While digging through my wallet today I found one of those punch cards from Burger King. Nine more punches and I get a free Whopper.
I don’t really like Burger King, but for some reason I’m still carrying this thing around with me from God knows when.
It’s the little things like this that often become fodder for me to write about.
This find got me thinking about what different businesses do to reward their good customers. The ones that keep coming back for more, even if it’s for a free car wash.
I stopped to think about what the businesses I drop money at do for me. After all, as American’s aren’t we supposed to live by the “what’s in it for me” philosophy?
Every now and then, one of my favorite restaurants will buy me a drink. That’s kind of like the buy nine get number ten free punch card.
Supermarkets make you carry those crazy cards around with you that you need to swipe. I’d rather save space in my wallet or on my keychain than save 10 cents off Pork ‘n Beans.
Airlines love to reward their frequent customers by moving them from a seat that is 17.5” wide to something slightly larger, but comes with free booze. I can’t even remember the last time I sat in coach because of my frequent flyer status. I’m hoping I didn’t just jinx myself.
Credit card companies, who rape consumers willingly each month with something they call “interest,” offer rewards, but dig a little deeper and see how much you paid for that little gift.
Online stores don’t do much for shoppers besides offer email coupons every now and then, but that’s kind of expected. I found a few that offer points with your purcahse that you can redeem for things later on, but they are few and far between.
Taking care of your good customers isn’t hard. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, good service and a friendly hello.
But I’ll never turn down a martini.