CVS, Stop Tracking Me

It's always bothered me that CVS requires you to show your CVS card when making a purchase - if you want the "sale" price. I used to be able to tell them I didn't have my card on me and they'd swipe the store card. Apparently that policy has changed, and they are now insisting that you use your own card.

Yesterday, I had a bunch of sale items and wanted the sale prices. I tried to get them to use the store card, but no dice. So I told them I'd take a new card. They gave me the card, swiped it, then told me to return the application once I'd filled it out. Fat chance! I asked the clerks how long they thought the card would keep working if I never gave them my tracking data. They didn't know - I don't think they'd ever thought of that. I must be the only customer who doesn't like being tracked. Everyone else hands over their card (their personal data) every time they buy something. It's all going into one big tracking database that their marketing department uses for all kind of analysis.

I have an aversion to being tracked by CVS because I don't like the way they advertise sale prices all over the store, then don't let you actually buy the stuff at those prices unless you hand over your personal data. I know a lot of grocery stores do this too, but so far I've always been able to get away with asking them to swipe the store card for me. CVS, you are evil!