Credit Card Tracking?

• ernest_t_bass

  

  Is it common practice for a large retail store to track your purchases on your credit/debit card, and send you email recommendations? I am signed up on Wal-Mart.com and have purchased things on there, with a stored credit card. Now, I've purchased different thing IN store, that I have never even searched for on their website, and I get an email recommending those very same items from the in-store purchase. Does this mean that Wal-Mart is tracking my credit/debit card purchases, and storing them in their data bank?
  
  
• Tiernan

  No not at all - you're just paranoid.
• like_that

  

  
  
  
  
  
• LJ

  

  They are http://www.slashgear.com/target-has-a-guest-id-that-tracks-your-purchases-17214092/
• ernest_t_bass

  

  LJ;1569037 wrote:They are http://www.slashgear.com/target-has-a-guest-id-that-tracks-your-purchases-17214092/

  So, since I've used the same card online, they track every purchase linked to that card and email?
• I Wear Pants

  ernest_t_bass;1569044 wrote:So, since I've used the same card online, they track every purchase linked to that card and email?

  If it's a large retailer the answer is likely yes. Data is worth a ton of money.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  I Wear Pants;1569050 wrote:If it's a large retailer the answer is likely yes. Data is worth a ton of money.

  I don't think I mind it.
• I Wear Pants

  ernest_t_bass;1569053 wrote:I don't think I mind it.

  Yeah I generally don't mind it. Take something like the Giant Eagle card. They're doing that so they can have data on what I buy, when I buy it, where, and in what quantity. But what they do with that data is give me relevant coupons and use the data to better organize their shelves. The goal is obviously to make more money off me but in this case it results in me getting a better experience so I'm all for it.
• said_aouita

  

  ernest_t_bass;1569017 wrote: Does this mean that Wal-Mart is tracking my credit/debit card purchases, and storing them in their data bank?
  

  
  No. All it means is you're a dumb-ass.
• dlazz

  ernest_t_bass;1569017 wrote:Is it common practice for a large retail store to track your purchases on your credit/debit card, and send you email recommendations?

  Yes.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  said_aouita;1569057 wrote:No. All it means is you're a dumb-ass.

  Dynamite.
• said_aouita

  

  ernest_t_bass;1569060 wrote:Dynamite.

  lol. Seriously when you signed up for something or made some larger purchase (whatever) Wally-world got your email.
  
  Kinda like whenever somebody links Amazon on the OC or you go shopping online you'll get those same links in the ads on the side of the page.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Anything you do online or with a credit card can be (and many times will be) tracked. There shouldn't be any expectation of privacy.
• Pick6

  

  isn't etb some sort of business teacher?
• ernest_t_bass

  

  I fully understand tracking, Adsense, etc. This was the first I had ever received an email based on something I bought in store.
• gut

  I've had stores ask me for my email....I refuse to give it out unless I have reason to care about what deals they are offering (i.e. a clothing store having a clearout sale).