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Business & Tech

Prices Are Dropping In Alpharetta Shops

Customers can pay less while shopping by signing up for free programs.

If you have an e-mail address, you can save money at your favorite stores by joining their free programs. When shops ask you for your email address or ask if you want to join their club, it is so easy to say no and move away from the cashier quickly. But, if you say yes, you will find that you will receive coupons, discounts and often, even free items.  

offers a program through the use of a gift card. Get a free one and load any dollar amount on it. Go to the coffee shop's Web site and register the card. This automatically enrolls you in the program and entitles you to a free birthday beverage.

After five uses of the card, you can receive free refills, free syrup and free milk options that normally cost extra. Buy bags of whole coffee and get free beverages, coupons and other e-mailed offers.

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Starbucks adds more perks after 30 swipes, including a personalized card. Use it 15 times and get a free drink.

calls their free card a Score Card.  Sign up for their free membership and receive random coupons in the mail. After being a member a week, I got a $5 off purchase of $25 coupon as well as a few other high dollar discounts.

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Every time you spend $300 at their store or online, expect a gift certificate good for $10 from Dick's.

has a program that tries to automatically sign you up when you make a purchase. The cashier will ask you for your e-mail, name, address, phone number, and birthday of the child you are shipping for. 

Once enrolled in this program, you will get coupons good for 40 percent off of your entire purchase on a very regular basis. You will also get the catalogs in the mail with coupon cards saving you money off future purchases over certain dollar amounts as well as percentages off your total purchase. 

has a Sweet Rewards program. Sign up online and get a free cone with the purchase of a waffle or sugar cone. You will also get coupons for free ice cream on your birthday, anniversary and pretty much whenever they feel like sending it to you. Through out the year, they will also often have a punch card for you to bring each time you come in. Once you fill the punch card with purchases, they will give you a dessert for free.

Many stores do not have free membership clubs but you can still get similar savings very easily. Check out your favorite shop online. Often there is a place to sign your e-mail address up for their updates. If you do this, you can expect to get coupons e-mailed to you as well as advance notice of sales which often gives you a better selection to choose from at lower prices. 

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