Re: Beware of Comp USA
 

The store is over a half hour away, and when we called them, we couldn't get through. So, we had the card cancelled and a new one issued. It's more of a hassle to the card company than to us!

Re: Beware of Comp USA
 

Well, you were going to end up with a gift card anyway, even if they hadn't canceled the program! ;)

There are many stores with "rewards" programs; airline "frequent flyer" programs are a similar game. Examples: department store underwear (buy 10, get the 11th item free); all three major southern California grocery chains; Target; toy stores; Borders; even a major chain of "Christian" bookstores.

What the store programs all have in common: They collect data on your purchasing habits so they can hone their skills in getting you to buy more stuff. They usually advertise their cards as free. You sacrifice your privacy (which is probably already gone if you use anything but cash to make your purchases) in exchange for "benefits" that may or may not interest you.

I've never before heard of any stores making you pay money to get the rewards card; that's poor business sense on their part, and maybe CompUSA realized this shortly into their program and canceled it. Maybe they'll come out with a FREE program, like other stores.

Why I sacrificed my privacy to get rewards cards from all three grocery chains (Albertson's, Ralphs, and Vons/Safeway): Team 330 arranged for our school to be part of their community outreach programs. Every time I use my card at one of these stores, a small percentage of my purchase gets credited to our school, which directs the funds to our team. Our team gets hundreds of dollars a year in this manner, and our supporters don't have to do anything except register their cards and shop at their favorite store. The other reason is that a shopper has to have the cards to get the discount prices. :(

Another disadvantage of rewards cards: Carrying all of them around in my wallet!

Re: Beware of Comp USA
 

This has only been getting worse, Circuit City is ripping off people according to a post on osnn.net (http://forum.osnn.net/showthread.php...=Circuit+City).

Like you, I always buy my computers online unless buying it in the store is a whole lot cheaper. I always shut the sales people off when they try to sell me warranty and whatnot.

"If I wanted warranty I would have asked for it. So no!"

Re: Beware of Comp USA
 

The paid rewards programs work with some stores, where it is a membership only store and the discounts are enough to warrant signing up. Costco for example has paid membership, and if one buys in bulk it will eventually cause the fact that you paid money to join seem little since the savings are so huge.

My dad paid $145 for his Costco membership, and he saves a total of almost $10,000 a year on all the purchases made. (6 people in the family).