Every now and again, I make purchases from different counters and every now and again I get the same questions “Are you a XXX Brand member?” It appears that every brand has their own loyalty membership system now aside from the department store loyalty memberships. I know its a way for the brand to track their customer’s spending patterns and what they buy and the members benefits are just to sidetrack us from this.
Recently, I went to the Dior counter to pick up the Spring blushes for friends and when they pulled up my record, it showed that I’ve been to 2 other Dior counters to apparently pick up the same items 😛 It was quite creepy, and I can tell you the sales assistant was puzzled but to her credit, she didn’t say anything, just asked if the other counter did not have what I wanted haha! No, it did, I told her. I’m just getting more. She must think I snort blush or something 😛
But the thing is this though – I don’t monitor my loyalty points nor do I actually know or care how many points I get. I know I don’t usually get enough points to redeem anything. Last year, I received a few statements from some brands I’d signed up as members for. I saw that in one brand, I wasn’t too far from being able to redeem a cash voucher, while in another, I was light years away from redeeming anything. The first brand even called me up to tell me to top up my purchases so I could get a voucher.
So, did I go and top up my points so I could redeem a cash voucher? Or maybe did I top up purchases to be able to redeem something? Would you?
Well, no. I honestly couldn’t be bothered haha! 😛
I guess I’m just not that bothered nor that loyal when it comes to collecting brand loyalty points. Perhaps if I was a lipstick away, I might think about it if I was already at the counter. But if I wasn’t and had no intention to buy anything, or to visit the particular counter or brand, then I’d just let it slide.
Are you dedicated when it comes to collecting brand loyalty points to redeem products or vouchers?
As you can tell, I’m not. The only thing I’m a little more dedicated to is department store membership points so I do tend to shop quite exclusively at certain department stores so I can collect points which entitle me to cash rebates. But otherwise, I’m not fussed.
Paris B
Unless there’s something on my wish list which gives me a good excuse to top up my purchase and get what’s tempting me. Or if I’m not too far away from the needed points and unless the “rewards” are tempting, else I don’t bother. Eg sephora here has been offering free lifelong membership and though I do make some purchases on and off, I did not sign up for it.
Good point about Sephora! I refused to join when they made us purchase above a certain amount, but when they opened up free membership, I thought “What the heck!” and signed up. The interesting thing is… I haven’t bought anything from there yet! Hmm… 😛
Hello Paris! =D I used to go all out just to reach that next tier just so I can get my ‘money’s worth’ but I’ve since stopped and resorted to collecting departmental store points, just like you! Being really fussy with good customer service, I also tend to purchase products from counters that provide decent service and avoid all those who don’t. 😉
Hiya Sukie! How have you been? 😀 I was just like you too haha! Too excited about getting a “good deal” until I realised I was spending too much money on inconsequential products. Besides, I think we get better deals with the department store cards 😉
Meh. I wouldnt search what to buy just to get the vouchers or products. Although if I get -20% from sephora or like now -15% on guerlain products, I will likely buy what I already planned or wanted for longer time.
*swoon* 15% off on Guerlain?! I’d buy out the store! Ok maybe not but I’d definitely do some major damage LOL 😉
I do have membership at alot of the places I shop at but, I don’t really keep track of them because sometimes it’s a buy once a year thing.
Instead, I keep track of my credit card points. I use only 1 credit card and collect as many points as I can and then redeem something out of it! 😀
That’s a smart move using just 1 credit card! I do that too to maximise the point collection 😀 Its quite scary though just how much points we can rack up 😉
Hahahahaha!! Maybe you do really snort blushes! :p Is that how you get the healthy glow? :p
Well, the only membership cards worth keeping (for me, that is) are department store cards (yes to The Mall and Central!), and Boots Advantage. The redeem is easy cash back coupons is better than lousy rice cooker or laundry basket. 🙂
As for credit card points… I really can’t be bothered because I never receive any info in English. Booo hoooo! Use it just because that’s the only one I have. :p
LOL! I erm, doubt it >.< I saw that you had Boots Advantage points! I'd read so much about how they are one of the best loyalty memberships to participate in, in the UK so when I saw it in Bangkok I was all "ooh! You have them there too!" Its a pity we don't have Boots stores here. I wonder why not...
You have Guardian and Watsons over there, which I think already saturate the drugstore chains business. :p :p
Sometimes I wonder too why is it that Malaysia & Thailand are so near to one another yet we don’t get lots of brands here (and vice versa). Boo hooo! And high cosmetic tax in this country is really… killer! 🙁 That’s the reason why we really need the advantage points and department store points. Even after using these points for purchase the final price we pay is still… higher than what you are paying over there. 🙁
I did notice that prices of many brands are higher in Bangkok but some can be cheaper. I used to stock up on Loreal sunscreens in Bangkok because it was up to RM10 cheaper in Bangkok than it is here in KL. ditto other Loreal products but in recent times I’ve noticed that the price has gone up 🙁
I used to make use of those programs back when I was loyal to only one brand…and then the blogging bug (and evurl ladies) hit. Since then I’ve hardly been able to accumulate sufficient points to redeem anything, and given up trying.
Nowadays I’m more partial towards programs like Crabtree & Evelyn’s, where members get a discount on each purchase rather than accumulate points. So much easier and more convenient! 😀
You’re right about the Crabtree programme. It makes so much more sense, and it makes us feel happy getting a discount each time we purchase. Much better I feel, than making us accumulate points to redeem…. a hand cream 😛
I’m not loyal enough to just one beauty brand to be a member. I used to not bother at all about points but now I’m making a bit more effort to collect them on my Bonuslink, Isetan, Petsmore and credit cards. That’s about it.
I sometimes sign up for the fun of it if its free or if I get some special member’s special but I don’t bother about the point element. I used to collect Bonuslink points until I realised that I never shopped at the places that are affiliated to Bonuslink! So that’s one card out the window LOL!
I totally don’t care about brand points because it is so hard to accumulate enough for anything, even though I go to Chanel, Dior and NARS a lot. The points just don’t seem to add up.
But I am very loyal to say, Tangs Rewards Card, and I will wait for Tangs counter to launch collections before buying, even though Tangs is really, really slow in Singapore. I am loyal to Isetan also. And things like UOB Rewards.
So much easier to do department store/credit card rewards points, when we are all so fickle hehe…Sometimes the brand loyalty points require you to purchase an insane amount before you even get anything of value which is why I’m put off by them. I would prefer a discount as opposed to making me buy a lot just to redeem something I may not be all that interested in.
OMG LOL Snorting blush, that’s more than hilarious! But what a great addiction to have: beauty.