Comments on: California bars retailers from asking for zip codes, class actions follow

By: After California’s zip-code-privacy ruling

After California’s zip-code-privacy ruling — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:14:52 +0000

[…] The lawsuits against store chains over inquiries in check-out lines were just the start: one lawyer has sued gas station operators on the theory that it violates state law to ask drivers at the pump to key in their zip code to verify their credit cards. [Russell Jackson, earlier] […]

By: Cynical Bastard

Cynical Bastard — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:01:31 +0000

If they want my information, they need to pay for it. My answer always is: “I’ll trade you for a 20% discount”. 🙂

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 06:36:55 +0000

I actually get warm-fuzzies when my favorite grocery store asks for my zip code. I think it’s great that they track purchases made by folks in my zip code–I want them to know which items to stock at their different locations, and where to open new ones. Loyalty cards, on the other hand, are an extremely creepy privacy invasion…

By: The Briefcase » Friday Roundup

The Briefcase » Friday Roundup — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:58:10 +0000

[…] course, for those of you with a more cynical bent, Overlawyered has another explanation for the statute. Print Post | Email Post | Comments (0) | […]

By: KB

KB — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:44:21 +0000

I’m kind of fond of 90210 and love to watch the reaction. They know they’re heard it somewhere but can’t pin it down.

By: Bob Lipton

Bob Lipton — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:25:58 +0000

The Zip code for Gitmo is 09360. Just saying.

Bob

By: Bumper

Bumper — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:34:14 +0000

The part I’m still not clear on is did W-S refuse to complete the transaction without the zip code or did they just ask for it. To me there is a big difference there, but probably not to the California Supreme Court as this is not the first, and probably not the last, over-reaching decision they have ever made.

I once used the 555-1212 at a Circuit City and the young clerk responded with “Gosh, there are over two thousand people who have that same number.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her and I guess she never watched TV or went to the movies.

OTOH, Lowe’s adds your phone number to the receipt in their computers so if you need to return something and you can’t find the receipt the clerk can look it up for you.

The plaintiff in this case probably has one of those Safeway Club Cards and would be really shocked to learn they not only know what kind of tampons she uses, but when her last period was…

Anyone who believes there is such a thing as anonymity these days should call me, I have a bridge for sale. If you are real nice I might throw in some beach front property at no additional cost.

Get over it folks the war is over; Google won!

By: wfjag

wfjag — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:38:32 +0000

Ben — If you put on a tin foil hat, you would.

By: Ben S

Ben S — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:29:31 +0000

I would be quite happy to have the stores I frequent open locations closer to my home. I don’t get how it’s scary or improper to give (or request) this sort of information.

By: kimsch

kimsch — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:34:59 +0000

The reason they ask is because, if they start getting a lot of answers from another town, they might consider opening a store in that town. My Kmart asks me every time and I live in the same town, but I just count it as *my* cost of doing business. If I don’t want to answer, I’ll choose to shop elsewhere.

Sometimes if using a credit card, especially at a gas station, you might be asked for your zip code as a check on whether you are the cardholder.