‘Discount for cash’

Press, 23 October 1980, Page 10

‘Discount for cash’

The latest'“discount for cash” scheme appears to have 7 made a little pro* gress in Christchurch. About 17 retailers have agreed . tQ . sign up and three have actually paid their first subscriptions, ‘according to Mr DigbyHodgson, Christchurch sales manager for Pacific Directories, Ltd, on Tuesday. the new Auckland com-, pany began recruiting retailers for its cash Card r. scheme last we-'k in the four main centres. ■The idea is that retailers pay $lO a year for adver- ■ rising done by the firm, ■ and . that consumers pay--315 for the first year and , $6 a yaer after that for the use of a card entitling them to discount- for cash - at shops subscribing to the scheme. In return for the money paid by the consumers and retailers. Pacific Directories will send annual discount directories and a monthly “special” bulletin. Mr Robert Carpenter, the firm’s managing director in Auckland, said on Tuesday that 87 retailers had signed up there Consumers’ Institute • supports discount for cash but draws attention to the disadvantage to shoppers if support from retailers is not strong and widespread: if only a few shops join, the small number of discounts available may not com-ensate for the $l5 subscription.