My gripe with store QR codes

[Sub sailor]

OK, I went to Sam's Club about a week ago and I bought an item that had a price listed, then it also had a "scan and save" price (I think that is what they called it). I didn't really pay attention, I thought the item was just on sale. When I get to the cashier, the item rang up at the higher price. I questioned it and they explained that I needed to get the app, and scan the QR code to get the cheaper price. I pay an annual membership to Sam's Club so I can get items at discounted prices. I didn't pay the membership fee to have to jump through other hoops to get cheaper prices!!!!! In addition, you must have a stupid smart phone to be able to take advantage of these QR code "deals". I find this policy extremely discriminatory against people that choose to not have a smart phone and to old dudes such as myself that do not want utilize my phone as a repository for advertising apps!

Then today I filled up my truck gas tank at Sam's Club and the attendant came up to me at the end and said I could save additional money (I can't remember if he said 5% or .05 per gallon) if I down loaded the app and used it. Now I was really getting annoyed by this company that I pay a membership fee to, and they want me to do extra things to get their discounts!!!! I hate that these QR code "deals" exist. Do I have a valid gripe or am I being an old fogey????

 

[SMSgt]

I can barely get the SAM's self-checkout to work, what would I know?

 

[Salty RI]

I get the same thing here in some stores, you can only get the sale price on some items if you download their app, they can stick it where the sun don't shine, I don't need it in that bad .

Sent from my LGL455DL using Tapatalk

 

[jeffrefrig]

You definitely have a legitimate gripe! If it was a regular store like Target or Walmarks, then that's one thing. But when you pay a fee to be able to shop at Sam's, that should be enough. The 4 most aggravating words I know are "just download the app!"
I don't care if it's a dollar a year; one should be able to get the best deals, period. I don't pay any multi-billion dollar big box stores just to shop there. I'll pay more somewhere else. It's only a small saving anyways. Heck, that's what Dollar stores are for.

 

[Dave.357]

Just one more way to gather information to sell to???

 

[Sevens]

Absolutely you can gripe and it is a valid gripe and because this area of this site exists, you even have a fantastic place to gripe! Furthermore, you can gripe at the store or through e-mail feedback to the corporate management.

All of that is appropriate.

However, it's still their ballgame and it's quite up to them to do what they're going to do. That's where you will be right back where you were before opening this discussion-- with the ability to walk away from Sam's Club.

You could hit up Costco or skip the whole thing and do all your purchasing elsewhere.

We hit Sam's once every 6-8 weeks or so. Heck yeah I use the app, and I use it because it's rock solid, never fails, reliable and bug free. I walk past many dozens of people in the checkout line. And I've never gotten any advertisements on the app. I open it when we are at the store, it's dormant for the rest of my life and gives me no hassles.

The last time I got annoyed by the Sam's Club app was when I stumbled on a grumbly complaint discussion on a gun forum! Have a chuckle, that was definitely a joke.

 

[pawngal]

Closest Sam's Club is 100 miles away so that is a no go. But all of the local grocery stores have phone apps that list their weekly specials and have coupons for something free or very cheap each week. One has free butter this week, heck yes! And always beer specials that are only available if you use their app. I'm app happy.........

 

[Rudi]

So, what is a QR code?

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[ladder13]

………

Then today I filled up my truck gas tank at Sam's Club and the attendant came up to me at the end and said I could save additional money (I can't remember if he said 5% or .05 per gallon) if I down loaded the app and used it……..

So, if I use the Sam's app will I get 5% on top of the 4% that my Costco card gives me for gas purchases?

 

[Narragansett]

I go with GF. She does Apps. I do not. When I pay cash and can't get your best price, I leave it at the checkout. IMO, cash should always get the best price. Digital coupons is another problem for groceries. Again, GF does this. That is a bothersome level of technology that I do not want to get to

 

[Onomea]

I, too, find it irritating. My wife thought she was getting a good deal on strawberries at the local, mildly upscale supermarket the other day. I saw something about a QR code but didn't pay attention. Checking the receipt later she was not happy.

In my view it's just another minor PITA I don't need.

One of the chain supermarkets around here, Winco, discounts everything. They only accept debit cards or cash (maybe checks?) for payment. No club card, no dues, no QR codes or other gimmicks, and the employees are cheerful and hardworking because it's employee owned. You also don't have to buy a ton of an item to get a good deal.

I like Winco's a lot.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I don't like being told that I have to buy a cell phone, in order to get a lousy 5% discount, on items.

Now, if you have a cell phone, good for you.

I went into one store with their "Flyer" and since I did not have a cell phone,
they did not accept the paper "Comp" discount.

Save Mart had a T-Bone steak at $4.99lb with a QR but even with a
membership card, I could not get the discount.

Times, have changed.

 

[sceva]

Target stores do the same thing. My wife and I do not use "SMART" phones so we can't take advantage. It used to be it you asked at the resister they would input the code for you but not any more. My wife had a cart full of school clothes for the grandkids with a special code price; she asked, they said no so she told them never mind I'll shop elsewhere and left the cart for them to put back.

 

[JcMack]

I bought a cheapo .22 Taurus probably 4-6 years ago. It had a QR code next to the ser.#. Both the # and the code were stamped or rollmarked. The code decoded to a copy of the ser#. QR stands for Quick Response, so I "assume" the QR code has some advantage over a like barcode. I'm pretty sure all QR codes cannot translate to barcodes so the advantage is probably size and scan ability, Food stores around here use a rewards program involving the bar code system, no QR yet. Kroger has one such program that sometimes have a heathy discount on a few items I buy.

 

[Bekeart]

Why I don't shop at Dollar General

Why I don't shop at Dollar General.


Smart Phone required to create/get advertised discount prices.

Bekeart

 

[Bekeart]

Why I don't shop at Food Giant

Why I don't shop at Food Giant

Smart Phone required to create/get advertised discount prices.

Bekeart

 

[Maddog 521]

Nope not for me. It's none of their business if I have a phone or email address.

 

[venomballistics]

I bet that app makes them more money in data sales than it saves you.

 

[ZGrand]

The grocery store we shop at makes you scan QR codes and use the ap for some specials. Kind of a pain.