Went into a Hallmark store today...because I don't hate myself enough, apparently...

"Do you have a (whatever they call their cards)?" No.

"No one in your family has one?" No.

"Would you like to sign up for one today?" No.

"Are you sure?" Yes.

"You would save five dollars today...are you sure you..." Yes, if there is one thing I am sure of in this world lady, it's that I don't want to sign up for your damn card.

" that will be 25.49"

I'm with you completely. Every damn place has their own special little card that we all need for some reason. I'll give Mariano's credit because they don't ask me for that shit very often.

Hallmark stores are still around? A couple that my wife use to go too are out of business.

They still have some of the best Christmas ornaments around. But you have to get them at least a few weeks before Christmas, or all the best ones are gone.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

oh yeah man, that stuff has gotten to be super-annoying in the wake of the jewel/dominick's "preferred customer" cards popping up and being willing to exchange menial savings for your willingness to let your purchases be recorded for marketing research purposes. you know, save 50 cents here, a dollar 50 there.... but in the end the market research they're using you for makes them more profits in the future and therefore it's worth exchanging for the feeble savings.

walgreens and AMC (the movie theatres) have been the most annoying. the former is having some einstein-bros-bagels "WOW! SERVICE" style thing where it's mandatory for them to greet every customer who walks in, so lately you'll walk in and see some poor worker have to run to the end of the aisle to stick out their head to welcome you to walgreens.... and then when you check out they're trying to condition you to always using your super savings club card, cuz if i don't see that there's a special sale that requires the card i don't whip it out; this usually creates a pithy look followed by "hey you might as well scan it because you never know if there will be extra savings!" to which i say something about my privacy which only continues the pithy look.

AMC, despite every ticket window having a big ol REELZ CLUB ad right there a foot from my face every time i buy a ticket, feels the need to start going into some pre-programmed schpiel about how it's their sandwich club where after 10 movies i get a free one alongside other savings and special offers, all for a low low price of either $5 or $10. it's gotten to the point where when i went and saw the hobbit 2 last week i specifically thanked the guy for not asking me to join the super film savings club and he STILL gave me a dirty look, prolly cuz he was supposed to ask me and if his boss noticed i'd get in trouble. c'est la vie.

TL;DR = greetings mr. mark of the beast! we are so on the path to that dystopian "you have to pay to skip ads" possible future that black mirror (uk series) featured. whenever youtube sensations bitch about people using adblock being akin to stealing from a store i can't help but think that black mirror was so totally right. shomer shabbos! * pounds table *

_________________

Not necessarily true. I was in the one in Vernon Hills yesterday...they had a ton of everything in stock.

_________________

Two styles of this I hate:

1) Potbelly sandwiches -- if you get in line, somehow you are like the sandwich makers' older brother who just got back from an extended tour of duty in Afghanistan. They are so happy to see you there and so happy to make you a sandwich! This is great -- what toppings do you want?! I've never had more fun making a sandwich -- and it's all for you!

2) Video rental stores -- there are other places like this, but this one is the best example I can think of. You walk through the entry door, start making your way to the movies. You are about 10 feet away from the service desk, facing away from it, and you get a less than enthusiastic "Welcome to Blockbuster." Then you have to look around to see if he was talking to you, because you are in no position to engage a conversation with those folks. Then you realize they were talking to you, but they are back to their drudgery behind the counter. Thanks for an awkward and unappealing greeting!

_________________
"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

Those fuckers...I hope they go out of business...

I know you meant "if his boss noticed, he'd get in trouble," but it only makes sense that the next level of overbearing interpersonal commerce would be for management to blame the customer for inadequate upselling or poor service. Hell, the White Sox have been doing precisely that for years.

_________________

Don't worry Steve. You can still get these on Ebay for your hanging tree.