Mainly because imho it’s because the devs don’t get paid to let things stay as they are. They have to always be introducing “upgrades” to show how busy they are and therefore deserve to be paid.
One of the reasons that paper coupons started going away is that there were people that would clean out entire newspaper vending machines (i.e. pay for one, steal the rest) just to resell the coupon sections from the Sunday papers.It started with the companies moving up the expiration dates to give people less time to use them in the hopes that coupon sellers wouldn’t have trouble getting them to buyers quick enough for them to be able to use them. Removing them altogether was just the next step.
I stopped using paper coupons decades ago after I calculated how much time it took me to find them and prepare them and then came up with an hourly cost. Too expensive when measured against hourly wage. Now that it’s on the computer, it takes me only a couple of minutes. Of course, now that I’m retired and no longer in business, what I make an hour is no longer a factor.
It is more convenient. You want to be stuck in line behind the old lady who starts looking for her paper coupons after the transaction has been rung up. Then she cannot find them. Did she drop them in the store? Leave them out in her car? Left them on the kitchen table at home? Then she argues with the cashier that she has the coupons even though she doesn’t have them with her so she should be able to use them. WTF?
From waiting in line while folks tried to find their paper coupons to folks trying to find them on the app….time marches on. Just discount the item before hand.
Broke s a very vague concept and if it ain’t broken usually means I don’t want to spend the effort to make it better. Could it be better? Most things can be made better. Continual improvement is cornerstone of improving a company’s sales, profits and value. I often tell my employees if it’s not broken, you missed something.
As a “Senior Shopper”, I use many an online coupon, however, I wish there was a way to “clip” all of them at one shot (Kroger, looking at you). As others alluded to, not having to dig out a mass of coupons to scatter over the clerks area is a major improvement, just watch the screen as they adjust the grand total, and verify on the receipt.
Here’s a crazy thought. Why not just offer the discounted price without all the hoops to jump through? We don’t need no stinkin’ coupons/ apps/ club cards!
Printing and distributing paper coupons is expensive, and it takes a couple months. Doing it online costs practically nothing and there’s no delay.
They don’t want to make it too easy for the customers, though. The whole idea is customers who can’t afford to buy at the regular price will go to the trouble of using coupons, while those who can afford to pay full price often don’t bother — so the store makes extra sales with the coupons yet continues to make higher profit full price sales.
I love app coupons. I clip any one I might use and it automatically uses it if I buy the item. I don’t have to carry around a file folder and dig through it while checking out. It even has a way for me to see what coupons are active.
seanfear 7 months ago
the eternal question, lady… the eternal question …. (if it ain’t broken, stop fixing it)
pfstevenson32 7 months ago
Mainly because imho it’s because the devs don’t get paid to let things stay as they are. They have to always be introducing “upgrades” to show how busy they are and therefore deserve to be paid.
zmech13 Premium Member 7 months ago
One of the reasons that paper coupons started going away is that there were people that would clean out entire newspaper vending machines (i.e. pay for one, steal the rest) just to resell the coupon sections from the Sunday papers.It started with the companies moving up the expiration dates to give people less time to use them in the hopes that coupon sellers wouldn’t have trouble getting them to buyers quick enough for them to be able to use them. Removing them altogether was just the next step.
Purple People Eater 7 months ago
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I tried many times to tell that to the people at the IT department where I used to work, but they never listened.
Doctor Toon 7 months ago
I just click every coupon on the app, I don’t have to buy the product just because I clipped the coupon
It seems silly to call it clipping the coupons, but thats what the app calls it
ChristineMurphy 7 months ago
I stopped using paper coupons decades ago after I calculated how much time it took me to find them and prepare them and then came up with an hourly cost. Too expensive when measured against hourly wage. Now that it’s on the computer, it takes me only a couple of minutes. Of course, now that I’m retired and no longer in business, what I make an hour is no longer a factor.
ladykat 7 months ago
It looks like the customer has two noses.
wrytercat 7 months ago
It is more convenient. You want to be stuck in line behind the old lady who starts looking for her paper coupons after the transaction has been rung up. Then she cannot find them. Did she drop them in the store? Leave them out in her car? Left them on the kitchen table at home? Then she argues with the cashier that she has the coupons even though she doesn’t have them with her so she should be able to use them. WTF?
MuddyUSA Premium Member 7 months ago
Attagirl Tabby……..
Vet Premium Member 7 months ago
From waiting in line while folks tried to find their paper coupons to folks trying to find them on the app….time marches on. Just discount the item before hand.
Rcwhiting 7 months ago
Broke s a very vague concept and if it ain’t broken usually means I don’t want to spend the effort to make it better. Could it be better? Most things can be made better. Continual improvement is cornerstone of improving a company’s sales, profits and value. I often tell my employees if it’s not broken, you missed something.
CoffeeBob Premium Member 7 months ago
As a “Senior Shopper”, I use many an online coupon, however, I wish there was a way to “clip” all of them at one shot (Kroger, looking at you). As others alluded to, not having to dig out a mass of coupons to scatter over the clerks area is a major improvement, just watch the screen as they adjust the grand total, and verify on the receipt.
Judeeye Premium Member 7 months ago
I’m happy to use digital coupons. It’s one less little piece of paper to keep from losing or destroying.
6turtle9 7 months ago
Here’s a crazy thought. Why not just offer the discounted price without all the hoops to jump through? We don’t need no stinkin’ coupons/ apps/ club cards!
CougarAllen 7 months ago
Printing and distributing paper coupons is expensive, and it takes a couple months. Doing it online costs practically nothing and there’s no delay.
They don’t want to make it too easy for the customers, though. The whole idea is customers who can’t afford to buy at the regular price will go to the trouble of using coupons, while those who can afford to pay full price often don’t bother — so the store makes extra sales with the coupons yet continues to make higher profit full price sales.
BRBurns1960 7 months ago
I love app coupons. I clip any one I might use and it automatically uses it if I buy the item. I don’t have to carry around a file folder and dig through it while checking out. It even has a way for me to see what coupons are active.