By Michael Hollingshead
The Starving Student Card is under scrutiny from cardholders who are running into problems with clients.
Students who try to redeem the deals on the Starving Student Card at Doc''s Pizza already know they will only get one pizza rather than two. When customers try to bowl at Miracle Bowl or eat at Guru''s they encounter even more problems.
'We told the people at Starving Student Card that we wouldn''t offer the same deal on holidays and weekends, but they didn''t print it on the card,' said Ryan Woodard, manager of Miracle Bowl. 'We have called them and e-mailed them, but they haven''t returned our calls.'
The deal listed on the card states that cardholders can receive one free game per day with one paid admission at Miracle Bowl.
Woodard said that they have put up signs in the alley to warn patrons of the change.
'It seems like it happens every year with some discount card,' Woodard said. 'We don''t want to cause an argument or a fight over a five dollar game, so we are trying to let people know before they bowl.'
Many customers have been upset by the change and have gone to other bowling alleys, Woodard said.
Students have also experienced problems when they try to use the card at Guru''s. Cardholders are no longer receiving the 'buy one get one free' deal offered on the card.
'They give some chips and salsa instead,' said Amy Hatch, 19, a sophomore from Boise, Idaho, majoring in sociology. 'It sucks because the reason I bought the card was for the Guru''s deal. I love Guru''s, but now I can''t get the deal.'
Hatch also said Guru''s only offers the chips and salsa once, despite the unlimited offer on the card.
'They were really nice when I went in,' Hatch said. 'They put up a sign in the window, but they didn''t say why they no longer honor the deal.'
Jimmy John''s sandwich shop has also caused inconvenience for cardholders.
'We went in to get the buy one, get one for $1, but they said the deal only worked on sandwiches that were a dollar or cheaper,' said Becky Jacobsen, a psychology major at Utah Valley State College. 'The card said, ''of equal or lesser value'' but the manager said it didn''t mean that. It was so annoying that we left.'
Jimmy John''s is no longer in business.
The Starving Student Card franchise in Provo is one of many starving student franchises across the nation that provides fundraisers for students.
The franchise, which claims the card pays off its $10 charge within a few transactions, has gained popularity and sold many cards this year.
Starving Student boasts over $100 of free stuff with no purchase necessary., and there are many students who are happy with it.
'I use it every time I want to get something to eat,' said Chris Jacobsen, 23, a junior from Decatur, Ill., majoring in zoology. 'It''s perfect for dates and if you can be discrete, your date will never know that you''re being cheap.'
Jacobsen said the few places that don''t honor the deals are inconvenient, but they aren''t a major problem.
'We use it all the time,' Jacobsen said. 'Especially the Del Taco deal. That''s money!'
The Starving Student Card company has failed to return calls and e-mails from clients, cardholders and NewsNet.