Giving personal info redux.

D

DasBoot

Moderator
My previous thread on this topic was closed and with good reason.
I did not mention "gun related" incidents.
When returning/exchanging ammo/accessories at several retail establishments (Wal-Mart, Bass Pro shop), I have been asked for phone# and address, and I have refused to relinquish this info.
They have NO BUSINESS insisting on my giving this info.:mad:
Next time you are asked to give out your personal info, ASK WHY!
And regardless of the answer, tell them you DO NOT! wish to divulge this information.
It has no bearing on the transaction, and you are surrendering information that ANYONE (sales staff/someone standing nearby) could use to your detriment.
Think about it.
Do you want everybody in line knowing where you live after you've just purchased the firearm of your dreams?
:cool:
 
DasBoot, I'm gonna move this over to Legal & Political. It's a valid observation on erosion of our civil right to privacy, and properly belongs there.
 
DasBoot, Just use my address

Mr. Cold Cash
123 Anyplace Lane
Nowhereville

Phone 123-456-7890

NukemJim

PS did you ever get the safe open?
 
I can see why they ask on returned merchandise. There are some serial returners, buy one, steal one then return one. I asked the local Wal-Mart why they need this, they said they only allow 2 cash returns per/?, after 2 they will only give gift cards.

My irritation is when they want this info at the time of cash purchase.
 
In high school I worked at a popular outdoor retailer in Michigan (let's call it...Goose Hill). For some reason, we had to ask everybody for their ZIP codes.

Occasionally I would get the customer who would want to talk for several minutes about how this policy had to be a product of some giant government conspiracy to track who was buying lead-head jigs. I would nod politely, key "77777" into the stupid cash register, and then they would leave.

Lots of people cheerfully coughed up the information. Some (myself included, would cheerfully respond "55....555!"

I still sometimes wonder if there IS a "55555" or "77777" out there somewhere. If so, I bet they wonder why there are always Goose Hill sales fliers in their Sunday papers.
 
They have NO BUSINESS insisting on my giving this info.
Click to expand...

Uhhh, yeah they do. Its called free trade. They have the right to sell products, and the to sell them the way they wish. They have the right to use your info for market research. They also have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

Ive never had an issue giving any store my info. I somehow doubt the black helicopters will show up at my doorstep because I gave Wal-Mart my telephone number the last time I bought .22 shells.
 
Asking for zip codes is simple market tracking.

It's smart that a retailer know exactly where the customer base is living. Not exactly WHERE they live, but what area.

Sending out fliers, mailers, etc., is expensive, and it's good to know what kind of support you're getting from an area. It helps you plan your marketing.

I've never had a problem giving up my zip code.

It only tells the retailer that I live in a certain area. According to the 2000 Census, there are nearly 27,000 people living in my zipcode.

As a matter of fact, this is what the demographics in my zip code look like...

http://factfinder.census.gov/servle...zip=22031&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010
 
Ive never had an issue giving any store my info. I somehow doubt the black helicopters will show up at my doorstep because I gave Wal-Mart my telephone number the last time I bought .22 shells.
Click to expand...

I'll bet you have no shortage of junk mail in your mailbox or telemarketing calls at dinner time.:)
 
Actually, no I dont. I havent had a telemarketer in over a year, thanks to the No Call list, and I receive no more than 2 or 3 credit card offers a month in the mail.
 
Look guys, just remember this address:

1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-0792 (phone)

It's the address & phone number for the The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; let them send their marketing crap to sarah & jim.
 
Not quite.........

"1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100"

Considering the intrusive government the Brady Bunch desires, an address devoted to surveillance seems appropriate. However, the address given on their website is, like so much of their assertions, WRONG.

As anyone familiar with DC already knows, streets are named by letters of the alphabet, not body parts. It's "I" Street.
 
At my workplace, we ask for your name, address, and telephone number. The reason for this is that we perform automotive service and at least 80% of our business carries some sort of warranty. The warranies on many items that we sell are only provided to the original purchaser. For these reasons it is imperitive that we be able to distinguish one customer from another. Also, many people are not prudent enough to keep their copies of the invoices containing the warranty information relating to their products. Using their names, adresses and telephone numbers, we are able to locate the original trasaction and still honor the warranty in spite of the absence of this paperwork. Finally, many customers leave their vehicles with us and go elsewhere while the work is performed. We need to be able to contact them and inform them when the work is finished. I agree that one should not be made to provide personal information over simple transactions and indeed we do not require such information for the sale of a headlight or quart of oil. My point is, there can be pertinent reasons that the retailer asks for this sort of information.
 
"As anyone familiar with DC already knows, streets are named by letters of the alphabet, not body parts. It's "I" Street."

No. 6,

It's not just the Brady Bunch that uses Eye street, a LOT of organizations with addresses on that street do the same thing.

http://www.google.com/search?source...GLR:2006-04,GGLR:en&q="eye+street"+washington

I read an explanation of the reason years ago when I first moved down here, but can't remember it.

It is, however, well accepted, and mail addressed to either I or Eye street will get to the proper destination.
 
I still sometimes wonder if there IS a "55555" or "77777" out there somewhere. If so, I bet they wonder why there are always Goose Hill sales fliers in their Sunday papers.
Click to expand...

I sure feel sorry for the people of Young America, MN...

---

What I don't like is brick and mortar stores that want my address/number/etc. What I REALLY don't like is online stuff that wants that info when I'm not even making an account/purchasing anything...

Wolfe.
 
There's STILL a difference

"It's not just the Brady Bunch that uses Eye street, a LOT of organizations with addresses on that street do the same thing....It is, however, well accepted, and mail addressed to either I or Eye street will get to the proper destination."

Sounds as if the Post Office is accommodating those who can't distinguish between two obviously VERY different words. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top