Unhealthily obsessed

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

From the swamp's facebook page a couple days ago...a SCREAM-O-VISION rant from some kook demanding people boycott the swamp because....this is really the biggest outrage in the history of everything....our cashiers ask people to provide their zip codes at checkout.

HORROR. OUTRAGE. VIOLENT MOBS. BURNING AT THE STAKE.

After a few other people explained how they have no problems giving their zip codes at checkout and why this is done, the nutbag gave this response:

No other retailer in this county asks for that information. Most responsible retailers will hire a demographer to assess the market not expect their cashiers to provide this work. Yes it is a reason to boycott. Information is lifted off my prescriptions to feed the corporate office's need for info. This I am sure is illegal and the state of Michigan is beginning an investigation. BOYCOTT THE CLEARANCE SWAMP until they stop demanding zip codes of all their customers!

Seriously, can't we just banhammer tin-foil hat conspiracy nuts like this one out of existence? Just about every retailer asks customers for zip codes at some time in the year. Most of them can't afford demographers to figure out where their customers are from. Nobody's stealing any information off your purchases for any nefarious reason, and I certainly don't think this process is illegal anywhere. Show me an Attorney General who starts investigating zip code captures as a start to making the practice illegal, and I'll show you an Attorney General who needs to find better things to do with his/her time.

Besides...if you don't want to give that information, it's not like they won't take your money. The cashier will just hit a button on their register and go ahead with the transaction if you don't feel like telling them your zip code. Why waste your time and energy organizing a boycott nobody else will join?

And then, posted earlier today by the same imbecile, another call to boycott the clearance swamp. I suspect I will be seeing various manifestos and screeds from this whackaloon popping up on our Facebook page from time to time throughout the next couple of months.

[bhskittykatt]

I can think of, like, five local retailers that ask for my zip code. I mean, it's not like it's really personal info.

[DeltaSierra]

Yep if I give out my zip code I'm sure the s00per s33kret marketing MIB's will be able to figure out just WHICH short, fat blonde-haired woman I am in my neighborhood and then use that info to steal my personal information and/or idenitity.

[zombiequeen]

OH no! My zip code! Now they can come to my house and robs me of all my worldly possessions! Whatever shall I do!

[Racket_Man]

OK that is just far beyond wierd.

even with the USPS ZIP + 4 you only get down to a block or two area or a large group of apts or a high volumn mail user/receiver or in the case of a building like the Sears Tower in Chicago. what is this guys malfunction????

[Marmalady]

I suspect I will be seeing various manifestos and screeds from this whackaloon popping up on our Facebook page from time to time throughout the next couple of months.

If only people like these were as interesting as they clearly think they are!

[shadowpanda]

The guy who advocates them hiring in a demographer, will be one of the first to complain when the prices rise to pay this salary!

[MoonCat]

Craziness. I know of several stores in my area that ask for this info. No biggie. If it's phone number or email they want, I usually tell them I prefer not to give it, they say fine and that's that.

Doesn't even seem to be identity theft that he (she?) is worried about. No, it's "the corporate need for info." Ooohh, scary!

[wraiths_crono]

even with the USPS ZIP + 4 you only get down to a block or two area

LOL my entire city had one zip code until.. 2 years ago so that was.. hmm.... roughly 29 square miles to search through 85323 oh no I gave my zip code on the web! (runs and hides in the remaining 17 SQ mile area)


Heck every store cept Frys has asked for my zip code these past few weeks people are just crazy..

[Android Kaeli]

This is the one reason why I won't ask for zip codes from people unless a manager is right behind me, or if the DM is close by to hear me. I have had several people snap at me that they believe the zip code is personal information and that I have no right asking for it. So unless I *have* to ask, I won't.

[Rhion]

I used to have to ask for postcodes, mainly so we could decide if it'd be worth having additional agents in the areas they were from. One of our regulars would just respond "7". I'd chuckle and put down the local postcode.

If anybody would start fussing, I'd just say "That's fine sir/ma'am" and put down the local one.

[blas]

Michigan? Well, at least you won't have to worry about that kooky mess protesting or making noise at your store.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, he's probably doing the store a favor by boycotting them, actually. It will at least keep him out of the clerk's face.

He could always do what I do, which is politely decline. But then, I'm lazy like that. Guess he's duty and honor bound to save the world with his little boycott.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Guy renewed his call to boycott the swamp 21 hours ago, according to our Facebook wall. I think he's getting lazy.

[Becks]

I will not hesitate to give my zip code.

...from New Jersey.