Me, the internet and sandpaper

I know you're thinking, "What does all that have in common?"
Well, I found something rather disturbing this morning and while I'm aware it happens all the time, it was just the "in your face" way it was presented that got me. We know our purchases are tracked. It happens all the time and 99.9% of that is so they can show us more crap in the same category, in hopes we'll buy more.
It goes like this : About a week ago, I went to my local Napa store for some wet/dry sandpaper, to do the headlights on my truck. Now, I use 400, 1200, 2000 grit, then 3 micron lapping film and also use all that to sharpen my wood working chisels. [ stuff works like a charm] ANYWAY, I get my sandpaper, use my debit card to pay for it and forget about it. End of story, right?
Noope. This morning I get on Amazon to look for something, click on David's Amazon and what's one of the first things to come up? Yep, you got it, sandpaper. The exact same brand and the specific grit I bought a few days ago. So, I look at the other products listed and start finding all sorts of things I bought, but not from Amazon. [ I did get the lapping film from them. ]
An ice maker for the new refrigerator I bought a month ago. [ paid cash so how did they track this one? ]
Sliding T bevel.
Basswood for carving.
IWB holster
Matsumura blue steel chisels

A couple of those were cash deals, so how the hell do they know?
I actually find it a bit unnerving.

The items that you paid for in cash, did you initially search and read about them online before you went out and bought them?

a reply to: DAVID64

I feel your pain. Mine is Athleta, EVERYWHERE I turn. Oh and if emails aren't bad enough, bath and body Works also a constant

You brought sandpaper? oh man they got you, probably you are in posthumous mormon baptism list by now too...


I also got that feeling sometimes, but it most likely i researched what i purchased on the web, still they know too much.

a reply to: DAVID64

I'm 99% certain I've had conversations about things that have then appeared in the side bar.

You can't get a license to drive, a bank account or computer these days without giving full ID, including address.

Your bank, the gubment and Home Depot know where to find you anytime, anywhere.

They 'remind' you of this by sending around 'advertising'.

So be good or else…

a reply to: DAVID64

Regarding the cash orders they have some pretty sophisticated software to profile you and figure out what you are going to buy before you even know yourself.

Maybe they knew had bought the refrigerator and cross referenced other people who bout the same one and what accessories they bought?

originally posted by: intrptr

You can't get a license to drive, a bank account or computer these days without giving full ID, including address.

Eh? Agreed about the driving license and bank account, but computer needing ID before purchase?
I bought this laptop I'm typing on a few weeks ago with cash at a national UK chain.
Has it really got that bad in the states now?

Regarding the OP, I'd guess it was internet searching creating the link to the ad's than anything else.

a reply to: grainofsand

Has it really got that bad in the states now?

We can't get a library card without proof of ID.

Just about everywhere we shop the first question is, do you have a 'XYZ Card'?

No. I'm paying cash.

Would you like to get one? Just fill out the form, includes all your personal info like full name, home address, phone number, work phone--

I'm paying cash.

There are cameras at every corner, in every store, RFID in our drivers licenses and bank cards. Smart meters in our homes, sensors in the sidewalks, in our phones, only a matter of time before they 'outlaw' cash.

Coming to a country near you.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: grainofsand

only a matter of time before they 'outlaw' cash.

Nah, what would governments use to pay for their own shady transactions?
I don't see it in my lifetime at least.
Well, I certainly hope not as I pretty much get paid for all my work in cash

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: grainofsand

Has it really got that bad in the states now?

We can't get a library card without proof of ID.

Just about everywhere we shop the first question is, do you have a 'XYZ Card'?

No. I'm paying cash.

Would you like to get one? Just fill out the form, includes all your personal info like full name, home address, phone number, work phone--

I'm paying cash.

There are cameras at every corner, in every store, RFID in our drivers licenses and bank cards. Smart meters in our homes, sensors in the sidewalks, in our phones, only a matter of time before they 'outlaw' cash.

Coming to a country near you.

I would be screwed if that happens over here then.

No bank account, no drivers licence, no passport...

If they tried to outlaw cash here in the UK there would be one hell of of a riot.

You should go back to the barter system and avoid taxes.

originally posted by: grainofsand

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: grainofsand

only a matter of time before they 'outlaw' cash.

Nah, what would governments use to pay for their own shady transactions?
I don't see it in my lifetime at least.
Well, I certainly hope not as I pretty much get paid for all my work in cash

Gold I imagine, or child pornography.

a reply to: grainofsand

Nah, what would governments use to pay for their own shady transactions?

Zeros, pixels on a screen, like they do now. Then they launder the money into jewelry and luxury automobiles through off shore accounts.

Arms, supplies and training are other forms of 'payment' along with 'intel'.

a reply to: nonspecific

No passport?!!
That's one thing I always have as I like being able to leave the country.
My driving license though is the original battered paper one I got over 20 years ago, I refuse to get the picture card on principle.
Last time a cop pulled me he chuckled because he hadn't seen one in a long time. He asked how could he know that I was the person named on it, I replied that they (the police) have my fingerprints, picture, and DNA on file so if he doubts me he can always waste public money on arresting me...he chuckled again and said he couldn't be arsed so let me on my way.

a reply to: nonspecific

You should go back to the barter system--

Our pipe dream. Sadly, they want everyone living in cities. You witnessed the Oregon stand off over BLM land grabbing? They want everyone plugged into a menial job, paying rent and consuming like good little civilized serfs. You know that word over there, right?

originally posted by: grainofsand
Has it really got that bad in the states now?

At the point of checkout you are asked various questions. Usually its the old switcharoo (Can we get your email address to send you special offers?). Sometimes its the phish (what is your phone number?). The phish is innocuous enough that most folks just happily answer it. Zip code (which is general area you live in) is often asked, although if that is all i am asked i don't mind giving that.

Otherwise....they always get a fake response. If you tell them, "No, im not giving you that info", you will often hear, "But the register requires an answer before I can proceed". So I just give a fake answer. The upside: my fake answer, in some small way, skews the value of the data. If more folks do it, its makes the data useless.

Whether folks want to admit it or not, they need assholes like me to disrupt things for them.

originally posted by: grainofsand
a reply to: nonspecific

No passport?!!
That's one thing I always have as I like being able to leave the country.
My driving license though is the original battered paper one I got over 20 years ago, I refuse to get the picture card on principle.
Last time a cop pulled me he chuckled because he hadn't seen one in a long time. He asked how could he know that I was the person named on it, I replied that they (the police) have my fingerprints, picture, and DNA on file so if he doubts me he can always waste public money on arresting me...he chuckled again and said he couldn't be arsed so let me on my way.

It expired a couple of years ago and I need to get it renewed, unfortunately It is currently in the glove box of a car in a lock up 150 miles away...

originally posted by: and14263
a reply to: DAVID64

I'm 99% certain I've had conversations about things that have then appeared in the side bar.

I've unscientifically tested this, and yes...They don't need no stinking debit card transactions to know where your interests (in their opinion) lie...

a reply to: nonspecific

Ooh, I wonder if the ad-platform will start showing links for fast-track visa applications and such like now we've mentioned it here.

...curious about that car in a lock-up though, no decomposing body with a couple of bags of lime in the boot or something is there? Bit of a fail if you left your passport at the crime scene lol

originally posted by: grainofsand
a reply to: nonspecific

Ooh, I wonder if the ad-platform will start showing links for fast-track visa applications and such like now we've mentioned it here.

...curious about that car in a lock-up though, no decomposing body with a couple of bags of lime in the boot or something is there? Bit of a fail if you left your passport at the crime scene lol

I thought that little bit of unnecessary information would pique someone's interest. There is a perfectly mundane reason for it though I afraid.