There is a disturbing trend in many Lakewood stores where they refuse to sell you anything unless you give them your phone number and all your personal information.
Most of these stores do not offer you any perks for being a loyal customer and if you lose your receipt, you cannot make a return even if they have a record of your sale on their computer. Even if they would have a loyalty program, it should be the customer’s prerogative to join the loyalty club or not.
When making a purchase, they ask for your phone number and if you tell them you’d rather not supply it or it’s ok because you don’t have time, they say I can’t sell you anything without a phone number. And if you give them a phone number that is not already in their system, you need to give them your full name and address.
If their systems are programmed this way, they can easily create a dummy phone number to use for customers who do not wish to supply their info or are in a rush.
What is the purpose of these systems? Is there no privacy left in this world? Can I not run into a store to make a quick purchase anymore?
I am hoping we can hear from some store owners explaining this policy.
LP
(TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected])
Of course privacy is paramount, but the request for telephone numbers is standard in many establishments. It means that if you inadvertently left items behind, or took someone else’s by mistake, or were overcharged, or heaven forfend, paid with a check that bounced, there is a way to reach you to correct the situation. Most people would like to do את הישר והטוב. Since we are only human, things happen. Just view the telephone number request as a way to accomodate human weakness.
Yes sadly that is the truth in today’s insane tech world. You have lost all your privacy rights. Every move you make on your smart phone is being recorded and watched by Google so they know all your info. And which ads to send you.
No more privacy
No more rites
Search on you tube of a recent video of how to block Google and all company’s from tracking your phone use and location and personal interests etc… I recently saw it but lost the link
Black male all stores that take away your freedom of privacy just like we would if they would take away our freedom of religion
I can’t speak for all stores in town, but as a retail store employee I can say that we started asking for name and phone number after a customer disputed a large credit card purchase and we had no way to contact them and find out why they did it.
OYYYY!!!!!!
With so many important things to deal with this is just plain stupid
And btw I’m just wondering if there really is a store where you buy something when you’re in a rush and they ask you for a full name
and address when you are in the system
I have a feeling you are paying with a check
i guess you don’t shop too much……..
The reason we require a phone number is in order for us to pull up your order for any future reference.
For example you need a receipt for a warranty.
Or you come in and would like to buy the same thing you bought last time.
Or you would like to make a return we need to pull up your order to make the return.
Many times a family member or friend comes in can you sell me the same as my friend etc.
In general we greatly appreciate your business
Have a. כתיבה וחתימה טובה א גוט געבענטש יאהר
I have never been asked for a phone number, unless i am paying by personal check.
I agree with the letter writer it’s a great nuisance and the stores should stop harassing their customers
i have had this even when paying with cash; even for small purchases. if the store owners are so nice, to look up warranty, to get what friend got etc… that’s great – but give the person a choice!!!!
You can make a policy that if paying with a check they need to give you info (it’s on the check anyway) – but with cash or a cc???
the store should keep records of receipts and cc charges anyway for disputes etc.. but they do not need all the info at a retail level. any big retailer – walmart, target etc… they do not ask for your info in the store.
I don’t have a problem using a phoney phone number.
Just give them a dummy number. When they ask for name and adress, have a dummy name and address prepared.
that would be a lie…..why lie?? the letter writer doesn’t want to lie.
I also don’t like it but they are not doing anything with your number. they are not sending your number to advertisers. when you walk up and yu know they will want your number just tell them your number right away. interlay 5 seconds.
Welcome to capitalism. If you don’t like their service, than don’t shop there. It’s pretty simple.
Stores using the POS system can create a generic customer to use when someone does not want to provide a phone #. There is no reason to force someone to give personal info.
There must be more to this trend Because
A. Credit cards have been around for decades. Never asked for phone numbers
B. Checks have been around for decades. Some store do. Most dont.
C. The big chain store like home depot, lowes, walmart, target etc do not ask for your phone number unless your paying by check.
So why on earth do little heimish shops feel thay you must give phone number.
.
Most stores I just tell them to do it without and guess what happens…..drumroll please….. they say ok politely and move on.
I work In one of the stores in town and the reason we ask for your phone number is not for US It’s for YOU the customer.
When you wanna return without receipt. We can pull it up.
When you leave something on register we can contact you.
We never force you to do give it. But a lot of people who don’t give it and come back with an issue and have no receipt there are very limited ways that we could help.
So don’t complain when we ask you for your number. It’s for your own good!
AGREE WITH 16 AND A FEW OTHERS. CASE CLOSED .
16 – thanks for the explanation – it still remains that it should be the customer’s CHOICE! you can have a sign that says if you give us your phone number, we can work with you; if not, we can’t!
Oh, by he way,
they say, “it’s in case you forget something in store”
I say, “moichel toivos” Not enough of a reason for me!
I have an idea, if the store insists, put the items on the counter and leave. If enough people do that the store will stop insisting.
Never had a store refuse to sell something cause didn’t give number. And if they don’t want to sell you just say fine and walk out!
Just REFUSE . REFUSE. REFUSE . if we all stop giving our numbers then they wiil stop asking
I think this is being blown out of proportion.
I am a customer and I do not like giving my phone number either but please let’s not make a big issue out of this.
Like refusnik says if enough people will start refusing they will stop.
Rabbosai, for those that don’t like this trend:
Next time you are asked for the number say 732-999-9999, Name is John (Jane) Doe, 123 Main street.
Let’s all do this together and end this meshugas.
I am a local store owner who didnt used to ask for phone numbers, until a customer left some very important items in the store. I ran out right after her and looked up and down the street trying to find her to give her the items she had been so excited to buy. I could not find her and till this day have no way to reach her and return the stuff. It’s sitting in my store waiting for her to come back one day… Wish I had a way to contact her!
Another incident that made my customers very happy that I took their numbers was when my computer charged in error a wrong price that was 10 cents more than the price sticker on the item. I called every customer who was charged the wrong price and refunded them. Had I not had the numbers, I would not have been able to give them the money back.
It feels invasive. But I agree that if I am using a check or cc they are entitled to that info. Some cashiers just do things by rote and don’t know how to handle it when I respond “oh, I’m paying cash.” Many times I have to insist with employees who are not flexible or bright and who aren’t polite about it.
I have given my number every time I was asked I got called 3 times that I can remember 2 I forgot something in the store and once they realized they charged me wrong and was wandering how they can send me it to me but I can hear and don’t suggest giving it to a goyishe store like cvs and rite aid cause they will call you with their so called promotions and sales which Jewish stores don’t do so I don’t see the problem with giving the number and for those of you that have voice rewards the stores can get your number and them you don’t want to give the wrong number because then you won’t be able to get notified about rewards