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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not give the play barn place my home address?

36 replies

Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:02

So. I took DS to a play barn today. On the door, they asked for my postcode - OK, Asda do that from time to time, thought they were doing a market research thing - but then went on to ask for my house number. I declined, she said she needed it for health and safety reasons, I told her she didn't, assistant fetched duty manager, duty manager refused to admit us without my house number.

We left, went to the park instead.

I have been to god knows how many play barns and not once has anyone tried to find out where I live, so I'm guessing this is really about marketing?

Or WIBU? Confused

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 29/06/2012 20:03

Why didn't you just give her your address?

MerylStrop · 29/06/2012 20:04

V odd

ThisIsAUsername · 29/06/2012 20:04

YANBU. No reason at all for them to take your address, a phone number would have been fine for health & safety reasons. Sounds like they just wanted to send you shite through the post/sell on your details to companies linked to children.

LindyHemming · 29/06/2012 20:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:09

Because I get enough junk mail already, usual.

OP posts:
CrampedUpMissPiggy · 29/06/2012 20:13

I get really fucked off with places asking for my address. Pumpkin Patch used to drive me insane when the staff would say 'but you won't get our special offers'.

YANBU - I'd have done the same. There is no reason why they need your address.

CaliforniaLeaving · 29/06/2012 20:15

I don't think you were BU. I wouldn't give my address either. post code is enough.
What health and safety rule is this? Are they going to drive you home if anything happens?

SCOTCHandWRY · 29/06/2012 20:19

Just a wee point you all may want to know - if you give a shop your post code, you have, in effect given them your address. Your name and postcode is all they need and they can look you up on the postal address database for the rest of it.

They sell your details to marketing companies. Staff are often pressured to push for this info, so not really their fault, but irritating!

Original poster
Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:23

She didn't ask for our names, bizarrely (which I would have though had a better H&S claim, frankly, for lost kids maybe). Names I would have given!

OP posts:
HeadsShouldersKneesandToes · 29/06/2012 20:23

If there's no need for them to have it, just lie!
It is possible they have a deal on insurance that gives them a lower premium if their customers are on a list of known persons, rather than the general public - like minicab insurance only covers you if the central office have your name, whereas black cab taxis are able to take anyone, but charge more.

sinpan · 29/06/2012 20:25

They shouldn't be recording your personal info without telling you what they will be using it for. 'Health and safety' is not sufficient.

Did they actually refuse you admission because you didnt want to give them your address? This is crazy

LindyHemming · 29/06/2012 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MerylStrop · 29/06/2012 20:28

duty manager was being an idiot

why get all power crazed about it and lose custom

not very bright

i wouldn't have given them my details either without a very clear reason, and certainly not without seeing their privacy and data protection stuff. never give my info in shops either, they can stuff off with their junk mail

Original poster
Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:29

Yep, said they wouldn't book us in without it, so I said we'd go, and that was that, much to DS' confusion, poor kid. He did have a nice time in the park though Smile

OP posts:
VolAuVent · 29/06/2012 20:33

YANBU. I'm sure many of us go to all kinds of similar places that don't claim to "need" an address.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 29/06/2012 20:34

Just make one up? Hmm

Caerlaverock · 29/06/2012 20:36

Wtf is a play barn? Sounds horrific

sinpan · 29/06/2012 20:38

Merylstrop is right they should have a data protection policy explaining how they will use the info i think they are within their rights to refuse you admission without it if that's their policy but hard to believe any business would have such a self-defeating policy . Definitely worth taking up with head office

Original poster
Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:38

I will complain, I think. They are a national chain so I don't they can possibly really think there is an H&S law requiring it? (There isn't.)

Possibly I've had data protection issues drummed into me at work and therefore questioned it more than other mums might, but I really did not expect to be refused entry.

OP posts:
lovebunny · 29/06/2012 20:39

i have two tactics.
1 refuse
2 give a false address

don't give them your real address. they know you are out...

Original poster
Springforward · 29/06/2012 20:42

If I make one up, someone else gets the junk mail, and I wouldn't want to do that really.

OP posts:
olimpia · 29/06/2012 21:06

YANBU
I would have done the same. Saved a few quid as well.

5madthings · 29/06/2012 21:14

how bizarre the playbarn we go to has NEVER asked for my postcode or address!

SugarPasteGiraffe · 29/06/2012 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 29/06/2012 21:38

Use a business address? Use the postcode for the sorting office? What does it matter? (or use buck house Grin)