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RFID Tags For The Rich
Greedo writes "While reading this piece about designing 'experiences' in the Globe and Mail, I came across this interesting tidbit: If you're a frequent Prada shopper (and who on /. isn't?), the loyalty card in your wallet or purse contains a RFID tag that announces your arrival in the store. When you encounter a saleswoman, her handheld computer brings up your tastes, buying history, vital statistics and personalized suggestions from in-stock and coming inventory; the handhelds also place orders and book change rooms. Every item for sale bears an RFID tag. The RFID tags are courtesy of IDEO, and their website has a nice write-up of all the RFID-powered stuff at Prada, including the changeroom! I'm guessing this isn't coming to Wal*Mart's changerooms when they implement RFID. (Another write-up can be found here.)"
Winona Ryder's Lawyer: Your honor, my client wasn't stealing, she just thought stores worked that way.
My login name for Amazon.com does the same thing when I walk through the door of their e-Store. GOD HELP US ALL THEY ARE AFTER US!!!11!
1. Tag the rich
2. Track their locations
3. Take incriminating paparazzi pictures
4. ????
5. Profit!
John.
If I only had the money, I would complaint about privacy violation at my local friendly Prada boutique.
And at Barney's, they just knock you over, slip a collar around your neck, pick you up and let you continue shopping. No "Excuse me, it's store policy" or anything.
When I buy pants from Target I get to simply tap on a small device outside the changing rooms which, upon generating a small noise, identifies me to the salespeople as needing access. They then use one of their access control devices to allow me to gain access to the room.
Don't even get me started on the 'pants restraining device' that wraps around my waist.
changing room: I'm sorry m'am, but we have you at a size 10, but you have 5 items that are a size 5, you are either trying to steal these items are you are about to ruin these items by trying them on.
customer: open the changing room doors please
changing room: I'm sorry, I can't do that
Just listen to this other real human being who have successfully shopped for an article of clothing at Prada:
"I enjoyed my experience at Prada, and especially the changing rooms. When I had completed my trying on of an article of clothing, I was free to leave, uncooked and totally alive. It is a good store."
So take it from me, Zalgon-23-Prada: our changing rooms are the best! In fact, you should go in them even if you have no intention of trying on any articles of human clothing. I should know, as I am a human being just like yourself.
"I see you're trying to put your trousers on two legs at a time."
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
and welcome to WalMart. My name is Cletis and I will be your personal saleman. Your most recent purchases include one Remington Bolt Action 700 CDL, two First Response Pregnancy Tests, and a case of motor oil. [Click, click, click] Can I interest you in a 1 Gallon Jar of Pickles?
sig
>>The dressing rooms also contain a video-based "Magic Mirror" which allows a customer to see an image of their back. The video-feed is also forwarded to Prada's central data bank, where it is stored for future sale to various tabloids.
...wrapping all my credit cards in aluminum foil.
How can Prada afford all this technology and still only charge $1000.00 for a handbag?
From the article, the changing rooms are made of clear glass that goes opaque when you and your RFID tag enter. "Once inside, the customer can switch the doors back to transparent at the touch of a switch, exposing themselves to onlookers waiting outside the room."
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
You shall see a cow on the roof of a cotton house.
Why can't we just tag rich people the old fashioned way, by knocking them out with tranquilizer darts and stapling plastic bracelets around their ankles while they're asleep? It works pretty well with grizzlies...
Ye know not the power of small-town gossip.
They book change rooms? What are people doing in there? Having high tea? Holding a seance? Reading SCO legal documants?
I had my birthday party in a Prada changing room, you insensitive clod!
Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
and take it from there, even if it's his first day on the job.
Clerk reads screen, looks up to see two people walking in the door, a man and a woman. Clerk walks over to man and says "Good to see you again Mr. Jones!"
Girl says "Mr. Jones is my Dad and he gave me his card, this is just the guy I'm banging to piss him off. Now bring me your most expensive purse!"
It's still better for the clerk to know the customer personally, but yeah, this system is probably a good thing.
you're all figments of my deranged imagination
Gap already knows I like scantily clad saleswomen .... it's why they won't allow me in the store anymore. :(
you're all figments of my deranged imagination