I'm also surprised at how many people just comply and rattle off their phone number when asked for it by a clerk. I never give out personal info except for zip code.

I'm amazed at people announcing their personal info to stores for everyone standing around to hear.

Me too! It's astounding how many people just follow along blindly (in regard to so many aspects of life!). Like pugga, I never give out personal info, with the exception of my zip code. I've even stopped saying that my number is unlisted, responding with "I don't give out that info" instead.

When asked for "personal" information, I usually just look directly at the clerk/salesperson, without speaking. If they ask me again, I continue with my "wall of silence". Stops them in their tracks. I won't tell someone my number is unlisted because that's really (to me) just circumventing the problem. I understand it's not the clerk's fault, they're just following orders, but I figure that saying nothing says volumes, without being rude ;^)

Giving a sales person the silent treatment IS being rude.

Just make up a phone number.

Never, ever make up a phone number! How can you be sure that you aren't giving out someone else's number by doing that?

Let me add that I realize it's a company thing, not a salesperson thing. I'm polite when I refuse, but it's irritating when I see two workers look at each other as if I'm being unreasonable.

I don't mind giving my phone number. I don't consider it all that personal. It's just something they use to check against what's in their database for any problems.

However, I really don't like those "membership" cards a lot of grocery and drug stores have now, where you get big discounts on some things if you sign up. That IS a blatant method of obtaining mailing list info that they can sell. I try to avoid those stores as much as possible.

It's just something they use to check against what's in their database for any problems.

I don't think so. I mean, what kind of problem could arise where they'd actually call you up? I've been asked for my phone number whether I'm paying by credit card or cash. They don't need my number for a cash transaction, and if there's any issue with my credit card, they'll be dealing directly with Visa, not me. I believe they sell those phone numbers to marketing companies.

The only time I've been asked for my phone number is if I'm returning something. I don't give it out. I can't remember being asked for our address other than a return and we have a p.o. box, so I'm fine with that. IF it is a store that offers sales, coupons, etc. via email, I will give my email address.

tina

I don't mind giving out my phone number. It is in the phone book. I readily and loudly give it and have never had any problems. They aren't asking for my pin number to my Debt card or anything.

I don't make many returns. The feed store where I buy bird seed always asks for my phone number. Sometimes they send me personal discounts on bird seed. Woo! They must track my purchases and know that is all I buy there. Saves paper and money.

This article's a few years old, but still a good one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Click

I agree, I don't give our personal information either. Many take that as a sign that you're giving permission to receive advertisements or emails. It's more info than companies need to see how their sales are doing. I don't even think the companies who have that info are using it solely the way they disclose they do. I think some of them sell it on the sly. Our number's unlisted and out of the blue we have been inundated with "charity calls", which don't fall under the rules of the Do Not Disturb Registry. They got the number from somewhere!

I also really hate those cards because again, they track everything you buy. It's marketing blackmail to only give discounts to those willing to sell their privacy. My privacy is worth more than that and I avoid them when ever possible. With the exception of Costco, I rarely shop at any of the stores that require them. I really don't want people tracking or knowing what I buy. It gives me the creeps.

I don't give my phone number to them, I usually just reply, "no thank you". That conveys the message in a polite way. I've never had any cashier insist or make a face or anything. They're just doing their job, I don't think they really care one way or another.

I don't mind giving my zip code though. I see no harm in that. I never give my email address either. If I want them to send me emails (rare!) I just go to the website and sign up.

I handle it the same way, lowspark, and I've never had any trouble from the clerks.

And agree about the zip code. They can do their research using that and adding stores where they see a need that way but it doesn't identify how to reach me specifically. (and I don't want a bunch of strangers in the checkout line hearing my personal info)

I also tell cashiers "no thanks" when asked for my ph #. If they persist, I tell them it's not published. The only exception made is for purchases to be deliveried, when the driver may need to call for additional directions or let me know he's running late.

No problem with the zip code. I used to make up a phone number until I read AJ's response last time this subject came up, lol. Now I simply say that's personal information. No clerk has pursued it further. I agree that the "silent treatment" sounds rude. Almost as bad as a customer yakking on a cell phone while being waited on.

WRT the grocery shopping discount cards, don't you folks know that you don't have to put your real information on the form if you don't care about getting any snail-mailed coupons and don't need to cash checks at that store? (I'm not talking about the discount cards you have to buy, such as at Barnes & Noble.) The last few stores' cards I signed up with I wrote down something like Jane Q. Public, 1 Main Street, Anytown NH 00000 - I think that's the fake address the Post Office either uses or used to use for illustrations - because I was getting too much junk mail already. No one has ever given me grief about it, and the cards scan fine. I do rely on those cards since the stores that have the best loss leaders use them; frankly I don't care if they know that the user of customer card 23948348752870 prefers a certain brand of deodorant or buys two half-gallon cartons of milk every ten days, I just don't want the junk mail.

If a store employee gets pushy about "I HAVE to put a telephone number in" for a non-return transaction to work properly, I give them a bland half-smile and say "800-555-1212". In this age of 411, no one but us old bats knows what that number is! (I've been tempted to say "867-5309" to REALLY date myself, but that falls under the "unreasonably hassling the innocent" rule in my book because according to Snopes, apparently some poor sods still get assigned that number from time to time.)

Ok, now that sound logical johnmari, why didn't I think of that. I'm dating myself too, but years ago when we started having to get those cards, they had a spot for DL numbers and I actually thought it was so you could cash checks too. I think it was Albertsons that did that...don't remember.

If I buy wine at Target, the clerk has to get proof of my age. I decline to them them swipe my driver's license, and the clerk then has to get a manager to over-ride manually. Insane, but the store doesn't want to be sued to selling box wine to a 15 year old. Whatever.

lukkiirish, if you want to write/cash checks you have to pony up all your real information, but that's always been the case (here's dating myself, remember the "check cashing cards" the supermarkets had before they brought in this all-purpose sale card thing?). Simple enough solution to that - don't write checks there. Use another form of payment.

I was living in Boston when the cards started being used there, and it was Star Market that had the first ones. I can't remember if Albertsons had bought them yet (along with Shaws, where we currently do about 1/3 our shopping). I remember the privacy paranoiacs on one internet group I was on having hysterics until someone tried it with a dummy name and tah-dah, it worked.

I am uncomfortable giving out my number for a different reason. Years ago a young woman told me how she was having a lot of problems with a stalker. He had her phone number and knew where she lived. Eventually she learned that he was a stranger in a clothing store who overheard her when she gave out her number at the register. She was a young married woman with a couple of kids. Very unsettling. I have often wondered the outcome.

8-6-7-5-3-0-9...
8-6-7-5-3-0-9...

now i'm gonna be hearing this song in my sleep!

I guess the only time I've been burned by putting fake info on applications for store discount cards is when I've run into the store for a few things and brought only my wallet, not the keyring that holds all those cards. "Just type your phone number on the keypad instead," the clerk helpfully suggests. Hmm... now what number did I make up on the form? LOL!

I hate those cards, but truthfully, I hate having to pay even a penny more for something that's on sale only for the card-carriers. I once thought they should just lower the prices for everyone, but I soon understood the marketing importance of them. You have to admit--whoever came up with that idea became a marketing god.

I think more clerks, in all sorts of stores, are getting used to people saying their phone #s are unlisted. I've never been given attitude about that.

"I guess the only time I've been burned by putting fake info on applications for store discount cards is when I've run into the store for a few things and brought only my wallet, not the keyring that holds all those cards. 'Just type your phone number on the keypad instead,' the clerk helpfully suggests. Hmm... now what number did I make up on the form? LOL!"

"Sorry, I've moved/changed cell companies/etc. since then and can't remember what phone number I had when I signed up." (I've done that at Petco before I stopped going there - they stopped carrying the food we used - although I WAS telling the truth, I had signed up two moves before that and couldn't have told you that phone number at knifepoint!) At the grocery stores I go to they have a generic card at each cashier station. I'm a dork though, I have the "important" cards, grocery store and drugstore, both on DH's and my keyrings and in our wallets - we had gotten two of each with the one application. Amusing when you have the discount cards outweigh everything else in your wallet... I've ditched most of them, not using the stores often enough to justify them after moving 30 miles away.

My favorite reply when asked for my phone number is: "Tell you what *insert name on clerk's badge here*, I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours..." Especially if the clerk is a nice looking guy. LOL

I don't object giving out my zip code. I figure that data they are collecting to determine if they need to open another store in a different location. Hey if its closer to me, great!

Yeah it bugs me when I'm asked for all that. I just think it's ridiculous. I only give out my zip code.

Those little key cards...OOOooo I hate them. Believe I have at least 6 on mine. Nothing like junking up your key chain. What happened to if things were on sale they were on sale. Period. You bought it, you got the discount. Now God forbid they give you a discount without your "club card".

I hate the key cards, won't use them. If I feel that I must sign up with a store for their discount, I use a work number that is attached to our automated line.

Recently, a long time local drugstore sold out to CVS Pharmacy. And since that store is right in the shopping center where I work, they were getting a lot of my casual business for makeup, food items, and sometimes pet food. Well, CVS has a policy of NOT giving the sale prices unless you use their store deal, so a couple of times I walked out of there having paid full price, since I wasn't going to fill out the long application for sale prices. I know they are tracking what I do, that's patent. But finally, I had enough. I went in to return some stale cookies (went to car, opened package, and bit into Dust!!, went right back into store to return) and you would just not believe how big of a deal the clerks made that "She doesn't have a CVS card!" "How can we give back your money without a CVS card?" "We have a policy of giving you $2 in CVS bucks when you find something expired on our shelves, but don't know how to do that without the CVS card!!" All this was called out from one register to the manager at the other, until I just wanted to drop the $4 bag of cookies and go. It was almost a crime that I don't have the card. And the phone number thing didn't work there, because they said it takes their system 3 months to acknowledge the phone number.
Anyway, it Was super convenient to wander down their on my break and pick up kleenex or whatever, but I think I'm done.

Red

The only info I'll give is a zip code and sometimes not even that! Anyone can find your address online if they have your home phone number and that's too creepy.

Last week I bought $8 worth of toddler socks at Kohl's and got the usual "You can save $1.78 on your purchase today if you apply for a Kohl's card!" speech -- oh I don't like those, either! Just let me buy this stuff and quit asking me for my personal information! I go to great lengths to avoid junk mail, so nobody gets nuthin'!

I just say that I decline to give my number (and say it politely). Normally they move on. I think they're used to it. But if pushed I provide 000-000-0000. They normally type it in with a blank look on their face, then a teen brain kicks in and they give me a funny look :)

I don't provide zip codes or any personal information. I just make one up. When asked where it is (by some curious cashier) I say "Australia".

It's kind of like when I fly...when asked by a seat mate what I do for a living (thus opening the flood gates of conversation I don't want to have) I say "I'm a mortician". The normal reply "Ohhhh" and then golden silence :)

I wonder what the zip code for transilvania is....

It is the clerks job to ask - I am not angry - I tell them I am in law enforcement (I'm 63!) and don't give it out - they move on - as a clerk, I would just write no on the check if they didn't give a number - in out county, we have the DA go after people who write bad checks - but they have to see that we have checked to make sure they are who they say they are and that intales looking at their ID and asking for a phone.

I tell them I don't give out my phone number. If they insist, I sing 867-5309. The younger ones are clueless but the clerks my age get the joke. But I honestly don't care what people think of me- about anything. Their reaction is THEIR problem, not mine.