To want to be able to buy an item in a shop without giving my name and address?

[carlywurly]

This has happened three times this weekend. White company, tk maxx and white stuff suddenly don't seem to be able to let you just pay at the till without giving them your name and address. This is for a straightforward purchase, not an exchange or return.

I really find it unnecessary and intrusive, plus it holds the bloody queue up. Going to politely decline to give it from now on.

They do this and then moan the high street is dying out.

Yes. If I have to give my address and email address anyway I may as well order online..!

Why can't they see they're driving customers away?

I don't use Starbucks but if I did I'd say my name was "Fire". Would love to hear them shout that out.

If they are taking private details, they are now LEGALLY OBLIGED to tell you UNPROMPTED what it is for. They are not allowed to use it for other purposes - including sharing it with other people.

You should ask if it means you're going to be signed up to any mailing list. I used to work in a shop where we had to ask customers and most of them were afraid we would send them loads of stuff but actually there was no mailing list at all. The details were just so that we could see purchase history of that customer, it flags up anything odd like recurrent returns etc. But this shop did trade items in as well as sell, so the "membership" had a purpose rather than just being a marketing tool.

Really it's just like a tesco clubcard but without any points.

There are lots of people who do not loyalty cards though. Big data is something I generally object to participating in.

White co do it and check if you are entitled to a discount

YANBU. Another bug bear is shopping online... I don't want to register and set up passwords and the like... I just want to buy one thing!!!

Can I ask about matalan? I got a few bits in there recently and they wouldn't let me purchase without signing up for a store card?!

I give a number in Starbucks.

I also refuse to use the silly size names.

Other than that I like it in there!

Funny that White co have never volunteered a discount after I've given details - can understand them checking if I'm actually trying to use one. I can see a purpose for that.

They normally ask if I'm on the mailing list then take details without explanation. To start with I wondered if they were just checking I actually was.

Gap are bastards for this too, I've started to say no.

Another thing that irks me is that I can't go to a supermarket without being harassed on the way out by charities or salesmen.

Is that cruel of me? I do donate to charities when I can but hate that I walk past four or five people asking for donations after every bloody shop!

Yo right, TheCircle. The Coop are buggers for this. If they don't have children offering to help you pack for a donation, there's charities at the door. I live in a tiny town but it feels relentless. In the city centre there's chuggers and charities to dodge, that's before you manage to get into a shop to buy anything.

I have noticed this in a few stores and refuse point blank to provide postcode etc., but my sisters don't see what the problem is, and we live in a society where we have got used to handing over our personal data without even a second thought. We need, as a society, to wake up to this. Why on earth are we providing our private data to commercial organisations while purchasing everyday goods? It really is quite bizarre. I think we've become desensitised to this and that is very concerning. I do feel sorry for the assistants though. When I ask why my details are needed, it usually makes them uncomfortable, not arsey (managers have got arsey with me about it, but they usually back down when I talk about contacting the ICO).

Can I ask about matalan? I got a few bits in there recently and they wouldn't let me purchase without signing up for a store card?!

I understand that when Matalan first opened they were discount club and you needed to join in order to access it, like Costco. Now they are just a standard store but they still want your details for mailing. I dont have card and dont want one, they ask me if I want to sign up and dont. I dont think they can refuse to allow you to buy something if you dont sign up, perhaps the sales assistant misunderstood the rules. I would email head office tbh, its not on.

And Currys wouldn't let me return an item without giving them my email address. I said I didn't have one, obviously not true and they didn't believe me. They said 'surely you have a work email address you could provide. Ggrrrrr.

ooh, I've had that in matalan too. Assistant asked for my matalan card, and then told me I had to sign up before she could sell me anything. Got very bolshy when challenged. It's rubbish, hasn't been members only for years.
The postcode/address thing makes me really cross though, just in the way the question is phrased so it's difficult to refuse without it sounding as though you are the one being difficult. Not unlike bounty women really!
I work in research and the data will be used for that as well as spamming you, from your postcode they can make all sorts of assumptions about your social grade and income etc.

Those assumptions are often wrong, MsSampson.

I can remember years ago - about 25, having to pay a pound to join Matalan they took my photo and gave me a card a bit like a driving licence to shop there. Perhaps it was a bit exclusive then

" I dont think they can refuse to allow you to buy something if you dont sign up, perhaps the sales assistant misunderstood the rules"
Surely they can refuse to serve you for whatever reason they like. Stupid of them but not illegal

yep lady sybil, the assumptions could well be pretty wrong (unless you happen to be identical demographically to your closest neighbours), but relatively widely used nonetheless.

Hmmm, isn't there something in the Data Protection Act that says they can only ask for information about you that is relevant or necessary?

In fact, just found it on gov.UK

used fairly and lawfully
used for limited, specifically stated purposes
used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
handled according to people’s data protection rights
kept safe and secure
not transferred outside the UK without adequate protection

Surely they can refuse to serve you for whatever reason they like.

Legally they can, but I meant under their companies rules. I find it hard to believe that that would be company policy, but then as it has happened to someone else perhaps they have decided to do it. Stupid of them if they have because I wont sign up, I will just go elsewhere. Their clothes are utter shite anyway, I pop in if I am passing and might pick up something in the homewares dept!

Points 2 and 3 I think are relevant here.

I'm going to start telling shop assistants they are in breach of the Data Protection Act.

hotdog can you maybe tell head office or the shop managers instead? the shop assistants are only doing what they're told by management.

I either give my work address ( over 10000 employees) or my banks address, job done

Keith I know it's not their fault, they are just following orders.

I will just say no if the assistants ask for my details, but if they insist or refuse to sell me something, then I'll say it's potentially a breach.