Shops wanting details
Discussion
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 ?Am I missing something or is that nonsense?
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.
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.
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?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.
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.
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
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
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?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.
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.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
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.
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