Trip to Target...

[hex65000]

Just an note on something odd that occurred yesterday...

 

I went to my local Target for a few misc. things and I always check the clearance bin for games because sometimes they blow out a "B" title that I was interested in for a tolerable price. So, I found Madworld for $21 ; decent score -- a few bucks cheaper than buying it from Amazon. So I've collected everything I wanted and I check out. When the game comes up she wants to see my ID. I assure you that I am very much old enough. So I show her my ID and she takes it. She then swipes it through a reader. While I know my privacy v/s the world is vastly compromised, I don't like to encourage them. I told her that if I knew she was going to do that, I would have not let her have my ID. Then flatly stated that I won't let their company do that again. There was some shuffling of feet and the word 'manager' was said a few times. Still. Mine. Target doesn't deserve a free ID swipe because I bought some game that may be categorized as subversive.

 

Hex.

[ Tries to make sure the satellites get his 'good side'... ]

[NE146]

Next time you should just hold it to them so they can read it in your wallet or otherwise. Then if they ask you to give it to them you can ask why

[BydoEmpire]

I don't like that kind of stuff, either. It's not a problem that they need to verify age, but you don't need to swipe the driver's license to do that.

[+Random Terrain]

I've seen those things you swipe a credit card through, but not something for an ID. Where does that info go? Illuminati headquarters?

[Tom-Lynx]

I just show my driver's license and keep it in the plastic sleeve of my wallet. They have no business doing more then that to validate age.

[shadow460]

Next time that happens in a Target, just kindly decline to hand them the ID. Chances are that you will still get to purchase the game, but you might have to get a manager's approval.

In my experience, Target generally does work with the customers, er, guests.

 

They probably scanned it just to have a log in the computer showing that yes, an ID was presented for the game. In fact, the checkout computer might be programmed to not ring the game up unless an ID is swiped, in which case a manager could complete the transaction for you.

Edited August 9, 2009 by shadow460

[xg4bx]

thats the 1st time ive ever heard of that. id refuse to shop there, theres no reason why target needs my id information.

[2600Lives]

Oh, hell no, they're NOT swiping my ID through ANY machine. Fuck, I have tons of grey hair anyway, it's not like I'm not over 21 friggin' years old.

[Emehr]

I had a gas station swipe my ID for buying *beer*! It was the first and last time they got my money. From now on my ID doesn't leave my kung-fu grip.

[godslabrat]

Next time you have such an objection, I'd take it directly to management instead of dealing with the front-liner. The reason being, the cashier has no control over what is expected of them, and complaints to them pretty much go in one ear and out the other. I know: when I was doing that, I filed away such complaints under the "Has nothing to do with me, not my fucking problem" file. People bitch at you all day, you learn to filter out the complaints you can't directly fix.

 

Managers, on the other hand, probably can't do much either, but at least there's a chance you can get your voice heard.

[iswitt]

Gees, don't you guys have cards to your grocery store? You scan those and they know what you buy so they can advertise you. Doesn't that scare you, too?

[godslabrat]

Gees, don't you guys have cards to your grocery store? You scan those and they know what you buy so they can advertise you. Doesn't that scare you, too?

 

As hard as I try, I really can't get upset about that. My grocery store can already get that kind of information about me without scanning my card... all they have to do is compile what items are tallied on each transaction. By scanning UPC codes, they can tell if people who buy Cheerios are also likely to buy Milk, sugar, porn, or bullets. If I use any form of payment except cash, I've attached my personal data to the sale already. So, the "incriminating data" is there just by virtue of the fact that they have a computerized inventory system. Adding the shopper's card only makes compiling the data slightly easier. So, they know if I buy cheese. Yay... and using this information they might just... send me a coupon for cheese. Oh damn.

[JamesD]

The woman at Target asked me for my birthdate and I said "I'm over 18, my birthdate is none of your business". Then she said "I have to have it" and I said "no you don't", she was persistent and said "the computer requires it" and I said "the hell it does!" A manager came over and took care of it. I'm 45 for crying out loud!!!!

Walmart quick checkout machines always make the attendant come over but they take one look at me and approve the sale.

[moycon]

The woman at Target asked me for my birthdate and I said "I'm over 18, my birthdate is none of your business". Then she said "I have to have it" and I said "no you don't", she was persistent and said "the computer requires it" and I said "the hell it does!" A manager came over and took care of it. I'm 45 for crying out loud!!!!

 

Heh they ask me all the time as well when I buy video games. They have never asked for an ID though.

[+HammR25]

Gees, don't you guys have cards to your grocery store? You scan those and they know what you buy so they can advertise you. Doesn't that scare you, too?

The grocery store card I use doesn't have my personal info attached to it.

[NE146]

Gees, don't you guys have cards to your grocery store? You scan those and they know what you buy so they can advertise you. Doesn't that scare you, too?

 

I dunno about you but when I sign up for the grocery store cards, I put it as "Frederick Flinstone". They never mail me stuff anyway and it's just used to get the sale prices. So no biggy.

[NE146]

The woman at Target asked me for my birthdate and I said "I'm over 18, my birthdate is none of your business". Then she said "I have to have it" and I said "no you don't", she was persistent and said "the computer requires it" and I said "the hell it does!" A manager came over and took care of it. I'm 45 for crying out loud!!!!

Walmart quick checkout machines always make the attendant come over but they take one look at me and approve the sale.

 

Usually I decline giving information. However, if it's insisted upon because it's "required" for the transaction to go through, I just give a random date or phone number out of my ass.

 

No one knows if you're giving correct info or not, and if it doesn't matter (i.e. you're purchasing something), then who cares. Give them something to type in and be on your way

[JamesD]

Gees, don't you guys have cards to your grocery store? You scan those and they know what you buy so they can advertise you. Doesn't that scare you, too?

The grocery store card I use doesn't have my personal info attached to it.

I didn't enter any info for the grocery store card I use and they grabbed my name from the credit card account I charge regular expenses on.

But that's the only info they have.

[JamesD]

The woman at Target asked me for my birthdate and I said "I'm over 18, my birthdate is none of your business". Then she said "I have to have it" and I said "no you don't", she was persistent and said "the computer requires it" and I said "the hell it does!" A manager came over and took care of it. I'm 45 for crying out loud!!!!

Walmart quick checkout machines always make the attendant come over but they take one look at me and approve the sale.

 

Usually I decline giving information. However, if it's insisted upon because it's "required" for the transaction to go through, I just give a random date or phone number out of my ass.

 

No one knows if you're giving correct info or not, and if it doesn't matter (i.e. you're purchasing something), then who cares. Give them something to type in and be on your way

I don't remember if it was me or the manager that told the clerk just to enter a bogus date that said I was over 18.

I made a point of being obnoxious so they would remove it from the system or deal with a mad customer every time I go through.

[chrisbid]

when i was a grocery store cashier way back in the day, i would just put 01/01/1900 or my own birthday as a dob for anyone that looked over 30. i never caught any flack for it from a manager, but like somebody else said, dont blame the cashier for how a manager enforces a corporate policy

 

btw, what info is on a driver's license magnectic strip? in ohio, i think it is only the DL#, no name/address/age

[Video]

Wow, why worry about it? Do you care that they swipe your Credit card? or send the check through the scanner too? Really, there's a LOT more damaging info attached to those than there is attached to the drivers license. (often including the drivers license numbers and some of that info)

 

when i was a grocery store cashier way back in the day, i would just put 01/01/1900 or my own birthday as a dob for anyone that looked over 30. i never caught any flack for it from a manager, but like somebody else said, dont blame the cashier for how a manager enforces a corporate policy

 

btw, what info is on a driver's license magnectic strip? in ohio, i think it is only the DL#, no name/address/age

That's it exactly. Well, maybe the newer ones have more, they've gone to that weird dot code looking stuff on newer cards....still, you can (with proper access) look up other info about someone just from that number, though most peopole wouldn't be inclined to do so....and just for the fact of the matter, the credict card (or worse, checks) you give to the store, has all that info and more anyways, so

 

Anyhow, short story long,don't wory about it. If you wory about it, get a hack ID and use cash everywhere....and be sure to keep your Cell OFF when not in use (you'd be surprised at the info people can skim from your cellphone

[sukotsu9]

...In fact, the checkout computer might be programmed to not ring the game up unless an ID is swiped, in which case a manager could complete the transaction for you.

Much like credit cards, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a fallback to type in the license number (e.g. the card won't swipe).

 

And as far as "the government's watching" paranoia, were you paying by cash? Because any electronic transaction automatically places you in that Target (location) buying that "subversive" game (motive). They've got a security system too, so there's a visual of you being there either way.

[Lord Helmet]

They swipe my ID at 7-11 when I buy beer now. Creepy.

[EricDeLee]

This stuff doesn't effect me too often. I guess with my SSN and info being gven out so much with the military, I learn to just take it with a grain of salt. I do make sure I check my credit reports for any 'attacks' but for the norm, this is just a part of life nowadays.

[EricDeLee]

Also... I have never had my ID swiped yet. Must be a newer thing I guess.