This is an explanation of Yodobashi Camera’s discount card. What it is, how to get one, how to use it, and the benefits.
Many large camera stores and computer stores in Japan issue discount cards to customers (Japan residents). These cards are made of plastic with the same size and feel of credit cards. The cards bear a bar code to identify you and your account with the store. When you make a purchase, a certain percentage of the total is credited toward a later purchase. When you make a purchase again, you can tell the cashier to apply the credited amount to that purchase, which will then be discounted accordingly.
For example, Yodobashi Camera, one of the largest retailers of photo equipment in Tokyo, issues what they call a Gold Point Card. When you buy something, the cashier will first ask you if you have a Gold Point Card. If you don’t have one, you will be asked if you would like to apply for one. If you shop at that store often enough, it is highly recommended that you get a Gold Point Card. The procedure is simple. Just fill in a simple form with essential information such as your name and address. You will then get a Gold Point Card on the spot and you can use it for your current purchase. There are no registration fees nor membership fees. You need not present any ID card either.
When you make a purchase, show your Gold Point Card to the cashier. He will then ask if you want to keep saving your accumulated points or if you want to use your accumulated points for your purchase. When making a purchase, you accumulate “points” for a discount on a future purchase. As of this writing, one point equals one yen. With a cash purchase, you receive points for about 10% of the purchase amount. If you pay with a credit card (all major credit cards are accepted), you receive points for 8% of the purchase amount.
Points are rounded off to the next highest multiple of 10. For example, if the purchase amount is 5,820 yen, the 10% credit of 582 points (or yen) will be rounded off to 590. So on your next purchase at Yodobashi, you can receive a discount of 590 yen.
Note that the points you receive for a purchase made today cannot be used for another purchase made on the same day. For example, after you buy a camera on the 1st floor, you cannot go up to the 4th floor a few minutes later and use the points you received for the camera to buy a tripod.
At the Main Store in Nishi Shinjuku and a few other branches, cash purchases of certain products such as film processing and prints, CDs, Laserdiscs, eyeglasses, and contact lenses will give you points for 10% of the total purchase.
Gold Point Card holders also get Yodobashi’s quarterly product catalog called “Point Network” sent by mail.
If you lose your Gold Point Card, you can get a new one by paying 500 yen. Your accumulated points will be intact. It will take two weeks to get a new card. Contact any Yodobashi Camera store and tell them that you lost your card. Also note that if you don’t use your Gold Point Card for more than two years, it will be invalidated.
Other camera stores offering discount cards include Sakuraya and Bic Camera. The card can be used at different branches of the store. If you shop at enough stores in Tokyo, you will end up with a whole slew of these discount cards.
For more information on Yodobashi’s Gold Point Card, call the Customer Service Center at 03-3227-2271.
Key Japanese Phrases
I want a Gold Point Card. –> Gold Point Card no kai-in ni naritai.
I want to use my points. –> Point wo tsukaimasu.
I want to save my points. –> Point wo tamemasu.
Posted under PhotoCloseups
This post was written by philbert on September 20, 2008
