I am on the email lists for many retailers, more than I care to name. This seems counter-intuitive for someone who wants to stay frugal. I usually have a will of iron when it comes to marketing solicitations and rarely open the email…but of course, sometimes the subject line is so compelling that I MUST open it. I am usually able to stop myself from buying just because of a sale (although sometimes I do put random items in the shopping cart and go through two-thirds of the check-out process)!
Why do I stay on these lists and let 10 emails per day clutter up my inbox? Because genuine deals do exist on products I plan to buy anyway. Plus, I found that many retailers give great deals to past inactive customers. Here’s a sampling:
1 ) McAfee gave me 75% off a one-year subscription to their anti-virus software. I found an additional discount code that reduced it to $5. We had switched to Norton Anti-virus and this was their “please come back” offer.
2 ) Pottery Barn also misses me, or rather my business. I haven’t bought from them in years but they have sent me 2 – 3 “please come back” emails. The savings were only 10% though.
3 ) Ebags is begging me to return, with a $25 off coupon code. It has to be on a $75 purchase so I think I’ll pass.
4 ) A few years ago, my employer paid for a training class. I agreed to be on their email list and have received discount offers of 10 to 40 % off. Using a 40% off coupon code for several employees, we were able to save hundreds.
Loyalty also has its rewards. I’ve gotten good coupons for signing up at Bliss and Calypso St. Barth. I also get good coupon offers from Rubios and Fresh N’ Easy, to name a few retailers.
1 ) By paying attention to Avon‘s marketing emails, I usually save 50% on a favorite skincare product. And I always find a code for free shipping.
2 ) Amazon occasionally sends me coupon codes for our favorite Italian coffee, saving us an additional 15%.
Do you remove yourself from marketing email lists? Is the temptation just not worth it?
