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From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: A penny for your thoughts
Message-ID: <300@opus.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 13-Dec-85 02:25:46 EST
Article-I.D.: opus.300
Posted: Fri Dec 13 02:25:46 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 17-Dec-85 03:49:06 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO
Lines: 15

The computerized cash register with UPC scanner is an interesting
animal--it has its advantages (like faster checking; probably more
accurate) and its disadvantages (no more price stickers so you can't tell
what you paid; price increases are retroactive to all stock).  It obviously
has lots of processing power left over.  One local grocery store chain has
been using a little bit of magic to conduct "customer opinion polls" (most
of which don't ask opinions but rather habits)--not a bad idea, I suppose,
but I haven't seen what they do with the results.

I noticed today a memo taped to the checkstands exhorting the checkers to
"please be careful to enter opinions exactly as indicated; otherwise the
customer will be charged $.01 for giving the opinion."
-- 
Dick Dunn	{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd		(303)444-5710 x3086
   ...Are you making this up as you go along?