Invasion of My Privacy

I really hate it when business seeks to invade my privacy.  Yesterday I went to buy a lawn mower at Sears.  As we are conducting the cash transaction, the sales clerk asks for my phone number and I tell him I don't want to give it to him.  He asks someone else for assistance.  He later asks for my address and again I refuse.  He can't process the sale because the cash register won't let him.  I am faced with a dilemma, give him what he wants or walk away.  I have already priced-shopped around town for the product I want.  I went to Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal Mart, the PX, and Sears.  Two basic elements in the decision making, first is that I have a $25 gift card from Sears and second is that I want an electric mower.  I'm stuck with Sears, it's the best value electric mower.

I just don't understand why retailers need my information.  I kid around with folks all the time.  One of those Halloween stores that just opens up for the season wants my phone number, I ask the girl if she wants a date with me.  The hobby store wants my zip code, I make one up.  My friend owns a barbershop franchise, they want my phone number so that they will remember how I want my hair cut.  What if I want a different cut next time, and different cut the time after that?  Are they stupid?

I enjoy using facebook, but I refuse to use any of the "apps" because they all want to use my profile information.  I deleted all information from my facebook profile because they use that information to target advertisements to me.  I regularly cleanse my computer of those insidious cookies that track my Internet usage.  Our cookie will help the page load faster on your computer, they tell us.

Have you read those notices from lenders about how they will, or will not, use your personal information.  They actually sell your personal information to other businesses without your knowledge or consent. 

Do you remember that national toll free number that we could call to tell them that we wanted to opt out of telemarketing calls?  It should be assumed that I don't want intrusive calls, and there should have been an "opt in" option rather than an "opt OUT" option.  Well, I called that number, and I also called a toll free number to opt for my cell phone.  I still get telemarketers.  I have AT&T for wireless service, they send me a text message once a month or so to peddle their international rates.

This invasion is legal and it's standard business practice and it's very aggressive.  I bought a home a few months ago.  Within days I am getting calls from Amerigroup to ask if I want to refinance.  I tell them no and ask to be stricken from their call list.  This doesn't work and the calls continue.  I get nasty with them, at times I get vulgar.  They keep calling.  One time I go along for a while, then I ask them if they can beat the interest rate on my loan, they can't.  They keep calling.  I ask one caller, what do I have to do get you stop bothering me.  I had to get very ugly with a supervisor, they haven't bothered me lately.

Is it unreasonable to want to go to Sears, exchange pleasantries and make a purchase without having to give them my phone number and address?  Think about this the next time you pull out your plastic card at the cash register, that magnetic strip could be storing all of your purchases.  You buy beer, or advil, or KY and they know it.  Since they have your account information on that card, they also know where you live.  They know what kind of car you drive, where you will go on vacation, when you get paid.  The know everything, but most of all they know how to separate you from your hard earned wealth.  Americans call that free enterprise and capitalism, business calls that targeted marketing, politicians call it campaign contributions, I call it highway robbery disguised in innocent questions from an unsuspecting sales clerk. 

I'm not off the mark, nor am I off my rocker.  Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that they ARE NOT out to get me.