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!

France; Learning Bank and Credit Card Fees Before Leaving Home

In preparing for a trip to Paris, I thought "how nice would it be to KNOW what I'd be charged for using my ATM card and credit cards ahead of time"? I've never looked into it before traveling abroad but this time I'm being much more responsible about it. Here's what I've found so far. I'm still waiting to hear back from Chase Visa, and I think I'll ask ING too.

Bank of America Says:

If you use your ATM card at a BNP Paribas ATM in France you will not be charged an access fee as it is a Global ATM Alliance bank. For your reference, while traveling outside the United States, you can avoid the access fee by using an ATM at the following banks in these locations:

- Barclays - United Kingdom
- BNP Paribas - France
- China Construction Bank - China
- Deutsche Bank ? Germany
- Santander Serfin - Mexico
- Scotiabank - Canada
- Westpac - Australia and New Zealand

Their current exchange rate for the Euro is $1.5339, and the current market rate is 1.450, according to xe.com. That means they are charging a 5.5% premium just for the privilege of exchanging currency at their bank. Seems high to me.

Bank of America Currency Exchange Rates


American Express Says:

I would like to inform you that we apply a currency conversion fee if you use your Card in some other country. We use the exchange rate of the day a charge is processed (plus a 2.7% fee assessed after the conversion rate is applied), not the rate of the day a charge is incurred.

Most charges are converted to billing currency using Interbank rates as reported by the Reuters information system. Foreign exchange rates not available on Reuters are established by contacting local banks or by referring to published Interbank, official or tourist rates.

All other foreign exchange rates are reported to us by local paying agents and are generally commercial bank rates, or the "Official Rate" where required by law. If the Reuters system is used, there is a cut off everyday at noon (Eastern Standard Time) for the daily rates.

I would suggest you to access the following link to make the conversion using the Interbank rate. However, it should only be used as a guide, as rates are subject to change.

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic?user=americanexpress

Is there some kind of underground exchanage system that us little guys could use? Maybe find a friend in France and get him to send Euros in exchange for Dollars, at the current REAL exchange rate instead of the Bank of America rip-off rate?