QR codes .... I'm a geezer ;)

KFC911 · 08-27-2023, 03:48 AM

I doubt I will ever embrace this ... how does one know what the hell they are actually scanning? Trust

?

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I use the QR codes Kroger uses to give us extra special people extra special deals on food. A couple weeks ago butter was $5.99, or $2.49 if you scanned the code. They must be getting something out of it, but I don't know what.

I'm trying to image what can go wrong. Can it suck data and info out of your phone?

rwest · rwest's Garage

Google says they can be used by scammers.

masraum · 08-27-2023, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

I doubt I will ever embrace this ... how does one know what the hell they are actually scanning? Trust

?

LOL! Luddite!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I use the QR codes Kroger uses to give us extra special people extra special deals on food. A couple weeks ago butter was $5.99, or $2.49 if you scanned the code. They must be getting something out of it, but I don't know what.

I'm trying to image what can go wrong. Can it suck data and info out of your phone?

I'm sure it's like the cards that they give you, it's a way for them to collect more info about you and your shopping habits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwest

Google says they can be used by scammers.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say "anything can be used by scammers" but sure, I see that.

KFC911 · 08-27-2023, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

LOL! Luddite!

I'm sure it's like the cards that they give you, it's a way for them to collect more info about you and your shopping habits.
...

Guilty as charged

. I do use "MVP cards" at several grocery stores (same thing.... info) but my phone has been reduced to being a "dummy/smart phone" .... location services
is only enabled when I choose to.

Any anything can be scammed & spoofed ....

signed....

Goober

masraum · 08-27-2023, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Guilty as charged

. I do use "MVP cards" at several grocery stores (same thing.... info) but my phone has been reduced to being a "dummy/smart phone" .... location services
is only enabled when I choose to.

Any anything can be scammed/spoofed ....

signed....

Goober

Years ago, I was at a grocery store:
"do you have a frequent shopper card?"
"No."
"Here's one. Just fill out the sheet."
"can I fill the sheet out at home and bring it back?"
"sure, OK, here's my new card to scan."

I'm still using that same card, but never filled out the sheet and took it back. I suspect they may still have some of my info based on using a credit card to complete the purchase of stuff after scanning the card. They could get the name from the cc, and then associate that with the card. And once they've got your name, it's probably a small matter to get other info. Big data is a big deal these days, so it wouldn't surprise me if they do other stuff on the back end to get more data.

KFC911 · 08-27-2023, 06:19 AM

^^^ Like you, I either filled out bogus info (or none at all) on those grocery store cards ... 20 years ago and then use my debit card .... so they know everything, and I know this....

Luddites don't have to be logical or consistent .... I've always been a "walking contradiction"

wildthing · 08-27-2023, 06:52 AM

When I scan, the camera app tells me what website it points to, I have to click ok before it goes there. So I do take a look first. I usually only use it for restaurant menus and payments.

I rarely scan random stuff.

id10t · 08-27-2023, 06:58 AM

CompSci students need projects too

QR codes are basically the next generation of bar codes, allowing a bit more data as well as redundancy so if part of a label is damaged then it will still scan correctly

Biggest risks are in the app that reads them and whatever they point to - website etc

KFC911 · 07:31 AM

^^^^ Yeah ..... I don't even have any downloaded apps on my phone

. My degree was in Computer Science too .... but now I'm a geezer ....

And proud to have made it this far

Does the Cross Florida Barge Canal lock still exist and function?

I've fished in Rodman too many times to count, and in the Oklawaha (from Little Lake George) quite a bit too .... love that little river

.

porsche tech · 08-27-2023, 07:37 AM

My wife does weight watchers and she can pick up pretty much any item in the grocery store, scan the code and it will tell her how many points a serving of that product will be. She uses it all the time.

asphaltgambler · 08-27-2023, 07:50 AM

The code just leads you to a web page, that's it. It's the ease of directly getting to specific information with 1 click of your camera.

Daves911L · Daves911L's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

I doubt I will ever embrace this ... how does one know what the hell they are actually scanning? Trust

?

Never use the things, for just that reason. Still manage to avoid most online things, especially involving phone. If I go to a website for any reason I log in manually, don’t stay logged in, don’t save anything, and don’t accept anything. Im sure the bastards still know a ton about me, but there’s a lot of stuff stored only in my head, so there’s that “air gap”. Probably as they increasingly force you to use these things, I’ll just go decide I don’t need to go to their sites anymore and have less and less online business, Luddite that I am. It won’t be a bad thing.

Steve Carlton · 08-27-2023, 08:18 AM

You will scan your QR codes and not discuss this again.

Alan A · 08-27-2023, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

I doubt I will ever embrace this ... how does one know what the hell they are actually scanning? Trust

?

It’s a 2d bar code is all.

stevej37 · 08-27-2023, 08:40 AM

I was in our local Meijer Store yesterday and was in the grocery section. There was a 10ft freezer end cap that had a 6X6 inch QR sticker on the glass door. It said below it..."please scan the QR for prices and descriptions".
The freezer was loaded with frozen sandwiches, pizzas, and flatbreads all from the same mfr.
No need to apply stickers to the product or shelves. Just fill it when needed.

Steve Carlton · 09:21 AM

It scans the QR code or it gets the hose again.

KFC911 · 08-27-2023, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan A

It’s a 2d bar code is all.

I don't scan bar codes on my phone either...

And if the price isn't on an item ... just via a QR scan .... then I'm in the wrong store

.

I have never pulled out my phone in a grocery store .... not even for "The Wimmins of Walmart" pics

Arizona_928 · 08-27-2023, 08:49 AM

QR holds more information compared to a barcode.
Barcodes need an internal database.

QR can be damaged and still read.
QR codes send you to a website.

What else.... They can be multiple colored.

Zeke · 08-27-2023, 08:50 AM

We have a couple grocery stores that are no frills. No membership, no baggers. No bakery or butcher counter and no pharmacy. Good produce. They tend to not play games and yet do the job fine AFA keeping shelves stocked and registers managed. (No self checkout). These are my kind of markets.

I have tried to convince my wife that Ralph's (Kroger) is a nasty business called out now and then for mistreating their employees amongst other infractions. I think she finally got it the last time when the dude stocking the bread had flat crates spread out over a 100 sq ft area and a few elderly folks nearly fell into the mess. Including us. I had to walk a minefield to get a loaf.