Personal interests versus commercialism

[shengmei]

Sometimes I wonder if people truly get outraged if companies know their interests. Why would privacy advocates get so outraged if their consumer habits are known by global companies?

I routinely come across some people who post everything in dozens of blogs, and yet they can't stomach the idea of big companies knowing anything about them. It doesn't make any sense to me. Of course identity theft is a HUGE problem, but I personally don't really care if someone in India knows that I have five cats and I like to wear makeup.

I actually kind of like it when companies know that I have five cats and I like to wear makeup, so they can send me coupons and samples.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

I guess it is just a matter of personal choice. Some people have a different outlook on things!

[tinapbeana]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

um, to anyone who has a store's "Savings/Membership" card: do you honestly think they don't keep track of what you buy? they'd be foolish not too, the information on the demographics is just too valuable to them.

[nanamom]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

When I married my DH he didn't have any store membership cards. When I wanted to apply for one he was outraged that I would let a store get our information on us. I let it go for a couple shopping visits until he realized how much we would save if we had one. Before that he ate out all the time so it didn't make a difference. Now that he was with a cook it made a big difference. He decided that it didn't matter after all

[Marcymox]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

I too could care less if the grocery store tracks what I buy- in fact, since they do- I get loads of store coupons from them in the mail- tailored to what I buy anyway. I even get good ones like 7.00 of of a 50.00 grocery purchase.

it bothers my mom though- so she puts her cat's name on it, and her friend's address. ( with friend's permission) -

I do feel like it's extortion or ..something. maybe that's the wrong word- but basically they are forcing you to give out your information to get the savings- there is no way to get "club card" prices without the card. I'm sure tons of people give false names and addresses.

[tinapbeana]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

it bothers my mom though- so she puts her cat's name on it, and her friend's address. ( with friend's permission).

haaaaaaaaaahahahahha!!!! gives out the cat's name, i love it! i'd have to use my own address, though, so i'd get the coupons.

you know, i bet this is how animals wind up getting offered a credit card...

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

Well, I don't suppose there is anyhting sinister tracking grocery purchases. I hope that is the case though! Honestly the coupons outweigh the harm in my eyes. Unless someone knows something nefarious is going on!

[tinapbeana]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

nefarious? no. could they be selling your info on a list? sure...

[JanH]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

I don't sign up for the free samples cos I don't want people knowing my birthdate. Is that weird? It's not the age, I look much younger than my age, but it is that people don't need to know my personal information. I never thought about making one up....that's what I might do.

[tinapbeana]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

I don't sign up for the free samples cos I don't want people knowing my birthdate. Is that weird? It's not the age, I look much younger than my age, but it is that people don't need to know my personal information. I never thought about making one up....that's what I might do.

for the past 10 years or so, anytime i was asked for an email address online i've given bob AT aol.com.

i don't know who bob is, but i'm pretty sure he hates me!

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

That was you!!!!

[Fern]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

Well, the big difference is that here when you're blogging, no one knows your true identity. My name, for instance, is not "Fern." (Sorry, but i post too many sensitive items here.)

[Fern]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

for the past 10 years or so, anytime i was asked for an email address online i've given bob AT aol.com.

i don't know who bob is, but i'm pretty sure he hates me!

You can easily get around the birthdate requirement by usiing a fictional one. I do it all the time. Expecting people in this day and age of ID theft to so easily fork over their birth date is crazy. All they really need to see is that your'e over age 18. The exact date doesn't matter.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

Amen to that Fern!

[boefixepa]

Re: Personal interests versus commercialism

I have had those cards before, but I never give them my 'real' information...unless I really want the coupons which I only have done once.