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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have politely refused to give my post code to Pumpkin Patch today?

59 replies

TheScareyWail · 21/10/2011 19:19

Every time I make a purchase in Pumpkin Patch they ask me for my post code. It's taken until today for me to question why they do this. The cashier said that they have to take it for all transactions. She then asked me for my post code and I said "I think I'll refrain from giving it to you" she looked at me as if I was mad!

But she was able to put it through without my postcode.

So... Friends, comrades and fellow shoppers join me in my revolution! We must try to stop Retailers from brainwashing us into handing over our personal information!

OP posts:

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 21/10/2011 20:03

So tell me why then, they don't just tell you what it's for when you ask? Why the lies and the aggro? People are bound to be a bit wary when a shop you're buying a pair of maternity jeans from starts wanting to know personal information. We live in an age where it's not wise to give out info about yourself so are you really surprised that it gets questioned?

DorisIsTheDarkDestroyer · 21/10/2011 20:16

Karmann-Thing is they already have you name as most people pay by card, so don't need to ask for it

Karmann · 21/10/2011 20:18

I say straight away that it is for a survey that we are doing and if anybody asks what the survey is for I tell them. A post code really isn't that personal. If they were asking for your name and house number then fair enough - but just a post code isn't going to do any harm or invite unwanted mail.

Karmann · 21/10/2011 20:19

Paying by card does not give a name.

sarahtigh · 21/10/2011 20:22

it depends only 3 houses have my postcode

vj32 · 21/10/2011 20:23

With M+P it also means you can prove you purchased something without having to keep the receipt. Useful when I had to return something bought about 6 months ago. Don't know why someone would feel so threatened by giving away their postcode.

Methe · 21/10/2011 20:25

Pumpkin Patch have got my address and I dont think i've ever been harassed by them..

Karmann · 21/10/2011 20:30

It really doesn't matter whether 3 houses or 30 houses share the same post code - the information is to establish how far people are travelling to visit the store and if it would therefore make business sense to open additional stores.

oopslateagain · 21/10/2011 20:33

I will happily give my postcode, but not my house number. I don't mind them knowing where I'm from, but I don't want them knowing where I live.

Does anyone know if I have to give my address and postcode when I get a refund? I took some boots back last week and they wanted my postcode and house number, wouldn't give a refund without it, I wasn't sure if they were entitled to ask so I gave it and got the refund but now I'm wondering what the legalities are.

Karmann · 21/10/2011 20:39

I'm not sure about the legalities of giving full details on a refund but I can tell you why stores do it. By taking these details they can identify customers who are regularly bringing goods back without a receipt which highlights the possibility of regular shop lifting.

ZZZenAgain · 21/10/2011 20:41

I hate this too

MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll · 21/10/2011 20:42

YANBU I never give it either.

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 21/10/2011 20:45

I have been questioning this in shops for easily the last five years and not one person has ever said what you're saying. It is always either a stroppy response or a lie. And I'm not bolshy about it, I just say I'd rather not give it or why do they need it.

If I was given the response that you've given then it might be a different experience although, tbh, me giving a postcode miles away from a branch of Next that I happen to be driving past is hardly a true representation of how far I've travelled to come to the shop.

electra · 21/10/2011 20:45

YANBU it annoys me when they ask you to do it for refunds

JarethTheGoblinKing · 21/10/2011 20:56

Just make one up!

I used to have to ask for postcode when I was a cashier. Some people got really stretched when I asked for it, so I just put in the store postcode. If queried I just said that the customer refused to give it. It was purely for marketing reasons but it made me feel uncomfortable asking for it.

2wwmadness · 21/10/2011 21:47

Karmann, I totally agree where your coming from. I don't understand why people get so funny about it either? Nowadays we are all so traceable. If someone really wants to find you they can. Just give the shop your postcode. It's for your own benefit anyways.

Tigerinmysoup · 21/10/2011 22:16

I get annoyed by this too, especially when they look so aghast when I say no. What business is it of theirs, whether it's for marketing or otherwise? I hate the assumption nowadays that companies are entitled to your personal details even when it's irrelevant to your business with them. And it is irrelevant.

In M&P the cashier was so confused when I said 'no thanks' that he had to call over the manager to tell him how to put my transaction through without it . Pumpkin Patch have lied to me in the past as they used to say that if I gave them my postcode, they would add my purchase to previous purchases which would give me loyalty points to spend there..... utter crap as they don't have a loyalty scheme.

oopslateagain I was once told that shops take address details for refunds for their auditors to check that the refunds aren't fraudulent (ie staff doing it for themselves etc). No idea if that's true though.

sarahtigh · 21/10/2011 23:23

no you do not need a postcode for a refund just the receipt and if no receipt proof that you bought it there bank/credit card statement, however if you paid cash and have no receipt they are not legally bound to refund, you must have proof of purchase then your postcode might help but there is no reason why you legally have to give it and once card has been accpeted and you entered the PIN unless suspect fraud it is encrypted so I doubt whether the store would trace you that way and if they did; it would almost certainly be illegal

unfortunately as data about us is treated carelessly CD left on trains etc, I do not give any information to anyone without good reason, like the way they keep "needing" to know DOB, no you just don't need it you just want it!

Original poster

TheScareyWail · 22/10/2011 00:53

Apologies for posting and running. I forgot to come back to this before going out for the evening.

I can understand the need for person details when you are doing a refund. You would hope this discourages staff doing refunds fraudulently and customers as well ( but as always there are ways round systems)

It just felt that I had, like a sucker, had given this information for years and had not had any reason from them why they needed from me and I certainly hadn't gained anything from surrendering this information umpteen times.

As for the revolution...let's make it a civilised one.

OP posts:

frownieface · 22/10/2011 01:06

I cba to read the thread but asking for a postcode is just to see who really shops in their local shop. So if they get a 1000 postcodes saying xyz they will be wondering why their marketing doest reach the 2000 in abc. iyswim

crystalglasses · 22/10/2011 01:29

When I've bought paygo mobile phones I've been asked for my postcode and been told the retailer has to collect the information by law. I don't understand why.

RantyMcRantpants · 22/10/2011 01:39

If you are really worried just tell them SW1A 1AA or SW1A 2 AA

KittyFane · 22/10/2011 08:31

Ranty - :o

LyleAndLiam · 15/01/2013 12:46

I wanted to leave a positive remark about Pumpkin Patch, as I've been so happy with their service since my twins were born almost three years ago. Bought a few things in their sale last week and as always I was a satisfied customer and thought it was time to tell others.

I was surprised to see all the negative remarks left, especially on the note of companies obtaining personal details.

Personally I object but I politely decline when asked, and I do not feel any which way when a cashier asks a question as instructed by their management, whether they know the full reason or not.
Most shop assistants are young girls (and guys) and surely the last thing they need whilst working for minimum wage is an upset mum becoming frustrated over what really is just a simple question.
FYI, they tend to obtain it for marketing purposes and you can politely accept or decline offering the requested info.

More positive feedback should be left for retailers and service providers, it's not all that bad. And remember, that things do sometimes surprise us but that needn't mean that we need to tell the world that a company is horrible.

Anyhow, Pumpkin Patch = great baby and children's wear of excellent quality!

bunnybing · 15/01/2013 13:53

I had the sop assistant at Crew asking me if I wanted their catalogue - I politely declined, at which point she said 'but it's proof of purchase if you lose your receipt'

I said no thanks

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