Co-op membership cards

mutual_owners1844

MrSaverM said:

Thanks la and Jon. Picture idea is good and I will use it, but as you say, often need to open the app concerned for special offers etc. Also the small keyring cards are good, I have one. However, do I really want six or seven of them? My main beef is with the principle of needing them, especially needing several Co-Op ones.

The reason @MrSaverM is that what you call ‘the co-op’ is only one business there are many others. So the Blue membership card with the white writing saying ‘Co op’ is Co-operative Group (headquartered in Manchester) they are only one business there are lots of independent co-operatives who wholesale off Co-operative Group meaning they often stock the same products. Really important to remember this is because co-op isn’t just a brand it’s a type of business so there are several things called co-operative because they are businesses owned by their members instead of shareholders. So the reason some of us have several cards is to benefit from membership of the different co-ops if you have more than one you regularly shop with. But nevertheless you get the knowledge that you co-own the business 

mutual_owners1844

Jaybee_16 said:

My Co-op card which was issued when I lived in England has never worked at any Wales Co-op. As I am not a frequent shopper in their stores I've never bothered to look into it. 

Almost certainly be because they are different co-ops. The ones in Wales will be the blue branded ‘Co-op’ ones I imagine your membership card is likely a Midcounties or Central Card but if it’s not scanning at all then it’s probably a Southern one. 

MrSaverM

mutual_owners1844 said:

MrSaverM said:

Thanks la and Jon. Picture idea is good and I will use it, but as you say, often need to open the app concerned for special offers etc. Also the small keyring cards are good, I have one. However, do I really want six or seven of them? My main beef is with the principle of needing them, especially needing several Co-Op ones.

The reason @MrSaverM is that what you call ‘the co-op’ is only one business there are many others. So the Blue membership card with the white writing saying ‘Co op’ is Co-operative Group (headquartered in Manchester) they are only one business there are lots of independent co-operatives who wholesale off Co-operative Group meaning they often stock the same products. Really important to remember this is because co-op isn’t just a brand it’s a type of business so there are several things called co-operative because they are businesses owned by their members instead of shareholders. So the reason some of us have several cards is to benefit from membership of the different co-ops if you have more than one you regularly shop with. But nevertheless you get the knowledge that you co-own the business 

Hi, Thanks for the comment. I get that and it is an explanation. Still does not really help as it still means I must carry many cards. One of my local co-ops which is mid-counties has its signs in blue rather than orange just for further confusion. What it means is that I stand at the checkout and ask which co-op they are every time. This delays the checkout and no doubt annoys others behind me. In this AI enlightened age, it is possible to assign 1 card to different businesses according to where used. Yes, it needs to be done by the wholesale Manchester business, but this situation is annoying and frustrating customers like me who will go elsewhere, like me.