QFC says no need to clip coupons -- just download them!
SEATTLE -- There's a new way to avoid clipping coupons if you shop at QFC. You can now use your cell phone to load coupons directly onto your loyalty card -- even as you shop -- and the discounts will be automatically applied at checkout.
I gave it a test. I found a coupon for Chex Mix and saved it to my Advantage Card. It said it would give me 60 cents off and be ready to use in 10 minutes.
QFC has partnered with Cellfire, a California tech company that was the focus of our recent Problem Solver investigation. We found many "show-the-cashier" cell phone coupons Cellfire offered did not work.
But, QFC's electronic coupons work differently. Here's how:
Pick the coupon you want on your cell phone. A tap saves it electronically to your Advantage Card. It even shows what offers I've saved to my phone so if I came back next week, the offer is still valid.
If you don't have a cell phone with Internet access, you can do the same thing through the QFC and Cellfire websites.
This way, you pick your coupons to load onto your Advantage Card before you go shopping.
I just loaded six coupons onto my card during this story. And sure enough, they all worked.
"As that technology becomes more and more ingrained in our society, I think more and more folks will use it," said Kristin Maas with QFC.
Now if they just added a map to find everything -- that would be great.
Currently, QFC offers just over a dozen manufacturer coupons on the Cellfire service. Those coupons can change from week to week. And they can be used in addition to any other discount QFC offers.
I gave it a test. I found a coupon for Chex Mix and saved it to my Advantage Card. It said it would give me 60 cents off and be ready to use in 10 minutes.
QFC has partnered with Cellfire, a California tech company that was the focus of our recent Problem Solver investigation. We found many "show-the-cashier" cell phone coupons Cellfire offered did not work.
But, QFC's electronic coupons work differently. Here's how:
Pick the coupon you want on your cell phone. A tap saves it electronically to your Advantage Card. It even shows what offers I've saved to my phone so if I came back next week, the offer is still valid.
If you don't have a cell phone with Internet access, you can do the same thing through the QFC and Cellfire websites.
This way, you pick your coupons to load onto your Advantage Card before you go shopping.
I just loaded six coupons onto my card during this story. And sure enough, they all worked.
"As that technology becomes more and more ingrained in our society, I think more and more folks will use it," said Kristin Maas with QFC.
Now if they just added a map to find everything -- that would be great.
Currently, QFC offers just over a dozen manufacturer coupons on the Cellfire service. Those coupons can change from week to week. And they can be used in addition to any other discount QFC offers.
