Electronics stores (choice, hell, experience, God)

[Revasser]

What in the name of...?

I've never encountered anything like this here. Why the heck do they want this information? Spamvertising?

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Revasser

What in the name of...?

I've never encountered anything like this here. Why the heck do they want this information? Spamvertising?

Yes. It seems to be one of the first questions a cashier will ask, along with "Please sign here to indicate you have refused the extended warranty." (The warranty thingy bugs me, because they are underscoring how stupid you are for saying No to such a wise decision.) This has been a standard feature in electronics superstores here in Vancouver for about ten years. (They spend almost as much time selling the extended warranty as they do selling you the product.) Then again, their margins are so low, that the salesperson has to make money somewhere. When I was working for a local superstore in the 90's the commision sales person got paid fully 50% of the price of the warranty.

Also... my performance as a sales manager was heavily gauged on how many warranties my staff sold. To me, that is a pretty sad marketing plan.

[ChrisP]

Electronics stores? Forget smoking... they're my only serious addiction, just ask the Panda.

I sympathise with your plight... I hate giving my details to people too... If I don't want someone to find me... why should I have to give them the means?

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by klubbhead024

I'm not sure who has had this experience, but it seems to be most prolific at electronics stores. In the last few days I have been to Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. When it was time to check out, I was asked for my address and phone number. I didn't yell at the clerks, becuase I know they are supposed to ask that to everyone, but I am sick and tired of businesses asking for my personal information, when I just want to make my purchase and get the hell out! One clerk actually had the balls to say she couldn't complete the transaction without my phone number. I told her just to put all 5's, and was told that wasn't allowed. I was then accused by this beech of holding up the line. I then demanded to speak with a manager, and informed the people who were behind me what was going on. When the manager came he treated me like I was a child and kept telling me it was no big deal to give my number. Finally, the people behind me came to my side and all threatened to leave the store. I decided only to buy something that was a great deal, and passed on everything else. I no longer will support this company (which is sad because shopping at this store is like crack to me). But I guess the greatest thing was the fact that before I left, I "bumped" into the $400 computer moniter, watching it fall, and hearing it break! Screw them... they deserve it for this garbage!!

Has anyone else gone through anything like this? If so, did you get upset, why or why not.

I find this very amazing. Some states will not even allow companies to ask for personal information from customers unless it is directly related to a business transaction. The company I work for has done away with the practice of asking for customers returning merchandise without receipts to provide phone numbers and addresses. Though we still may ask for a photo ID as it seems to be the only way a book retailer can try to curb loss.

So I'm a bit amazed that a company would not complete a sale due to the lack of a phone number and a name. Sounds like at most one of the newer policies which allows customers to return merchandise without a receipt. Deplorable practice in my opinion but it is designed as a consumer benefit which supports irresponsibility.

Also, considering that most service employees get paid minimum to still below non-living wages and probably get zero benefits I am hardly ever amused when someone complains about customer service in this nation. Retailers have been bending over backwards and inviting abuse towards employees for the sake of just getting the buck. And that's the main point where I can hardly believe this story.

What company would refuse any revenue because they could not get a name and phone number. Sorry, I keep coming back to this and if they really did this to you then that is one of the most idiotic things a retail company could do. Definitely it wasn't one of the giant retailers like Circuit City or a box mart. Sounds more like some store you have to travel to Manhattan and establish your pedigree in order to enter.

Oh well. I'm glad I work in a bookstore. No commissions, customer base generally more cooperative and pleasant and I don't have to worry about people shooting each other when the Far Side box calendar was released after being discontinued for many years.

And to end, I agree with YmirGF. Always ask to speak to management. Lay off of the employees. They are not paid enough to defend corporate practices established by people who are overpaid.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

IF this is a big deal to people simply make something up. I highly doubt God is going to come down on you for giving a mere cashier at Circuit City bogus information for buying a DVD. Sorry, I just don't see it.

Good idea. You might even look for the store's phone number and give THAT to the cashier. See if he recognizes it.

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Btw: The next time someone talks to you like you are a three year old, especially someone in a management capacity, remain calm. Be businesslike. Do not blow your cool. Demand to see THEIR boss immediately. Be polite, but be firm. If they are a "store manager" politely demand their direct superior's name and number at head office.

Excellent plan!

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I stress, under no circumstances should you ever damage property in a store...

I concur 100% and cannot stress what a bad move that was.
Cost passed along to everyone who shops, possible legal ramifications, and mainly feeling good for destroying someone else's property displays a lack of class.

One of the reasons Radio Shack is pretty much out of business is that they insisted on getting people's info and then sold their lists to third parties. If enough people get ticked off by these privacy intrusions and complain loudly enough, I imagine the stores will stop doing this.