Random Musings

Big Brother Is Watching

The other day, we got a packet of coupons from Smith’s (a grocery store) in the mail. The packet said that we’re one of their best customers, that only a small percentage of their customers get these packets, and that the coupons were specifically chosen for me. The “best customer” bit didn’t surprise me. I usually shop sales and go to more than one grocery store, but Smith’s is really the only good and affordable grocery store within a reasonable distance of where we live, so I’ve been shopping there nearly exclusively for a year.

Looking through the packet, I couldn’t decide whether to be delighted or weirded out. Nearly every single coupon was for something I buy tons of—and they were all really good. Like, a free frozen pizza from a brand I like. Or, $2.50 off when I buy $10 of beef. At the same time, it bothers me a little that Smith’s apparently is very well informed of my spending habits.

Only a little. The rest of me thinks, “Who cares if they know I buy S&W brand of beans if it means I get cool coupons because of it?” It’s not like they’re watching me sleep or take showers or something.

Or are they? Dun dun dun.

4 comments

  1. Heh, Smith’s is convinced we only buy hair dye. Target is desperate to get me to try their reconstituted juice.

  2. Dude! I brave the 4200 S, West Valley City Smith’s every week and I don’t get “best customer” coupons. All I get is hit up for money by that weeks transient.

  3. I was a bit disturbed when I heard the marketing from a grocery store once. They really do keep track of what you buy and that’s how other marketers determine whether or not you’re in the right target market for them, too. . . You get discounts for things you like and you hear about things you’re statistically more likely to be interested in. But. . . it still feels wrong. . .

  4. Who knew. Well, I knew that internet companies did such things but never grocery stores. Probably because I’m not really a frequent buyer at any grocery store. Spooky.

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