No, You May NOT Have My Postal Code

I don't like it when stores ask for my information than they need for the transaction to be complete. Postal Codes, complete addresses, full name if you are paying with cash, its all unneccessary to purchase an item legally in almost all cases. They do it so that they can get marketing information on your buying habits, or mail you catalogs or offers.

Its the same deal with Airmiles or any rewards program. They keep track of your buying habits and perform research and analysis on what products sell well in households that buy certain other products. Amoung other private details. If you use Airmiles cards religously, then there is a marketing firm that knows more about your buying habits than you do. And they are using it to sell you and people like you more stuff.

I don't like it.

In the age of increasing communications, privacy is going to be eroded more and more. I feel a need to protect my privacy as much as possible, so when a store asks for my postal code I refuse to give it or I give a false one. One time at a grocery store I had the cashier get mad at me for not giving my postal code. Strange.

Anyways, what brought all this on is the www.tsn.ca website. I wanted to watch video clips of last nights 5-2 win for Ottawa over Tampa Bay and they forced me to register to do so. The registration form wanted my full name and personal info, in fact required it. This pissed me off so I filled in all false info except my email. Take that TSN! *evil laughter*

(BTW, my \fFavourite fake postal codes are k0k0k0 and h0h0h0)