wasser@viking.DEC (John A. Wasser) (12/17/85)
Something funny happened while I was out consuming last
weekend. When I bought some stuff at a "Jamesway" store
in Saratoga Springs, NY the cashier asked me what my zipcode
was and entered it into the register. Looks like they
want to know where their customers come from so they
know where to send sales flyers.... Any other guesses?
-John A. Wasser
Work address:
ARPAnet: WASSER%VIKING.DEC@decwrl.ARPA
Usenet: {allegra,Shasta,decvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!wasser
Easynet: VIKING::WASSER
Telephone: (617)486-2505
USPS: Digital Equipment Corp.
Mail stop: LJO2/E4
30 Porter Rd
Littleton, MA 01460rjn@hpfcla.UUCP (12/18/85)
re: cashier asking for ZIP code ... happened to me too I presume that it is so they can determine where their customer base is, and therefore which ZIP code areas to target for bulk mailings. Regards, Hewlett-Packard Bob Niland 3404 East Harmony Road [ihnp4|hplabs]!hpfcla!rjn Fort Collins CO 80525
werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) (12/18/85)
RE:
... the cashier asked me what my zipcode
was and entered it into the register. Looks like they
want to know where their customers come from so they
know where to send sales flyers.... Any other guesses?
Around here they determine by zipcode which checks they accept and which
ones are from areas "too far away" from the store.johansen@agrigene.UUCP (12/19/85)
> > > Something funny happened while I was out consuming last > weekend. When I bought some stuff at a "Jamesway" store > in Saratoga Springs, NY the cashier asked me what my zipcode > was and entered it into the register. Looks like they > want to know where their customers come from so they > know where to send sales flyers.... Any other guesses? > > -John A. Wasser > Same thing happened at Toys R Us in Madison. I assumed it had something to do with credit card verification.
mather@uicsl.UUCP (12/20/85)
At our local Service Merchandise (discount warehouse merchandise store) the computer requires the zip code to process your order. Interesting idea about not wanting zips from too far away... I thought the whole thing was VERY bizarre. This new stoe is pretty neat, though. They have computer terminals around the store and you can just enter the item # and it will tell you if it is stock, the price, if it is sale, if it has a rebate, if only the display model is available (last one), etc. You answer some more questions and then walk over to another desk at the other end of the store and THERE it is with a computerized sales printout and the rebate coupon attached. Wow! Most people seemed to be a bit shy about using them though and preferred a REAL person to help them get the item. I personally don't like salespeople. They never seem to know anything about any of the products. ---- b.c.mather Software Surgeon uiucdcs!uicsl!mather
larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) (12/22/85)
> Something funny happened while I was out consuming last > weekend. When I bought some stuff at a "Jamesway" store > in Saratoga Springs, NY the cashier asked me what my zipcode > was and entered it into the register. Looks like they > want to know where their customers come from so they > know where to send sales flyers.... Any other guesses? It could be for sales tax calculation purposes. If you live in X County which has X_rate of sales tax, and you purchase something in Y County which has Y_rate of sakes tax, you have the RIGHT to pay the X_rate instead of the Y_rate on the assumption that you are taking the goods to X County for use and consumption. Please note that this applies to New York State - I am not certain about any other states. Not many people are aware of the above, and even fewer stores will voluntarily make the accomodation - so perhaps that's not the reason after all. === Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York === === UUCP {decvax,dual,rocksanne,rocksvax,watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry === === VOICE 716/741-9185 {rice,shell}!baylor!/ === === FAX 716/741-9635 {G1, G2, G3} ihnp4!/ === === === === "Have you hugged your cat today?" ===
donn@hpfcla.UUCP (12/23/85)
From avoiding the issue at Radio Shack, I've found that at they get in real trouble if they don't at least try, but at least one salesman (maybe more) has gotten the idea that "refused" is a complete name and address. I don't like giving my address not so much as an issue of privacy (though that's a factor) but because I don't need the junk mail and I don't often want to take the time. If that doesn't work: does anyone know the address of the owner of Radio Shack? (Hmmm....). Donn Terry HP, Ft. Collins.
rastaman@ihdev.UUCP (Sid Bryozoan) (12/23/85)
In article <256@agrigene.UUCP> johansen@agrigene.UUCP writes: >> >> in Saratoga Springs, NY the cashier asked me what my zipcode >> was and entered it into the register. Looks like they >> want to know where their customers come from so they >> know where to send sales flyers.... Any other guesses? >> >> -John A. Wasser >> >Same thing happened at Toys R Us in Madison. I assumed it had something >to do with credit card verification. A Toys "R" Us cashier in the Chicago 'burbs explained to me that they sometimes send flyers/newspaper inserts to selected areas only. Then they check to see if there's any effect on who comes into the stores.
silber@lasspvax.UUCP (Jeffrey Silber) (12/23/85)
A local store here (Jamesway) is asking for zip codes, and a sign by the register states that it is for marketing purposes (targeting advertising, direct mail, etc.).
tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler) (12/26/85)
Zipcodes are used by marketing types in these companies to corelate spending habits by area. The only things used in these studies are the amounts spent and the zipcodes. This will enable the marketing groups to target their sales pitches. Its been done for years. You can just bet your bippy that low income areas do not get mailings of flyers from the snooty stores. Those mailings are targeted for the ritzier parts of town. On the other hand, you can also just bet that the lower income areas get a mailbox full of trash from the bargain stores. T. C. Wheeler .
gadfly@ihuxn.UUCP (Gadfly) (12/26/85)
--
I've never been asked for my zip, but am often asked for my
complete address. And my name. Even when I'm paying cash.
(In the Chicago area the 2 top harrassers are Marshall Field's,
a large, posh dept. store, and of course, the ubiquitous Radio
Shack.) Anyway, I find these intrusions into my privacy very
rude, and say so to the cashiers. I try to be polite in my
refusal--the cashiers, after all, are just doing what they were
told to do--but they often become quite indignant. Bleeaaaahhh.
Sometimes I have to insist, "Sorry, I value my privacy" two or
three times.
Does this happen to you too? Perhaps these nosey stores would
abandon their interrogations if more people refused to give
them the information. If you pay cash, don't tell 'em a thing.
You have the right to remain silent!
--
*** ***
JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** *****
****** ****** 26 Dec 85 [6 Nivose An CXCIV]
ken perlow ***** *****
(312)979-7753 ** ** ** **
..ihnp4!iwsl8!ken *** ***gm@trsvax (12/27/85)
>> A Toys "R" Us cashier in the Chicago 'burbs explained to me that they >> sometimes send flyers/newspaper inserts to selected areas only. Then >> they check to see if there's any effect on who comes into the stores. The Toys "R" Us around here (Ft. Worth) have been doing it to "determine if there is a need for another store." I guess they look at the zip code and decide how far this person has traveled. If they are all coming from an area 10 miles away, perhaps they should open a store over there. Smells like marketing types with yellow ties are behind it.
root@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein) (12/28/85)
Re: being asked for things like full name and address even when paying cash, 'only doing their job'... Radio Schlock here does this I assume for mailing lists for their catalogs. I find smiling wryly and with a slight tone of boredom announcing (overly loud helps) REFUSED works. With me it's not so much the privacy (they get my address etc when I pay with plastic anyhow) but the stupid delay over throwing a buck down for a battery or some other trivial sale when you are in a rush. The other thing I do is just say BOSTON UNIVERSITY and leave it at that (it's right down the block from my office so I run in there a lot for some piece of trivia in a jam, usually in a terrible rush, if I weren't I would be buying from a *real* dealer...$50 for an RS232 cable my foot!) I have found that when people say 'I am just doing my job' answering "so am I" in a serious tone works, ya just gotta believe in your heart that your needs are as important to you as theirs are to them. The local Cable company pulled this on me over a shutoff charge (they admitted having the check but hadn't "processed" it yet when the due date hit, they had it for three days!) Of course, the person on the other end of the phone defended with 'just doing my job' in response to which I announced *my* new business policies which would include demanding credit for even 5 minute interruptions in service and making sure my neighbors did the same until they start to realize that their 'policies' can profit from treating people like human beings, I am going to find out if I can demand my credits in writing also, making it cost them to hold onto stupid policies is a good defense, ask to see managers, ask for the wonderful policies in writing etc etc. -Barry Shein, Boston University
larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) (12/28/85)
> I've never been asked for my zip, but am often asked for my > complete address. And my name. Even when I'm paying cash. > (In the Chicago area the 2 top harrassers are Marshall Field's, > a large, posh dept. store, and of course, the ubiquitous Radio > Shack.) Anyway, I find these intrusions into my privacy very > rude, and say so to the cashiers. I try to be polite in my > refusal--the cashiers, after all, are just doing what they were > told to do--but they often become quite indignant. Bleeaaaahhh. > Sometimes I have to insist, "Sorry, I value my privacy" two or > three times. > > Does this happen to you too? Perhaps these nosey stores would > abandon their interrogations if more people refused to give > them the information. If you pay cash, don't tell 'em a thing. > You have the right to remain silent! Like you, I used to get aggrivated when asked for my name and address for a $ 3.00 purchase at Radio Shack. So rather than argue with the clerk, I thought I would have some fun in return: I generally give a name of a famous criminal, adding a Jr. or III as appropriate, along with a phony address. I can *assure* you that Radio Shack is doing their best to send catalogs to Al Capone III in Buffalo, New York... ==> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York <== ==> UUCP {decvax|dual|rocksanne|rocksvax|watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry <== ==> VOICE 716/741-9185 {rice|shell}!baylor!/ <== ==> FAX 716/741-9635 {G1, G2, G3 modes} duke!ethos!/ <== ==> burl!gladys!/ <== ==> "Have you hugged your cat today?" ihnp4!/ <==
csg@pyramid.UUCP (Carl S. Gutekunst) (12/28/85)
In article <826@bu-cs.UUCP> root@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein) writes: >Re: being asked for things like full name and address even when paying >cash, 'only doing their job'... > >Radio Schlock here does this I assume for mailing lists for their >catalogs. Correct. And if you spell your address slightly different on two trips (like Joe Schmoe versus Joseph Schmoe) you'll get two copies of every mailing.... And with a name like mine it gets misspelled a lot.... -- Carl S. Gutekunst {allegra,cmcl2,decwrl,hplabs,topaz,ut-sally}!pyramid!csg Pyramid Technology Corp, Mountain View, CA +1 415 965 7200 Look, Ma, no graphics!
ron@brl-sem.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (12/30/85)
> The Toys "R" Us around here (Ft. Worth) have been doing it to "determine if > there is a need for another store." I guess they look at the zip code and > decide how far this person has traveled. If they are all coming from an > area 10 miles away, perhaps they should open a store over there. Smells > like marketing types with yellow ties are behind it. I resemble that remark. I don't know why you grumble at marketing types doing simple dematographics like that. Collection of zip codes is trivial enough. It got even worse when the nearby MacDonald's wanted to expand, they asked me a dozen questions, where I live, where I had just come from, where I was going to with the food. Zip codes have two advantages, they're easy to collect, most people know what their zip code is, even though they will insist on using an incorrect or misleading city name. Their are people around here who don't even know what their street address is. They are just Rural Route 1, White Marsh, MD 21162. This causes some problems for the fire department, except for the fact that the phone company relays the address up on the ALI screens to the 911 operators. The phone companies computers always manage to get a street address (and a nine digit zip code, this is how I found out what mine was). The market research company I used to work for needed something for geographic districts back before their were zipcodes. The first two digits in their 5-digit code is the state number (states are numbered sequentially in alphabetical order, except that Alaska and Hawaii are 49 and 50, placing this is the proper time perspective) and followed by three digits of within state district. Problem was, that these had to be looked up by hand. -Ron
ran@ho95e.UUCP (RANeinast) (12/31/85)
> From avoiding the issue at Radio Shack, I've found that at they get in > real trouble if they don't at least try, but at least one salesman > (maybe more) has gotten the idea that "refused" is a complete name and > address. I don't like giving my address not so much as an issue of > privacy (though that's a factor) but because I don't need the junk mail > and I don't often want to take the time. > If that doesn't work: does anyone know the address of the owner of > Radio Shack? (Hmmm....). > Donn Terry > HP, Ft. Collins. I find that saying, "I'm already on your mailing list" usually works just fine. -- ". . . and shun the frumious Bandersnatch." Robert Neinast (ihnp4!ho95c!ran) AT&T-Bell Labs
stu16@whuxl.UUCP (SMITH) (12/31/85)
> what their street address is. They are just Rural Route 1, White Marsh, MD > 21162. This causes some problems for the fire department, except for the > fact that the phone company relays the address up on the ALI screens to the > 911 operators. The phone companies computers always manage to get a street > address (and a nine digit zip code, this is how I found out what mine was). Some people in really rural areas REALLY don't have street addresses. Some people in N.J. don't have house numbers, only a street name. (We don't have a house number). > The market research company I used to work for needed something for > geographic districts back before their were zipcodes. The first two digits > in their 5-digit code is the state number (states are numbered sequentially > in alphabetical order, except that Alaska and Hawaii are 49 and 50, placing > this is the proper time perspective) and followed by three digits of within > state district. Problem was, that these had to be looked up by hand. So how come N.J. has 07 and 08, while California has 09? Call that alphbetical? And NYC has 100. Conn is 03 and Maine is 04. Strange alphabet. -- whuxl!stu16 (mamawitch)
ron@hpfcla.UUCP (12/31/85)
I don't object to zipcode questions.....
They can't use it to make annoying phone calls and you can always
line the bottom of your birdcage with junk mail :-)
Ron Miller
"Show me a country where the newspapers are filled with good news
and I'll show you a country where the jails are filled with good people."
-<I forgot>
Service Engineering (Hardware Support)
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Ft. Collins Systems Div. [ Home of the HP 9000 Series 200,300 & 500 ]
Ft. Collins, Colorado
303-226-3800
at: {ihnp4}hpfcla!ronbzs@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein) (12/31/85)
Speaking of avoiding junk mail, does anyone remember the story about that guy in Vermont who was supplying a good percentage of his winter heating by burning junk mail? He apparently actively got himself on every list and was, at the time of the news report I saw, getting bagfuls daily. The post office if I remember correctly was 'amused'. I guess in warmer climes you could always take up papier-mache crafts :-) Hey, it's all a matter of attitude. -Barry Shein, Boston University
wcs@ho95e.UUCP (Bill.Stewart.4K435.x0705) (01/01/86)
In article <671@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes: > Like you, I used to get aggrivated when asked for my name and address >for a $ 3.00 purchase at Radio Shack. So rather than argue .... >..... I can *assure* you that Radio Shack is doing their best to send >catalogs to Al Capone III in Buffalo, New York... With most places, I also get annoyed, but I give Radio Shack a break - in return for giving them you address, they will give you a battery card, entitling you to one free bottom-of-the-barrel battery a month. Over the past 10 years, I've *probably* spent more on merchandise there than they've spent on batteries, but not much more. -- # Bill Stewart, AT&T Bell Labs 2G-202, Holmdel NJ 1-201-949-0705 ihnp4!ho95c!wcs
ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig) (01/01/86)
> The market research company I used to work for needed something for > geographic districts back before their were zipcodes. The first two digits > in their 5-digit code is the state number (states are numbered sequentially > in alphabetical order, except that Alaska and Hawaii are 49 and 50, placing > this is the proper time perspective) and followed by three digits of within > state district. Problem was, that these had to be looked up by hand. Zip codes use low numbers in the East, high numbers in the West. Thus Bomoseen, Vermont is 05732 and San Francisco, California is 94120 (and probably other zip codes as well). Some states have more than one initial digit pair, such as New York (100xx for Manhattan but 11550 for Hempstead).
mbr@aoa.UUCP (Mark Rosenthal) (01/02/86)
In article <671@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes: > > Like you, I used to get aggrivated when asked for my name and address >for a $ 3.00 purchase at Radio Shack. So rather than argue with the clerk, I >thought I would have some fun in return: I generally give a name of a famous >criminal, adding a Jr. or III as appropriate, along with a phony address. > I can *assure* you that Radio Shack is doing their best to send >catalogs to Al Capone III in Buffalo, New York... > Even more fun is to give them a bogus name and the address of a Radio Shack store in another city. -- Mark of the Valley of Roses ...!{decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!aoa!mbr "There was an old woman, as I have heard say. She tickled the critters that came in her way. Hi, ho, fiddle dee dee."
bruceb@amiga.UUCP (Bruce Barrett) (01/03/86)
In article <163700002@hpfcdc.UUCP> donn@hpfcla.UUCP writes: >If that doesn't work: does anyone know the address of the owner of >Radio Shack? (Hmmm....). Probably won't make much difference. Radio Shack seems to have a good sysyem of removing duplicates from their list. If we all got together and conspired he/she would still only get 1 cataloge.
ron@brl-sem.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (01/03/86)
> > The market research company I used to work for needed something for > > geographic districts back before their were zipcodes. The first two digits > > in their 5-digit code is the state number (states are numbered sequentially -------^^^^^ > > in alphabetical order, except that Alaska and Hawaii are 49 and 50, placing > > this is the proper time perspective) and followed by three digits of within > > state district. Problem was, that these had to be looked up by hand. > > So how come N.J. has 07 and 08, while California > has 09? Call that alphbetical? And NYC has 100. Conn is 03 > and Maine is 04. Strange alphabet. > -- Come'on READ PLEASE. The code that I am describing is the special pre-zipcode code used by ARBITRON called an ARBSU. -Ron
ibyf@ihlpa.UUCP (Scott) (01/08/86)
> If that doesn't work: does anyone know the address of the owner of > Radio Shack? (Hmmm....). > Donn Terry How about this, BOYCOTT Radio SH*T I've done it for years now!!! Addison ihnp4!ihlpa!ibyf My brother? I always thought of him as mom and dad's science project.
evan@pedsgo.UUCP (Evan Marcus) (01/09/86)
Organization : Concurrent Computer Corp. (a P-E subsidiary), Tinton Falls, NJ Keywords: In article <992@ihlpa.UUCP> ibyf@ihlpa.UUCP (Scott) writes: >How about this, BOYCOTT Radio SH*T I've done it for years now!!! > > Addison > ihnp4!ihlpa!ibyf > Boy, and look at the effect he's had so far! Tandy is practically on their knees because of Mr. Addison's boycott! Tandy's president is probably planning to write a personal letter to Mr. Addison pleading for him to come home again. Great work, Scott. Now *THIS* is capitalism at work! [:-)] -- NAME: Evan L. Marcus UUCP: ...vax135!petsd!pedsgd!pedsgo!evan USnail: CONCURRENT Computer Corporation (formerly Perkin-Elmer DSG) M/S 308, 106 Apple St., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 MA BELL:(201) 758-7357 LIVE: "Hey, Evan" QUOTE: I'd rather have this bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.