Cheapskates

[threemonkeys]

I seem even easier to rile than usual at the moment. The latest irritation comes from my friends at Dymocks. I really like the local franchise store and its staff but I guess the chain management is just like big business anywhere.

I received a new Dymocks card in the mail last night. The envelope had a bunch of enclosed material trumpeting how amazing their new loyalty scheme is to be. But if you look at the fine print, what you see is that the effective loyalty earning rate has dropped from $7 benefit per $100 spend down to $5 benefit per $100 spend. It isn't as if it is replacing a clunky old card stamp system either - the existing scheme is a rather smart one in terms of its flexibility and customer information.

Harrumph.

Comments

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

I nearly threw it away too under the same assumption.

The biggest problem I have boycotting in this specific instance is that the local Dymocks shop had nothing to do with the decision - in fact I know from Mark that they are trying to push back on some things. They are an independently owned franchise, so this is imposed as part of their franchise conditions. This means that I would be doing most harm to Bruce and the local staff - who I like dealing with and who at least provide me with some inside information that I find difficult to obtain elsewhere even if the books are not unique.

But in general I agree, if a company does this kind of thing to me, they do tend to drive my business away.