Does this bother anyone else?

[lulugirl]

I was in Toys R Us yesterday, while at the register, before scanning my purchases, the cashier asked for my phone#. I know a few stores that do this, I always say "it's unlisted". Well, when I said that to this cashier, he sort of rolled his eyes. I asked him why the store needed my #, he couldn't give an answer. Does anybody know why they want your phone #? I really find it rude that they even ask, your phone # is personal information. I feel I should be able to make a (cash) purchase w/ out being asked to provide personal information.
Any thoughts?

 

[grinningghost]

I don't like it either, but luckily they usually only ask for zip codes around here. I figure that's no big deal, lots of people have the same zip code.

 

[kdibattista]

Yes it bothers me and refuse to give it. They have not needed it for the past 20 years, they don't need it now. Just my opinion though.

 

[Nancy]

I think it's done to track where their sales are coming from. They can tell by the first 3 numbers. I also say unlisted...they can track by zipcode if that's what they are doing.
AND, if a cashier rolled their eyes at me I'd be complaining to the manager.

 

[626]

I believe they ask for it to try to figure out where most of their customers live, so that they can figure out where they need to open another store.

On a side note, I work retail, and sometimes we HAVE to ask customers those annoying questions. It's part of our job and we get in trouble if we don't ask. We think it's crazy to ask too, but we are told to. So please don't get mad at us, and think that we are rude, stupid, nosy etc because believe me, the last thing that we want to do is ask you that question but like I said, we HAVE to

 

[dzneelvr]

Yes. it bothers me too. At least with a human clerk, you can politely say "no" and that's that.
I find on-line you are asked to give a telephone number as a manditory field in some instances. What makes that bad is that you can't complete the transaction without it. SO, I've done the 000-000-0000 to satisfy the software and also keep my number off the web.
If they need to enter numbers in their computer, give them that.

 

[preshi]

Actually they say its for tracking purposes... but it's really so they can start sending you their catalog or whatever. We have that at J Crew and I refuse to ask people for their number.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

They use this information to not send you a catalog too. I always used to get Toys R us catalogs at christmas time in the newspaper. This year I didn't get one and called the paper. They told me that Toys R Us told them which areas were to receive the ads.

So I guess my zipcode was not a frequent shopper of Toys R Us!

 

[JESW]

They always ask and I never give it. I don't like it either.

 

[sarehm]

I get enough junk calls I hate giving my number out. They can still figure out whatever they need to do for their marketing just by getting your zip code. I never thought about the catalog thing though!

 

[CamColt]

I dont give either phone number or zip. "Id rather not" is my standard answer. I just find it annoying.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Just say NO!

If someone asks for my zip code, I make one up. Sometimes I just say No to see how the cashier will react.

 

[BarryHom]

Sometimes I just make one up or give the work's fax number. I'm tempted to give them the store's phone number to see if they catch on!

One time I think I even gave them the phone number for the time and weather.

 

[binny]

last time I was in TRU the cashier said " can I have your nuber pelase?" I smiled sweetly and just said " Nope" when what I wanted to say was " honey youre a little too young for me... but ok"
Just to see his reaction

 

[debster812]

Another voice from the retail wilderness chiming in here.

Our POS software is keyed by customer number. That number is the customer's phone number. We sell fairly large ticket price electronics, and in order to receive warranty repair, you need to supply a copy of the reciept. I am stunned (on an almost daily basis) by how many people do not keep their reciepts. For equipment that they paid $1000's of dollars for.

So, yes, asking for your phone number is intrusive, but last names can be misspelled, and this is the most consistent way we have found things to work.

 

[shep]

Just tell them you don't have a phone..

 

[lulugirl]

Originally posted by binny
last time I was in TRU the cashier said " can I have your nuber pelase?" I smiled sweetly and just said " Nope" when what I wanted to say was " honey youre a little too young for me... but ok"
Just to see his reaction

LOL- good one!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I always give them my work number. I haven't worked there in almost a year.

 

[Kallison]

When they ask for my phone number I just simply say - No. Nobody rolls their eyes at me without hearing about it -- just ask my students.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I don't like giving out that information either. So I simply use some sort of a "no" reply.

But folks, this is a plea from a marketing person here, please don't make up information! There are a couple reasons for this: first, anyone asking for any sort of tracking information (and with few exceptions as already noted it is simply tracking information to see where sales are coming from) has a dummy number to input. If enough people refuse they'll have so many dummy numbers that the data will be useless and they will stop!

Second, if you make up or give inaccurate information it becomes a waste of the organization's resources. I HATE working with data that turns out to be invalid.

So the next time someone asks just say no - it will help you as an individual, the poor cashier who has a job to do, and the marketing research analyst who has to pour through all of that stuff.

Deb