BEES MAKE HONEY (Nectar Card)

Member Name: JB01

Product:	Nectar Card
Date:	01/01/07 (297 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Traded at many retail outlets

Disadvantages: A bit fiddly when collecting and redeeming points

I was introduced to Nectar Card loyalty scheme/rewards shopping at a Sainsbury’s in town. A young female offered to sign me up and I fell for it, I completed a few forms and was on my way. That must have been a year or 2 ago (I’m not to sure), very quickly I noticed that the size of my shopping bill did not add much in the way of rewards. That’s when I decided to introduce the scheme to my Mum, her shopping bill now adds rewards to my account (more later).

WHAT IS IT ?

The company is owned and operated by Loyalty Management Group. The operation I would describe as reward scheme for shoppers. Basically depending on where you shop you are rewarded points dependent upon the amount you spend. These points mount up in your account. When you have a sufficient amount you can trade them in for various rewards. Initially I accessed the scheme via the post box and shop till. Shortly after joining I went online with them and now access them via their site at www.nectar.com.

WHERE CAN YOU EARN POINTS ?

The website gives most of the information; I am not a broadband user and yet still find the site easy to download. Examples of some of the big companies involved are Sainsbury’s (2points for every £ spent), Debenhams (the same), bp (1 point for every litre of fuel), Adams (2 points for every £) Ford (the same). EDF the energy suppliers have an even better offer at 3,200 Nectar points for the 1st year and then 300 rewards for every 1/4 bill). They add to the list regularly certainly I think it would be hard to be a UK shopper without dealing with at least 1 company that deals with Nectar. Most of my points are added via Sainsbury’s, you will have to read someone else’s review to find out about the other companies.

WHERE CAN YOU REDEEM POINTS ?

You can spend you points on special offers, these are advertised via the website or come through the post at regular intervals; special offers on Magazines, wines, sports & leisure, sound & vision. Or you can trade the points in for cash against your bill, at Sainsbury’s 500 points = £2.50. Argos has the same trade. Presently they are promoting shopping via the web so many labels are flown on their website.

IN ADDITION !

Through the post with my regular account information come vouchers you can submit to various companies that add points to your account, I normally trade mine in at Sainsbury’s, my mum uses Beefeaters and trades in vouchers for points there. All your information is available and easily accessible via the website in a table listing points and where earned.

The site also have facilities for the businessperson, you can apply for a BUSINESS CARD (or 2 in 1 in my case).....Here you account provides facilities as above but for the business user. I run a small micro - business (CIAO helps trickle funds into my account when I’m not earning money elsewhere). This with a point’s incentive tempted me to register for the business account.

AND as I mentioned my mother is a NECTAR card user, whilst my funds are low I switched her account to mine (with her permission) so that any points she collects can be added to my account. When things get better she’d like her own points. You can add as many partners as you wish. This can all be done via the website. Likewise if you loose you NECTAR CARD you can have it replaced, just order another via the website or telephone or post. This has happened to us.

MORE RECENTLY.......as a Ciao user you probably complete surveys as well; well at least 1 organisation will pay you in NECTAR POINTS for completing surveys for them. They are mentioned on the website and are TNS.

THE WEBSITE

Apart from the literature I get in the post, I normally go to the NECTAR website (www.nectar.com). I’ve covered most of what I have to say via the above text. you can logon with your password and username and find out more about your status, manage your account. The facilities are quite comprehensive and allow you to update and change your account as well as find out your point status. This is shown as a table, which is easy and convenient to read, and you can print it off. There is plenty of information about the companies involved in the project, games and special offers.

MY OPINION

Most Supermarkets have some type of loyalty schemes operating, with TESCO I use Clubcard, Tesco along with other retailers offer NECTAR points, the advantage of course is you can shop at stores who might be in competition with each other and collect points, more difficult with a supermarket charge card. The cards can be a little fiddly at the checkout (you can get key ring fobs as well). They operate rather like a credit card.....with that you have the motive, your NECTAR CARD can become a credit card with your permission (they probably mentioned it when I joined). I already have 1 so you’ll have to check some body else’s review for that facility. I’m using mine until my financial situation improves, I normally trade in points for those little luxuries. Some review items have been purchased this way.

Summary: A loyalty card with credit card potential