Can't Talk

I'm in a situation where there's a few important things going on that I can't talk about. I'm not one for secrets.

Some beautiful weather this week in the city. Got the chance to get outside on Saturday and have some fun. Then back to work early Sunday. Whew! I could use a few days off in a row.

After about five years I finally had lunch with my bookstore pal MAS from Union Square. Lots of gossip (speaking of secrets) to catch up on. They she came over to our store for a "self-audit." I will go to hers this week for the same.

Now some rant. I hate coupons. I rarely ever remember to use them. And then I feel cheated if I haven't. They take time and effort to manage them, especially ones with time windows. Blech! We were talking yesterday at work about Borders vs. Barnes & Noble. I'd rather pay the $25 a year for a discount card, then have a free card that made me have to go online, read junk email, print and carry and time manage coupons. If they are sufficient savings I carry them in my wallet then forget to use them and feel bad about myself as I through out the expired ones.

I'm sure there are studies upon studies about the demographic for coupons. It seems in recent years we've been getting away from them (as well as horrible Green Stamps). Newspapers don't seem to have those pages upon pages of coupons they used to have. Obviously they still must serve some purpose, reach some demographic that has too much time on their hands. I wonder how much this is an American phenomenon.

But that's a tax on my patronage. I end up supporting them through paying higher prices; underwriting their coupons. That's true of all marketing. (Don't get me started on Comcast's commercials on Comast cable that I already pay for!)

Economics seems to be usurping sociology; applying metrics and more scientific rigor to a sloppy science; although that usually just means the ability to lie with statistics instead of being obvious in necessarily anecdotal observations with built in biases. But it would be fun to see how a economist would look at the difference between coupons, discount "clubs" (like Costco, Safeway club, B & N), and full retail.

Coupons seem desperate. Targeted at people who are unemployed or retired (and have more time than money). Is that who builds your brand? I think it cheapens it. I feel embarrassed to use coupons. But I love a deal. Guess I'm as big a sucker as the next fellow.