Shops wanting details

Shops wanting details

Author
Discussion

Rich_W

Original Poster:

12,548 posts

211 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Is it just me.

I'm getting sick of being asked for name, address, contact number, email and all manner of things when I want to buy something in a real shop.

I could understand if the item was expensive. Or had a warranty or some other reason that would benefit me but it just seems to be a process that's sprung up and stuck for market research purposes.

Now I've started to give fake postcodes and names and numbers but I would much rather be able to say "No thanks its £11 and I'm paying cash!" and not be given the look of disgust or confusion by the sales person. If anything it makes them suspicious which is pretty stupid.

Some will say shop elsewhere, but if you want something that's only sold in a few shops. Makes it hard to avoid.



Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Just say nope....

Piersman2

6,596 posts

198 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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If I'm paying by card and don't mind them having my details I'll give them 'cos they'll have that info from your credit card anyways.

However, when It's cash and they start asking for details, I just say "No, thanks" and look at them to see if they'll try again. smile

Astacus

3,363 posts

233 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
First time I came across this was in Screw Fix and I did indeed go elsewhere. There is absolutely no reason why you should give your name and address to a shop to enable you to purchase stuff. I've also seen it in some electrical retailers. Bloody annoying

Dog Star

16,079 posts

167 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I've only noticed this happening with TV/DVD type stuff before - presumably to be passed on the TV Licencing. They get my mum and dad's ttty neighbours details

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Piersman2 said:
If I'm paying by card and don't mind them having my details I'll give them 'cos they'll have that info from your credit card anyways.
Is that right? If I pay for a sandwich on credit card in Tesco, they can get my name, address and phone number?
Am I missing something or is that nonsense?

FastNReliable

308 posts

178 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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This irks me too - imho my address etc. are none of their business. While I can understand why they think this is a worthwhile practice it's not without risk to the individual and can't help re possible future identity theft when they inevitably are hacked/ leak/ lose everyone's info.

Another thing which annoys me is the increasing number of entities who as part of their 'security checks' want to know all your contact details and your D.O.B. To me the more organisations who hold all of this info the less secure it becomes.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
Is that right? If I pay for a sandwich on credit card in Tesco, they can get my name, address and phone number?
Am I missing something or is that nonsense?
I don't think it is correct, why would a credit card company divulge the name/address of a customer to a retailer ?

Of course, if you've volunteered your information to a shop on a loyalty card application could easily associate the loyalty card with your payment card (both used in a transaction), they could then easily associate any purchases made on your card with you/your address (regardless of if the loyalty card was used or not).

I guess any shop could do the same with refunds, as they normally take name/address when processed.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I just give them my 4-numeral overseas postcode and watch the confusion as they can't enter it. They then use the shop's own postcode or do nothing.

Tranmeresteve

23 posts

126 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I work for one of these shops that asks for details, and believe me, we hate having to ask. Just lately it's become quite stupid, and is now being pushed onto staff as "its a contractual agreement, ask for the details, or face consequences." We can bypass is, but this is now monitored too and anymore than 2 a day per person and we are dragged in the office to explain why people don't want to give details, or why we haven't asked. Apparently the database of details is worth so many million £££'s per year in extra sales when they send out catalogues/vouchers etc its a right pain in the rear end.

Quinny

15,814 posts

265 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Tell em you live on a narrow boatsmile

Celtic Dragon

3,161 posts

234 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
Is that right? If I pay for a sandwich on credit card in Tesco, they can get my name, address and phone number?
Am I missing something or is that nonsense?
The name on the card is also on the chip and magnetic strip. So yes, they get your name, but nothing else.

Oakey

27,523 posts

215 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Tranmeresteve said:
I work for one of these shops that asks for details, and believe me, we hate having to ask. Just lately it's become quite stupid, and is now being pushed onto staff as "its a contractual agreement, ask for the details, or face consequences." We can bypass is, but this is now monitored too and anymore than 2 a day per person and we are dragged in the office to explain why people don't want to give details, or why we haven't asked. Apparently the database of details is worth so many million £££'s per year in extra sales when they send out catalogues/vouchers etc its a right pain in the rear end.
Is that not a breach of the data protection act? Collecting individuals data with the intention of using it for marketing purposes? Do you tell the customers their information will be used this way?

jimothy

5,151 posts

236 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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The local baby goods store (can't remember the name) always asks for your email address so they can email you a copy of the receipt for your records. Great con as I image a few people fall for it and then get tons of junk.

skilly1

2,700 posts

194 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I had a problem with some boots I bought from screwfix. Did not have the receipt but because they could find me on the database they refunded with no problem. So it does have its uses.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I always refuse as the end result is they sell the data, make some money and you get bombarded with spam and rubbish through the letterbox. Not exactly a fair trade in my book.

If they won't sell the item without handing over my life story and has happened then stuff them.

Anyway I bought a new place and it has taken just over 2 months for unsolicited but named mail to start turning up, considering only the utility companies have name and address which one sold my details, wkers the lot of them.

NickGibbs

1,247 posts

230 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I get very grumpy about having to showing my boarding card buying a bottle of sodding water at Smiths/Boots at the airport.
Purely to gather info - don't mind that so much, but it's the extra time spent that I resent. Everybody gets asked, and with every second person having to fish it out of some recess of their luggage it causes the terrible queues. It's appalling customer service. Grump, grump

Tranmeresteve

23 posts

126 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Oakey said:
Tranmeresteve said:
I work for one of these shops that asks for details, and believe me, we hate having to ask. Just lately it's become quite stupid, and is now being pushed onto staff as "its a contractual agreement, ask for the details, or face consequences." We can bypass is, but this is now monitored too and anymore than 2 a day per person and we are dragged in the office to explain why people don't want to give details, or why we haven't asked. Apparently the database of details is worth so many million £££'s per year in extra sales when they send out catalogues/vouchers etc its a right pain in the rear end.
Is that not a breach of the data protection act? Collecting individuals data with the intention of using it for marketing purposes? Do you tell the customers their information will be used this way?
no, they are always told what happens with it and are given a copy of the terms and conditions if they choose to give details. They are also given options as to how we contact them or how they want the data to be used. Most people just tick the box that says we can't do anything and / or contact them further.

R1 Indy

4,381 posts

182 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Astacus said:
First time I came across this was in Screw Fix and I did indeed go elsewhere. There is absolutely no reason why you should give your name and address to a shop to enable you to purchase stuff. I've also seen it in some electrical retailers. Bloody annoying
That's because screwfix require you to have an account.

Very useful when you want to return or get a refund with no receipt.

Although I would imagine it's all to do with marketing.

surveyor

17,768 posts

183 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
NickGibbs said:
I get very grumpy about having to showing my boarding card buying a bottle of sodding water at Smiths/Boots at the airport.
Purely to gather info - don't mind that so much, but it's the extra time spent that I resent. Everybody gets asked, and with every second person having to fish it out of some recess of their luggage it causes the terrible queues. It's appalling customer service. Grump, grump
Completely agree with you. Does my head in.

Have to be extra careful after one time putting my boarding pass somewhere accessible where it promptly fell out. Fortunately picked up by a cleaner and it made it to the gate ahead of me.