Money Moral Dilemma: Is it fair to keep the loyalty points from doing my neighbour’s shopping?

oldtrout

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988176#Comment_81988176

You sound so angry about this. I find that very sad and wonder why you feel that way. The neighbour is treating the elderly gentleman with the utmost respect by helping him. It's only a few pounds/points, hardly an 'advantage', and I'm sure he is very grateful for the help he's getting.

CapeTown

I would say the opposite. I think you are in the wrong on three counts.

1. Doing a separate trip for his groceries. The cost of driving a car if you include all things like tax, mot etc is about 20p per mile so are you really saving. Also bad for environment too.
2. Do not assume because he is old, that he is stupid. My father in law is 95 and perfectly understands loyalty schemes.
3. JJudging by your comments you are shopping at one of the big supermarkets... benefiting you in loyalty terms. Switch to Lidl or Aldi. Half the price and quality just as good.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988339#Comment_81988339

Does the gentleman want goods from Lidl or Aldi?

Or does he want things from Tesco/Sainsbury's/Waitrose... Switching supermarkets without discussing it first would definitely be inappropriate.

The separate journey might be because the person shopping goes to a different supermarket for him to where they normally shop.

The gentleman or the person doing the shopping also has the option of shopping online for delivery.

PaulW1956

I really don't see an issue here. Your friend doesn't have a loyalty card and so is not entitled to the points. However, points on your moral clubcard for worrying about this.

pollypenny

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988339#Comment_81988339

ok, so no separate trip, try to do two lots of shopping at the same time, juggling lists and then sorting out costs.
I've tried that for my neighbour. It's not easy.
Let the shopper 'benefit' from those oh-so-generous points. I'm sure they will not make a big difference either way.

aintreemaid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988126#Comment_81988126

This is most definitely not morally wrong - Clubcard points are only issued to Clubcard members, and the elderly gentleman is not a member of the scheme. He is, however, benefitting from the lower prices available to Clubcard holders which is, I am sure, financially more beneficial for him.

As has been said previously, he also benefits from having a regular visitor who obviously cares a great deal about him. Unless you are in a position similar to his, you will have no idea how priceless this is.

Lydia_21084

Your neighbour is 82 and he doesn’t understand the loyalty scheme but this doesn’t preclude him from its advantages. If you’re happy to use your petrol and your time to shop, sign up on his behalf and enable him to get any benefits of the scheme in his own right.

highlander58

You’ve asked the question so presumably you’re unsure - but TBH you’re overthinking it. Just carry on as you are.

The elderly neighbour is better off in so many ways by you doing their shopping. If they knew (could understand) that by using your loyalty card you both occasionally benefit from ‘lower prices’ (a moot point!) & that you personally get a little reward from the store for the extra spend - they’d most likely be very happy to hear it.

Looking out for elderly neighbours is a great thing for all of us to do - so well done you! But rather than worrying about a few loyalty points, you might be better off thinking about the future, eg what if you move away, or what if you become aware they are no longer coping on their own. Naturally you won’t want to interfere in their lives & they will want to continue to live independently, but there are plenty of ways to achieve both while at the same time ensuring they have access to any support they might need. That support might simply be contacting their own relatives, or it might mean contacting AgeUK or Adult Social Services at your local council. Best time to find all this out is before you/they need it.

LindsayT

Everyone is assuming the elderly neighbour gets the lower prices but does he? Does the person give him a till receipt, I wonder? I don't understand why they would usually make another trip for his shopping when it's the same supermarket they use.

If it is genuinely just about the points, I don't see a problem with that.

Golactico

The fact that the original post specifically refers to using the supermarket App and mentions that the old guy doesn't have a smart phone, strongly suggests that the loyalty scheme in question is App only, with no physical card (i.e. Asda or Lidl loyalty schemes). This would make signing the gentleman up in his own right completely impossible. However, the old guy will benefit from the shopper's app, with a few lower priced items.

Ref critisism for doing seperate trips - If you've ever tried doing two seperate big shops from two different lists in one supermarket visit, then you'll know that it's not a practical idea at all!