Grocery store loyalty card and privacy

2moretrees · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 11:29 AM

I have a question. Do you worry about the privacy concerns with the grocery store loyalty cards? I have 2 loyalty cards for the 2 supermarkets in my area. I have them because they can cut the cost of some of the things I buy by quite a lot and they probably save me $10 - $20 a week which is a good amount.

This savings is important to me, but I'm not sure I like all the tracking of my purchases they are doing with the cards. Am I being overly paranoid or do others have concerns with the information that grocery stores are gathering with these cards?

PrincessPerky · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 12:00 PM

My card is my BILs so I guess he should be worried not me

.

Actually in PGH the store used tohave one that had a habit of sending you stuff relavent to what you bought, cupons or recipies to match your spending habits, pretty cool I thought. But then obviously they kept track of what I bought. Somehow it never really bothered me, I figuredit was all computer generated, and not like I ared if anyone knew how many gallons of milk I bought, if anyone really wanted to know they could just count (I tend to shop at the same time each week, so I guarantee the checkout lady at BJs knows we get 3 gals a week)

34saving · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 12:56 PM

Market research is going to happen regardless, so if they're willing to pay you $10-$20 a week for it -- Great

Confession time -- Along with PrincessPerky we also buy 3 gallons of milk a week. . . .

kashi · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 07:35 AM

you might find this humorous - cockeyed.com was interested in this, too, and he cloned his safeway card.

PrincessPerky · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 08:09 AM

Very interesting website, might want to check out his research on MLMing befoe getting into one

kashi · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 09:07 AM

I think he was just doing it to be goofy and mess with Safeway.

gakline · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 10:47 AM

I shop at Jewel and I never opened a card. I just tell them that I forgot it at home and they usually swipe their own. Otherwise, I know oneone's phone number that has one, and I give them their phone number if they ask.

kashi · #8 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 10:52 AM

The phone number is definitely something I refuse to do. If they want my zip code, fine, but if they want my phone number, no way. I've had clerks get pretty angry with me over it, but I'd rather not shop at their store than have my phone number floating around. Of course, I have no home phone, just a cell.

I've had nice clerks swipe their own card for me, too.

byusteeler · #9 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 12:01 PM

I don't like the whole need a card to get the sale thing. Only 1 of our 3 grocery stores require it. So I only shop there for really good sales. I am sure if they look at my card they will see they are not making much money on me since I only buy highly discounted items. Oh except they have the best meat in town but I only buy meat on sale too. I do think the cards are a big invasion of privacy. I think they can see buying trends for a specific store or region without having to know what an individual is purchasing.

PRICEPLUS · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 01:01 AM

All the supermarkets near me require the card to get the sale price. My friend uses fake names and has them sent to his PO box. I also don't give out my phone number. I also don't ask for check cashing privleges.

momma4 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-27-2005, 04:43 PM

I have all the stores in my area prefer cards it is like my own little collection LOL. This way if I decide oh what the heck let's shop here I already have their card lol I am not worried about any marketing things I save over $60 a week at Albertsons and they also send me plenty of those you buy so much coupons we will take off this amount LOL. I save an average of about $300 a month so I am not complaining LOL. I have caller id so if I don't recegnize the number they can leave a message.

BillsGirl · #12 (**permalink**) 05-28-2005, 03:06 PM

price plus, thats very good advice I thought of doing that myself, I myself do not like the fact that all my purchses are being tracked, there is sooo much more going on with our government than we really know about, My husband watched the history channel alot so I am stuck watchiong and the stuff I see on there freaks me out! I wanna go live in a cave and grow my own food and live away from society but it has such a hold on you it's not funny!

CRFSaver · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2005, 10:40 AM

I have several cards since all teh grocery stores by me use them. The only time you need to be worried about privacy (IMHO) is if you are going to sue the grocery store. Then they can use it in your lawsuit.

One trick is to get a card and tell them you will fill the form out and bring it back. I did that with safeway and lost the form. They havent asked for it yet.

The grocery stores use it to make sure they are pricing and stocking the right product. I have never, ever gotten a call at home from a grocery store. It also allows them to track loss leaders and promotions easier.