Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Loyalty unrewarded

I received notice of my dividend today from outdoor outfitter Acronym. It's a whopping $3.91. I'm not sure why it's so low as I recall spending quite a few bucks at Acronym during 2008. At least more than a yield of $3.91. I'm not sure if I should even bother redeeming the dividend. It could maybe get me a carabiner or a Powerbar. Perhaps a box of waterproof matches or lantern mantles. If you have thoughts on how I should spend the $3.91, please leave a comment.

This is actually the second in a string of woes I've had with outdoor retailer loyalty programs. Another outfitter, let's call it Ungulate Mandible, is screwing over its customers by keeping it's rewards site "downsville" for months on end. I could have cashed in an Ungulate Mandible hoody by now, but instead I'm sitting on a ton of points hoping the business doesn't fold. Can't imagine outfitters and their mostly superfluous wares selling much these days.

6 comments:

Karla said...

My dividend was for $6.70. Perhaps we should combine our efforts and purchase several dried fruit bars.
I believe that the dividends are a percentage of your total purchases, but the catch is that there is a different percentage for cash and credit purchases.

Erika said...

You could get one of the lovely Sierra Club notecards.

arafura14 said...

The reason the dividend never adds up is because items purchased that are on sale/clearance don't count towards your yearly total. So 10% of the cost of items bought at regular price usually ends up quite low.

Unknown said...

http://www.rei.com/product/761187


...because you can always find a use for a good lanyard.

UptownRooster said...

Arafura--I swear I paid through the nose on some of those purchases. Oh well. At least I'll get a lanyard, card or fruit bar out of it.

Erika said...

We just got our dividend check -- a whopping $13.63. The funny thing is, I don't remember spending very much at Acronym this year! Hmmm... maybe we bought a gift card or two that boosted our total.