How's Chet at Best Buy going to get your contact information unless you give it to him? I think the theory -- the best-case scenario for all -- is that Chet will be able to keep a spreadsheet of potential customers who are looking for something in particular and let them know when a sale is available. So if Chet has 30 customers who are waiting for a sale on Panasonic televisions, he can text all 30 at once saying "Hey [name], Panasonics are on sale this week. I know you're looking for one, so you can get it at a great price. Just call or text and we can set up an appointment." That's the business plan VTB is pitching. Or if a realtor has 30 clients looking at houses, he can text three groups of 10 about the houses that fit their specific budget.

I just don't see businesses holding to that, though. If Chet is going through a dry month, will he text past customers of televisions "Are you looking to upgrade from your [insert purchased item here]? There's a sale going on now, so check us out!" Will Chet try to upsell via text? Pitch completely random items? I tend to think that's an easy step and one that will -- as you fear -- quickly become annoying.