You wonder why so many businesses are mean to you? It's because they've already looked you up and believe from the data that you won't be a good customer.

The dealership can also just call the bank to verify funds. Which would be reasonable and non-discriminatory all without needing a third party and wouldn't involve your salary at any level. Aside from this it's the financing company that cares, not the dealership, who only wants the car off their floor credit plan.

So what you're saying is it _shouldn't_ matter if you have money, because if you're a low income earner, you should be treated poorly, and you're happy to be personally invested in a system which creates this outcome.

It not only should be regulated but you should feel a little gross for saying any of this outloud.

This is also why certain homes get hit in high-end burglary crews. There are multiple crews hitting those who purchase precious metals with physical delivery (like gold American Eagle coins). It is not all positive. Considering how few victims even bother to report such crimes, it is terrifying.

From what I understand from my cousin, a career criminal, there are entire theft rings working off of databases such as these. He knew mostly of car-related theft rings, but I hear about safe-cracking burglaries quite often, usually stealing Rolex watches or precious metals.

No thank you. I value my privacy and my negotiating ability more than I value a 'service' I didn't even ask for.

That sounds like the most unappealing exchange imaginable. Yes, let me lose both bargaining power with new jobs while simultaneously painting a target on my back, all in exchange for companies being more willing to take my money.

Now this is some remarkable gymnastics. Are you also an investor in Equifax or have some other financial interest in similar services? If not, I'm very curious to hear how you tied yourself into this knot.

This is the view from a bubble I am not familiar with, and really don't care about.

> Write a personal check for your next automobile?

Personal check? What year is this?!? :-)

The finance companies are nice enough that it doesn't really matter.

Bought mine with cash but realized it was Sunday and I didn't have a way to get a cashier's check from a savings account.

They offered to put the down payment on a credit card and finance. Paid it off once I had access to the account.

Ended up being a wash, the points were worth a little more than the percentage charge.

If you get your personal data report, you'll see that it tells you who looked you up. It is not every business you've worked with. It is not even every background check that has been done on you.

I'm not saying that rich people do not have privilege - they do. But it isn't because your local car dealer looked up your earnings data.

Personal check? You can buy a car in full with a credit card if you pass the vibe check.

This is a great argument as to why we need stronger regulations to make these practices illegal.

Fuck that.

"Oh, aren't you happy we live in a world where the rich are explicitly treated better because they carry around a big sign saying 'I am rich' when interacting with corporations?" No. I am not.

I can almost smell the concentrated capitalism in this comment.