Weird question here. Today, I was checking out the maverik

[niyad]

convenience store that the developer puppet city council foisted on our neighborhood, against our determined and vocal objections. I noticed that they had a special price on fresh coffee for loyalty card holders, but it looked to be different from their standard one. I asked about it, and was told that it was a very special card, that one had to go online and link it directly to one's bank account in order to access the special prices, which would be deducted directly from one's account.

Is this some new gimmick? Am I wrong to think there is something weird and creepy about having to hand over one's banking information to get a cup of coffee?

[happybird]

1. Yeah, that's creepy

Never heard of Maverick, but Sheetz and 711 keep track of my purchases and give me points and rewards through their app- no bank info needed.

[niyad]

5. maverik is a western states conglomerate that includes

convenience stores. It bought out a midwest chain called kum n go around the first part of this year. My loyalty card and email kept track if my kum n go purchases, no banking information required (nor would it have been given). As much as our neighborhood was not happy happy when the kum n go was approved, over our strong objections, I figured I could at least get a decent cup of coffee on occasion. Then maverik bought them out before the store opened. I am, to say the least, unimpressed.

[Deuxcents]

2. No, you're not wrong, imo.

There’s not much privacy left these days but a direct line to my bank account is only for my mortgage payment and utilities. I’m kinda old fashioned about these things.

[niyad]

7. Right there wuth you in the old-fasioned bit.

[sheshe2]

3. I would have to say yes.

[niyad]

12. Thank you. I am certainly going to point this little weirdness

out to my neighbors.

[Nictuku]

4. Not just a no or a 'Nope', but a "Hell No!!!"

You are not wrong. Way too much risk for a few cents off a cup of coffee.

[niyad]

9. That was pretty much what I said on my way out the door.

[multigraincracker]

6. I looked into joining Planet Fitness.

They required a bank account to withdraw your dues. I said I’d pay cash for the membership in advance. Wouldn’t let me do that, so I said screw you and left. Made no sense to me. Had to have access to my bank account, no way.

[niyad]

10. The local fishwrap said the same thing trying to sell subscriptions.

Not that I even take the free copies when offered.

[hlthe2b]

8. There is a chain of convenience/gas stations here that does that to get their BEST gas prices.

When I found out what was involved, I REFUSED.

I've previously had my credit (and a separate debit) card cloned at outdoor gas pumps at Safeway and at a trusted ATM. No way would I use a "loyalty" card linked DIRECTLY (and able to immediately deduct from) to my bank account. A bank-issued/sponsored credit/debit card has protections and if you are fortunate to have a good one (bank or especially credit union) they will refund any lost funds immediately WHILE the investigation is underway and go ahead and issue a new card. Does anyone think these private chains of stores/gas stations will do the same? Yeah, right.

This particular chain of convenience/gas stations did have the best gas prices during the past year when it mattered, though--but only if you use their loyalty/member card. Fortunately, I have a COSTCO not so far away and buy it there.

[niyad]

11. I know somebody who has one of those deals with Sinclair.

I told her it was not safe, but. . .

[MOMFUDSKI]

13. Make your coffee at home.

These gimmicky corporate vultures must be held down. I am sad to see the younger people walking blindly into situations and not thinking twice about what they mean. APPS galore on their phones. Call me a jaded old fuddy duddy

[niyad]

16. Actually, I do make my coffee at home. But it is nice, once in a

while, to get coffee from a place that has all sorts of syrups and add-ons, that does not cost a small fortune.

[Hekate]

14. Weird and creepy to the max. I'd make a point of never shopping there except in small change.

[niyad]

15. I had thought that it might at least be useful in a situation like

really bad weather, where I could not get to the store, but now I think that I will just pass.

[malthaussen]

17. One is never "wrong" to think anything...

... but presumably you mean "do other people think this is not a good thing," to which I emphatically answer yes, it is not a good thing and I would never do it. I'm worried enough using my credit card online, but I have yielded to the convenience of it. I only do it at places that have a well-known reputation for probity, however.

-- Mal

[niyad]

18. As usual, you have stated it very well. Like you, I hesitate, but

only go to a very few sites. Recently, I found a site that had all kinds of great slogan t-shirts, and I was very interested. Then I checked. .ooops, a Chinese company. I passed.

[malthaussen]

20. Get someone to buy you one for Christmas...

... that's what I did in a similar situation. It was more that I just cannot force myself to spend 25 bucks on a T-shirt, though.

-- Mal

[niyad]

21. Well, there is that, as well.

[Elessar Zappa]

19. Yeah, no.

I wouldn’t give my banking info to them, sounds shady.