Is it fair that only people with smartphones can use a frequent buyer program?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

I was in Roti tonight, the delicious mediterranean fast food joint. A woman brought out her little plastic frequent buyer card to get credit for her purchase but they had changed the program: now you can only use the smartphone app to get the credit. I find this highly unfair. Only 46% of Americans own smartphones. I'm sure most of Roti's customers do, but is it fair to penalize the rest? How hard can it be to keep the old bar code program along with the phone app?

I may have to stop eating at Roti, this is very discriminatory.

[Susan]

Boo. Unfair! Exclusionary practices. Strongly dislike.

[evie]

There was a special deal at Priceline the other day, but I didn't qualify because I don't have a smartphone. I didn't mention I have a 'smart bra.'

[Pat]

What does the smartphone app do that the key card does not?
This sounds like bad business to me. I would like to know what it costs to have an app written. I also would hesitate to put an app from some small vendor on my phone. Working in computers has made me very cautious about putting unknown programs on my equipment.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Pat wrote: "What does the smartphone app do that the key card does not?"

I don't know. I really don't know much about apps.

I just noticed today on my receipt that Wow Bao has a similar app rewards program. Apparently the world is moving in one direction only.

[Susan]

I recently noticed that Starbucks does an app awards program.

I feel a monopoly coming on.

[Susan]

Dammit. I love Moes. Jerkasaurus rexes.

[Pat]

This sort of thing fits with the branding of Starbucks, for them it makes sense.
They were one of the first big companies to accept payment via iphone.

[Phil]

I don't know what Moes is.

[Susan]

Tis a sad day in your neighborhood.

http://www.moes.com/

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

I don't mind if companies do stuff with apps and smartphones, but I don't want that to be the only technology possible. People tend to give me Starbucks plastic debit cards as gifts, which is wonderful and easy. I would be beyond annoyed if I had to use a phone to do the same thing.

[Susan]

Exactly. Not to mention I would then need to get such a phone in order to utilize such a gift. Expanding and growing a business technologically is good but I think limiting special deals to specific technologies is not advantageous.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

One of my neighbors explained to me that his wife has the smartphone, he has the dumb phone. As an owner of a dumb phone I could appreciate where he was coming from.

[Susan]

Yes, I can too.

[[deleted user]]

I have an iPhone. I promise it's super DUMB. It gets everything wrong, gives Phil loads of fodder to tease me. Stupid phone.

[Susan]

Phil can find fodder for teasing no matter what. It is why I try not to post when inebriated.

[[deleted user]]

He makes me smile though...even at my own expense.

[Susan]

Always.

I just like to give a little bit of a challenge. No need to make it too easy. ;)

[Phil]

::ears are burning... someone is talking about me::

[Phil]

::lurks::

[Phil]

Susan wrote: "Phil can find fodder for teasing no matter what. It is why I try not to post when inebriated."

Fodder? But isn't this mudder's day, not fodder's day?

[Phil]

Susan wrote: "Always.

I just like to give a little bit of a challenge. No need to make it too easy. ;)"

We would never call you easy, susabelle.

[Aliyah]

Amelia wrote: "I have an iPhone. I promise it's super DUMB. It gets everything wrong, gives Phil loads of fodder to tease me. Stupid phone."

Hi Amelia, is it GPS or weather apps? Because most smartphones get that wrong. Maybe you should switch to Android.

[Susan]

Phil wrote: "Susan wrote: "Phil can find fodder for teasing no matter what. It is why I try not to post when inebriated."

Fodder? But isn't this mudder's day, not fodder's day?"

Luke, I am not your mudder. I am your fodder.

[Susan]

Phil wrote: "Susan wrote: "Always.

I just like to give a little bit of a challenge. No need to make it too easy. ;)"

We would never call you easy, susabelle."

Dawwww. You like me. You really like me!

::giggles::

[[deleted user]]

Auto correct...

[Phil]

Wouldn't it be fun to have "auto wrong?" It could be programmed so you could choose what kind of wrongness you want it to create.

Want "dirty?" It's menu option #1.
Press #2 for "silly."
Press #3 for "homonyms."

[[deleted user]]

*hearts Phil*

[Susan]

No! I do!

:D

[Kevin]

great idea phil. i just nicked that and am feverishly making an iphone app for it although most of you non-smart phone crybabies on this thread will never get to use it

[Susan]

Waaaaa.

Or maybe by the time I get one, all the bugs will be out of the program.

Muahahaha.

[Kevin]

or maybe i'll still be working on it

[Susan]

I should start saving up the bucks.

[Sally, la reina]

OH Pffft. I'm going to create a deal only for people who have LP record players.

[Phil]

Oh goody! I have one!

[evie]

So do I.

[janine]

Can you wait until I buy one? I already have the records, just need to get a record player.