Why do some stores now ask for your phone number...

[Dargo]

even when you're paying cash for an item? I've noticed in the past that several stores have asked for my zip code when I've made a purchase. I'd assumed that they wanted it for a market penetration analysis, but my phone number??? This was at my local Home Depot store. Although I didn't want to make a scene, I had to ask the cashier why she needed my phone number when I was buying a $3 flapper for a toilet tank and was paying cash. She simply said "store policy".

I told her that it was "my policy" to not give my phone number out unless I wanted to do so. She said she couldn't let me buy the item unless I gave her my phone number! What the heck!? I asked to please speak with her manager. He verified that was their store policy and said that I'd have to provide it or "shop elsewhere"; then walked off.

My first inclination was to just leave the item and leave the store. However, it was late and I was tired and needed to fix a running toilet. Fortunately, out of the blue, the local number for time and temperature came to me (man, I haven't called that number in 25 years or more) so I said okay, and gave her that number. She sort of smirked, entered it, and took my money. I don't know if she smirked because I gave in, or because she'd been given that number several times. Anyway, why would Home Depot need my home phone number for me to buy any item; even if paying actual green for the item?? Would you give them your home number?

 

[randy41]

i wouldnt and i would just shop somewhere else. well...if she was cute.....

 

[Thomas]

Morning Dargo.
Lot of stores ask for info...phone numbers,email address,mail address etc...but for them to say tells us your phone number or shop else where,now that's getting little out of hand....soooo much for the holiday spirit.

Guess Larry the cable guy sums it up the best when store gets little nasty when one doesn't give out personal info..."Why,do you want to come over and watch **** w/me"

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You MUST be getting on in the years there Dargo! You completely missed the purpose of that request. That was a pick up line if I've ever heard one! Now the guy at the weather desk has a hot date this Saturday night!

 

[gordon21]

The requests used to be for marketing purposes. All the numbers in a given exchange were fairly tight geographically. For example: In Florida area code 305, all the 451-xxxx numbers were in the town of Key Largo and an area no bigger than 18 miles. If you shopped at a Sears store 60 miles away, they could track where their customers were coming from. This was fairly innocent, but did not last long

However, the requests now have a security advantage. The cashier can type in your number and access various reverse number lookup databases and know where you live. This happened to me the other day. I gave her my home number and she said about 5 seconds later, " you live at xxx address??" I replied yes and finished my credit card transaction. Her response was BEFORE I scanned my card myself. She knew my home address before she knew my name or credit card number.

For cash purchases, the easiest way to thwart this is to give out cell numbers which the databases can't always handle or give a phony number.


Do NOT give a phony number if you are making a credit or debit card purchase. You might be surprised to find your credit card acct suddenly has the new phony number tagged to it at the card issuer. (Citibank-Chase, etc) The next time you contact them might be a problem if you can't identify yourself with your new "phony" phone number.

An extension of this technology was a system put in place by Pizza Hut about 10 years ago. When you called them, their caller ID brought up your "profile" on a screen for the person taking the order. They had a record in front of them of your last 10 orders. They already knew that you would be ordering anchovies on half the pizza.......................

 

[mikim]

Whenever I'm asked for my number I give them the correct area code then 555-5555 ...... all the computer needs are the blanks filled in with something....and since 555 doesn't exist anywhere ....

 

[n8wrl]

I give 555-1212

 

[Paddy]

When I have been asked for my number, at auto parts stores, it was for warrentee. A big box store in our area stated asking for zip codes, I gave them the only fake that came to mind, 60609. I remember hearing a million times on the price is right for the Speagle(sp) catalog Co

Har har

 

[dmccarty]

This just happened to me at a book store. I read alot, not as many books nowadays since I don't have as much time, and I generally get my books mail order these days. I think I have been in two book stores this year. The other day I was waiting for another store to open, the book store was open so in I went. This is a new store and I have not been in it before but its a national chain. I found a book to buy and went to check out. The lady asked for my phone number. I told her I don't give out my phone number. Then she hit me up for a free club membership. I'm hmmm and hawing about getting it since its more paper work, something else to loose in my wallet, and I really just want the %^&*( book. She is selling the free membership and hands me the paper work then tells me they need my email address. They don't give it out or use it she says. I told her I don't give out my email. She said then you can't be a member. So I asked why do they need my email if they dont use it. Oopps. Got her there.

Since she was being very polite and its not her policy, I kept the conversation polite. I paid with a credit card. She wanted to see my ID for a $40 book! Now I know this really does protect me but $%^&*( I JUST WANT THE #$%^&*( stink'n book. I almost asked to see a manager at that point. I can get a loan from a bank easier than I can buy a book!

The employee was very polite through all of this and had an applogetic tone to her voice. She just was doing what the idiot bosses wanted her to do.

More shopping on the Internet. Easier for the most part....

Later,
Dan

 

[hunterridgefarm]

They ask for our phone number at every box store. I just tell them I have an unlisted number . They don't ask again and the transaction is complete.