd rather use AmEx's working capital than my own.

However, I would fight passionately for your right to use cash and not lose benefits to do so. With the USA population (on average) in $15K worth of credit card debt (which creates payments larger than car payments) I admire your approach and responsibility.

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This may not compare with your gripe PF, but I hate rebates!! Just give me the product on sale. Why make me cut out the UPS code and mail it in with reciept & rebate form. Then wait for your check to arrive and then go to the bank & cash it.

Companies offer rebates cause only a small percentage of people actually go through the hassel but it makes them look good for offering it. The rebate forms and ads about them are part of thier advertizing budget. What ever gets your attention and gets you to look at and buy thier product. I heard the percentage once but not sure of it now. I think it was less then 20% send in rebate forms.

Just give me the frigging thing on sale!!!!!!!!!!!!