Driver brakes had to be serviced suddenly.... thankfully it was way up to almost 30 degrees F today. Anyhow I ended up having to first buy a set of pads then later bring back the used parts for a refund in order to use the "lifetime warranty" of these pads... at the Major Auto Area chain.

So, the purchase (~$50) got me that last "point" which triggered the $20 bonus, so, I better get a jug of oil. Reading the chit of paper, I see they changed the rules, gotta use the rewards within 90 days, blah blah blah, MUST HAVE CARD to use the reward.

Harumph. Card has been in the safe since the last wallet cleanout for traveling. Keychain thingy is missing. Meh, gotta go back home and get the card to use the rewards I so carefully cultivated. Dang cards hog up room, pretty soon you are sitting on a half inch of cards all the time.

Back at the store, waiting for a clerk to take the money. Decide to call the 800 number and get a keychain card on the way maybe. Say, what is this, my Clever Phone has a place for a PHOTO for a contact, such as this store.

GENIUS STRIKES...

Add photo. Existing? No, take new... OF THE BAR CODE BACKSIDE OF THE CARD. Perfect. Now comes the clerk. Rings up purchase, asks for "the card" and I bring up the photo of the barcode. Which scans perfectly.

HAH! No need to have a stack of cards when their laser scanner can just scan a PICTURE which I have handy in the phone anyhow. Easy to find because it is right there in the contact info for that store.

 

I'm always amazed what the ol' camera phone can be used for. Heck, my students don't even take notes anymore; they just snap a pic of the white board (not that I think that's a good idea; there's something about writing them out that helps the info stick).
We keep our shopping list on the fridge white board. I was copying it down the other day before going to the store when the wife walked by, pulled out her phone, snapped a pic, and then rolled her eyes.

I, too, had to do daily driver brakes yesterday. But it wasn't 30 degrees. Windchill was around zero. Went pretty fast though.

 

Great tip

 

I was watching a program the other day in which you'll be using your credit cards through your phone in the future. Octania, your just ahead of your time.

 

It's a good idea ... but not all store scanners will are photo capable. Bonus that this one was.

 

There's an app for that.

 

feeling drowsy?

There's a nap for that!

 

Wonder if I can take a picture of my driveway in the summer, and then superimpose that onto the snow covered driveway and make all the snow disappear?

 

My point is, your genius strike was already commercialized.

 

Really?
Please elaborate?
What is the business model behind selling people a feature their phone already does?

I just thought it was obvious (after it occurred to me) to make that bar code that the store needs into the very photo that the phone list uses, therefore I always have it handy and know where to find it. I could see this working for all the keychain dangly things.

PS I looked in the PHOTOS but it was not there so I made a new one and put it there also as a backup.

 

You always jump to conclusions?

 

It's the only exercise I get.
What are you saying exactly? Unclear to me...
are you saying it's an app, but a free one and not "for sale"?
meh, never mind.
I am happy with my solution; if it helps others, great.
Let's get back to issues that matter more

 

Glad you brought this up!
I hate rewards cards. Just sell me the items at the best price you can to start with. Same with coupons. What a hassle. But, this post got me thinking. Sure enough there is a free app called Key Chain. In fact I was able to put other wallet stuffers on the app like insurance cards. Now my wallet doesn't look like George Castansa's and I am able to sit straight!

 

Ahh, Sampson. You've discovered a genius way to make your life more efficient. Kudos for looking into it.

The one other solution i am aware of is called Key Ring.


Chris, you made assumption(s) without the facts. You convinced me your mind was already made up. Your free cam suits yours needs, no need for me to convince otherwise. Carry on.

 

Boldsmobile you are correct, the app is Key Ring! I edited my post above. Sorry if I caused confusion.

 

Ah, but it's not about giving you a discount...it's all about collecting as much information as possible on your purchasing patterns - what and where - to tailor their marketing plans to suck you into paying more for less.

What I hate are the "we'll match (or beat) any price" places. What they're saying is they're going to charge you as much as they can until someone calls them on it, and they don't actually want to cut you a deal unless they have to. My money goes to the place that gives me their best deal on the sticker price, not on the begging for it price.