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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

28 replies

chocoroo · 20/09/2011 16:31

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?

OP posts:
Riveninabingle · 20/09/2011 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumsamilitant · 20/09/2011 16:33

Nope, drives me potty too. Grrrrr

zingzillachinchilla · 20/09/2011 16:35

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 · 20/09/2011 16:36

I lie.

Sevenfold · 20/09/2011 16:37

I refuse

porcamiseria · 20/09/2011 16:38

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

Sirzy · 20/09/2011 16:38

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 · 20/09/2011 16:38

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

Original poster
chocoroo · 20/09/2011 16:38

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?

OP posts:
cuttingpicassostoenails · 20/09/2011 16:39

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 · 20/09/2011 16:40

I politely decline.

Quenelle · 20/09/2011 16:40

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 · 20/09/2011 16:40

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 · 20/09/2011 17:11

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 · 20/09/2011 17:12

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 · 20/09/2011 17:13

YANBU! This gets RIGHT on my last one?

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

squeakytoy · 20/09/2011 17:14

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 · 20/09/2011 17:25

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

Pseudonym99 · 20/09/2011 17:36

Buckingham Palace = SW1A 1AA

MiseryBusiness · 20/09/2011 17:43

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. Hmm
I never give my postcode now

fedupandtired · 20/09/2011 18:03

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.

Original poster
chocoroo · 20/09/2011 18:04

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.

OP posts:
Saltire · 20/09/2011 18:07

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 · 20/09/2011 18:13

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. Angry

carocaro · 20/09/2011 18:24

I make it up, something insane, like

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

No one has ever noticed.