charged for a punch card
 

My local quilt store just charged me 1.50 for a frequent buyer punch card. I was surprised to say the least. She said it was because people don’t take them seriously enough if they are free and they would try to redeem more than one partially punched cards at a time.

Has anyone ever paid for a punch card before?

I haven't. I don't think I would have paid for one - seems a little underhanded...

That is weird, usually stores are pushing them on you even when you don't want them. On the other hand, I would cut them a break, because it probably is solving (or attempting to solve) some problem for them, though I don't understand exactly how charging for the card solves the problem of people trying to redeem partially punched cards.

That sounds really petty to me. I shop at one shop almost exclusively and that would make me think twice about shopping on-line instead.

I detest gimmicks to get me to shop. I know what I can spend and when I want it. I won't wait until a card is punched to buy something I want. It would be another thing to have to keep up with.

Surely you could have said "no" and opted out??

To take the LQS' argument to point ...
... Do they think a fee of $1.50, is going to command respect for the program?

But it does put some $$$$ in their coffers ... and would add up substantially with the number of customers who would never think of saying no!

I was too surprised to say no but as I was leaving the store was thinking that will be the last punch card I “buy” from them. Other nearby stores have better selection, better punch programs, etc. just a bit more of a drive for me.

The only way this would be acceptable is that they would give a credit for the $1.50 when you redeem the punch card. I would have said, "No, thanks."

We have a grocery store that started a "bonus" for customers. They give points for a discount on gas, but it has strings attached. One is that only 2 gas stations honor them and they are not convenient. Another is that they expire at the end of each month. Too much confusion and trouble for an old lady like me to mess with.

that is a first for me! I was glad when my LQS switched up from a punch card to them keeping track in their computer system and awarding that way--I had to just have all these shopper cards stuck in my wallet!