[quote name='dtcarson']My tax rate is 7%.
Which isn't an issue if you buy from most etailers.
They get marketing data, they build brand loyalty [I should shop at BB so I earn points], they save money [*most* people don't do the work at PMing that we might], and they have very little payout [you have to spend 250 w/in a year to get anything back, and I think I saw that points expire after a year.]
Definitely not a win-win. And yes, while you can PM and coupon and everything, to me that's not worth the work to save a dollar or two or 'earn 2% back one year down the road.
I'll continue doing what I am doing--go to BB if i'm up there to check things out visually, then sit at home in my comfy chair surfing for the best prices at a no-tax, hopefully free-shipping e-tailer, making sure to use ebates or mypoints where I get relatively speedy and more worthwhile payouts [cash in my paypal account, or points to buy gift cards for many stores].
Anyway, free is good, but while this will impress a bunch of newbies, pretty much anyone who's had a RZ card--and paid for it--is seeing less and less benefit in the program. Of course, that's most likely their strategy--make the devils work for their savings, and sucker Joe Public.[/QUOTE]
Ding. For $5 back on $100 or $150, I'd take the extra effort... but for 2% --- it's worthless. I get more back using a "rewards" program online that I would the own store's incentive program. The "deals" for members have also gone by the wayside as the last good one wa over a year ago (buy 2 GH/PC/PH games for $22) and I don't expect it to get better now that it's a free for all program.
That $1 saved at Circuit City on the CD is now better than PM and getting the RZ points.