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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to give my address etc in shops when I buy something?

68 replies

ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 10:22

You know how it goes- you go to the till and they ask for your postcode and if you are on their maling list.

I have now started to refuse because it's all about collecting data for marketing- but it also means they are building up a profile of what i buy, sizes etc etc , and when.

I feel it's all getting too much like Big Brother.

When I have refused to give my details the assts look shocked and try to persuade me saying it's so i can be "sent offers".

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 02/04/2012 10:23

Just make one up :)

WorraLiberty · 02/04/2012 10:23

I've never noticed anyone looking shocked when I refuse...I just say "No thanks, I don't want to".

Sometimes they try to persuade me and sometimes they don't.

MissFaversham · 02/04/2012 10:24

YANBU.

This annoys me no end too.

I don't tell them either.

fatmummy35 · 02/04/2012 10:24

I'm one of those people i'm afraid that has to ask for your address. We have a certain amount to do every week and my manager comes down on me like a ton of bricks if I haven't got enough Angry

JarethTheGoblinKing · 02/04/2012 10:24

but no, YANBU. But I had to do this (under orders from idiot head office) and got a bollocking from my manager if I didn't take postcodes.

Gemtubbs · 02/04/2012 10:25

I don't really like it either. I don't like phone calls offering me deals and things in the post. I don't like it on forms when they ask my ethnic origin. Unless it's a medical reason, I don't know what the colour of my skin has to do with anything.

ivykaty44 · 02/04/2012 10:25

I don't give out my address when out shopping - if they tell me it is for special offers then I explain I will have to miss out, but they are welcome if they are able to keep the offer in store for me for the next time I visit Smile To which they reply that they can't do that, and I say well there you go my kind offer turned down..

AwkwardMary · 02/04/2012 10:25

I have always said no. Like when you want a refund too...that annoys the hell out of me.

MrsArchieTheInventor · 02/04/2012 10:29

I respect that the person asking for my address is most likely doing so under orders 'from above' with a quota in mind, and I usually politely reply 'no thanks'. It's when they keep asking and give me a spiel several minutes long about the benefits of their online catalogue/discount card/store card etc that I get irritated. Thankfully, from yesterday there are now no incentives for shops to push store cards, though I still get asked if I have signed up for emails, particularly from Arcadia Group stores.

CailinDana · 02/04/2012 10:31

I have an Irish accent so I just say "I'm on holiday" and it always works :)

Original poster
ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 10:34

White Stuff is the worst. when you go to the till to buy, they take the item from you and say "Post code please" as if it's essential to process your sale.

They don't even ask if you want to give it.

I had to say "I don't want to give you my post code."

Then they say "Are you on our mailing list?"

I am but don't see why they need verification.

OP posts:
Columbia999 · 02/04/2012 10:41

It's a nuisance and very intrusive, but I also feel sorry for the shop assistants who have no choice but to ask, or they get into trouble. My niece works in a well known department store and told me that they have to push storecards as well, and get into bother if they aren't signing up a certain number of people. I was furious about this, because my mother went to buy a chair there, thought she was paying it all on her debit card, and then found out that she'd got a storecard and the purchase had been put on there. She has memory problems so was panicking when she got the first payment demand with threats of legal action if she didn't pay her instalments on time.

When I wrote to complain about elderly and possibly vulnerable people having storecards foisted on them, I was given the usual mealy-mouthed excuses about not being able to discriminate on grounds of age. The fact that if people want a storecard, they will ask for it was completely lost on them.

OptimisticPessimist · 02/04/2012 10:45

YANBU not to want to give it, but if they ask for just your post code it's not for marketing (post code only gives your street), it's to see how far people have travelled, if there's a market for a new store in another area etc.

As Colombia says though, the assistants have to ask, get into trouble for not asking, get into trouble for not trying to talk you into it and get into trouble if they have a high number of refusal codes, not to mention having to push loyalty cards, add on sales etc. It's not their fault.

BertieBotts · 02/04/2012 10:49

For refunds it's to keep track - to make sure the same person isn't bringing things back for refunds constantly, e.g. wearing a dress with the tags on and refunding it, every weekend. Or buying a book, reading it and returning it. Or refunding stuff with e.g. parts taken out.

We have memberships at our store but it's because people can trade things in and again we need some kind of system which keeps track in case people are bringing in suspicious (ie, stolen) numbers of goods. We're supposed to add people to the mailing list when we sign them up, but we never do TBH.

It is stupid to bombard people with mailing stuff if they're just trying to buy things. I suppose it's because it's the automatic option online now and they're trying to compete.

blubberyboo · 02/04/2012 10:49

yanbu

under data protection law they have to tell you how they are going to hold your info, how long for, what they are going to use it for, and who will actually be using it...i don't ever get this info
you have the right to refuse further marketing so this should never be a requirement for a sale

DiddleyDooDoo · 02/04/2012 10:50

I don't mind giving my postcode but I was recently asked what number and when I said why she just said she needed it and acted like she wasn't going to put my sale through unless I gave it to her! I was very annoyed but luckily my husband lent over and gave a made up number...

AwkwardMary · 02/04/2012 10:51

Bertie well I resent being treated like a criminal and my rights are affected....I dont want to share my address because they're suspicious of ALL customers. I thnk it is shocking.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 11:09

YANBU not to want to give it, but if they ask for just your post code it's not for marketing (post code only gives your street), it's to see how far people have travelled, if there's a market for a new store in another area etc.

This is not so- they ask for your PC to then access your address online and make a note of what you have bought- so they tie-in your address etc with your purchase.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 02/04/2012 11:09

How on earth are your rights affected??

Original poster
ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 11:10

when i say access your address online, I mean they check that you are on their database and if not ask for details. i am on their mailing list, and they then make a note that I was in store and bought whatever.

I think it's a huge privacy invasion.

OP posts:
TheSmallClanger · 02/04/2012 11:18

It annoys me. Unless it's a refund, where I know they have to be a bit vigilant in order to keep the process fair for honest people, I don't give it out.

samandi · 02/04/2012 11:19

Is this a serious problem? Surely you just say no and that's the end of it. Although I don't go shopping that frequently so maybe I'm missing something.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 11:22

it's not that simple though Samandi- they look at you in a horrified way when you say no. it's not asked as a question, but as an order- with no explanation why they want it.

read my previous post- when you take something to the till they simply look at you and say "post code please"- as if they need it before you can buy something.

OP posts:
OptimisticPessimist · 02/04/2012 11:28

Unless you give your house number they cannot get your exact address, only the street you live in.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 11:29

maybe you should try white stuff then- they ask for pc then number of house or name- not easy for them to work out who you are once they have those.

OP posts: