OT - Grrr - Page 1

I've been noticing more and more that the "customer service" of places of business is totally outrageous!  I needed a $2 coupler and went to Radio Shack to purchase it.  I told the guy what I needed, he went and got it and I handed him cash.  He asked for my phone number and I said "no", my stock answer.  It threw him off and he had to make a comment, which ticked me off!  So, I get home and it's the wrong coupler.  Back I go and the correct one is $0.11 cheaper.  So, to do the return, he tells me I HAVE to give him my telephone number.  I said NO!  He has to go get the manager, who is perturbed!  He says that had I given him my number for the initial sale, we wouldn't have this problem!  He asks me why I don't want to give them my number.  I say, "I am purchasing an item with cash and I don't believe that necessitates an intimate relationship!".  It took 15 minutes to complete the transaction!  Will we have to give them a pee test to purchase things pretty soon?  And why are people so willing to give out their personal information?  Am I alone?  A couple of weeks ago, my own bank wanted a piece of mail to "prove" my new address my legal ID was not enough.  WTH is going on?

I've got a good one.  I took cash to an advanced auto parts to buy a disposable item (tube of grease) when I got to the cashier he wanted my phone number.  I refused to give phone number I was told no number no sale.  I ask why  and was politely told it is their return policy.  I showed him my item (a tube of grease) and told him I would not be returning it.  He had to get the mgr. I explained it to the mgr. Please remember it is a tube of grease, you do not return grease. So I stated this fact.  (Oh, I was paying cash, $3.29)

The mgr. who had to call someone.  (Whoever was on the phone said they could use my home address.  By this time I was getting pissed and told them I was homeless.)   25 minutes later I left the store with a long line behind me.

This is insane.

The Phone numbers and address are for marketing.

It is for marketing, and I am sick of it too... It seems like no matter what you purchase or where you go they ask for personal information now.  Like they are seriously going to call to confirm that I bought then returned a pair of pants, that I had the receipt for? 
Stacy
 

I just give them a fake phone number to keep the peace;  it's none of their business your e-mail or phone number or anything else when paying cash for that matter.  How rude...

I always tell RS to make one up.
And if you write a check at Wal mart they ask for one too. I told them I don't give it out and they had to call the manager. The manager said why don't you ? I said I just don't give it out! So then she said well just make one up. ha
She didn't believe me that the first time I fell for it and Wal-mart started calling me trying to sell services. She said it wasn't them. ha - it was them.!! they solicitate people yes they do.
So, why should we be on a telemarketing list from anywhere they don't pay our cell phone bills. I agree.

I used to work in marketing for a nonprofit and when they ask you for a phone number or home address, it is for that purpose. Sure, maybe they aren't going to sell the info (YEAH RIGHT HAHAHA, I bought thousands of names for my organization and until recently in NC you could buy records of hunting, boating and fishing licenses from the STATE), but they will send you junk mail from their own store. Why? Because for every 10 people they piss off they get one person to buy/donate $100. Statistically worth it.

I don't know how it works logistically with direct purchase at a place of business, but I'm assuming its similar to my experience with purchasing lists for email/mail/phone marketing. When they have your phone number they usually have your address, and then they can sell all of that with a record of the "type" of customer you are...do you buy things mail order, do you prefer to buy online, blah blah blah...combine that with other info to guess your income and net worth...nifty little algorithms they have nowadays. This isn't conjecture, I've bought the records.

Here's where I bought them! Ahhhh!!!

http://datacards.dmminfo.com/

If you go to search by category (edit: category is Animals), you can apparently buy a list for AKC Canine Good Citizen program...hmmm.

Funny thing: marketers never give out their phone numbers/email addresses/home addresses.

I would give them somebodies' fax machine number.. since I don't have one, I know it won't be me....

I wish I knew the White House number.  That's the one I would give.