Discussions

We would appreciate clarification on the construction of the Spend Pattern Data (https://docs.deweydata.io/docs/safegraph-spend

We have two alternative interpretations of how Related_Payment_Platform_pct is aggregated from the raw transaction data. We would like to get clarification on exactly which interpretation is correct.
1.1. Interpretation 1.
1.1.1. Every time a customer pays with her debit or credit card at a POI, the transaction is recorded in your transaction database.
1.1.2. Here are two sub-interpretations of the next step. Please confirm which, if any, is true.
1.1.2.1. Using the debit or credit card number on the transaction in 1.1.1, the data vendor then links all other transactions using the same debit or credit card number, including transactions using the PayPal (Venmo, etc.) app but settled through the same debit or credit card.
1.1.2.2. Using the debit or credit card number on the transaction in 1.1.1, the data vendor then finds the bank account behind the debit and credit card, and links all other transactions using the same bank account, including transactions using the PayPal (Venmo, etc.) app but settled through the same bank account.
1.1.3. Next, the vendor aggregates the above information by POI. Specifically, the vendor constructs (1) the variable “Number of unique customers with at least one transaction at this POI” using the information in 1.1.1, and (2) the variable “Related_Payment_Platform_pct” by counting the number of customers used PayPal in 1.1.2 and dividing it over “Number of unique customers with at least one transaction at this POI”.

1.2. Interpretation 2.
1.2.1. Every time a customer pays with her debit or credit card at a POI, the transaction is recorded in your transaction database.
1.2.2. Using the debit or credit card number on the transaction in 1.2.1, the vendor matches the name and address on the debit or credit card to the customer’s device (i.e., phone).
1.2.3. Using the device number associated with the transaction and app usage information on the same device, the data vendor then links all other transactions using the same device, including transactions using the PayPal (Venmo, etc.) app (but not necessarily settled through the same debit or credit card or bank account).
1.2.4. Next, the vendor aggregates the above information by POI. Specifically, the vendor constructs (1) the variable “Number of unique customers with at least one transaction at this POI” using the information in 1.2.1, and (2) the variable “Related_Payment_Platform_pct” by counting the number of customers used PayPal in 1.2.3 and dividing it over “Number of unique customers with at least one transaction at this POI”.

Thank you for your time and assistance!