How did WalMart get my name? (no haters, please)

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I don't want to hear any "I hate WalMart" posts, please.

I got a $5 gift card from them in the mail the other day. It was addressed to me and it was to celebrate the remodelling and reopening of our WalMart in town. I'm not arguing that this was a good thing for me. I shop at WalMart almost exclusively due to their low prices and self-checkouts, ease of access etc. I save a LOT of money by shopping for food there.

My question is: How did they get my name to send me this? They don't use a "shopper's card" that I had to sign up for. I don't have a Pharmacy account there. I do use my VISA Check card on every purchase. But, I don't believe the store can actually use that information during the checkout procedure. I believe only VISA sees the name/# etc on the account. I've never applied there either for employment.

Was it a random phone book search that got me? Curious is all.

Danny_Ocean · 11-13-2009, 04:07 PM

Marketing lists. You are on a list (or more) that is sold by professional "list brokers". They know your name, address, phone number, age, income, etc.

You can purchase marketing lists by specific targets (income, sex, neighborhood value). Apparently, you must live in the "low-rent" part of town...

P.S. - I love WalMart...buy all my clothes there. The thought of a $7 pair of jeans (made by forced Chinese child labor), makes me warm inside!

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I live in low-income housing that I have to qualify for. I didn't think of that, actually!

Danny_Ocean · 11-13-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitwound

I live in low-income housing that I have to qualify for.

Yes, your ownership of a 944 confirms that...

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

HA. :-P Hey...I bought the car when premium gas was 1.39/gallon. Now, It's 3.07 and I can barely afford to drive it. In fact, I haven't filled the car in probably 6 months. Just 1/2 a tank at most when needed.

Luckily, I can walk to class. I put 150 miles on the car in since August...pathetic.

desertt5 · 11-13-2009, 07:30 PM

It is amazing how many lists we are one and may never know it.