TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Aug 22, 2015 7:51:22 GMT -5
I have been with my company 6.5 years and during all that time I have heard employers complain how they do not get a discount vs regular customers for shopping here. And most places I go when people find out I work for a grocery store, the first question that usually follows (no fails) : do you get a discount? So finally my company is rolling out this program in September that gives employees and their families 10% off their groceries : every $100 you spend, you get $10 back. All you have to do is register your card (you can register up to 3 cards) on the employee website. Simple right? Nothing else, register your card and start shopping.... As of 2 weeks ago, out of 22,000 employees only 8,000 registered their cards. So the company (HR) is making this big push to get as many people signed up as possible: $250 prize (raffle), or $1000 prize for the stores that get to 90% of their people signed up (5 prizes, raffle) etc. Because the program is a pilot from September to February and based on how well it does they will decide to keep it or not. We have been told over and over again in the 6.5 years I have been with the company the reason they do not do it is because they have tried it and it doesn't work. I think we are on our way to prove them right again. As of yesterday that number was slightly over 9,000 but that is still far away from 22,000. I have 92% of my store signed up and the attitude we got from people when you reminded them to sign up was like: we were forcing them to do this, they were doing us a favor by signing up, etc? Seriously? You shop here anyway, might as well get 10% off while you are at it! I don't get it... You are given a clear opportunity on a way to save money and it is too much work for you to do, you cannot be bothered. Oh well, I am signed up and will enjoy the 10% off even if it doesn't get extended past February (I don't think it will).... We spend $800-$1,000 month on groceries, maybe we can upgrade from pork/chicken to steak
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,212
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
|
Post by dannylion on Aug 22, 2015 7:57:15 GMT -5
People are stupid.
ETA: George Carlin's comment comes to mind: (paraphrasing) Think of how stupid the average person is. Half the population is stupider than that.
|
|
andi9899
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 6, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Posts: 31,319
|
Post by andi9899 on Aug 22, 2015 8:16:27 GMT -5
People are always looking for something to bitch about. You could be giving them half off and it still wouldn't be enough.
|
|
phil5185
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 15:45:49 GMT -5
Posts: 6,412
|
Post by phil5185 on Aug 22, 2015 8:26:46 GMT -5
Some of the employees might be getting better deals, and better service, and/or better food at stores in their neighborhoods? And some employees may be the half of the family that doesn't buy the family groceries?
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Aug 22, 2015 8:31:15 GMT -5
Because the program is a pilot from September to February and based on how well it does they will decide to keep it or not. We have been told over and over again in the 6.5 years I have been with the company the reason they do not do it is because they have tried it and it doesn't work.
Yes, people are stupid. But I'm also not getting the company's story about this.
The background is that when your store goes to hire people, one of the first benefits they are looking for is whether there is an employee discount. You're now offering the discount. What is there to "work" or not "work" and why would the company care if 2 employees or 100% sign up to get the discount? IOW, there's more to this story. If the company is offering this as a benefit to make the employees happy, then the employees who want it will sign up and the ones that don't sign up don't care enough to get it, so that works; unless there's more to it, the company shouldn't care what % of employees actually use the benefit that's offered.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 7, 2024 0:18:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 8:33:36 GMT -5
There are a lot of people that don't use credit cards and might not want to go out and get one. I wouldn't expect 100% participation, but yeah. A lot of people are just lazy and stupid.
|
|
TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Aug 22, 2015 8:36:05 GMT -5
Because the program is a pilot from September to February and based on how well it does they will decide to keep it or not. We have been told over and over again in the 6.5 years I have been with the company the reason they do not do it is because they have tried it and it doesn't work.
Yes, people are stupid. But I'm also not getting the company's story about this.
The background is that when your store goes to hire people, one of the first benefits they are looking for is whether there is an employee discount. You're now offering the discount. What is there to "work" or not "work" and why would the company care if 2 employees or 100% sign up to get the discount? IOW, there's more to this story. If the company is offering this as a benefit to make the employees happy, then the employees who want it will sign up and the ones that don't sign up don't care enough to get it, so that works; unless there's more to it, the company shouldn't care what % of employees actually use the benefit that's offered.
HR cares because depending on how many people sign up will decide if it is a benefit worth offering or not. They want the program to continue and be a success and the way the can show that to upper management is by "how many" would actually use the program in the long run. The company stance is not enough teammates shop with us to make it worth it to offer them a discount; HR wants to prove them wrong. And also those are the same teammates that have been asking for the discount for years ....
|
|
TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Aug 22, 2015 8:38:44 GMT -5
There are a lot of people that don't use credit cards and might not want to go out and get one. I wouldn't expect 100% participation, but yeah. A lot of people are just lazy and stupid. Not credit cards but the store cards like the one you get at Subway, lowe's, famous footwear, Barnes and Noble. Basically keeps track of your spending to offer discount and gas program (every $100 you spend you get $0.10 off per gallon).
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 7, 2024 0:18:24 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 8:39:44 GMT -5
If I had such a large portion of employees not actually using our services/purchasing our goods... I'd be examining that closely. I would think the attitude would be how can we get more of our teammates to shop with us...
|
|
TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Aug 22, 2015 8:41:21 GMT -5
Some of the employees might be getting better deals, and better service, and/or better food at stores in their neighborhoods? And some employees may be the half of the family that doesn't buy the family groceries? True but I can tell you that every employee in some form or another shop here; even if it is just picking up something for lunch or a drink or a snack. Even if you don't buy the family groceries you can register up to 3 cards under your name so that the half that "does" buy the family groceries get the discount.
|
|
Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 64,494
|
Post by Tennesseer on Aug 22, 2015 8:46:32 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle.
|
|
TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Aug 22, 2015 8:55:33 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle. Funny that you mention that, that has been an on going battle for 2 years now! I think participation for that is at 40%.... Up to 2 years ago my company did not offer direct deposit at all, people were complaining and bitching* about it all day long: - having to come to work on their day off to gets their check - having to wait in line to get their check - you name it they said it* 2 years ago my company offered direct deposit and it was a big flop, and after 2 years of pushing it we are only at 40%. I love when the delivery trucks are running late and the checks are not here yet and people start complaining... My answer: I got my money at 6 AM, should have signed up for direct deposit. Sorry nothing I can do to make the trucks get here faster during bad weather!
|
|
Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 64,494
|
Post by Tennesseer on Aug 22, 2015 9:06:03 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle. Funny that you mention that, that has been an on going battle for 2 years now! I think participation for that is at 40%.... Up to 2 years ago my company did not offer direct deposit at all, people were complaining and bitching* about it all day long: - having to come to work on their day off to gets their check - having to wait in line to get their check - you name it they said it* 2 years ago my company offered direct deposit and it was a big flop, and after 2 years of pushing it we are only at 40%. I love when the delivery trucks are running late and the checks are not here yet and people start complaining... My answer: I got my money at 6 AM, should have signed up for direct deposit. Sorry nothing I can do to make the trucks get here faster during bad weather! I had electronic deposit for my paycheck for years. My pension check is electronically deposit. Fortunately, Social Security requires their checks be electronically deposited. So I have not had to go to the bank to deposit checks for years. I loathe going to the bank. If someone owes me a small amount of money and wants to pay me back by check, I tell them pay me in cash. Not that I don't trust them to have the funds in the bank to cover the check. I just do not want to have to go to the bank to deposit a small check.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,882
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 22, 2015 9:07:10 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle. I imagine these are people with overdrawn bank accounts, etc. Direct deposit is the only option from federal government. New employees are also auto enrolled in the 401(k). The same people who would never sign up and complain they need all their money now, are the same people who are too lazy to un-enroll.
|
|
emma1420
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2011 15:35:45 GMT -5
Posts: 2,430
|
Post by emma1420 on Aug 22, 2015 9:08:14 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle. This I will never understand. I've been working professionally for the last 15 years, during that time not one employer offer paper checks. Direct deposit was the only choice. And I can't imagine why someone wouldn't do that? The funds from my pay check are available immediately. If I had to cash a check I'd wait a couple days for the check to clear. Although I do wonder if there are employees in Carl's organization that may not have a bank account? Perhaps they need the paper check so they can cash it and pay their bills?
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Aug 22, 2015 9:10:45 GMT -5
Yes, people are stupid. But I'm also not getting the company's story about this.
The background is that when your store goes to hire people, one of the first benefits they are looking for is whether there is an employee discount. You're now offering the discount. What is there to "work" or not "work" and why would the company care if 2 employees or 100% sign up to get the discount? IOW, there's more to this story. If the company is offering this as a benefit to make the employees happy, then the employees who want it will sign up and the ones that don't sign up don't care enough to get it, so that works; unless there's more to it, the company shouldn't care what % of employees actually use the benefit that's offered.
HR cares because depending on how many people sign up will decide if it is a benefit worth offering or not. They want the program to continue and be a success and the way the can show that to upper management is by "how many" would actually use the program in the long run. The company stance is not enough teammates shop with us to make it worth it to offer them a discount; HR wants to prove them wrong. And also those are the same teammates that have been asking for the discount for years .... Again, not making any sense.
There is either more to the story or your HR and execs are the stupid ones.
If it's really a benefit - then the more employees that use it, the more it costs the company. As a company, you don't gain anything by pushing people into using something that costs the company more money. It's still not making financial - or even basic logical - sense. The only way this makes sense is if the company has something to gain by getting more employees to sign up and given the low margins that most grocery stores have, the discount is more than the margin so each additional $1 the employee spends there costs the store money. That's fine if you're offering it as a benefit to attract people, but if that's the only reason to do it then there's just no need to push employees to participate.
|
|
Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 64,494
|
Post by Tennesseer on Aug 22, 2015 9:13:29 GMT -5
TheHaitian - Employers still cannot get 100% employee participation when it comes to electronic deposit (where offered) of paychecks. Takes out the hastle of driving to the bank and depositing the check and then waiting for the check to clear. But some employees seem to want to go to the bank and deposit it themselves. People are often fickle. This I will never understand. I've been working professionally for the last 15 years, during that time not one employer offer paper checks. Direct deposit was the only choice. And I can't imagine why someone wouldn't do that? The funds from my pay check are available immediately. If I had to cash a check I'd wait a couple days for the check to clear. Although I do wonder if there are employees in Carl's organization that may not have a bank account? Perhaps they need the paper check so they can cash it and pay their bills? I can only surmise folks that don't want their pay checks deposited electronically (and do have bank accounts) believe their employer and government are somehow spying on them. Maybe there are other reasons but that is the first thing that comes to mind.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,882
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 22, 2015 9:37:04 GMT -5
My first professional job out of graduate school paid with paper checks and only once a month. It was a complete pain in the butt especially if you were working out of town on pay day. The head partner and office manager were in their 60s and very old school. The partner didn't trust the manager to do direct deposit payroll correctly. All of my other jobs in my professional career have had direct deposit.
|
|
whoami
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 8, 2011 12:43:49 GMT -5
Posts: 1,292
|
Post by whoami on Aug 22, 2015 9:41:13 GMT -5
If it is so important to the company, why didnt they just issue the cards preregistered to the employee? Im assuming they have the employees contact info.....
|
|
Ombud
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 14, 2013 23:21:04 GMT -5
Posts: 7,600
|
Post by Ombud on Aug 22, 2015 9:44:53 GMT -5
Wow. Walked into a bank 4 times in the last week (GS1 closed acct, set up a new one at BofA, started credit card app, I put $$ into his account) and I hated the lines Tennesseer, have you tried mobile deposit for checks?
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,488
|
Post by Tiny on Aug 22, 2015 9:49:28 GMT -5
Carl, people are notoriously bad at Math. I bet the employees who complain about the 10% compare that measly little discount to the discounts they get at other retail stores without being an employee - so 50-75% off (of course the "regular" price fluctuates - so the item they are purchasing at 75% off (that's total discount - the markdown, the 25% off coupon, their special day 10% off and that $5.00 coupon they cut out) might cost slightly MORE than when they purchase that exact same item at 50% off (again the markdown, the percent off coupon, the special day discount, and the store coupon). I'd take the 10% off without question... Who doesn't want $10 taken off a $100 dollar total charge? And it's a grocery - so if you your primary shopping there (and you have have a family) - you ARE probably spending $100 a week there. Heck if you are an employee and are just buying 'lunch and beverages or snacks' you are probably dropping $5 to $10 dollars each day you work. I'd sign up for sure and might shop at the store a bit more - I use a CC that gives me 3% cash back on groceries, and I half heartedly use coupons (which these days gives me another 3 to 5% off my bill) so that guaranteed 10% could really sweeten the deal. Unless of course your grocery store prices are sky high compared to the other stores --- in which case I'd buy the good 'sales' and I buy the 'specialty' once in a while (stuff that's never on sale and higher priced)items with my discount.
|
|
Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 64,494
|
Post by Tennesseer on Aug 22, 2015 10:01:30 GMT -5
Wow. Walked into a bank 4 times in the last week (GS1 closed acct, set up a new one at BofA, started credit card app, I put $$ into his account) and I hated the lines Tennesseer, have you tried mobile deposit for checks? Ombud-the times someone would like to write me a check is maybe once every three years. If someone owes me, say, $50, I will take the cash instead of a check. That $50 cash will last me 2-3 months as pocket change for the times I might not use my debit card. Like many folks today, I do all my banking electronically including the paying of my bills with just a few exceptions such as paying an independent plumber or something similar with a check.
|
|
AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:59:07 GMT -5
Posts: 31,709
Favorite Drink: Sweetwater 420
|
Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Aug 22, 2015 10:07:59 GMT -5
I have been with my company 6.5 years and during all that time I have heard employers complain how they do not get a discount vs regular customers for shopping here. And most places I go when people find out I work for a grocery store, the first question that usually follows (no fails) : do you get a discount? So finally my company is rolling out this program in September that gives employees and their families 10% off their groceries : every $100 you spend, you get $10 back. All you have to do is register your card (you can register up to 3 cards) on the employee website. Simple right? Nothing else, register your card and start shopping.... As of 2 weeks ago, out of 22,000 employees only 8,000 registered their cards. So the company (HR) is making this big push to get as many people signed up as possible: $250 prize (raffle), or $1000 prize for the stores that get to 90% of their people signed up (5 prizes, raffle) etc. Because the program is a pilot from September to February and based on how well it does they will decide to keep it or not. We have been told over and over again in the 6.5 years I have been with the company the reason they do not do it is because they have tried it and it doesn't work. I think we are on our way to prove them right again. As of yesterday that number was slightly over 9,000 but that is still far away from 22,000. I have 92% of my store signed up and the attitude we got from people when you reminded them to sign up was like: we were forcing them to do this, they were doing us a favor by signing up, etc? Seriously? You shop here anyway, might as well get 10% off while you are at it! I don't get it... You are given a clear opportunity on a way to save money and it is too much work for you to do, you cannot be bothered. Oh well, I am signed up and will enjoy the 10% off even if it doesn't get extended past February (I don't think it will).... We spend $800-$1,000 month on groceries, maybe we can upgrade from pork/chicken to steak Honestly- boring. You either get 10% off, or you don't. What if you want to pay cash? What if you want to pick something up after work for $20 bucks- you don't simply pay $18? I hate chintz with a passion, and this smells like chintz.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 7, 2024 0:18:24 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 10:09:12 GMT -5
I had people write me 5$ and 10$ checks for evaluations this past year. I thought it was weird. Next year ear my lowest price is 15$... So at least that won't be so weird
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 7, 2024 0:18:24 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 10:57:25 GMT -5
I dont shop at places that keep track of what i buy. If I have to use a card to get a discount, I don't because I don't want people to know what I buy. It is hard a lot of places and I can't do it at Amazon. But where I can I do.
|
|
Shooby
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2013 0:32:36 GMT -5
Posts: 14,782
Mini-Profile Name Color: 1cf04f
|
Post by Shooby on Aug 22, 2015 11:09:46 GMT -5
Some people don't want to be bothered. Offer the discount and those who want it will get it. If not why push them? I get tired of carrying around all these cards.
|
|
GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,291
|
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 22, 2015 11:11:41 GMT -5
I had people write me 5$ and 10$ checks for evaluations this past year. I thought it was weird. Next year ear my lowest price is 15$... So at least that won't be so weird I'm weird, then (no surprise to some, LOL). I often write checks for $5/$10/$20 donations toward things like coaches' gifts, team dinners, etc. I just figure it is easier for the person doing the collecting to track who has paid and who hasn't.
|
|
whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Aug 22, 2015 11:23:34 GMT -5
Wait - do you have to spend $100 to get 10% or are you getting 10% every time you buy a twinkie? I certainly wouldn't be signing up if it's the former
Also, some stores, like Shaws are actually getting away from using those reward cards. Many people don't want to be bothered with swiping the card.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 22, 2015 11:35:29 GMT -5
It's weird that they make you sign up and register. If you're an employee, you should have some sort of employee ID card and that should be enough to show a cashier to get your 10%. I could see family registering, but not employees. And, corporate shouldn't cancel a program just because they don't have 100% adoption.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Aug 22, 2015 12:08:09 GMT -5
Funny that you mention that, that has been an on going battle for 2 years now! I think participation for that is at 40%.... Up to 2 years ago my company did not offer direct deposit at all, people were complaining and bitching* about it all day long: - having to come to work on their day off to gets their check - having to wait in line to get their check - you name it they said it* 2 years ago my company offered direct deposit and it was a big flop, and after 2 years of pushing it we are only at 40%. I love when the delivery trucks are running late and the checks are not here yet and people start complaining... My answer: I got my money at 6 AM, should have signed up for direct deposit. Sorry nothing I can do to make the trucks get here faster during bad weather! I had electronic deposit for my paycheck for years. My pension check is electronically deposit. Fortunately, Social Security requires their checks be electronically deposited. So I have not had to go to the bank to deposit checks for years. I loathe going to the bank. If someone owes me a small amount of money and wants to pay me back by check, I tell them pay me in cash. Not that I don't trust them to have the funds in the bank to cover the check. I just do not want to have to go to the bank to deposit a small check. Since I bank at USAA, I actually prefer checks to cash. Stick it in an envelope and send it out (prepaid, supplied by USAA) and 2 days later it is in my account. Many people who do not have direct deposit simply can't get an account. If you are in Chexsystems, direct deposit is not an option. Every single one of the 4 kids of my dad's wife are unbanked. Direct deposit where I used to work was mandatory, but there was a credit union associated with my employer that they managed to get around the Chexsystems problem.
|
|