The $100,000,000.00 Idea

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19
It seems like no matter what store I go to, every place has it's own "rewards card" (not a credit card, just a card that tracks your purchases and builds reward points) & the kicker is, that NOW most of these places require you to have the card in order to get the sale prices on their merchandise.

Gas stations, Drug Stores, Sandwich Shops, Grocery Stores etc.

I don't know about you, but I HATE unnecessary clutter in my wallet. I don't want all these f@#*ing cards! Why can't someone come up with a single card that works for every merchant?

We are planning a mission to mars, but nobody can come up with rewards platform that would make having a single card for everything possible?

Whoever comes up with a system that works will make my life a little easier, and a whole lot of money.

I will step off my soap box now...
#offline marketing #$100 #idea
  • Is Google down for you today?

    That exists for everything...business cards, reward cards, hell even credit card.


    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/key-...ds/id372547556

    Inside Coin's techie vision for the all-in-one credit card | Mobile - CNET News
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks captain obvious ;p

      But I'm not referring to all-in-one credit cards or CC rewards. I was more specifically referring to the increase in local merchants using these reward cards recent years. A year ago, I didn't need a walgreens card, to get the walgreens sale price on toilet paper. But now, it seems more and more the case.
  • I hate to down your idea.. but most people sign-up using the same phone number. I work at Staples, and I'd say about %95 of the customers who are signed up for rewards don't actually have the physical card, rather they just type in their phone number. I know most places are like this, at least where I am.

    You have the basis for a good idea though.. you have found a problem and are searching for solution. Try giving it a little more thought. There's got to be something more easier than that. An all-in-one card would be nice to have, but I couldn't see it as being possible without having access to all major stores databases. But then again, it could be a lot simpler than that and maybe I'm over thinking it.
    • [1] reply
    • Using the same number, because they have registered their cards. Almost 60% of CVS rewards cards members get the card but they don't attach it to their phone number. A lot of places are similar.

      I know there is a startup for multiple credit/debit cards, but something like this could be a good idea. A good idea doesn't make money though, and the problem is this idea is dependent upon other businesses. Also, I'd be willing to bet there is already a patent on this.
  • I guess you could always just have a number (or use yours), make it easily rememorable. 222 555 4444 etc.. sign it up to nearly every major brick and mortar star that requires a rewards card, then make it available for people to use and advertise it as such.

    It still offers people a service, they never had to sign up in the first place. But they want the "regular price" (as op said) and don't care about rewards etc.. just wanna get in and out and the basic member discount.

    Just have a number people could remember easily, then start signing up, do some advertising for it.. wham bam boom.
  • Nameless is probably right, somebody already owns a patent most likely. But for arguments sake, let's say it's not.

    The only way to monetize it is through the advertisers - companies who participate in the rewards program. Create some kind of reward card community online, where card holders can view all of their reward accounts in a single dashboard. Maybe feature other businesses that have reward programs that the card member is not signed up for - great cross promotion opportunity.

    Advertisers could love this, as it would expose their reward program & business to new people but likely they'll completely hate it because their current program works just fine for them.
  • I think you've pointed out a flaw where it regards making it simpler for the consumer but I don't think businesses will go for getting thrown in a melting pot with other businesses. One of the key ideas behind the rewards card is the individual branding.
  • They've already solved this problem as far as I am concerned. I avoided the loyalty cards until I noticed that most of them did a lookup of my account via my cell phone #. Now I'll sign up for almost any loyalty card that allows this.
  • I live outside the USA and we have had this "group" cards since the late 90s. In fact they are on their way out and dying.

    We had both, cards that would have dozens of businesses located in the same city and cards that targeted large regional areas for thousands of businesses

    Im surprised this is considered a novel or billion dollar idea.
  • Lol, you guys are thinking to hard, and missing the point. I just want to be able to carry single rewards card - that works for every store. Purely selfish reasons I assure you. I know... the phone number look-up feature is pretty close, but still requires me to use that nasty keypad that 300 other poeple have used that day... I just want to be able to hand over a card, and it work, everywhere. I see value in that, but is it a profitable platform? Lol who knows... But a lot of the cashiers I ask about it, say the same thing I do.
    • [1] reply
    • As someone else already posted, Coin should solve your problem. Works for any magstrip cards - not just credit cards, but also gift cards, store loyalty cards, etc.

      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • My local market (Albertsons) ditched the having a rewards card requirement a few months ago. The idea of carrying around a card with you to get rewards is dumb. The "idea" is not to combine cards, but to convince businesses that cards are a burden.
    • [1] reply
    • Couldn't agree more! I don't think i should have to sign up for a stupid program to get the advertised price. Just so the Store can collect more data on your shopping habbits.
  • In the UK the supermarket giant Sainsburys started a rewards card called nectar quite a few years ago. However in recent years they've tied up with many high street brands to offer the same rewards in their stores. So while not one card for all it's one card that covers a couple of hundred different retailers.
  • Gold Card Network

    Done.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • Apple wallet on my iPhone. Doesn't do every store but I'm sure they'd like it to In the future.
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    The $100,000,000.00 Idea

    It seems like no matter what store I go to, every place has it's own "rewards card" (not a credit card, just a card that tracks your purchases and builds reward points) & the kicker is, that NOW most of these places require you to have the card in order to get the sale prices on their merchandise. Gas stations, Drug Stores, Sandwich Shops, Grocery Stores etc.