Extra Cash for Weavers Way Members with New EasyPay Pays You Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, March 1, 2016 — Weavers Way Co-op today announced the rollout of EasyPay Pays You, an enhancement to the Co-op’s EasyPay house accounts in which members can get an extra 2 percent to spend in the store.

Members who fund EasyPay with a check or cash deposit of $100 or more will now be credited with an additional 2 percent — so, for example, a member who puts in $100 will get $102 to spend.

"It's a fantastic member benefit," said Membership Manager Kirsten Bernal. “You sure won't find a bank that will give you 2% on your checking account these days."

EasyPay is Weavers Way’s prepaid shopping account. Members can fund their accounts at the register any time, using cash, check, debit or credit, and draw on the balance whenever they make a purchase just by showing ID.

“We were looking for a way to encourage more members to use EasyPay, which has the potential to save the Co-op money on card fees,” said General Manager Jon Roesser.

“It’s pretty simple. We’re paying more than 2 percent to the banks for the privilege of accepting debit and credit cards. We’d rather pay that 2 percent to our members and have them spend it here.”

Years ago, the Co-op charged shoppers a small fee for using credit or debit cards, but this practice violates the terms of virtually every retailers’ agreements with the card companies. These days, fully 90 percent of the transactions at Weavers Way cash registers involve credit or debit cards. From July 1, 2015, to Jan. 31, 2016, the Co-op paid $188,600 in fees for credit- and debit-card transactions, according to Roesser.

“EasyPay Pays You is one more way we can work cooperatively to stanch economic leakage from our community,” Roesser said. “Every dime we spend on credit card fees flows outward from the local economy. By giving that 2 percent to members, we keep that money local.”

EasyPay is available only to Weavers Way members. For more information, visit www.weaversway.coop/easypay. Other member-only services include cash back on check and debit-card transactions, home delivery, pre-ordering privileges, discounts from local merchants participating in the Weavers Way Local First Program, discounts for seniors and members on assistance and a variety of members-only specials and sales.

About Weavers Way: With stores in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the Co-op is member-owned, open to the public and committed to offering quality products that are local, sustainable and nutritious. For more information, visit www.weaversway.coop.

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