Do you give your phone # to stores???

BigDave · Aug 20, 2004

Bob,

My number is listed & I give it out freely, but I have caller ID and an answering machine. If I don't recognize your name, then you're leaving a message if you want to make contact. I even have my ringers set to very low so that I don't feel compelled to answer.

Sometimes there are benefits to the system, my Husky dealer uses my stored information to fill out the warranty cards for me before I leave his store.

hillslider · Aug 20, 2004

So what model trimmer did you end up with? I have to admitt I also would have walked out and never returned. No second chance. I am very picky how I am treated when purchasing something. I work hard for my green and I expect retailers to work hard to get it from me. I rarely get good service from anywhere. But when I bought a new weed trimmer a few weeks ago i also chose the local small guy and I was amazed....service was excellent. I also paid cash and the only thing I got was a thankyou and told to hope to see me again soon response. They will!

Bob_Skurka · Aug 20, 2004

I bought the ECHO GT 200-i.

It is a small curved shaft trimmer, weighs in under 10# without fuel, and has the ultra easy to start I-START system. It also runs much smoother with much less vibration than her "Weed Wacker Featherlite" unit.

And best of all, the lovely Mrs_Bob was very happy --well that may be an overstatement-- when I showed her the trimmer.

ffemt381 · Aug 20, 2004

Bob,

As a former marketing guy it is my understanding that most big box stores as well as local chain stores use the phone number as a way of determining where their customers are coming from so they can determine if they should open a new store closer to those customers. I'm sure not all of them adhere to this methodology but I don't usually worry about giving my number out unless it is a mail-order or web based business. Most customers cannot tell you their Zip+4 code which is just as accurate for tracking customer locations as phone numbers.

Just my two cents...

KNotMe · Aug 21, 2004

1-248-555-1212

Is that not the directory assistance number?

MikePA · Aug 21, 2004

Is that not the directory assistance number? 
Yes, Michigan, Oakland County. Any 555-1212 is directory assistance for the prefixed area code.

slowrev · Aug 21, 2004

"we really didn't like the customer who had so little trust in us that they wouldn't give us their phone number -- it goes both ways)."

Don, We customers do not sell information on the businesses we do business with, not the same way for business selling our information to marketeers that will aggrivate us.

Also under the new no call law. If you have business with a comapny they can call you to try to sell you something else , IF they have your number.
That would aply to buying a soda at a 7-11 and then them calling you trying to sell you a slurpie or some such...just an example.

DocHeb · Aug 21, 2004

( use the phone number as a way of determining where their customers are coming from )

Then they should be asking for the area code and the first three numbers of the phone number. For example, my phone number is 248-555-1212, so 248-555 should give an accurate enough location for their studies.

I pay $5 a month extra on the phone bill to have my number unlisted. After we were first married and I started working, by wife would get phone calls asking for me - she'd reply that I was at work. Then the perveted stuff would start: "I know you're home alone" - and all kinds of stuff after that. The phone company was not very interested in helping out - changing the number to unlisted was easier. Now I rarely give out our home number, and use my cellphone if it is somebody I want to call me back. I am also very selective about giving my adress out.

I went to get a video card a couple years ago. The clerk wanted my Social Security Number so I could rent VCR Tapes!. She seemed a bit suprised that my Social Security Number was 123-45-6789, I told her that most people are suprised by that - but she didn't question me any further.

I have a buddy that signs the electronic credit card at Home Depot with the name "Mickey Mouse". Nobody has ever said anything.

Junkman · Aug 21, 2004

( I have a buddy that signs the electronic credit card at Home Depot with the name "Mickey Mouse". Nobody has ever said anything.
)

The Home Depot stores that I shop, always check my signature against the signature on my card and if the purchase is large, ask to see another form of ID, such as a license. Your friend would have to have large ears to get away with that here. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Aug 21, 2004

( I have a buddy that signs the electronic credit card at Home Depot with the name "Mickey Mouse". Nobody has ever said anything. )

I'm one of those folks who signs his name quite legibly on nearly everything, including the back of my credit cards, but with the new electronic machines at Home Depot, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, etc., I just quickly scribble a line across it, and it's never been questioned. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I wonder how long they'll continue with the signatures since we buy things on the Internet and telephone where there's no signature, stick the card in the pump for gas, etc.