AIBU to be annoyed with the number of shops who want your details...

[chocoroo]

I've been out shopping this morning for DP's birthday presents. I went in 4 stores and 3 out of the 4 asked for my postcode at the till as they scanned my goods.

AIBU to find this intrusive, not to mention annoying? I'm buying stuff from the shop, it's a transaction, they don't need to know my address. I assume the only reason is so they can send me marketing tat?

[mumsamilitant]

Nope, drives me potty too. Grrrrr

[zingzillachinchilla]

I queried this in a shop recently - apparently it's for 'refund purposes' but I get annoyed about it too. Lots of shops do it these days, but they do promise not to send mail, and to be fair the three I can recall haven't done so (yet...)

[OpenMouthInsertFoot]

I lie.

[Sevenfold]

I refuse

[porcamiseria]

just say NO, and NO
its a fucking liberty, I get very cross

[Sirzy]

It's so they know the geographical area of shoppers for future advertising.

Doesn't bother me but why not just say to them "I would rather not say"?

[ThePrincessRoyalFiggyrolls]

Always give them my old one very irritating but I mean wth for refund? bonkers.

[chocoroo]

I did just refuse but one assistant then didn't know how to skip that stage on the till. I'm expecting a pile of tat from Bravissimo at any moment...

Lying could be a good tactic. Does anyone know the postcode of Buckingham Palace?

[cuttingpicassostoenails]

I don't give details in shops. It's not neccessary...not even for refunds, and my address is none of their business.

Anyway, we have no postcode.

[mousymouse]

I politely decline.

[Quenelle]

I don't like it. That 'refund purposes' excuse is bollocks.

I used to refuse but I can't always be bothered with the aggro. Nowadays I just give my work one so I can buy the thing and get on with my life.

[blueemerald]

When I've questioned shops doing this they normally say it's for research- to see where their shoppers are coming from, how far etc, to plan opening further stores or extend/change opening hours.

Your postcode isn't unique, it will match at least 3 or 4 of your neighbours.

[mummytotwoboys]

YanBU its annoying but they asked me for mine in Asda on Monday, the checkout lady said they were doing a national survey to see how far people travelled to use their stores - maybe this is what it was about. If they give you a valid reason, why would you object to it?

[mummytotwoboys]

Also how can they send you marketing tat if you only give the postacode not the number of your house. My postcode is the same as the whole street.

[pictish]

YANBU! This gets RIGHT on my last one?

My postcode? What for? My postcode is none of your damn business pal!

[squeakytoy]

I find it very useful, because if you ever cant find a receipt and have a problem, your details are stored on their system and you can prove you did buy the said item there.

[NinkyNonker]

I've only been asked when refunding, not when buying.

[Pseudonym99]

Buckingham Palace = SW1A 1AA

[MiseryBusiness]

When I was younger and still living at home I brought my mum a dvd player for xmas and a month later, because I had given my postcode I had a letter from TV licencing fining me for not having a TV licence - It was my mums property, she had one.
When I phoned them they said it was because I'd brought the dvd player and they automatically send the letter if there is no licence in the name given at the address you tell the store when buying anything like tv/dvd players.
I never give my postcode now

[fedupandtired]

Nobody's forcing you to give it. I was asked by one store and when I queried it, they said it was to see how far people were travelling. I then quite happily gave them the first part of my postcode in the hope that they'd open a store closer to my home (I'd travelled quite a few miles to the shop). If they'd not given me a good enough reason then I'd not have given it to them.

[chocoroo]

Sorry mummytotwoboys I should have added, that the one time I gave my postcode I was then also asked for my house number and name.

If it's a simple Market research thing then I don't mind too much - postcodes are semi-anonymous I guess but I think it's the implication given by staff/shops that I can only buy goods if I give my postcode.

[Saltire]

MiseryBusiness - I was once told by a major high street electrical chain that I couldn't purchase a new computer monitor unless I gave them my postcode and house number!

[culturemulcher]

YANBU - and I think Bravissimo is one of the worst offenders. I find it really intrusive. With them it's not just postcode, it's full details. It wastes time, and if you politely refuse, they look at you as if you've got 2 heads and practically refuse to complete the sale.

[carocaro]

I make it up, something insane, like

'Elephant Ally'
23 Golden Castle Steps
Caridigan Bay
Tinky Winky Land

No one has ever noticed.