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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

SoupDragon · 02/04/2012 11:32

Good lord - just say no.

TheMonster · 02/04/2012 11:32

I've never thought about it before. I don't see the issue with giving my postcode, but I am very rarely asked.

Panda1234 · 02/04/2012 11:33

Mamas and Papas do this and it pisses me off no end. They claim it's in case I need to return something but most of the stuff I've bought in there has been odd bits and pieces of maternity clothes in the sale for less than a tenner, and anyway I've got my receipt if there's something wrong with it.

If you give them your postcode then they start asking you for the rest of your address - the first time I went in there I refused at that point and since then have just said "no" to the postcode question. Usually they're ok about me not giving a postcode, but was in there yesterday and the shop assistant started arguing with me about it.

It really puts me off shopping there tbh.

samandi · 02/04/2012 12:14

ameliagrey - but who cares if they look at you horrified? If they refuse to sell the item on that basis then go elsewhere. Otherwise it doesn't really matter, does it?

tethersend · 02/04/2012 12:48

Does anyone know if I can refuse to give my address when returning goods?

OptimisticPessimist · 02/04/2012 12:53

Tethers, if you are returning them under the Sale of Goods Act (ie they are faulty) or the Distance Selling Act (although they'd have your address anyway ) then you have a legal right to return them so I don't think the retailer could insist on having your details beyond a signature confirming the return (you may find this requires manager authorisation though - it did in my place of work). If the goods aren't faulty then refunding the goods is at the retailers discretion so they can insist on any conditions they like - you may find that in the interests of retaining business a manager would over-ride the requirement but very rarely. Where I worked stores were audited on the returns and this was one of the major areas checked - too many without the correct details and stores would be in trouble and put "on report" so to speak.

tethersend · 02/04/2012 13:04

Brilliant response, Optimistic- thank you

Charliefarlie1192 · 02/04/2012 13:09

I agree OP its annoying, but from a different angle my stepmum was sent some safety clips for a trampoline 3 years after purchase because it had been discovered that it waws unsafe

Yama · 02/04/2012 13:17

Irritates me too. I've put up with the "Do you have a store/loyalty card?" questions, the "Would you like a store/loyalty card?" questions and now it's post code badgering.

It just changes a pleasant exchange with a shop assistant to an irritation.

kickmewhenimdown · 02/04/2012 13:27

I remember buying a new telly from comet a few years back and they asked for my address. Didnt think anything of it at the time. Within a month I had a letter from DVLA saying that they knew I had a telly and threatening me with fines etc if I did not immediately purchase a TV license. I just ignored these as have a TV license in dp's name for same address, only for them to come knocking at my door! They were promptly told to go check their records.

OOAOML · 02/04/2012 13:36

If I want to be on their mailing list I tell them, if I don't I say no. It isn't complicated. And on the plus side when I went into Bravissimo recently and was trying to describe to them which bra I had recently purchased and wanted to buy again in another colour, it was pretty useful for them to check their records.

knowitallstrikesagain · 02/04/2012 13:37

YANBU. Very annoying. I have been known to give mine out when shopping after no sleep due to late night dancing and rampent sex night wakings with a baby, but on the whole I refuse. Have never been asked twice.

Pandemoniaa · 02/04/2012 13:38

I don't particularly object to giving out my post code. Out here, miles from anywhere, we share a postcode with a house that has the same number anyway. I've never experienced any shop getting my address online either. I have, however, stopped giving out my email address because I'm sick to death of unsubscribing to the flood of spam promotional emails that relentlessly follow.

JustHecate · 02/04/2012 13:39

SW1A 1AA

is what they always get from me

OptimisticPessimist · 02/04/2012 13:40

kickme, taking the name and address when buying TV receiving equipment is a legal requirement, the retailer can be fined £5,000 (IIRC) for not complying. If you refuse for the TV licence form the store can and should refuse the sale :) (the thing about them only checking the name is a PITA though, I used to tell customers to use the name that the TV licence is in )

kickmewhenimdown · 02/04/2012 13:41

Ummm I meant the TV Licensing not DVLA

BartletForAmerica · 02/04/2012 13:41

The TV thing is a law though. They are obliged to report new TVs.

Needing a postcode to buy a pram or a bra is not, however.

OptimisticPessimist · 02/04/2012 13:41

No problem tethers :)

Clytaemnestra · 02/04/2012 13:42

"Mamas and Papas do this and it pisses me off no end. They claim it's in case I need to return something but most of the stuff I've bought in there has been odd bits and pieces of maternity clothes in the sale for less than a tenner, and anyway I've got my receipt if there's something wrong with it."

To be fair to Mamas and Papas, I bought a Beabe food processor/steamer thing from them - thought it was crap and the lid didn't work properly and took it back, despite the fact I'd lost the receipt and bought in a different city when I'd been visiting my mum. They looked it up on their computer, saw I'd bought it and gave me a cash refund straight onto my card. So it was worth it in my case!

bistokids · 02/04/2012 13:42

I used to live in Australia. Pumpkin Patch were not allowed to sell you the item unless they collected your postcode. I gave them my UK postcode every time.

Pandemoniaa · 02/04/2012 13:44

Sodding Pumpkin Patch. I bought dgd an outfit there before Christmas. The branch then closed down. It didn't stop them sending me at least 5 emails a week before I unsubscribed.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 02/04/2012 13:45

I give 'em my old postcode.

GoblersKnob · 02/04/2012 13:47

Don't give it then

Or say you live in a box, or in a canal or up a tree or say 'I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you'.

Or just make shit up, I once filled a refund at H and M as Mary Poppins as gave my post code as PISS OFF, have fun, live a little.

Fiendishlie · 02/04/2012 13:49

I always refuse and give a fake address for refunds, mainly because I am awkward rather than having anything particualrly to hide.
I refused to give my address in Brantano once and the assistant refused to sell me the shoes. Excellent way to make a profit and stay in business, there.

Original poster

ameliagrey · 02/04/2012 13:57

I must be silly then because i thought that they needed your address for refunds to ensure that the refund went to the right credit car and was a security measure against people presenting a card for a refund that was not really theirs.

OP posts:

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