open mike -

When my local grocery chain started their "card discounts" I happened to have the receipts for my last two trips "BC" (before card). A complete check of all the items on the receipts (Total about $700.00) showed that they had INCREASED their "without card" prices by an average of 40%, then gave an average 28% "discount" if you had the card.

More recent spot checks indicate that with their card their prices average a little more than 15% higher that at competing non-card stores, yet they will smile cheerfully and tell you how much you "saved" because they lie and tell you that they "could have charged you more if you didn't have the card."

And a whole lot of people believe them.

John