Camera aside, this person knew what was important to me. So why can't scrapbook retailers figure it out?

I'm talking about the lame customer loyalty programs offered by craft stores and the growing trend of placing restrictions on those discounts.

Some of my biggest gripes:

l Stores charging a fee to belong to their "discount club."

l Expiration dates on punch cards.

l Not allowing sale items to count toward frequent-shopper discounts.

l Stores that don't let on that they even have a customer rewards program.

What if Marriott Corp. gave customers only two months to redeem their "points"? Would shoppers sign up for a Smith's Fresh Values card if they had to pay for it? How many travelers would fly Delta if the airline granted frequent-flier miles for only its most expensive fares?

Most customer-rewards programs are initiated by businesses for two reasons: To track their customers' buying habits, allowing them to cater to the needs of their most profitable customers; and to cultivate loyalty and ensure repeat business.

The most popular of these programs is the preferred-customer or loyalty card made popular by grocery stores. Almost 75 percent of U.S. consumers own at least one loyalty card, with more than a third of all shoppers owning two or more. But the success of such a program depends on how well businesses use the customer data to keep their best customers happy. And I don't see scrapbook stores going to that much trouble.

Some might question the effectiveness of any rewards program when it comes to buying scrapbook supplies. First and foremost, scrapbookers want stores that keep up on the latest trends, offer engaging classes and provide friendly service. Convenience comes into play when we run out of something in the middle of a project, but most of us have no trouble driving from one end of the valley to the other to shop the stores with the best stuff or the best sale.

With the price of scrapbbooking supplies inching higher - $1 for a piece of 12-by-12 paper is becoming common - and with Wal-Mart, Target and other big-box stores siphoning away their profits, mom-and-pop retailers have all the incentive they need to create a worthwhile loyalty program. And, as much as I appreciate those $10-off-your-next-purchase punch cards, no retailer has made it worth my while to shop at only his or her store.

But they could, and here's how:

Adopt a program in which the reward increases with my spending level - a 10 percent discount on every purchase beyond $500; 20 percent beyond $1,000 and, should I top $3,000 in one year, free debt-counseling classes. And, if you really want to woo me, find a way to allow my scrapbook purchases to earn me Marriott points or Sky Miles. When you think about it, the idea makes perfect sense. Scrapbookers, fresh off vacation, buy more supplies to catalog their travels, which permits them to take more trips. Of course, this only works if the scrapbooker is smart enough to safeguard her camera.

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E-mail Linda Fantin at lfantin@sltrib.com. Send comments about this column to livingeditor@sltrib.com.

WORKSHOP:

Accordion Tag Book by daisyd's

Designed by Jodi Stacey, sales manager of daisyd's

Materials:

Two 5 1/2 -by-4-inch chipboard rectangles

Treasure Patchwork and Heirloom Collection 12-by-12-inch paper by daisyd's

Attic Heirlooms punch-out tags, antique brass brads, triangle latch and 10-inch length of ribbon.

Cut Heirloom paper into two 6-by-4 1/2 -inch rectangles. Glue to chipboard, folding over to cover the edges. Glue contrasting 5 1/2 -by-4-inch rectangles on inside to cover bare chipboard. Attach latches under inside flap using brads.

Cut 12-by-3 1/2 -inch strip out of double-sided cardstock. Fold into 3/4 -inch accordion (enough to make six peaks with extra flaps on each end). Glue ends of accordion to finished chipboard pieces.

Cut 4-by-3 1/2 -inch strip out of another double-sided cardstock. Glue to finished front and back chipboard pieces, folding over the accordion to create a binding.

Punch out tags. Glue notched side into the valley in each accordion fold.

Embellish with Attic Heirloom Sentiments stickers and tie with ribbon.