Would you pay to become a member of any retail stores?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
December 24, 2015 7:32am CST
There is a brand of skincare products that I like very much.
The cost is less than $10 for a facial wash.
This particular product is only available at a particular retail chain.
I sign up online as member. However, it requires that I pay a card issuance fee of a few dollars.
This is the first time that I need to pay to become a member.
After thinking through, I decide to give it a miss.
After all, the product that I like cost less than ten dollars. If I need to pay for the member card, the total cost is more than ten dollars.
I seldom stick to a particular chain because there are so many choices available.
When I was offered free membership card, I would gladly take it.
If I need to pay, forget about it.
11 people like this
12 responses
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Dec 15
I feel the same like you. I think it should be free of charge to become to be a member. And it is good for them to have more and more members. If they will charge it, no matter how much it is. It is still not friendly in my opinion. We are customers and they shall provide us a better service and it includes giving us a membership for free.
2 people like this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Dec 15
@scheng1 In this siutation, sometimes I borrow others' member card when we pay in the counter. They are happy since they will have extra points and I am happy because I can have the membership price and meanwhile I don't cost to have my own member card.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Dec 15
Yes, that is my exact thought.
I do not see any reason to pay for a membership for things that are also available in other retail stores.
Their memberships used to be free, but they started to change into paid membership after a change in ownership and management.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
24 Dec 15
No way no how. We have a huge grocery store here and they want a 45 dollar membership fee to be able to walk into their store. Sorry nope I don't want anything that bad.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 Dec 15
Wow, that is a lot of money!
If you are buying for a whole village, then the $45 membership makes sense.
I do not think small families will buy enough to make the money worth.
There is just so much that you can eat, and use.
No need to buy tons of potatoes or toilet rolls or washing detergent.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
24 Dec 15
I am not sure about retail stores, as I do not have any favorite brands. Though we do not usually apply for paid member card, we do have the AEON Mall member card, and we need to pay for the annual fee. As there's a mall within walking distance and we go there to buy groceries very often, so we decided to pay for it.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Dec 15
Is there a way to get AEON card without the annual fee?
Sometimes if the company is listed in the stock market, you can get some perks.
If you have Genting shares, you will get free room every year as part of shareholder perks.
My friend buys shares in a REIT that owns a lot of shopping centers in Singapore, and I think she gets some vouchers or membership or points.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
25 Dec 15
I don't think I would join a membership to a retailer store. If there were perks worth it like I'll receive coupons or discounts and worth the $10 overall, I would may consider though.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Dec 15
If this particular retail chain carries unique products and members get to enjoy more discounts, then that is a different story.
In Singapore, the retail industry is very competitive.
There are shops everywhere, and many brands are selling in all these stores.
I do not see any need to pay for a membership.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
25 Dec 15
unless the benefits of membership were extremely good value I'd see no advantage in paying for the membership
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Dec 15
Not for this particular retail store.
Most of the products are available in other places too.
The house brand is cheap enough and good enough, but I do not see any need to pay for a membership card just to get more points for buying the house brand.
I can buy without the need to accumulate points.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
25 Dec 15
@scheng1 I have a points card for one big store but often forget to take it when I end up shopping there
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
24 Dec 15
The only one I pay for is Costco and I get a cheque back each year that pays for the membership and more.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
24 Dec 15
We have "warehouse stores" that require a yearly membership. I use that membership, though, and I buy things beyond just one or two items. It is well worth the savings.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Dec 15
If you are buying a lot of things, then that is worthwhile.
I think the saving must at least triple that of membership cost to make it worth.
After all, you have to factor in the gas and travelling time.
Perhaps big family will gain from the warehouse membership, but not for singles or small family.
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
25 Dec 15
I would need to be able to use that card a lot to be paying a fee for it.
