Big Brother's Eyes On Us Or Just An Overfriendly Cashier?

[KnoxHarrington]

So I went grocery shopping, and something happened at the end that kind of freaked me out for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. It came time to pay, and I ran my debit card through. And then the cashier, as she handed me my receipt, said, "Thank you for shopping at Meijer, Mr. [Harrington]."

Now, I wasn't shocked that my name was made available to her. Of course. It's right on the damn card, after all. It's just that it's that little reminder of just how trackable I am. That there's a record of what I bought that can be accessed, either to try to figure out what other shit to sell me, or for some shadowy governmental agency to look at in some darkened bunker and say "God damn, this guy's diet is shit."

I mean, I don't think I'm any more paranoid than necessary -- and a bit of paranoia is certainly necessary in these times. So I didn't freak out and start screaming "WHO TOLD YOU MY NAME? WHO SENT YOU?" at her. I just sort of went with it, and started kind of mulling it over later.

It was a friendly gesture, I suppose, but when you do see the framework of the information exchange buried just underneath the surface, you do have to start wondering -- what are they doing with all this stuff they have on us all?

Or maybe she actually knew me and I'd forgotten her. That's possible too. My memory sucks.

[Friday]

dude. you're losing it.

[KatPw]

That's what all those frequent shopper cards are for, tracking your purchasing. That's why, when you buy Pepcid AC or something from CVS, you start getting coupons for the product sent to you. They sell your information to manufacturers. Magazine companies have been doing it for years, particularly trade magazines. These companies sell lists of their subscribers.

[PerryWinkle]

dude i agree with you. did you hand your card to her or just slide it through yourself? if you just slid it, how does she know your name?

[Gvac]

I don't trust these fuckers...not one bit.

EZ Pass tracks our every move, bonus club cards track our every purchase, cameras on every traffic light...it's insanity.

I really, really, really want to move into the woods sometimes. DEEP into the woods.

[brettmojo]

Dude if that freaks you out you probably don't even wanna' know what those strips placed inside paper currency really do.

[KatPw]

I don't trust these fuckers...not one bit.

EZ Pass tracks our every move, bonus club cards track our every purchase, cameras on every traffic light...it's insanity.

I really, really, really want to move into the woods sometimes. DEEP into the woods.

I refuse to get ez pass. I'd rather deal with the toll taker and the line than have that shit tracking me. Especially once they start using the technology to ticket people for speeding (by tracking how long it takes you to pass from one electronic check point to another). Fuck that shit.

[KnoxHarrington]

That's what all those frequent shopper cards are for, tracking your purchasing. That's why, when you buy Pepcid AC or something from CVS, you start getting coupons for the product sent to you. They sell your information to manufacturers. Magazine companies have been doing it for years, particularly trade magazines. These companies sell lists of their subscribers.

I wasn't using a frequent shopper card. Just my regular debit card.

And I wasn't "freaked out", and I'll still shop there. It was just a sort of view of how much they can know about us. That sort of glimpse at what's back there.

[Foster]

I got freaked out at Panera Bread once because the cahier knew my name and what I was going to order. When I asked her how she knew she told me, "because you come here every other day and always order the same thing".

fucking bitch

[brettmojo]

I got freaked out at Panera Bread once because the cahier knew my name and what I was going to order. When I asked her how she knew she told me, "because you come here every other day and always order the same thing".

fucking bitch
Dude, don't you see? She digs you. She totally wants it.

[keithy_19]

I got freaked out at Panera Bread once because the cahier knew my name and what I was going to order. When I asked her how she knew she told me, "because you come here every other day and always order the same thing".

fucking bitch

Panera is good. I used to work at one. It was a fun time I guess.

[MHasegawa]

ever shit in one of the bread bowls, its a culinary work of art

[Foster]

Dude, don't you see? She digs you. She totally wants it.

that goes without question,

but I still think what she said was rude

[Foster]

ever shit in one of the bread bowls, its a culinary work of art

too many carbs in the bread bowl

[jauble]

http://www.dark-logic.com/images/dale.jpg

[epo]

Panera is good. I used to work at one. It was a fun time I guess.

I'm supposed to sit here and read a passing comment about how a chain restaurant is "good"?

[Fez4PrezN2008]

I got freaked out at Panera Bread once because the cahier knew my name and what I was going to order. When I asked her how she knew she told me, "because you come here every other day and always order the same thing".

fucking bitch
I love it when the gal at Starbucks knows my order ahead and just says "here's your grande bold with room, Mr. Bennington"

[Friday]

I'm supposed to sit here and read a passing comment about how a chain restaurant is "good"?

i won't sit here and let you blaspheme the good name of Panera soups.
they are fucking delicious, i say!!

[epo]

i won't sit here and let you blaspheme the good name of Panera soups.
they are fucking delicious, i say!!

That sounds like maniac talk from a young lady who left work early and is all full of wine. Crazyness!

[Snoogans]

I don't trust these fuckers...not one bit.

EZ Pass tracks our every move, bonus club cards track our every purchase, cameras on every traffic light...it's insanity.

I really, really, really want to move into the woods sometimes. DEEP into the woods.

yea, except the 90% of the time you go somewhere where you dont pay a toll

[sailor]

that's just good customer service. i'm a bit surprised at a cashier doing it, but you've never had a waitress use your name? that's a pretty common way to get better tips.

[jonyrotn]

You have no IDEA what type of information law enforcement has access to..And don't think it takes a warrant either..
Sometimes it's just as simple as identifying yourself and your agency and then charming the old bag on the other end of the line..

EDIT: If you have a complaint number (which often comes off the top of my head) and a fax number many companies will bend over backwards to reveal other people's personal information..

[Friday]

that's just good customer service. i'm a bit surprised at a cashier doing it, but you've never had a waitress use your name? that's a pretty common way to get better tips.

sailor is wise.
y'all paranoid fuckers should listen to him more often.

:)

[Don Stugots]

I don't trust these fuckers...not one bit.

EZ Pass tracks our every move, bonus club cards track our every purchase, cameras on every traffic light...it's insanity.

I really, really, really want to move into the woods sometimes. DEEP into the woods.

he lives in KY and has the same problem. the woods might not be far enough.

[SatCam]

what is this 1975? whenever you make a credit card transaction your name and acct # is available to the merchant

[DiabloSammich]

I've been giving store clerks a pass when they ask for my zip code as they're running a credit card purchase, because I've been assuming it's for security purposes.


But this fucker at Pier One asked for my phone number the other day. I was so shocked, I started giving it to him without question. Then I didn't want to stop halfway through because then I would look like a maniac who couldn't remember his phone number, so I changed the last two digits.

Too much stress for a fucking throw pillow.

[SatCam]

I've been giving store clerks a pass when they ask for my zip code as they're running a credit card purchase, because I've been assuming it's for security purposes.

it is part of the verification like asking for the security code on the back of the card. do you use amex by chance?

[Marc with a c]

i was at a bagel place the day after the christmas party and one of the guys behind the counter asked me where i lived.

[DiabloSammich]

it is part of the verification like asking for the security code on the back of the card. do you use amex by chance?



Visa, but I figured it was a security check, so I paid it little mind.


But my phone number? That can only be for telemarketing purposes. Or because of my amazing ass.

[epo]

I've been giving store clerks a pass when they ask for my zip code as they're running a credit card purchase, because I've been assuming it's for security purposes.

But this fucker at Pier One asked for my phone number the other day. I was so shocked, I started giving it to him without question. Then I didn't want to stop halfway through because then I would look like a maniac who couldn't remember his phone number, so I changed the last two digits.

Too much stress for a fucking throw pillow.

I got asked my zip code for the purchase of a compact disc this week. And here's the thing...I paid cash. The only thing I could think to do was say "32835" which is Orlando, Florida.

Those fuckers could use another chain electronics store.

[sailor]

I've been giving store clerks a pass when they ask for my zip code as they're running a credit card purchase, because I've been assuming it's for security purposes.


But this fucker at Pier One asked for my phone number the other day. I was so shocked, I started giving it to him without question. Then I didn't want to stop halfway through because then I would look like a maniac who couldn't remember his phone number, so I changed the last two digits.

Too much stress for a fucking throw pillow.

i just say no thanks. the zip code is probably just for marketing research purposes. "our average customer travels to this store from x and we can direct our advertising, etc based upon this"

[DiabloSammich]

i was at a bagel place the day after the christmas party and one of the guys behind the counter asked me where i lived.



What did you tell him?

[Ritalin]

Mr. Harrington. you're losing it.


Fixed.

[Marc with a c]

What did you tell him?

my girls address, then I threw him the keys.

free bagels ya'll

[Liverspot]

There is not a doubt in my mind that everytime I am in a public area, especially in a major metropolitan city, that I am under surveillance (http://www.britannica.com/bps/search?query=surveillance&source=MWTEXT) of some kind. Might be a local traffic camera, might be a satellite, might be a heat sensor from the sky.

Carry large sums of cash? Might be why the wire thread is inside paper money despite that fact that 98% of people use cards for most purchase. Use a debit card, yes your purchases are recorded not only with your bank but with the debit network.

RFID chips embedded in clothing for inventory purposes of course........

Lets face it, nothing is private anymore. The government has decided what kind of tv's we need to have, how the broadcasts are provided and if you are unable to get an acceptable tv you will be provided with an electronic box that will adapt your sorry out of date tv with the current standard. :smoke:

[jauble]

what is this 1975? whenever you make a credit card transaction your name and acct # is available to the merchant

Those were the days

[RoseBlood]

Speaking of Big Brother watching you.. everyone check your profiles.. Westley just clocked in :blink:

[MHasegawa]

nice, i could use the attention

[SatCam]

this thread makes me :wallbash:

[DiabloSammich]

Speaking of Big Brother watching you.. everyone check your profiles.. Westley just clocked in :blink:



More like "Little" Brother!


Get it?


His penis.

[hunnerbun]

I don't trust these fuckers...not one bit.

EZ Pass tracks our every move, bonus club cards track our every purchase, cameras on every traffic light...it's insanity.

I really, really, really want to move into the woods sometimes. DEEP into the woods.
Tons of room up here in the great white north...don't forget to pack you woolies though, you soft southerners might not like the frigid winters up here!

[keithy_19]

I'm supposed to sit here and read a passing comment about how a chain restaurant is "good"?

Yes. Because not everything that is a chain is bad, maaannnn.

[keithy_19]

Tons of room up here in the great white north...don't forget to pack you woolies though, you soft southerners might not like the frigid winters up here!

Yes. Where they have socialized medicine and such. The goverment knows a lot up there too. They just don't care as much.

And you guys have good weed...

You have intrigued me.

[DiabloSammich]

Yes. Because not everything that is a chain is bad, maaannnn.



That's just the sound of epo workin' on the chain.....




gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannngg.

[keithy_19]

I got asked my zip code for the purchase of a compact disc this week. And here's the thing...I paid cash. The only thing I could think to do was say "32835" which is Orlando, Florida.

Those fuckers could use another chain electronics store.

Best Buy, huh?

[DiabloSammich]

Best Buy, huh?




CHAIN STORE FACE!

[cougarjake13]

So I went grocery shopping, and something happened at the end that kind of freaked me out for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. It came time to pay, and I ran my debit card through. And then the cashier, as she handed me my receipt, said, "Thank you for shopping at Meijer, Mr. [Harrington]."

Now, I wasn't shocked that my name was made available to her. Of course. It's right on the damn card, after all. It's just that it's that little reminder of just how trackable I am. That there's a record of what I bought that can be accessed, either to try to figure out what other shit to sell me, or for some shadowy governmental agency to look at in some darkened bunker and say "God damn, this guy's diet is shit."

I mean, I don't think I'm any more paranoid than necessary -- and a bit of paranoia is certainly necessary in these times. So I didn't freak out and start screaming "WHO TOLD YOU MY NAME? WHO SENT YOU?" at her. I just sort of went with it, and started kind of mulling it over later.

It was a friendly gesture, I suppose, but when you do see the framework of the information exchange buried just underneath the surface, you do have to start wondering -- what are they doing with all this stuff they have on us all?

Or maybe she actually knew me and I'd forgotten her. That's possible too. My memory sucks.



cash is anonymous

[cougarjake13]

I've been giving store clerks a pass when they ask for my zip code as they're running a credit card purchase, because I've been assuming it's for security purposes.


But this fucker at Pier One asked for my phone number the other day. I was so shocked, I started giving it to him without question. Then I didn't want to stop halfway through because then I would look like a maniac who couldn't remember his phone number, so I changed the last two digits.

Too much stress for a fucking throw pillow.


at first i was pissed when they started asking for my number i said why the fuck would you ever need it

after a while i got tired of saying that, so i just give a fake number

[drjoek]

I never give my phone number to any cashier they sell the numbers to telemarketers who will call @ dinner. Fuck that.