Co-operative membership card

[blue_ashleigh]

I couldn't find a thread on this, but if there is one could someone let me know

Does anyone have the co-operative membership/ loyalty card?
Is it worth it? It says it costs £1 taken from your share of the profits - how much is a typical share of the profits?
Any good/ bad experiences?

http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/

[Lorian]

It all depends on how much you spend, bit like a tesco clubcard.

[debidoodle]

I have one there are a number of benefits throughtout the year with different savings on items 10% off furniture, 5% electrical etc. I must confess to not buying a lot of groceries unless it is a very good offer etc.

[markyb33]

I have one, and though i don't shop much at co-op because there is not a local store i do bank with smile and to my surprise last year vouchers arrived for co-op stores for £48.65. I just spent them before they ran out in December at the pharmacy and now have another £18 for 6 months. So yes I'd say its definately worth it ...

[earthmother]

I spend around £20-£30 a week in the Co-op, usually remember to hand over my card, and got about £11 of vouchers last time. The payout varies each period as it's based on the profits of the group, just like a shares dividend (in fact I've always know this scheme as 'the divi' from my Grandma - it's been going for years).

Admittedly it's not as high a percentage as Tesco etc, and it can only be used instore, but it's not like it costs anything to do, other than the £1 sign-up.

The member days are useful too - usually 10% weekends 2 or 3 times a year for non-food (everything from a newspaper to a fridge or wardrobe)

Each Co-operative group will have a different card - worth checking if you're near a 'border' - our Co-op store runs the blue card, but the newly taken over Co-op chemist 200yards round the corner is on the yellow card as it's in a different group - and the two can't be combined, so if you're in a similar position, you need to decide if you want to sign up to both groups, or just the one you'd use more often.

[scubaangel]

I have one and have for about four years, the first year I got a small amount back from it, then I moved away from an stores which used the scheme, but when I started reusing the card this year I found out that they want you to pay the £1 a year even for the two years I didnt use it at all, so I'm not sure if its still worth me using it, I only buy odd bits from there so might not earn enough points to cover the £3 membership fee over the next 12 months (usually milk for work every couple of weeks). Might be worth baring in mind if you stop using it for any reason.

[gunsandbanjos]

I want to buy a washing machine from co-op electrical store, if i sign up for this then i would get 5% off, is that right?

[nesssie1702]

It depends on what Co-op you're buying it from.

Gunsandbanjos, notice you're in Edinburgh and most of the Co-ops there are Scotmid. They are a Co-operative, but not part of the Co-op Group and therefore they won't accept a Co-op card

[gunsandbanjos]

I would be buying it from their online electrical store. Would that work?

[denton6]

Originally Posted by gunsandbanjos

I would be buying it from their online electrical store. Would that work?

yer it should do.

[K9ine]

If it's the yellow 'Bee' Membership card the £1 sign-up is just taken once, NOT yearly. It's actually a legal requirement to have a payment for membership if a companies profits are to be shared. In the Isle of Man this type of scheme is NOT allowed and they just have loyalty points at a fixed rate.

The Co-op payout has so far always exceeded Tesco clubcard standard payout percentage, but is less than the clubcard deals percent. The Co-operative membership vouchers can be exchanged for cash and do NOT have to be used instore. Occasionally you are also entered into a prize draw.

Other co-operative societies may be different, for example 'Southern Co-ops' have a members day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard after attending a short members meeting, and buffet.

[middy60]

you can use the members card for everything, holidays banking insurance,funeral,groceries,pharmacy and earn points from all

[middy60]

or even petrol and at bp ones you can get necter and coop points

[blue_ashleigh]

Cheers guys You've all been very helpful!
I shall sign up

[MandyLou66]

Hi! I got one of the yellow bee cards when our local co-op was renovated back in August. Do they have set times of the year for payouts or vouchers as to date I have received nothing apart from the odd £2 off £20 spend generated at the till.

[The_Biff]

There is also a Co-op Members Credit Card which also pays a divi.

When people say "the market system is the only way to go.." I say "what about the co-ops? "What about mutual building societies?"

Long live the Co-op.

[hippey]

The co-ops are all different, some are part of a larger group.

Some are still go it alone groups, like the Lincoln Cooperative.

It's a great system, the only stores that come close are the John Lewis Partnership, which are co-owned by the partners (staff)

I wish more retailers were like this, old fashioned customer service, and prices which reflect reality.

[middy60]

they payout twice a year in June and December

[SandC]

I joined in August and was told that I wouldn't get a payment in December because I had not been a member for 6 months. They pay out in December and June. It isn't just vouchers, when I signed up I opted to have cash paid direct to my bank account.

I have just bought a fridge freezer from the online store and didn't get any discount but that might have been because it was reduced anyway. I did get full points for it.

The Co-op is my local shop and I am always in there so it's worth it for me. They do have good deals on quite often but I don't tend to get staples such as coffee/tea/tinned goods unless they are on offer.

[1jim]

coop is my local shop so use it for bread and milk and things I run out of, also bank with smile so get points from there as well.

You can take the vouchers into the coop food store and they will swap them for cash as well so you dont have to buy something to use them. We save ours up and once a year cash them and pay into childrens savings account. the card we have is the white and orange one with bee (in case not all do this)