Pages

2/09/2012

A question

What's the proper response when a retail outlet (cough CABELA'S cough!) asks for your phone number before every transaction, cash, credit, or even things--like ammo--that are non-returnable? Why do they need it?  Why should I give it to them?

My response is to make one up off the top of my head, but I was thinking something like memorizing their manager's number, or maybe the number of the city police.  Or maybe you could look up from your texting and say "I don't have a phone" totally serious and look back down.

8 comments:

Stephen said...

They want to know the area they serve. Demographics...I always make a up a number. Local bar works.

Ruth said...

The reason varies, though they'll always use it for demographics. I believe Lowes says fhey use it for reciept recall in case you want to return something without a reciept.

As for if you should give it.....well, can the cashier skip it? If so then tell them you don't give it out. If they can't, well, I've been known to give out an old phone number, alot. And then inform corporate that for as long as they require that information I won't be shopping there.

Anonymous said...

I always give them the number of their biggest competitor. So it I am in Lowes, I would give Home Depot.

bluesun said...

See, I would buy the "demographics" argument, if they only wanted my zip code (and indeed, that's all that Sportsman's Warehouse down the road asks for). And I would buy the "returns" argument if it were something that wasn't non-returnable.

As it is, it surely must be for reasons much more [dramatic pause] sinister.

country life said...

Haha I will do that the next time they ask for my number!
Kim

Chuck Kuecker said...

Radio Shack used to ask my name when I was paying with cash - and I would always answer "Johnny Cash".

555-1212 is always in good taste...

Derhoss said...

Area code and 867-5309, ask for jenny.

works for me

Ruth said...

Bluesun, personally I agree, and for that store in particular you'd have to ask, though if its going to be asked its often a question asked for every transaction and so the fact that it was non-returnable wouldn't nessecarly be a factor.