Online stores and registration/inside leg measurement

[paddyhasneeds]

Is it me or are more and more online stores asking for more and more totally unnecessary and arguably personal information these days, and they won't let you buy without entering said information?

What's it all about?

For example why the hell did I need to give my gender and date of birth in order to buy a pair of shoes?

[groucho]

Don't know but I don't like it.

[Conian]

paddyhasneeds said:

For example why the hell did I need to give my gender and date of birth in order to buy a pair of shoes?

Simple answer.... Marketing.

Eg. Their database says ... PADDYHASNEEDS has just bought some strappy high heel shoes in size 9 UK

Automatically an email will be sent saying 'PADDYHASNEEDS.... do you long to dress like a woman? Here are some dresses in YOUR size'

[jamoor]

I find it annoying when shops don't show their delivery charges for your order unless you register and go right through to checkout.

[chris1roll]

Make up the answers.
Sure, they need the billing address, card number and delivery address, but after that do what you like.

[Pigeon]

Sometimes these things are written by divs who trust client side verification so you can just edit the page source and delete the check for the nosey crap, or change it so it will accept answers like "None of your fking business you nosey s" for the enlightenment of anyone checking the system logs. Often the back end will still work without it, although it does sometimes throw a wobbly. Failing that just put in January 1st 1900 or whatever.

[GreenV8S]

paddyhasneeds said:

Is it me or are more and more online stores asking for more and more totally unnecessary and arguably personal information these days, and they won't let you buy without entering said information?

What's it all about?

For example why the hell did I need to give my gender and date of birth in order to buy a pair of shoes?

It's presumptuous and annoying. They have no need for anything more than payment details and delivery address, and if they ask for more than that I'll go elsewhere. I've even seen sites that won't accept an order until I've chosen an account name and password and so on, including an online tool store run by a PHer that I would use like a shot if it wasn't for their overly nosy order system. No, you can just right off, it's none of your darned business.