BITE card

[yorksrob]

ok so no one is forcing you to use the bite card

This is true.

Ultimately it's SSP who are losing out on my custom.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....but for those complaining about the reduction from 20% to 10% discount try to remember you are still getting a 10% DISCOUNT
if you feel its not worth your while why not use your card and whatever you save in a month throw that into a charity tin

For me, the problem is not that people are getting a discount, it's that the discount is less than it was and it's apparently because people asked for less of a discount! I know I didn't, but apparently having my "new and improved" Bite card (not sure how it has improved??) is "A rare case of common sense...". No, common sense is taking food and drink with you, or leaving railway prices alone and nipping off into town get the same stuff cheaper, as others have noted previously, in most cases, the 20% discount took their prices down to high street level (or close to it).

Apparently I'll soon be getting "even more great rewards", which I'm not looking forward to as the last one I got was a 50% reduction in the discount I was getting.

 

[jon0844]

20% off was indeed the only reason I decided to shop at the station (for my convenience) over venturing outside the station and a nearby shop/cafe/coffee shop.

Burger King in particular is an incredible rip off at stations (and airports, but no discounts there!) so 10% just isn't going to cut it.

Of course I have the choice, and I'm making it. Their loss, however many cards they send me.

Before Bite cards, getting 20% off was a discount reserved for Gold Card owners. It was one of the many reasons/incentives to buy an annual ticket, and it seemed quite a good idea to 'reward' those people and of course encourage more custom as a result. After all, regular commuters may well be the ones who know how to get a better deal nearby, or plan ahead and bring stuff with them in the morning/evening.

 

[wijit]

So, as I understand this we are complaining that we are getting a discount, using a card we got free, a card which takes up virtually no room whatsoever and can be used (note can be used, nobody is forced to) to get a 10% discount on food we can choose to buy or not?
How very odd.
So, if you didn't have the card, and you were offered a 10% discount you would presumably refuse it, because it isn't enough?

 

[rmt4ever]

I have the bite thing hardly use it. The other week just before Xmas visited the Marylebone pub (small station so only one pub as far as I kno ) .. Was geetting a West Ruislip train and had about 20 mins wait so of course time for a pint.

Knew it was SSP ordered pint of bitter for me, and gin for missus. Went to present bite and told NO DISCOUNT AT ALL!!! Since when.....?????

Tried CAMRA discount card too, equally useless in said SSP station pub... Then went to visit khazee quickly before going to platform. Bloody locked!!! What a hole... Should have just got take aways from local offy/simply food !

 

[bb21]

So, as I understand this we are complaining that we are getting a discount, using a card we got free, a card which takes up virtually no room whatsoever and can be used (note can be used, nobody is forced to) to get a 10% discount on food we can choose to buy or not?
How very odd.
So, if you didn't have the card, and you were offered a 10% discount you would presumably refuse it, because it isn't enough?

No, you are missing the point. hairyhandedfool has explained the point quite well.

The reason people are complaining is because of the reduction in the discount offered, and the laughable spin they put on this change. Premises at railway stations charge extortionate prices, so the previous discount brought it closer to High Street prices. People are not fools. If you treat them as if they are idiots then they will not be impressed.

People are not complaining because they got offered a 10% discount with no other context whatsoever.

I personally used to buy a few things from their outlets and used them fairly regularly for a drink but have only used them for tea a few times and not bought anything else since the change.

 

[yorksrob]

Indeed. SSP have squandered hard earned customer good will in a very cavalier fashion.

They then managed to compound the issue by trying to make out that it was some great improvement, which is frankly annoying.

 

[BestWestern]

So, as I understand this we are complaining that we are getting a discount, using a card we got free, a card which takes up virtually no room whatsoever and can be used (note can be used, nobody is forced to) to get a 10% discount on food we can choose to buy or not?
How very odd.
So, if you didn't have the card, and you were offered a 10% discount you would presumably refuse it, because it isn't enough?

Fair point, but there is another angle. SSP is a near-monopoly on many UK railway stations, and in many cases they offer poor quality and excessive prices. Their range is often unappealing, lazy and distributed from tatty outlets. For example, Pumpkin is awful, with an unappealing shower of cake-type products, a lazy selection of Ginsters supermarket food, and terrible coffee. Upper Crust is a close second, offering a bizarre expensive-baguettes-or-nothing range. Ritazza is the only halfway decent looking offering, at first glance, and only because they dress the stuff up to look a tad more like every other decent coffee chain rather than a shabby cafe. I can quite believe the policy of not handing out serviettes as some of the same outlets also hide the sugar behind the counter! Visit an AMT or a Costa where there's one nearby and you soon appreciate why those who are clued up very much dislike paying full price for SSP junk.

 

[table38]

Upper Crust is a close second, offering a bizarre expensive-baguettes-or-nothing range.

and the baguettes are getting smaller, according to our favourite newspaper: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2891051/Crumbs-Leading-sandwich-firm-cuts-baguette-sizes-10-cent-WON-T-cheaper.html

A leading sandwich firm has cut the size of its baguettes and is no longer putting two tea bags in large cups, it emerged today.

SSP, which runs outlets including Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza in more than 100 stations and airports, has reduced the length of baguettes by nearly ten per cent.

The company admitted that, despite the reduction in the amount of food customers are getting, not all prices are being cut.

A spokesman for SSP told The Times the reduced size was not a money-saving ploy, but merely a move to bring the sandwiches 'in line with their competitors'.

The spokesman also denied claims that workers had been told only to hand out napkins to customers who ask for them.

Presumably the two teabags rule is to bring them into line with Eurostar

 

[yorksrob]

The 2 teabag thing does seem strange as any half decent teabag should be more than strong enough to produce a good large cup of tea (the PG tips bags used by Maccy D's for example are fine). It's only when they try and use so called "one Cup" abominations, which are really only fit for producing dish water that the problem arises.

 

[ashworth]

I have for many years used my Bite Card on a fairly regular basis and have enjoyed the previous 20% discount. It used to bring the prices down closer to high street prices with the convenience of not having to leave the station. Even with the 20% discount prices were still much higher than nearby shops but it was worth it for the convenience.

Now that the discount has been cut to 10% I don't think I will be using it very often, if at all, in the future. Most stations in large towns and cities have a Greggs, or a Tesco, Sainsbury, Co op etc convenience store very close by. The much lower prices, often only a few yards from the station entrance, is now more attractive than the convenience of not having to leave the station.

 

[dave87016]

I have also noticed that you no longer get receipts anymore at SSP station outlets ( Unless you request one ) and I to have not really used my bitecard since the discount was reduced to 10% and I used to use it very frequently

 

[Mojo]

I also got a second Bite card in the post recently, which I didn't request.

 

[jrh2254]

So with upper crust baguettes reducing in size by 10%, coupled with the reduction in discount from 20% to 10% we are now paying full price!! I will certainly be using my bite card less. There are for instance some £1 baguette shops (eg. close to New Street Station) so if these are available close by and you have time then seems a no brainer. Or make your own!

 

[cjmillsnun]

ok so no one is forcing you to use the bite card

And that's the point. People are realising that the discount still makes things more expensive than elsewhere and decide to vote with their feet. I for one, am one of them.

I'll grab something from a newsagent or the local tesco, before heading to Waterloo.

 

[dvboy]

I also got a second Bite card in the post recently, which I didn't request.

Same here.

 

[A1]

I have the bite thing hardly use it. The other week just before Xmas visited the Marylebone pub (small station so only one pub as far as I kno ) .. Was geetting a West Ruislip train and had about 20 mins wait so of course time for a pint.

Knew it was SSP ordered pint of bitter for me, and gin for missus. Went to present bite and told NO DISCOUNT AT ALL!!! Since when.....?????

I think it's a couple of months since they removed the discount. Remember being told, and being as shocked as you. There are 2 pubs in Marylebone, but the 2nd is no better, and prices even higher than the non-ssp, ssp one.

 

[cjt0131]

So, as I understand this we are complaining that we are getting a discount, using a card we got free, a card which takes up virtually no room whatsoever and can be used (note can be used, nobody is forced to) to get a 10% discount on food we can choose to buy or not?
How very odd.
So, if you didn't have the card, and you were offered a 10% discount you would presumably refuse it, because it isn't enough?

well said

 

[yorksrob]

Who knows, perhaps the SSP fanclub in evidence on this forum will be able to make up their business lost from bite card holders.

 

[Butts]

I have just received a new card through the post today.

Not being one of those who asked for the discount to be reduced from 20% to 10% I shall not be using it much.

Does anyone actually know anyone who asked for this to happen ?

Sounds like sheer bull**** to me

 

[SteveP29]

Used my Bite card for the first time in easily a year on Sunday, since the Greggs I normally visit before an early morning journey was closed. I didn't actually realise how much I paid for the sausage baguette (and I wasn't asked if I wanted it warming up either!!!)

As for Newcastle, my own opinion is that they've made a right hash of the renovation, a few more ticket machines, 4 new kiosks, of which 3 are empty, no kiosks plaform side of the barriers unless you want Costa or AMT (Platforms 1,2, 9-12) or Pumpkin/ WH Smith on platforms 3 and 4.

We've lost The Pasty shop, Upper Crust and Greggs and been replaced with AMT Coffee and Boots (non platform side), so 2 coffee shops, with no hot food, no wonder the Sainsbury's Local is always packed when I'm in there before venturing back to Scotland

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Some say if you carry on walking past the Sainsburys you eventually come to the booking office. I tried to find it once, but after walking down the platform for a good 3 hours I gave up. Seriously though, the positioning of it though is horrendous and goes to show for me just how much more NR et al are interested in raking in money vice making things comfortable and easy for their actual passengers...

 

[BestWestern]

Used my Bite card for the first time in easily a year on Sunday, since the Greggs I normally visit before an early morning journey was closed. I didn't actually realise how much I paid for the sausage baguette (and I wasn't asked if I wanted it warming up either!!!)

As for Newcastle, my own opinion is that they've made a right hash of the renovation, a few more ticket machines, 4 new kiosks, of which 3 are empty, no kiosks plaform side of the barriers unless you want Costa or AMT (Platforms 1,2, 9-12) or Pumpkin/ WH Smith on platforms 3 and 4.

We've lost The Pasty shop, Upper Crust and Greggs and been replaced with AMT Coffee and Boots (non platform side), so 2 coffee shops, with no hot food, no wonder the Sainsbury's Local is always packed when I'm in there before venturing back to Scotland

An AMT is a vast improvement over an Utterly Crusty and a Pricey Shop; they very probably do serve hot food as well, but at the very least they'll do a damned good coffee at non-rip off prices!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

So, as I understand this we are complaining that we are getting a discount, using a card we got free, a card which takes up virtually no room whatsoever and can be used (note can be used, nobody is forced to) to get a 10% discount on food we can choose to buy or not?
How very odd.
So, if you didn't have the card, and you were offered a 10% discount you would presumably refuse it, because it isn't enough?

Okay, let's try this again....

Sandwich, packet of crisps and a bottle of pop:

Pumpkin £3.99
10% off £3.59
WHSmiths £3.50
20% off £3.19
Sainsburys Local £3
Poundland* £3

With 20% off, Pumpkin was reasonable, with 10% off, I'll go to Sainsburys or Poundland.

If I happen to out and about and the only real alternative for food is an SSP outlet then the 10% is welcome, but I'd rather not use it tbh.

[*One pack of sandwiches, 3 cans of pop and 5-10 packets of crisps]

 

[cjt0131]

Okay, let's try this again....

Sandwich, packet of crisps and a bottle of pop:

Pumpkin £3.99
10% off £3.59
WHSmiths £3.50
20% off £3.19
Sainsburys Local £3
Poundland* £3

With 20% off, Pumpkin was reasonable, with 10% off, I'll go to Sainsburys or Poundland.

If I happen to out and about and the only real alternative for food is an SSP outlet then the 10% is welcome, but I'd rather not use it tbh.

[*One pack of sandwiches, 3 cans of pop and 5-10 packets of crisps]

got to Sainsbury then NO ONE is stopping you

but I do notice that you say you will use your card if there is no alternative and the 10% is welcome----that says to me you just want something for nothing-----life is not always like the way you want it

 

[Darandio]

got to Sainsbury then NO ONE is stopping you

but I do notice that you say you will use your card if there is no alternative and the 10% is welcome----that says to me you just want something for nothing-----life is not always like the way you want it

Are you affiliated to the BITE card in any way?

If not, your defence of it is well, a bit strange.....

 

[cjt0131]

Are you affiliated to the BITE card in any way?

If not, your defence of it is well, a bit strange.....

my defence is not strange at all

every one has the choice to go elsewhere if they so choose

but if they choose to buy from a participating retailer then the bite card offers them 10% discount------errrrr better than no discount surely

many companies/organisations/businesses have reduced the value of their loyalty schemes

what annoys me most is that I don't hear a single person complaining about such a "paltry" discount actually stating that they have binned their discount card

and NO I do not have any affiliation with the scheme

 

[Darandio]

but if they choose to buy from a participating retailer then the bite card offers them 10% discount------errrrr better than no discount surely

Of course it's better, the purchase is cheaper.

The whole point is that the discount used to bring the prices down to an acceptable level which would compete with others, now it doesn't.

I'd have thought the concept is pretty simple, jumping on anyone who dares to criticise the discount and telling them to go elsewhere is a strange defence of the card, but that is merely my opinion.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Of course it's better, the purchase is cheaper.

The whole point is that the discount used to bring the prices down to an acceptable level which would compete with others, now it doesn't.

Exactly.

What really riled me, though, was the way in which it was put across as if people had been asking for anything other than a 20% discount. If they'd been honest and said something like "Because of increased usage of the Bite Card, it is regrettably no longer economically viable to retain the 20% discount. Therefore the discount will reduce to 10%, but we will send you periodic offers for SSP outlets on stations by e-mail as well as the basic discount", I might not have been so bothered. I abhor dishonesty, but business seems to like it.

"Revised" fares is another one. Why not "increased" fares? As that's what they've done. Be honest.

Neil

 

[cjt0131]

Of course it's better, the purchase is cheaper.

The whole point is that the discount used to bring the prices down to an acceptable level which would compete with others, now it doesn't.

I'd have thought the concept is pretty simple, jumping on anyone who dares to criticise the discount and telling them to go elsewhere is a strange defence of the card, but that is merely my opinion.

I have not jumped on anyone for criticising the discount nor I am TELLING anyone to go elsewhere

people have a choice as has been said many times

its odd that you say no discount is better than 10% considering that I said if people choose to buy from one of the retailers

all I am saying is people do have a choice as has been said many times but if they do CHOOSE to buy from a participating retailer they will get 10% discount which is better than no discount

it is really quite simple