Fingerprinting Causes Controversy
April 13, 2004--Cedar Falls
A new business practice is causing controversy in the Cedar Valley. Tan Down Under in Waterloo and Cedar Falls is asking customers for their fingerprints before they tan.
Leslie Wilder tans often, but she refuses to go to Tan Down Under, where they just started identifying a customer by his or her fingerprint. Wilder says, "there's never been an access to records before that you had to give your fingerprint for tanning so I don't feel that it's necessary."
But co-owner Janet White says the fingerprint is necessary to keep track of the twenty-thousand customers who come to tan at their two salons. White says, " a lot of people feel it's great because they feel protected that someone else can't use their account or their minutes." Nikita Corcran gave her print, no questions asked, and says, "it didn't seem suspicious at all."
Owners say the fingerprint is for identification purposes only and personal information doesn't leave the salon. But leaving the salon are a few customers. White says, "I've had a few people leave and not come back. I've had a few people leave and come back, and some come and want their money back."
The fingerprint system is a licensed product and is legal, especially since customers have a choice, which is to give the print or go elsewhere. White says, "I'm hoping everyone will say thank you for protecting their tanning minutes." But for tanners like Leslie, they feel more protected going to another salon.
White say they are the first tanning salon in Eastern Iowa to start fingerprinting. The closest salon that fingerprints is in Des Moines.
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steve |
