Rewarding reading. (Waterstones Card)

Member Name: msvforb

Product:	Waterstones Card
Date:	10/08/09 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free books!

Disadvantages: None

I am avid reader and so a couple of years ago when I found out that Waterstones were launching a loyalty points card I was delighted, free books have to be a good thing. Whilst I had a WH Smith club card (now sadly obsolete) for years and used that when I could, I'd always loved browsing around Waterstones and so I was pleased to hear that I would be able to get some reward for shopping there too.

Signing Up For the Scheme:

Signing up for the scheme is really easy, you can either fill in a leaflet in store and get your card right away or sign up on line and be sent your card within a couple of days. If you sign up in store you can then add your points card to any existing Waterstones online account you may have and that's it, you're ready to shop.

Collecting Points:

Points are available on items bought both in store and online. Purchases generally attract 3 points (each point is worth 1p) per £1 spent although there are sometimes particular books on which you can receive double (or occasionally triple) points, such books are clearly marked in store with a "double points" sticker or notified to those registered with the Waterstones website by e mail.

You can get points not just on books but on any item you buy and so now and again I'll pop into the store for cards or wrapping paper and add to my points balance that way.

Finally if you choose not to have a bag from the store you get and additional five points added to your account, a nice touch I think.

Redeeming Points:

Redeeming your points is really easy. If you're shopping in store it's just a case of asking for your points to be deducted from the cost of your purchase and there's no problem with using some or all of your points to make a part payment and paying the difference in some other way.

When shopping online as long as you are logged into the website the cash price of a book to you using your points will be displayed with each book. On check out you then have the option to use all your points against the purchase or to pay by card and earn points on your purchase, it's up to you.

All in all I think this is a really great loyalty cards. 1p per point might not sound like a lot but if you buy a lot of books these points soon add up. I've had four free books over the last eighteen months or so and getting each one has felt like a real treat.

Summary: A great loyalty scheme with a good return