On a sunny day (Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:09:23 -0700) it happened Don Y wrote in :
I don't know, I use a shopping list that builds up over the week. It is extremely rare if I buy anything not on it, sometimes some cookies. I get pissed when the item on my list is not on the shelves, or from an other manufacturer, or what they now have 'nameless'. So in a way I am stuck to specific products I once found out to be OK.
I noticed others with similar shopping lists. Saves time too, if they have not moved things around that is.
We like to think there's a person on the other end. Of course, no one sees -- nor CARES -- about your actions.
EXCEPT to use them to further pidgeon-hole you and your behavior! And, you know that is done to THEIR advantage!! :>
E.g., I'm sure (the algorithms at) google wonders why I don't have a gmail account as it "sees" many of my email addresses directing mail to several of their gmail account holders. Presumably, they'd also want to assimilate me and wonder why they haven't...
(dirty little secret is that google handles the mail for many ISP's "silently")
We do likewise: what items at which store(s). It cuts down impulse buys as well as gets things over and done with much quicker -- none of the "Gee, maybe we should make XXXXX this week" musings.
Certain stored (here) are notorious for discontinuing products Trader Joe's being biggest offender. And, as many of their products are unique to them, if you fall in love with one, be prepared for the INEVITABLE "breakup". So, we try to only use them for "generic" products that we could just as easily buy elsewhere (should they discontinue their product *or* we become dissatisfied with its quality).
Costco (large "warehouse" store) similarly has variations in their offerings. But, we *think* these changes are either seasonal (some products are only stocked in Summer months, etc.) or "subject to availability" (at a price they are happy with). An example of the former is their Calamari Salad (Azure Foods?); and the latter, Sockeye Salmon fillets (Copper River).
I think many people have only short lists of the "don't forget these things" variety/intent. They typically *add* to their lists once they stumble on "stuff". It seems much rarer for people to have an "only buy this stuff" list -- and stick to it!
Ghostery actually does tracking. Prism-Break used to state this, but I think lawyers got involved. ;-)
Ghostery is just in theory a way to anonymize the tracking.
A friend had a tumor and I did some research on the internet. I kept getting hammered with tumor treatment ads on one of the websites that I whitelist. I kept saying "I don't have a tumor" in my best Austrian accent, but the computer would not listen.
So you buy a book from Amazon. Now they aren't insane enough to ask you to buy the same book, but they do ask you to sell back the book you just bought.
Or, you buy a *consumable*. Sure would be silly NOT to tempt you to buy it again!
Read a paper regarding marketing that I recall talked about a "motorized nose hair clipper" (WTF? whirling blades *in* your nose??) and the value of having the mailing list of folks who had purchased said device ("Act now and we'll send you a second one, absolutely free -- just pay separate shipping and handling...").
It wasn't that this list had value to nose-hair-clipper-salesmen. But, rather, identified the types of people who would think they NEEDED (and would be willing to buy!) a special device that essentially does what scissors do for the rest of the population!
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