Why do some stores now ask for your phone number...

Dusty · Dec 16, 2006

I know that Auto Zone tracks your returns, core charges, and warranty items by telephone number. I have no problem with that since it serves a useful purpose. If you don't want to use your real number, then just be consistent and always use a fictitious number. Who is going to know the difference?
Dusty

eanjay · Dec 16, 2006

Dusty said:
Printing the full account number is a violation of the terms of service of the credit card issuers. I don't know for certain, but I believe that this is a result of a Federal law.
Dusty

In the 'Land of the Free' i'm sure thats the case - should have mentioned that I'm in Canada.

Cheers - EanJay

Dusty · Dec 16, 2006

eanjay said:
In the 'Land of the Free' i'm sure thats the case - should have mentioned that I'm in Canada.

Cheers - EanJay

It might be worth while to ask your credit card issuing bank if they use the same policy in Canada as is used in the US. As I said, I don't know if it is a Federal law, but I know that the credit card processors were adamant that the change was implemented by all US merchants by a specific date. It was specifically done to eliminate credit card fraud, so I can't understand why they wouldn't implement this world wide.
Dusty

mjarrels · Dec 17, 2006

IMO, sometimes stopping service is much more difficult than starting a service. Sometimes I've just had to quit paying and bite the bullet on credit reports.

mark

schmism · Dec 18, 2006

i was at a jewelery store to pick up a couple of small items (less than $10).

required my name and address. I told them to just ring it up, im paying cash.

Said they couldnt do it without an adress and added politily "we dont sned you anything" i said great, then why do you require it? The sales lady stood there and looked at me like .... ahhhhhhhh she then said, just make one up then.

so i did.

5 min later i had my 2 items i paid $10 cash for

as for the other stores that ask for zip and/or phone #. i always decline. some are getting more used to it, but everynow and then i have one that is totally caught off gaurd that i wont give them my personal info.

as a side note i dont own any "discount cards" either....

ronjhall · Dec 18, 2006

I would not give my phone number to any store in order to complete a sale. Store manager would have to order his employee to complete the sale without that info. Because I would still be standing at the register when the police arrived.

Retirement gives me more time than the store has.

TrippleT · Dec 18, 2006

There is a gas station near here that requires you name, physical address, phone number,date of birth and drivers license number, if you write a check. And, you can go in there day after day after day and always the same makes no difference whether they know you or not. On a few occasions I have put my army serial number on there and asked them if they wanted anything else. Gets aggravating so I don't buy there unless it is a have to case.

Dusty · Dec 18, 2006

TrippleT said:
There is a gas station near here that requires you name, physical address, phone number,date of birth and drivers license number, if you write a check. And, you can go in there day after day after day and always the same makes no difference whether they know you or not. On a few occasions I have put my army serial number on there and asked them if they wanted anything else. Gets aggravating so I don't buy there unless it is a have to case.

As I have previously said, a check is a promise to pay, and they need that information to prosecute in the event that the check isn't honored at the bank. If you don't want to go through the hassle, then pay cash or use a debit or credit card. I find this most amazing, (not directed to any one person) that the people that want a business to accept a check in payment, most often are the very same people that wouldn't accept a check in payment for something that they are selling. Seems that they know that checks can be bad and don't want to get stuck, but they also don't like it when the merchant requires sufficient information from you to positively identify you as the check writer. One other thing to remember, is that when the check clears the bank, they no longer have that information for the next time. As a merchant, I don't keep any records of your personal information in my computer. As a purchaser, I won't deal with any merchant that wants to have that information in there computer. I trust my bank, but I don't trust the merchant to keep that information on file. For that very reason, I don't have a check cashing card at the local supermarket. All that I have given them is my name, post office box # and a telephone number, that they use for the ID number.
Dusty

TrippleT · Dec 18, 2006

I understand that a check is a promise that the money is there. However, in this area if one bounces you get a fine slapped on it. So if you write a hypothetically five dollar check, you will pay twenty five for that. And, after a certain amount you go to the pen for a year. I knew a fellow that went to the pen for a five dollar check. Since it is a rural area here you would think they would get to know their customers. Of course no one forces anyone to trade with them.