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Post by straydog on May 9, 2011 5:47:11 GMT -5
Article in the Wall St. Journal. "Why Pay Full Price? Stores Give Discounts, Sneak Peaks, Secret Sales: Just Hand Over Personal Data" online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703834804576301221367302288.htmlQuote from the article: "What began as a barcode fob for grocery store coupons in the 1990s has evolved into a high-tech way for retailers to track the every move of their biggest, most frequent spenders." I have store cards but I got most of them before I woke up to the government/business surveillance culture that is now overwhelming us. If I move, then I will cancel them and probably not re-apply for them anymore, unless they allow me to do it with as little personal (or made up) information as possible. If not, then I will just pay full price - privacy is not free these days. Here's another article from 2009 that is related to this. "Newly declassified Files Detail Massive FBI Data-Mining Project" www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/09/fbi-nsac/
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Small Biz Owner
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Post by Small Biz Owner on May 9, 2011 6:01:50 GMT -5
Not much since I usually pay in cash, and never give out my phone number.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on May 9, 2011 6:53:24 GMT -5
I was thinking about this over the weekend... I do 90% of our grocery shopping at Kroger and they sent me some coupons on Friday. All 10 coupons were for something I buy nearly every trip. I suppose somewhere in the back of my mind I realized there was an ulterior motive for the loyalty card, but it was a little creepy to realize how much info I've given them. No different from any other retailer, I suppose...
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 9, 2011 7:32:18 GMT -5
I, too, make it a point to NEVER give my phone number at the couple stores that ask.
Except at CVS & my local liquior store (3-4 bottles of wine/month) I do not use the loyalty cards unless I must to get a decent price.
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Post by rmtvbrooks on May 9, 2011 7:40:49 GMT -5
I recently moved, and every grocery store in town has one of those loyalty cards (Kroger's is the best--100 points = a tank of gas at $.10 off per gallon). When I got them, they wanted all my address and phone number in order to be able to look up my information if I don't have my card. I told them I didn't have time to stand there and give them that information right then. They told me to just do it sometime when I had a few minutes. I still haven't done it, but I always have my card with me so it hasn't been an issue. I don't plan to ever give them the info!
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on May 9, 2011 7:45:21 GMT -5
I was thinking about this over the weekend... I do 90% of our grocery shopping at Kroger and they sent me some coupons on Friday. All 10 coupons were for something I buy nearly every trip. I suppose somewhere in the back of my mind I realized there was an ulterior motive for the loyalty card, but it was a little creepy to realize how much info I've given them. No different from any other retailer, I suppose... So are you compaining that you are getting coupons for things you ACTUALLY buy!! I don't have Krogers, but I would actually LOVE that. I personnaly don't care if the grocery store has a detailed list of what I normally buy, there is nothing on that list that I am ashamed of buying.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on May 9, 2011 8:54:38 GMT -5
Not complaining, georgiagal - I love coupons I can actually use! I'm not ashamed of anything I buy (except the amount of soft drinks, maybe...) and am not too paranoid about what anyone does with the info. Still, it's eye-opening when I think about the fact that there are probably 10 - 12 retailers that know (better than my family/friends do) what I eat, what I wear, where I shop, how much money I spend, etc...
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resolution
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Post by resolution on May 9, 2011 9:08:16 GMT -5
Our local grocers require a driver's license or state ID to give you a loyalty card. There is a bar code on the license that they scan and your information is automatically entered into their system. It is the same deal when I want to buy a decongestant, I have to have my license scanned and my information goes into the database.
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schildi
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Post by schildi on May 9, 2011 9:28:50 GMT -5
Wow, amazing that this stuff is even allowed. Scary. Is all that part of being "free"?
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swamp
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Post by swamp on May 9, 2011 9:31:43 GMT -5
Wow, amazing that this stuff is even allowed. Scary. Is all that part of being "free"? You don't need to participate. I'd rather avail myself to the weekly specials for Price Chopper card holders than worry about what information the grocery store has on me.
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Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on May 9, 2011 9:35:30 GMT -5
Yeah, really scary that "someone" knows you buy lettuce, tomatoes, 10 grain whole grain bread, and five bottles of seltzer each week at the grocery store.
I am terrified that the retail industry knows this about me. People need to get a grip...this is just marketing data.
All levels of govt and numerous govt agencies know more about you, where you have been, your investments, your salary, what you have in retirement funds, etc., etc. Yet, no one is fears this.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on May 9, 2011 10:12:17 GMT -5
The only one I get annoyed with is Sears but it is because they send me at least five emails a day. Otherwise I don't care, personally I like the deals I get being a "member" and I don't really fear them stealing my information. Savoir, I agree with you. There are places/people that have a lot more information on me than Sears does. I don't waste my time worrying about Sears having my street address. Just off the top of my head my bank, the DMV and my employer have way more information that would be useful for identity theft than the stores I have rewards cards with do.
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Post by illinicheme on May 9, 2011 10:28:11 GMT -5
I don't particularly care that stores have a bunch of marketing information on me. I'd rather get the discounts, and also see them stock more variety in the types of food and products that I use.
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on May 9, 2011 10:32:27 GMT -5
For now. What happens when these companies start sharing info with say health care admins, who try to use it to deny me coverage (or charge me an exorbitant price) because they do not like my diet?
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on May 9, 2011 10:59:11 GMT -5
You might want to stop using your credit cards as well... or maybe pay attention to the 'privacy' agreement and opt out of whatever you can (like how the credit card 'shares' info with it's 'business partners'). Credit card history can provide a wealth of information on your shopping and spending. FWIW: I use loyalty cards at the stores I shop at often. I take advantage of any coupons/deals they send me that FIT well with my NEEDS. When Petsmart sends me a coupon for some Cat thing I don't need I don't run out to use it. I got a lot out of a 25% off entire purchase coupon, though. Same goes with Jewel - I rarely spend $50.00 there at one time. If I get a $5.00 off $50.00 I plan ahead to use it (work out my shopping list to include something more expensive like on sale meat). I never took advantage of the $10 off $100 coupons that bombarded me with. I just don't spend that much money on groceries at one time! Don't really care if they are tracking what I buy... could be because I'm a 47yo Female and my shopping habits/opinions/needs are almost totally ignored by Marketing Companies. It's like I'm invisible.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on May 9, 2011 11:02:10 GMT -5
What happens when these companies start sharing info with say health care admins, who try to use it to deny me coverage (or charge me an exorbitant price) because they do not like my diet?
Meh, my employer offers a voluntary (so far) survey that asks all those questions and then some in the name of getting better perks with my insurance.
Personally I am more concerned about that than Hy-Vee selling my information.
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on May 9, 2011 11:39:04 GMT -5
What happens when these companies start sharing info with say health care admins, who try to use it to deny me coverage (or charge me an exorbitant price) because they do not like my diet? Meh, my employer offers a voluntary (so far) survey that asks all those questions and then some in the name of getting better perks with my insurance. My company also has a survey - if you do not take it they add a $250/month surcharge to your benefits premium. How many people do you think answer that truthfully?
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Colleenz
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Post by Colleenz on May 9, 2011 13:57:27 GMT -5
It came in handy for us when we lost our keys. Someone found them and dropped them off at the grocery store that had a tag on the keychain. Since they had our number on file the grocery store called us and we got our keys back.
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share88
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Post by share88 on May 9, 2011 13:58:46 GMT -5
Not much. I use a fake name on the card and pay in cash.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on May 9, 2011 14:01:13 GMT -5
My company also has a survey - if you do not take it they add a $250/month surcharge to your benefits premium. How many people do you think answer that truthfully?
I don't know but here is the thing, I can just not sign up for any type of store card if I don't want stores selling my information to insurance companies. I can even go farther and do cash only transacations and give out fake information to get even farther under the grid.
My employer could at some point REQUIRE me to fill out the survey for insurance purposes. I can't just up and quit my job like I can pass on a store card.
I could still lie on the survey, but I'm more concerned with my employer using my health information than I am about Hy-Vee selling what I purchase in groceries.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on May 9, 2011 14:21:55 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Amazon knows what books I read, what movies I watch, and what music I listen to.
I'm pretty sure Petco and PetSmart know what cat food and cat litter we buy.
I'm pretty sure CVS (where we fill RX) knows my health issues, what brand of toilet paper I prefer, and that we buy a lot of Diet Mountain Dew when it's on sale. My local Rite-Aid is probably mystified at the quantity of Fiber One cereal and Sugar Free Peeps I buy from them.
I'm OK with this.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2011 14:38:26 GMT -5
Darn, I was starting to look for my tin hat when all you "normal" people starting chiming in. ;D
The Germans are freaked about Google Earth. And when I showed my friends Zillow they were horrified.
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Post by straydog on May 9, 2011 15:25:41 GMT -5
Yeah, really scary that "someone" knows you buy lettuce, tomatoes, 10 grain whole grain bread, and five bottles of seltzer each week at the grocery store. I am terrified that the retail industry knows this about me. People need to get a grip...this is just marketing data. All levels of govt and numerous govt agencies know more about you, where you have been, your investments, your salary, what you have in retirement funds, etc., etc. Yet, no one is fears this. I fear this. But the problem is that many of these places will share information with the government if asked. And how careful are they with your private information? Females need to be especially careful of how much information they give out. I don't know if any department/grocery store employee ever stalked one of their customers, but there's always a first time, and these stalking incidents sometimes turn out to be fatal.
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Post by straydog on May 9, 2011 15:55:40 GMT -5
Lots of stores now have cards that you need to use to get their discounts. So, i am sure they are tracking. But, in the age of TMI, there isn't much we don't know or can't easily find out about anyone. It is scary really. But, i think the upcoming gen views their lives as extended reality shows so that stuff isn't going to bother them as much because it is what it is. Agreed. When I was growing up, the 'let it all hang out' types were not seen as the norm. High fences made for good neighbors. But today everything is reversed. Valuing ones privacy is no longer seen as the norm. Sad.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on May 9, 2011 17:55:01 GMT -5
I don't think it's something to fear, but it is good to be aware of this type of thing (reminds me of WWBG's thread on store marketing from a few days back).
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createmyown
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Post by createmyown on May 9, 2011 18:10:35 GMT -5
Straydog, I also don`t value my privacy. I don`t know why. I`m 26, so I`m not part of the upcoming generation, but I am definitely not concerned in the least about it.
I have recently stopped signing up for things. I bought a dress at Esprit and they wanted me to sign up for a loyalty card. I declined. I bought my husband a pair of black pants at Banana Republic on the weekend and they offered 20% off the next purchase if I gave my email address. I also declined.
My reason is that I abhor being bombarded with emails and other communication. I cannot stand using my time to wade through the amount of crap I get everyday. I can`t open my personal hotmail account without being reminded that I have over 3000 emails from everyone from ViaRail to TravelZoo. It was like this for a bit with my work email (I started giving it out because it is the only one I checked) only to find I was getting more updates and deals than actual work stuff.
I guess I was overwhelmed and so now, I avoid signing up for stuff like the plague.
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createmyown
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Post by createmyown on May 9, 2011 18:24:10 GMT -5
Thanks, toughtimes! For someone as technologically savvy as I am, you`d think I would have figured it out on my own. I would like to save money and I love a good deal (I Groupon) so I will take your advice on this one! My only real reason was feeling overwhelmed so I think your advice is great. Karma when I get my powers back
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schildi
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Post by schildi on May 9, 2011 18:45:01 GMT -5
For now. What happens when these companies start sharing info with say health care admins, who try to use it to deny me coverage (or charge me an exorbitant price) because they do not like my diet? They have already done this.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on May 9, 2011 21:47:07 GMT -5
I shop mostly at Hy-Vee and they don't have a loyalty card. Sam's Club knows what I buy there. PetSmart knows what I buy as does Staples. Amazon pops up with recommendations when I sign in.
It doesn't bother me and never has. I used to love the King Soopers coupons they mailed me because they were for products I used.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on May 9, 2011 22:06:02 GMT -5
I shop mostly at Hy-Vee and they don't have a loyalty card. Sam's Club knows what I buy there. PetSmart knows what I buy as does Staples. Amazon pops up with recommendations when I sign in. It doesn't bother me and never has. I used to love the King Soopers coupons they mailed me because they were for products I used. My favorite stores know the following about me: I rarely buy anything if it is not on sale. I often only buy items when they are at their lowest price. I usually combine a sale with coupons and stock up. I wait for the next sale when the item is at its lowest price to buy that item again. I use a lot of rain checks.
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