Conversion Letter

TPOPS-NCL
(2-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Dear Resident:
We’re sorry we missed you!
Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau tried contacting you to participate in the Telephone Point of Purchase
Survey (TPOPS).
I am writing to encourage you to participate. The survey asks questions about purchases you have made
and takes an average of 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary and you can choose
to skip any questions you do not want to answer.
All information you provide will be confidential and used for statistical purposes only.
The TPOPS is used to update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is a leading indicator of how
quickly prices are changing for goods and services in the United States. Information from you and people
like you is critical for updating the index. The CPI affects millions of Americans and has a direct impact on:
• Cost-of-living increases for Social Security (COLI)
• Private wage contracts
• Pensions
The U.S. Census Bureau will try contacting you again over the next few weeks, and we hope that you will
participate. If you have any questions or would like to participate in the survey at your convenience, do not
hesitate to call us directly at the toll-free number: 1–800–681–3012. We are available to assist you
seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
Answers to frequently asked questions are on the back, and more information can be found at the survey’s
website: www.bls.gov/tpops/.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director
U.S. Census Bureau

census.gov

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is the Census Bureau calling me? I thought they only operated every ten years.
In addition to the decennial census, we collect data on a monthly basis. We collect these data to
provide up-to-date information on topics such as unemployment, spending, family income, housing,
manufacturing, and business activities to track the country’s economy.
What is this survey about?
The Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS) provides information on the stores and businesses
where people shop and on the products they buy. This information updates the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) or the "cost of living index."
How will the information be used?
In order for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to update the CPI, it is necessary to maintain an
up-to-date list of the stores and businesses where people shop. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts
TPOPS to provide statistical data needed to update this list. Your voluntary response is essential for
ensuring that this survey’s results are complete and accurate.
Why was I selected? Why not interview someone else?
Through a scientific sampling process, a phone number associated with your household was selected
randomly from a list of phone numbers. We did not select you personally. Your household represents
hundreds of other households in your region, so your participation in the survey is important.
What confidentiality protection do I have?
The confidentiality of the information you provide is assured to the full extent permitted by law in accordance
with the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002
(Title 5 of Public Law 107-347). The information you provide will only be used for statistical purposes.
What laws authorize you to conduct this survey?
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved this survey and assigned it Control Number
1220-0044. Title 29, Section 2 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) authorizes the BLS to conduct household
studies. Title 13, Section 8 of the U.S.C. authorizes the Census Bureau to conduct surveys for other federal
agencies.
How long does the interview take?
You will be interviewed once a quarter for eight quarters; the typical interview lasts between 10 and 20
minutes.
If you have any comments regarding the burden estimates or any other aspect of this survey, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, please send them to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of
Consumer Price Index, Room 3615, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20212. Additional
contact information can be found at www.bls.gov/tpops/.

TPOPS-NCL (2017)