Jun 06
Test Pattern #42: Who's Watching Your Back?
Posted by Slobokan @ 02:33 · 75 words · print
I had the weirdest experience at AutoZone today. Somehow, they have my name and phone number in their database, but I have never purchased anything from them. So where did they get my information?
There seems to be an issue with the focus, after the file upload, that isn't there on my local copy. I'll get the hang of this yet.
Download the podcast: Test Pattern – Episode #42
Posted In: Featured, Local Yokel, Test Pattern, Video Schtuff
Posted by Scott
June 11, 2008 @ 14:51
sir, I am employed by AutoZone at the corporate office in Memphis, TN.
I watched you video and maybe I can give you the answer to your
question. AutoZone uses telephone numbers for our warranty database.
We do not get any information from any other source. You said you have
never purchased anything at our stores, the only way that we would have
your name and phone is if there was a warranty file. Some possible ways
that may have happened, your children (if you have children) may have
bought something using your phone number and name, but the more likely
way was that a local mechanic did some work on your car and purchased
the parts from us, usually the warranty is given to the shop, but we
find in some of the smaller towns mechanics will actually use the person
who owns the vehicle their name and number. Anyway if you would like
to have your information removed from our system, just go into the
store and ask them to remove it, if they have any questions have them
call me (Scott) at the corporate office ext 6578. thank you
Posted by Slobokan
June 11, 2008 @ 16:15
Hi Scott,
Thank you for responding, but I must tell you a few things.
#1. I have lived at this address (with this phone number) for just under 5 years.
#2. In that five years, I have never purchased anything from AutoZone. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Nothing.
#3. In that same five years, I have owned two vehicles. One was a GMC Envoy, under warranty, and all oil changes, tuneups, etc were performed at the dealer. The other is a GMC Sierra, same scenario, only I haven't had any work done on it yet.
Therefore, contrary to your statements above, my information was indeed obtained somewhere else.
While at the second store, I asked them how my information would be in the system, and one of the employees looked up my phone number. He also said that there was no other information (such as warranty information, etc) in the computer.
I don't think it is necessary to remove my information from your system. It got there by itself sometime, and will most likely get added back into the system the same way in the future.
Thanks for your response though.