To say No thanks when asked for my post code at the till

[drfostersbra]

I'm always in a rush and I just want them to chuck my stuff in a bag and take my money, I don't want to be on a mailing list, have a store card, catalogue or emails, just fuck off!!

Each time they ask I say no thanks then they go all cats bum mouth with me for the rest of the transaction.

Joules, Jo Jo Maman and white stuff are the worst for this.

The other day I was buying my screaming baby a dribble bib in the Joules sale quickly before a music class and the woman serving told me that they were having a charity day and please could I donate in the bucket, when I said I was in a hurry and didn't have coins on me she gave me an application card so I could direct debit money or something. THEN asked for my post code and was thoroughly shirty with me when I said no.

It's so annoying!!

They ask for this it is remarkable how rarely they give you the reason why they want it, nor what it will be used for, who it will be shared with nor any other privacy information.

It is often in breech of the law when they do this.

I NEVER give this information. You should never feel guilty or awkward for not giving it.

If you get poor service as a result, COMPLAIN TO THEIR HQ. You are within your rights and are not being difficult. They are pushing their luck. If enough people do complain, they may stop the practice.

I think its fine to give false data btw. You are free to do this. If staff are being punished for customers actions there is something very wrong, but that's not your fault. That is often the fault of aggressive sales and marketing departments and if it screws up their data, GOOD. Maybe they will do it less.

How on earth would management know the postcode is not where I live ? Unless I do give something unusual like the Queen's postcode?

We don't know if you just give your mum's postcode or your second cousin's or something. If it's a genuine postcode, and not, say, the queen's postcode or something, it doesn't matter (so far as the system is concerned), but lots of people think they're funny or smart by giving the shops own postcode (this does happen), or the queen's, and it's that kinda thing that messes with the figures.

@DiegoMadonna to be honest, it's the best retail company I've worked for! We have incentives but nobody would lose their job over poor registration figures or anything - I know other stores are much, much worse.

There is no such thing as "putting in a note to say no junk mail/catalogues"

Of course there is

We have it at work. We have to deliberately tick the box to send out mail/e-mail. If the box isn't ticked, you won't get anything. Yes, some staff lie and will tick the box against your wishes, but that doesn't mean the option isn't there!

I always say "no". No apology, no explanation needed.

"Can I take your postcode?"
"No".

End of.

I think it's a bloody cheek and I get a great sense of satisfaction saying no to them!

I don't think I've ever been asked for my postcode, but when asked if they can take my email address for the receipt I always just say "no, a paper one is fine thanks" and smile. No one has ever been arsey with me for it.

it's the best retail company I've worked for

That's not saying much, if you still get blamed for customers giving you fake details!

The bloke in there got pissed off I wouldn't give my email address and tried to tell me I couldn't buy the item if I didn't give it.

I've been told this in Mothercare.

We asked for the manager and gave them a mouthful over it.

Then walked out without buying item.

That's not saying much, if you still get blamed for customers giving you fake details!

Oh, I don't in my current job! That was more of a general response as I know other stores are like that. Our management are pretty reasonable overall. But we're a small company - it's not like we're a huge chain!

We're conditioned by society to be polite and compliant hence why so many people cooperate or make up silly excuses. Just say no, they are a sales assistant fgs, they have no power of you!

I find it frustrating in matalan, I keep de registering my email address from their constant more than daily emails, only for them to sign me up again next time I shop. I really should just learn to say no!

Just say no, they are a sales assistant fgs, they have no power of you!

Of course we don't but so many people get arsey when they're asked these questions. I have no issue with people saying "no thank you" or asking the reason why. But a huge proportion of people get really snotty and act like you've just asked them to run over their dog!

I used to work for a retailer mentioned above and agree that they are pushy. I hated asking. However, it's a business model in keeping with an increasingly digital world, so it's not going away. You're worth more to the brand if they can pester you through multiple comms channels. Stores have targets to hit and whilst individual staff aren't given exact targets, their performance can be tracked and Area Managers check up on how well they do, so staff are reminded constantly to ask. They also fail a mystery shop if they don't ask- so they do ask everyone. This company also removing store events and in-store promotions from stores with not enough emails on file- to incentivise staff and stick customers over a barrel. I left just in time!

Please just give a polite no thanks back if you don't want to give details though, I don't think some people realise that good service isn't easy; taking chunks out of my inexperienced teen staff doesn't encourage this. It just scares them into not talking at all. For those of you saying "this way you won't lose your receipt" is a scam yes, it's partly a figures wheeze but I have been able to refund people this way. Not everyone is organised and receipts get thrown out by mistake, too. They cut down CF no-receipt refund demands.

We can't force people to register their details, but if you give us false information, it just screws with our stats and all you do is get the shop assistant in trouble for adding false information to the database

How can that be? If you get a real post code what does it matter? Or do you mean a postcode that doesn't exist?

One way around it on the days you are feeling guilty is to have an email address thats just for junk mail.

One way around it on the days you are feeling guilty is to have an email address thats just for junk mail.

Why on earth would you feel guilty?

You are under no obligation to give out postcodes or an email address. Just quote 'data protection act' when they ask you for this private information. And teach your children this as well as they grow up. I also keep an email address exactly for this purpose, something along the lines of '[email protected]' - all the family can use it when out shopping or filling in mindless forms online.

How can that be? If you get a real post code what does it matter? Or do you mean a postcode that doesn't exist?

Either one that doesn't exist, or one that's blatantly not yours (The Queens is the prime example here).

If you want to give someone else's (genuine) postcode, I really couldn't care less, but don't give "funny" ones just because you think you're outsmarting the system by not giving your real information.

I always refuse. Why would I give out my personal details to a shop full of strangers? I know, let me give you my post code and door number out and let everyone in the shop know my house could be currently empty right now.

In the past, before realising that I was under no obligation to come up with an "excuse", I have claimed that I don't have an email address or mobile phone. The looks I used to get

My stock answer to "no" - unless uttered with such venom I have to disengage- is always "Okay. We'll always ask and you can always say no!"

so many people get arsey when they're asked these questions. I have no issue with people saying "no thank you" or asking the reason why. But a huge proportion of people get really snotty and act like you've just asked them to run over their dog!

Do you feed back to management that people get arsey, that the company are alienating their customers? What do management say. Or do they say, like you did upthread that they "are just doing their job." (Do people still say this?)

But if management are having a go at you. That's a problem between you and management. Nothing to do with the customers.
Have you contacted HR about it. Have you written an email to your line manager?

Each time they ask I say no thanks then they go all cats bum mouth with me for the rest of the transaction

Weird. When I say no thanks (which is every time), the person asking just shrugs/smiles and gets on with the transaction. I've never been given the impression that they really give a shit either way.

I never say yes, but I really never felt saying 'no' pisses the staff off. I always feel like they are saying it because they have to, as well as asking if I want a store card etc, and they really don't expect a yes.

I do not want the stranger standing behind me hearing my postcode (which identifies my street) or my email address (which is my full name). Why should I? I don’t go around with a badge on me saying where I live and what my name is so why should I announce this in public?