Subway ends stamp promotion
Ashley Rueff/ Staff writer
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: News
As of Dec. 31, the Subway in the University Union Food Court will no longer be accepting Sub Club Cards in exchange for free sandwiches.
The Food Court Subway, along with most Central Illinois Subway stores, are discontinuing the stamp program that allowed customers to use eight Subway stamps to redeem one free 6-inch sandwich.
The elimination of the stamps is being tested in Central Illinois, as well as in some other areas throughout the nation, said Kari Banning, general manager of the Union Subway.
"It's a test program, so they could come back," she said.
One reason for the elimination of the stamp program is fraudulence, said Christina Rowland, manager of the Food Court Subway. Many stamps are stolen or copied, while others are sold and bought over eBay, Rowland said.
"It's estimated that 25 percent of stamp cards are fraudulent," Rowland said.
The program is also being eliminated to counterbalance the raise in minimum-wage, which will be implemented at the first of the year. Subway is trying not to raise its prices, despite the minimum-wage increase, Banning said.
"Hopefully we can keep the costs low, and that will offset the cards being removed," she said.
Rowland said she doesn't think the discontinuation of the program will have a negative effect on business.
"I think everything will probably even out," she said.
While the stamps are still redeemable through the end of the year, they are no longer being distributed with purchases from Subway.
"Usage of the stamps was at about 80 percent," Rowland said, meaning that 80 percent of customers accepted Subway stamps along with their purchases before the stamps were discontinued.
Eastern students have had negative responses to the change.
"I'll eat at Subway still, but maybe not as much," said Katie Kash, a senior communication studies major. "It just makes me mad that I'm not going to get my free sub anymore."
Jordan Angle, a sophomore biology major, is disappointed with the change, as well.
"I think people who eat there a lot should get some kind of recognition for it," Angle said. "It's especially good for college students; free food is everything."
The Food Court Subway, along with most Central Illinois Subway stores, are discontinuing the stamp program that allowed customers to use eight Subway stamps to redeem one free 6-inch sandwich.
The elimination of the stamps is being tested in Central Illinois, as well as in some other areas throughout the nation, said Kari Banning, general manager of the Union Subway.
"It's a test program, so they could come back," she said.
One reason for the elimination of the stamp program is fraudulence, said Christina Rowland, manager of the Food Court Subway. Many stamps are stolen or copied, while others are sold and bought over eBay, Rowland said.
"It's estimated that 25 percent of stamp cards are fraudulent," Rowland said.
The program is also being eliminated to counterbalance the raise in minimum-wage, which will be implemented at the first of the year. Subway is trying not to raise its prices, despite the minimum-wage increase, Banning said.
"Hopefully we can keep the costs low, and that will offset the cards being removed," she said.
Rowland said she doesn't think the discontinuation of the program will have a negative effect on business.
"I think everything will probably even out," she said.
While the stamps are still redeemable through the end of the year, they are no longer being distributed with purchases from Subway.
"Usage of the stamps was at about 80 percent," Rowland said, meaning that 80 percent of customers accepted Subway stamps along with their purchases before the stamps were discontinued.
Eastern students have had negative responses to the change.
"I'll eat at Subway still, but maybe not as much," said Katie Kash, a senior communication studies major. "It just makes me mad that I'm not going to get my free sub anymore."
Jordan Angle, a sophomore biology major, is disappointed with the change, as well.
"I think people who eat there a lot should get some kind of recognition for it," Angle said. "It's especially good for college students; free food is everything."
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