Reader Tim went to Radio Shack to buy something or other and the manager refused to process his cash transaction without first learning his home address. Tim left the store and dashed off a quick email to us. He let us know he was going to contact Radio Shack about the incident, but felt certain that he’d be ignored.
He wasn’t. Within about an hour Tim was writing us to say he had $20 in gift certificates from Radio Shack.
Here’s Tim’s first letter:
Just left Radio Shack store in Jackson Mississippi located on Hwy 18.
Sales Associate took my name and telephone number prior to ringing up about sixty dollars worth of small parts. Refused to finalize cash transaction without my home address! I left the store as he was returning the stock to the shelves.
I have attempted to make Radio Shack aware of this incident as well as my contacting your site. Perhaps their sales are so good in these trying times that they are not interested in doing business with folks who aren’t
interested in giving them such information?Seems highly unlikely, but the whole incident was witnessed by a fellow I assume to be the manager, but I’ve no way to confirm that. In any event, I will report to you any communications I receive from Radio Shack in regards to this incident. At this time I am limited to going through a form on their website. Why do I feel that will be ignored?
Thanks,
Tim
Wow. I emailed Radio Shack (thru an online form) and then I called their 800 number to report the treatment I had been given earlier in the day. I got thru directly to the Area Coordinator and he apologized profusely and offered me $20 in Radio Shack gift certificates. Turned out their local corporate office is right down the street from my house, so I went right over and picked up the gift certificates. That’s a pretty fast response to a complaint wouldn’t you say?
Turns out the guy who was abusing me is the freaking store manager! I don’t think he’s in for a pleasant evening.
Thanks,
Tim
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@Wimpkins: You should use that address with a lot number.
If you’re looking for a good ZIP code to give in these kinds of situation, 20505 works well. It’s a ZIP code allocated entirely to the CIA, and people never recognize it as fake like they do with 90210. It even checks when compared against a list of valid ZIP codes, which some ZIP-code-demanding web sites check.
@slowinthefastlane:
Ditto on the fake address.
Frankly, I’d give them 1060 West Addison, Chicago, IL 60613.
And if they want a phone number, I’d give them my fax line at work, or my local “favorite” politicians’ office number.
Whenever store clerks ask me for personal information before allowing a purchase, I give them the number and address for our local police department.
These stores are simply compiling information so that they can resell your data to third parties with whom they have an agreement and you get the telemarketing calls and snailmail spam..aka junkmail.
I just wish Congress had a backbone and outlawed all marketing and pr.
Ah, slowinthefastlane, you beat me to it. I’m a big fan of sending unwarranted junk mail to Wrigley Field, too.
For phone number requests, I still give out the number for the now-long-deceased pay phone that used to be at the end of the hall in my college dorm back in the ’80s.
@pegr: That’s a classic!
I had to go buy a soldering iron last week at RadioShack here in DC (Connecticut and N st NW). Training must be a bit lax…they didn’t ask for my name, couldn’t get two of the 3 credit cards offered to swipe and couldn’t print out a receipt. Given that they’d swiped three of my cards but not had my sign anything I wasn’t leaving till I got a receipt. Which they said they couldn’t print. I had to MAKE them get a manager out of the back room who could print a receipt. They were not happy. I’m not sure what kind of scam they were trying to run…but I’ll be watching my charges like a hawk for the next few weeks.
John Smith
1 Main Street
Radio Shack has that info for me about a thousand times over.
@Bladefist-안녕: I’m no RS fan, but if you’re in the middle of a project, and you need a A-to-B adapter, are you going to go order it online and wait a few days? Not me.
I like the fake address suggestions, but I just say no thank you when asked for this type of info. and I’ve never run into a problem.
I haven’t gone into a RS since they tried to sell me a battery for my crystal radio set.
This passive-aggressive, give-em-fake-info stuff is fascinating. Have some guts, guys: Just say no, and if that’s not acceptable to them, walk out. If enough people did that some of them might get the message.
I am a RadioShack store manager and this incident should never have happened. The reason why RadioShack employees ask for a customers information is to keep a record of the transaction under the customer’s name. This makes it easier to look up a transaction if the customer wants to return an item without a reciept and helps us prevent fraud. A customer does have the right to refuse information at any time with cash transactions. The store manager or employee should have known this and completed the transaction without the customers address. In the future the customer should not have given his name and phone number to begin with if he wants to protect his privacy.
Sorry, refusing the info does not work with them. Since literally 20+ years back, they have been doing this to me. I always refuse. Sometimes they say nothing, but I’ve actually had a manager argue with me as well!
I’ve taken the time out to explain WHY I don’t want my info recorded, but the paid by the hour employees don’t care.
My solution has been to never shop there unless it’s a dire emergency. Meaning possibly 3-4 times over 20 years.
@Buckler: Yeah, you want to be really careful to cut down on the fraud of people PAYING CASH.
Oh come on, people. Why cause a scene when it just takes 30 seconds to give them your name and address.
I mean, everyone else does it without complaining… Why cause a scene?
I am curious if the posted asked the employee WHY he wanted that information. Or if he asked customer service.
@picardia: @Buckler: Yeah, you want to be really careful to cut down on the fraud of people PAYING CASH.
Re-read my post. It’s to cut down on fraud committed by people scamming the system to get FREE cash. Unfortunately, those who have legitimate cash returns get screwed in the process.
The whole policy of this irritates me to no end. When customers would come into my former place of work (Sears..yeah) and it would ask for this and all they bought waas like a PS3 or a game, I’d tell them to make something up unless countless Sears ads appealed to them. As odd as it sounded, helped my commissions considerably!
@valarmorghulis: (who do I consider older)
Have you SEEN the waitstaff at Denny’s lately?
I had a similar experience last night at MicroCenter in Cambridge, MA. I used to receive their flyers in the mail after buying something there with my credit card, no surprise and no big deal. But I have not bought anything there, or even been in the store, in a long time, and to be asked for this info for a $5 cash sale is just corporate stupidity.
I started to give some phony info, then stopped, looked at the cashier and said, “Can we just skip this nonsense?” making sure she understood that I understood she was just doing her job. Apparently they are not as rigid about it as the Shack, because she just shrugged and we finished the transaction.
They often have trouble entering my home address on Kringlumyarbraut Street in Reykjavik.
Wait no i don’t. I agree with the principal of refusing to give an address. But if you want to just move on giving a foreign address is a fun way to confuse them, (i don’t think any system can accept non U.S. adys) and they don’t get points. Unless THEY just make up an address for you.
Give the store’s address. Very few catch it.
“So sorry we asked your address when you were buying batteries. Here, let me make it up to you, here is $20 in coupons. Now, what’s your address so I can mail these to you?”
Well, during the brief 4-month stint I had with the Shack…
Name and address was a quota you had to meet for their advertising shit. 80% was the goal, so you had to get 4/5 name and address combos from customers. We actually made up a “refused” entry to boost our N&A percentage, and the customer didn’t have to deal with those damn ads.
I had a Radio Shaft..err..Shack try this nonsense on me a few weeks ago. I needed a simple UK plug converter, a mere $9.99 purchase. $10.69 with NJ sales tax. I pulled $0.75 out of the cup holder in the car before going in, and pulled a $10 out of my wallet.
The “Assistant Manager” gave me the same bit, citing it’s “our policy”. I informed him of my policy of not giving out personal information for no reason, put the $$ on the counter, picked up my converter and started walking out. I pointed out that $9.99 + 6% tax was $10.69 and he should take the $10.75 on the counter, give me my receipt and while he’s at it, stop trying to invade my privacy.
After a few seconds of stammering, he handed me my receipt and wished me a nice day.
@jwarner132: My preference is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20006. Most people don’t know what it is.
And let me say that there was nothing more annoying when giving out my work address in the early 90′s than having people say “Oh wow, so you work in Beverly Hills and your zip code is 90210? Do you ever see Kelly or Mitch*?”
*Or whatever the hell their names were, I’ve never seen the idiotic show.
When I last worked for them years ago, we were tracked on Names and Addresses. The main reason they wanted this was for sending you flyers in the mail. If customers objected, we had a catchall address which was usually the store’s (Use the last 4 digits of the store’s phone number to get it). A sale was never worth the fight over a better N&A average, and most of us knew that.
I’m a little surprised the sales rep didn’t just use the catchall and be done with it.
I work here at a RadioShack in Dayton, OH. And yes, this manager was very in the wrong. Regarding credit card transactions, I always ask to see ID. For any bills over $100, I ask for ID. That’s it.
I remember when I worked for Sports Authority, we had to do the stupid “ask for a phone number with every transaction” stupidity. I didn’t care for it. I didn’t even want my own company to have my phone number, honestly. I would cashier, and I would use 867-5309, 1-800-222-3334 (800-ABCDEFG or Hooked on Phonics), Dick’s Sporting Goods or the corporate office phone number.
I remember the boss got hardcore about phone numbers, so I asked for them. I asked a customer for his phone number, and he gave me 867-5309. I told him “my thoughts exactly.”
We were told for a while that this was for “store tracking” so we can determine where to build stores and allocate stock accordingly. yeah right. Turns out, we used the numbers for a robo-dialer. I caught a lot of shit from customers for that. But they’ve got a right to be angry – to have a phone call auto dial them to get them to go to the store.
I wonder how many people would notice if you gave the address of the store you were at, or at least the shopping center that hosts the store.
Also, I wonder if that would constitute any sort of fraud.
I’ve worked at RS since August. I’m so apathetic about the RS system I only ask name and info when I have to (i.e. delivery transactions, payments, etc.). I ask for ID if you pay credit or want to use a $100. Oh, and remember now if an RS employee doesn’t offer you batteries, you get a free pack. LOL.
@jwarner132: Personally, I like using 123 No Street, Schenectady, NY 12345.
Hey, I’m 75 (look only 74) and I was carded at Gristede’s on 9th Ave and 54th St, NYC, yesterday when I bought 3 bottles of seltzer and a bottle of beer. I finally asked if they thought I was too old to buy beer. But I coughed up my driver’s license.
Got the beer!
(This is the supermarket chain who’s CEO wants to run for mayor of New York City. He’s going to card voters, too?)
@DuckSeason: “I wonder how many people would notice if you gave the address of the store you were at, or at least the shopping center that hosts the store.
Also, I wonder if that would constitute any sort of fraud.”
Well, it depends on how the question was phrased and how you give the info.
If you were to say, “my current location is … ” and give them the address of the shop you were at, I can’t say that you’d be fibbing, just that they weren’t paying attention.
(Yes, I’ve done this before.)
The only info I do give out when asked (sometimes) is ZIP. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for them to want to know how far you traveled to the store. When I have a bad experience though I give out 44444 (Newton Falls, OH – the town with ZIP!).
Some people are just so rediculously moronic. I hope this asshat got fired. Not reprimanded, flat out TERMINATED ON THE SPOT. Get your shit and LEAVE.
Give ‘em this zip code which is (was…) in lower Manhattan:
[zip4.usps.com]
I’ve has Circuit City try this on me a couple times as well. And in my defense, I’ve only ever gone there for ‘emergency purchases’.
It would be nice if we could all stand on our principles and not give them information they have no reason to know but it gets to be a pain. I too make stuff up. It gets to be fun. 1313 Mockingbird Lane was a favorite. If all they want is a zip I always give one from another part of the country. If they want a phone number I just make one up but some fun could be had there too. Like giving one for an escort service or a 900 number. No matter how ludicrous the numbers given they never blink.
Aren’t gift certificates worthless anyway? I know that I’ve seen Burger King and Best Buy turning them down with my own eyes in past month (neither of which really surprises me; well, BK actually a little bit. Mmm, BK stacker…)
@tom2133: Cabela’s in East Hartford CT asked me for my phone number at checkout last weekend, and I declined. She asked if she could have my zipcode instead and I had no problem giving her that. I’m sure they just use zips for tracking where customers come from.
Bed and Bath around here is another one that asks for phone numbers for any transaction. Also the Container Store. I’m always amazed at how many people in line with me give it willingly.
When asked for my phone number I tell them I don’t have a phone. This is especially fun because I always have a cellular phone clearly attached to my hip, in plain view. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m waiting for some cashier to say, “Oh yeah, then what’s that?” … so I can respond, “It’s a garage door opener. Now, are you going to sell me this shit or what?”
You all need to stop your B******* and just refuse if you don’t want to give it. It’s only required on certain transaction. i.e. checks, cell phones, service plans, gift cards, anything service related and returns. Getting your name and address is primaraly for waranty purposes. How many of you hold on to your reciepts? They can look it up for you with that info. If you by chance get a flyer you can go to the web site and remove yourself from the flyer list. Just don’t complain when you miss a sale. If you do refuse to give your name and address don’t complain when they can’t refund your product because you lost your reciept.
@curmudgeon5: The problem with that is that most people won’t. They will agree that something like this is bullshit, but they won’t do anything because most people think they will either be the only one doing it, that only a (too) small number of people do it, or that they are somehow obligated to do as they are told.
Corporate wants us to track names and addresses, but it isn’t required on most transactions (exceptions being paying with checks, buying service plans, cell phone transactions, and returns). The Manager who pulled this was just being retarded, or really wanted to get his name/address capture percentage up.
@MissPeacock: Only name and address is REQUIRED for returns. Phone number is optional. No corporate store is supposed to ask for your DL # unless they’re running a credit check or something.
@RandoX: My manager always asks that question, mostly because he’s genuinely interested. But he probably would have found your answer very amusing
@DCGaymer: Sometimes the receipt printers will randomly stop working. The associates should have at least known how to print up the receipt on another terminal without asking the manager, it’s not that hard. To get it working again, all they have to do is restart the terminal.
And to everyone who gives out a fake address, most of the time giving out name and address is optional, associates just like to get their numbers up. But don’t ever give a fake name and address if there’s a mail-in rebate. I had a guy who did that once, giggling at the time. He wasn’t too happy when he got his rebate check and found out he couldn’t cash it because he didn’t have an ID that matched the fake name on the check. Also name/address helps if you ever lose you receipt, as we can look it up that way, or we can look it up if you paid with a debit or credit card.
I current work at a Radioshack, and this isn’t an issue win my store.
Nobody in my store asks for info unless it is needed (check/return/wireless/service plans/etc). We’ve never gotten any grief from the district manager about it afaik.
Even so, some people get upset that they need to give us info if they want a return.
How’d he get the gift cards?
Thats right… he gave out his address.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
@crappedcrusader: Read the article. He picked them up at the local corporate office.
I worked at a Jewelry store for two years and the POS would not let you proceed with a sale without a name, address, and phone number. Perhaps Radio Shack has a similar system. If I had a customer who did not want to give out their information, I would just put a fake name and put the store’s address and phone number in the system. Which, I did most of the time because if you got a real address and phone number, it meant you had to send promotional materials to their house and make those ever so evil telemarketing calls.