Intrusive retail requests - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

LewisCouch · 08-19-2004, 07:23 AM

Recently, I made a $250 purchase at the local CompUSA. After presenting my credit card, the clerk asks to see my drivers license. I assumed that he was matching my signature on both cards, however, he proceeded to key enter information from my license into the computer. When I asked him if he was copying information from my license he said yes. I then told him I didn't care to give out that type of personal information. He then informed me that the store is collecting driver license data in order to prove that I was asked to provide my ID. I told him that I didn't appreciate it and to please give me my cards back, as I would go to another store to make my purchase. He finally capitulated and erased the data he had entered so he could make the sell. All the while, nearby customers and staff are eyeballing me like I'm some kind of criminal, even though I was completely courteous and professional in every way. The clerk, who up to this point had been very friendly and gregarious, became cold and distant.

Why does any non law enforcement entity believe they can casually collect this type of information? This type of store "policy" is completely out of line.

Charlatan · 08-19-2004, 07:40 AM

They have no right to that information... You were correct to request it not be collected.

The surley attitude is a direct result of you disrupting the flow of his (and the other customer's) day... You not only made his life miserable by making him make an exception for you you also underscored for everyone on line what stupid policy CompUSA has...

Cynthetiq · 08-19-2004, 07:42 AM

I don't give up information easily... and because there are so many people who do ask for it, I have prepared already some "fake info", usually differnet names and addresses so that I can figure out who's selling my information.

maleficent · 08-19-2004, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

I don't give up information easily... and because there are so many people who do ask for it, I have prepared already some "fake info", usually differnet names and addresses so that I can figure out who's selling my information.

I use a middle initial, to see where my address goes to... Especially wiht online retailers, I know who's been selling my name.

Radio Shack used to ask for name address phone number, first born child and a drop of blood, they did that for years, and it's just recently they stopped that policy, due to customer complaints I'm sure, but I don't know why it took so long.

A lot of regular stores will also ask for a phone number, and to confirm address... (the only thing I will volunteer is Zip code, which is sometimes used as confirmation on the credit card) otherwise -they aren't getting info from me.

LewisCouch · 08-19-2004, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

...The surley attitude is a direct result of you disrupting the flow of his (and the other customer's) day... You not only made his life miserable by making him make an exception for you you also underscored for everyone on line what stupid policy CompUSA has...

An interesting point, and what is pronounced in this case, is that the clerk was the store manager.

bullmoose · 08-19-2004, 08:16 AM

It amazes me that the majority of people will sheepishly give up personal information.

I usually answer those requests quickly.

"If you cannot complete the transaction without that information I wil go somewhere else."

Usually works for me.

tropple · 08-19-2004, 08:23 AM

Where am I?

...In the village

What do you want?

...Information

Whose side are you on?

...That Would Be Telling. We want information, information, information.

You Won't Get It!

By Hook Or By Crook, We Will!

Who are you?

...The New Number Two

Who is Number One?

You Are Number Six.

"I am not a number, I am a FREE MAN!"

Kalnaur · 08-19-2004, 09:19 AM

See, the one I like to hear is when my friend from Penn. comes over to Washington.

The stores ask for a zip code to "see what areas buy the most products from them".

He then proceeds to give them a Penn. zip code, and when they ask where that's from, he tells them. I've only seen one person not erase the zip code after that.

Cynthetiq · 08-19-2004, 10:30 AM

read this on MSN.com

link

Quote:

Protect yourself from identity theft by keeping a tight rein on your Social Security number. Only a few organizations have the right to demand it. Here's how to fend off the rest.

By Bankrate.com

"I think it's spooky. Everybody has that one number, and everything about you is tied to it," worries Jim Edwards, program director at WJNO in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"Put it in a computer and poof -- here's your bank account, your phone number, where you work."

The key to all that private information? Your Social Security number.

Edwards was way ahead of most people. Back in the early '80s, he refused to give his Social Security number when he enrolled at Miami Dade Community College. The school wanted to use it as a student identification number, but Edwards held his ground and the school gave him a different number -- all zeros, as he recalls.

Today, schools, phone companies, utilities, health clubs, insurance companies, video stores -- just about everybody wants your Social Security number. Some of the more prevalent uses are to get your credit rating and determine whether you pay your bills, and to keep track of you through name and address changes.

But companies also use your Social Security number to develop marketing lists, which they can sell to other companies. A list with the numbers is more valuable than one without.

Why should you care who sees your Social Security number? The more people who see it, the more susceptible you are to identity theft, where you are victimized by someone fraudulently using your name and credit report to steal money.

Identity theft costs American businesses billions each year, costs that are eventually passed on to all consumers. The toll on victims is heavy, too. The California Public Interest Research Group estimates that, on average, an identity theft victim will spend 175 hours and $800 trying to clear their record of fraudulent charges.Check out your options.
Find the best rate
before you borrow.

"I've seen accounts opened with wrong names and different addresses. As long as there's a SSN, that's all some of them care about," says Linda Foley of the Identity Theft Research Center in San Diego.

Who has the right to ask for your digits?
While any business can ask for your Social Security number, there are very few entities that can actually demand it -- motor vehicle departments, tax departments and welfare departments, for example. Also, SSNs are required for transactions involving taxes, so that means banks, brokerages, employers, and the like also have a legitimate need for your SSN.

Most other businesses have no legal right to demand your number.

"There is no law prohibiting a business from asking for your Social Security number, but people don't know they can say no," says Carolyn Cheezum of the Social Security Administration.

"We recommend that you ask if they'll accept an alternative piece of identification. If they don't, flat-out refuse to do business with them. Bear in mind that there's a possibility they'll refuse to provide whatever product or service you're seeking."

Edwards, for example, won't give his Social Security number to his doctor's office.

"When you go to the doctor's office and fill out the medical information, they ask for the SSN. I leave it blank. Nothing happens. I'm not reporting income from them."

In fact, chances are good that many companies that routinely ask for Social Security numbers will do business with you even if they can't have your number.

"We ask for a Social Security number to open an account, but it's not required," says Michael Lowndes of the Long Island Power Authority.

"The Social Security number is just part of the customer's record. A common problem with utility accounts is people open an account, default and reopen another account using the same Social. We can use that to discover the problem."

Kimberly Brown at Bell South headquarters in Atlanta says there's a procedure the company follows if someone doesn't want to give his number.

"We ask them to fill out a questionnaire to determine their payment history. We don't do a credit check; we depend on them being honest. The questionnaire determines the Bell South rating for them, and then that determines whether they'll have to pay a deposit to establish service."

Your cat is sick? Give us your Social Security number
Linda Foley of the Identity Theft Research Center says she brought her critically ill cat to a vet's office and balked when she was asked for her SSN.

"I said why? Will it be my cat's ID number? They said no, but if you give us a check we want a driver's license and a SSN in case the check bounces. I said I'd pay by credit card. They said it's our policy to get the number.

"I said if I give you a credit card and refuse to give you my Social Security number, you'd let my cat die right now? They looked at me and the cat and said, 'Give us the card; we'll take care of it.' I was upset about the cat, but I was frustrated by the way I was being treated. It was unnecessary."

Social Security numbers and identity theft
Social Security numbers exist for the purpose of tracking earnings and paying benefits, Cheezum says. Although President Franklin Roosevelt signed an order requiring federal agencies to use SSNs for record-keeping systems, they were never meant to be used by businesses as an identifier, but have taken on that role because everyone has one.

But the snowballing problem of identity theft is spurring some governments to limit the use of SSNs.

California is leading the way with its law barring businesses, health care providers and schools from:

Publicly posting Social Security numbers or requiring them for access to products or services
Printing of Social Security numbers on cards required for accessing products or services
Requiring an individual to use his or her Social Security number to access a Web site unless a password is also required to access the site
Printing an individual's SSN on any materials that are mailed to the individual.

The state of New York limits the use of Social Security numbers in schools and colleges. New York public and private schools cannot publicly display Social Security numbers. Many are opting to assign students identification numbers. Arizona has passed similar legislation.

Foley says she hopes other states will follow suit and be even more restrictive so that SSNs will eventually be used only for a few selective purposes.

But, Foley says, until that happens, the first defense against the fraudulent use of Social Security numbers are the companies that issue credit.

"Are they verifying that the person applying for credit is the true consumer? Are they looking carefully for red flags that might alert them to possible fraudulent use? If a credit application has a last name spelled incorrectly or an address different from the credit record, that should provoke someone into calling the consumer."

Some privacy rights proponents say Social Security numbers shouldn't be used for obtaining credit. Does that mean a second number would have to be issued for people seeking credit? Would that be any better than the current system?

More protections in California
Perhaps California's newly enacted privacy law offers a better option.

In addition to limiting the use of Social Security numbers, the law allows a consumer to place a "security freeze" on his credit report. The freeze prohibits consumer-credit-reporting agencies from releasing the consumer's credit report or any information from it without express authorization from the consumer.

Time will tell if that provision works better than the more common "alerts" that many people put on their credit reports. With an "alert" a consumer is supposed to be notified that someone is attempting to obtain credit in his or her name. But stories abound of breakdowns in the system.

If someone uses your Social Security number to obtain credit and doesn't pay the bills, you'll discover the fraud as soon as the bill collectors come calling. But sometimes an identity thief actually pays the bills and, in those instances, it could be a long time before you discover the fraud.

The best way to find out if someone is fraudulently using your Social Security number is to request copies of your credit reports at least once a year. There are three main credit-reporting agencies. It's a good idea to get a copy of your report from each agency so you can check for discrepancies. You can order your credit report from: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.

redarrow · 08-19-2004, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropple

Where am I?

...In the village

What do you want?

...Information

Whose side are you on?

...That Would Be Telling. We want information, information, information.

You Won't Get It!

By Hook Or By Crook, We Will!

Who are you?

...The New Number Two

Who is Number One?

You Are Number Six.

"I am not a number, I am a FREE MAN!"

Long live Iron Maiden.

Holo · 08-19-2004, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalnaur

See, the one I like to hear is when my friend from Penn. comes over to Washington.

The stores ask for a zip code to "see what areas buy the most products from them".

He then proceeds to give them a Penn. zip code, and when they ask where that's from, he tells them. I've only seen one person not erase the zip code after that.

I do the same thing...I give them a Va zip instead of my Florida one but most of the time they don't ask where it's from.

I don't buy anything with a check or credit card ever with the exception of groceries, pizza delivery and bill paying. I pay cash for all else.

animosity · 08-19-2004, 10:58 AM

It is amazing the kind of information that people will give out upon your request. When I worked at Gap we got a 1$ for every customer that we got to apply for a gap credit card... Now, when I asked people if the wanted to get a gap card and save 10% on their purchase, they would fill out all the info, SSN included and be approved or denied before they even knew that they were applying for a credit card.... Who gives out this kind of information if they are not applying for a creditcard?

sadistikdreams · 08-19-2004, 11:53 AM

I swear, I fucking hate when they ask you this shit.

At Toys R Us, they ALWAYS ask for your phone number.
Usually, if there's a girl workin the register, I'll say "isn't it more traditional for me to ask for yours?"
That usually shuts them up.

tecoyah · 08-19-2004, 12:00 PM

I am not a Number.....I am a Free Man

World's King · 08-19-2004, 12:13 PM

Strangly enough you could have gotten him and the store in trouble. If a store needs that information they have to ask for it. They can'y simply ask for you license and start coping it down without any permission.

Blackthorn · 08-19-2004, 12:22 PM

I've recently started scratching out the credit card number and the expiration date on paper receipt copies given at the time of sale (leaving the last 4 digits visible). The last four + transaction code and date are all the vendor needs to account for the sale. This (so I'm told) is a good thing for everyone to do to prevent your credit card number and exp. date from being horked. I've only had one ass hat complain about it and as a result he lost the sale.

Everyone else has apparently collected their money just fine. I've certainly been billed correctly so apparently everyone is happy and I'm not leaving my VISA number every damn where.

denim · 08-19-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redarrow

Long live Iron Maiden.

What's Iron Maiden got to do with The Prisoner?

kutulu · 08-19-2004, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjroh

I've recently started scratching out the credit card number and the expiration date on paper receipt copies given at the time of sale (leaving the last 4 digits visible). The last four + transaction code and date are all the vendor needs to account for the sale.

I don't know where you are shopping, but I haven't seen a recipt print out my full CC number or exp date in years.

If it is a big purchase I don't mind them having my name, address, or phone number. I'm not good at keeping recipts in a place where I can find it and usually at those places you can take care of return/exchange stuff w/o the recipt if they have that info. I am careful about my SSN though.

Glava · 08-19-2004, 02:09 PM

Asking for a name, address, or phone number may be over the line, but I don't see the big deal about zipcodes. I'm sure there are tens to hundreds of thousands people in your zip code, so it's not like they will come looking for you.

IShotAndyWarhol · 08-19-2004, 02:25 PM

I just want to point out that I've never had a good experience with Comp USA in any way shape or form. Their prices suck, their return policy sucks, the employees are usually a bit condescending (even to someone like myself who knows exactly what I want and need when I go to a computer store), and the lines are ridiculous.

So yeah, fuck Comp USA. It doesn't surprise me that something like that happened there.

denim · 08-19-2004, 02:34 PM

Different CompUSAs are different. There's a class C store near work which is pretty good.

kutulu · 08-19-2004, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IShotAndyWarhol

I just want to point out that I've never had a good experience with Comp USA in any way shape or form. Their prices suck, their return policy sucks, the employees are usually a bit condescending (even to someone like myself who knows exactly what I want and need when I go to a computer store), and the lines are ridiculous.

So yeah, fuck Comp USA. It doesn't surprise me that something like that happened there.

Same here. I went there aksing about the screws used to hold a HD in place. All I wanted to know was what size was typical so I could buy some extra in case they didn't come with the stuff I was buying for my computer so I could buy some extra ones. The dude treated me like some jackass who shouldn't be allowed to even turn on a computer and directed me to a $40 installation kit. I left.

Rodney · 08-19-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

Radio Shack used to ask for name address phone number, first born child and a drop of blood, they did that for years, and it's just recently they stopped that policy, due to customer complaints I'm sure, but I don't know why it took so long.
.

They needed your address so they could send you their valuable catalog full of ads for transistor radios shaped like frogs, cheap RC cars, and dubious (aka Compaq) computer equipment. For years I put up with it and that catalog followed me everywhere. Finally I said no, and the slave behind the counter hinted that if I didn't give him my address, I "might have trouble" returning the merchandise if anything went wrong. I told him I had better not.

I'm glad they've stopped. Maybe they aren't sending out that damned catalog anymore, or they no longer compile their own mailing lists.

Jolt · 08-19-2004, 05:29 PM

All CompUSSR has ever asked of me has been my ZIP code...every single time I'm there.

I always say "13085" and maintain poker face while the cashier tries to figure out why she has to type it in twice and press some "override" key.

13085 is a defunct ZIP code. The Lebanon, NY post office closed over 20 years ago.

analog · 08-19-2004, 05:50 PM

This is why my ID is in a clear window in my wallet. I flip it up so they can see it. The only thing they can punch in is my date of birth, and ONLY if i'm buying alcohol. Sometimes they'll ask that I take it out. I'll say sure, take it out, and hold it up for them. Usually they reach for it, and i withdraw it saying, "do you need to hold it in your hand to verify it?" If they insist, I let them know that if they enter anything into their keyboard, i'm going to make life very unhappy for them. Being shady about grabbing my info is bullshit.

Some people get cocky with their SSN because they watch too much 20/20 and they're clueless morons. If you're trying to sign up for some service which requires a credit check, you HAVE to give us your SSN for us to be able to perform the check. If you absolutely will not give it, then you pay a $250 deposit for activating without a SSN, or you just don't get service. That's the way it works. If you're going to be an asshole about it, you don't need the service that badly.

StormBerlin · 08-19-2004, 06:01 PM

In defense of CompUSA (where I work as a saleswoman), don't get mad at the guy behind the counter because he's just doing his job. Even if it was a manager or a lead, they are just doing their jobs as well. Cashiers are instructed to take personal info in case you lose your receipt and come back in a while to return or exchange something. It just helps us take care of customers. You are perfectly entitled to tell them that you don't want them to take your info, then they wont. Granted, he should have asked and not taken the drivers license....

Oh and IShotAndyWarhol, we price match the lowest competator every time, our return policy is the same as other retailers, and you're probably right about the employees being condescending sometimes because usually every friggin customer that comes in doesn't know shit about computers. If they did, they would buy online where prices are better overall.

Johnny Rotten · 08-19-2004, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

This is why my ID is in a clear window in my wallet. I flip it up so they can see it. The only thing they can punch in is my date of birth, and ONLY if i'm buying alcohol. Sometimes they'll ask that I take it out. I'll say sure, take it out, and hold it up for them. Usually they reach for it, and i withdraw it saying, "do you need to hold it in your hand to verify it?" If they insist, I let them know that if they enter anything into their keyboard, i'm going to make life very unhappy for them. Being shady about grabbing my info is bullshit.

Fair enough, but most state IDs these days have verification holograms that don't show up well when viewed through plastic film, and bouncers will often want to tweak the card a little bit to make sure it's the usual slightly bendy plastic and knock a cheap, stiff knockoff.

limited · 08-19-2004, 06:18 PM

As another employee of CompUSA right now, I'm gonna chime in with Storm. We might not have the world's best return policy or corporate policies, but I'll guarantee you that we have the most knowledgable staff of any major electronics store. At least 60% of the salesmen at our store are either in college for graduated from a technical field (CompSci, Computer Engineering, etc).
If we're arrogant, its probably because of the questions we get. I had a lady come in and ask for a firewire cable. I show her where they are and after further questioning she tells me its for a printer. Printers don't take firewire, only USB or parallel. Turns out she didn't recognie the square USB Type B connector and just assumed it was firewire. On the surface it seems like she knew what she was talking about, but she was really clueless.
As far as our information policies go, I don't exactly agree with them, but I'm getting paid to enforce them. I don't personally work at a cash register, but any customer making a purchase over 400 dollars or so has to fill out their name/address/phone on a sales slip. I have no clue what they use this information for, with the exception that they claim not to do any direct marketing with it. I've only had a few customers complain, but if I tell them some line about warranty information (which i don't know if its true or not) usually calms them down.
My one piece of advice to someone shopping there, don't go there to make a purchase unless you want to get the extended warranty. At least at my store, it'll make everyone's lives involved easier.

shakran · 08-19-2004, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormBerlin

Oh and IShotAndyWarhol, we price match the lowest competator every time, our return policy is the same as other retailers

Well, actually you don't. Several times I've had CompUSA refuse to price match something because "it's below our cost for it."

Which tells me y'all are buying at the wrong places since Best Buy and Circuit City can apparantly sell it at a profit for less than you can buy it wholesale.

sailor · 08-19-2004, 07:13 PM

Glad to hear you refused it. While there could be pertinent reasons for them taking that info, I think I too would rather them not take it.

StormBerlin, I dont see too much of a problem in them being asked to take it, but I think they should ask first, and if refused, honor that. Being a pain or sneaky about it just makes people mad.

Lokus · 08-19-2004, 07:29 PM

Pffft, that's nothing. On certain transactions, we take the customer's fingerprint along with their drivers license number, name and all that jazz.

I've never been asked for my SSN outside of my bank, maybe I just got lucky.

analog · 08-19-2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

Fair enough, but most state IDs these days have verification holograms that don't show up well when viewed through plastic film, and bouncers will often want to tweak the card a little bit to make sure it's the usual slightly bendy plastic and knock a cheap, stiff knockoff.

Clubs, bars, etc. are a different story. I take it out well before I hand it to anyone for those purposes. THOSE people are not typing down my personal info. They are checking for validity of the ID only.

For those who work in the place in question- you can defend your homeland if you wish, but the moral of the story was 1. that the guy was an asshole (to a CUSTOMER), AND a manager at that, and 2. that he was not asked or even told, the guy just started copying his personal info. He has no legal right to it, and is (by not asking) therefore stealing it, which is a legal issue. You can speak for what you do personally, but overall your policy inspires a very negative attitude in the employees because it forces them to ask a question which most people react negatively towards. You made this asinine policy of enforcing/pressuring it to the Nth degree, YOU deal with the shit fallout.

LewisCouch · 08-20-2004, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutulu

I don't know where you are shopping, but I haven't seen a recipt print out my full CC number or exp date in years.

I too rarely see the full number printed out, however, on a recent trip to Manhattan, almost every receipt had the full number printed out. I was quite surprised and dutifully scratched it out. Manhattan of all places!

LewisCouch · 08-20-2004, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormBerlin

In defense of CompUSA (where I work as a saleswoman), don't get mad at the guy behind the counter because he's just doing his job. Even if it was a manager or a lead, they are just doing their jobs as well.

No anger on my part. I was nothing but courteous and friendly during the entire transaction. Sadly, the same cannot be said for CompUSA's staff. I really wouldn't even categorize this as a negative experience, it was just inappropriate. This thread was not meant to be a CompUSA bash; it was merely to point out an inequity.

MSD · 08-20-2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney

They needed your address so they could send you their valuable catalog full of ads for transistor radios shaped like frogs, cheap RC cars, and dubious (aka Compaq) computer equipment. For years I put up with it and that catalog followed me everywhere. Finally I said no, and the slave behind the counter hinted that if I didn't give him my address, I "might have trouble" returning the merchandise if anything went wrong. I told him I had better not.

I'm glad they've stopped. Maybe they aren't sending out that damned catalog anymore, or they no longer compile their own mailing lists.

The funny thing is that everyone gets that flyer anyway.

The computer system still won't let you complete a return without putting in name and address info.

The other thing you should know is that the store copy of reciepts has the full number and expiration date on it. Judging by my experience both working at Radio Shed and dumpster diving, these things don't get shredded or sent to company headquarters.

maleficent · 08-20-2004, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

The other thing you should know is that the store copy of reciepts has the full number and expiration date on it. Judging by my experience both working at Radio Shed and dumpster diving, these things don't get shredded or sent to company headquarters.

It was the same deal when I worked for The Limited years back, not sure if their policy has changed.. .But we'd keep all the charge receipts for a year. Then at the end of that year, the daily envelopes with all the charge receipts in the them, with credit card numbers and expiration dates, would just get tossed in the dumpster. They never left the store, they never went to corporate...

laconic1 · 08-20-2004, 09:47 AM

It's actually a law in Colorado, and I'm sure in many other states as well that the entire CC number cannot be printed on a receipt. I imagine the states that haven't caught on will do so soon though as identity theft continues to receive press.
As far as CompUSA goes, most of the time the clerk just enters the 80014 zip code that the store is located in, instead of bothering to ask me for the one that I actually live in.

unoaman · 08-20-2004, 10:11 AM

I'm pretty stingy with my numbers, but the one that takes the cake in my book is "what is your birth date?" like there weren't a million other people born on that same day, but I guess that narrows the search somewhat. Recently at a "Lowes", a young female cashier asked my birthdate, and I told her that I was old enough that she could catch me if she wanted to...didn't go over worth a crap...

Gabbyness · 08-20-2004, 11:22 AM

Being in the military, your SSN is used constantly, so I feel myself getting lax with its security. It's something I have to be aware of all the time.

Bobaphat · 08-20-2004, 12:02 PM

You're right, I would much rather not have them ask for proof and just accept that I am who I say I am. I am willing to deal with the backlash that is going to occur when somebody steals my credit card and goes on a spending spree, at least I know that my driver's license number is safe...

seriously, this is a security procedure implemented for both yours and their protection. That is what the DL# is for! Its a method of verification. Most places do the same thing when you write a check. Nobody will be able to access your bank accounts with that number or send you spam, or drain your retirement fund. If I were the clerk, I would have let you go ahead and go somewhere else.

08-19-2004, 07:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
LewisCouch Insane Location: Pacific NW	Intrusive retail requests Recently, I made a $250 purchase at the local CompUSA. After presenting my credit card, the clerk asks to see my drivers license. I assumed that he was matching my signature on both cards, however, he proceeded to key enter information from my license into the computer. When I asked him if he was copying information from my license he said yes. I then told him I didn't care to give out that type of personal information. He then informed me that the store is collecting driver license data in order to prove that I was asked to provide my ID. I told him that I didn't appreciate it and to please give me my cards back, as I would go to another store to make my purchase. He finally capitulated and erased the data he had entered so he could make the sell. All the while, nearby customers and staff are eyeballing me like I'm some kind of criminal, even though I was completely courteous and professional in every way. The clerk, who up to this point had been very friendly and gregarious, became cold and distant. Why does any non law enforcement entity believe they can casually collect this type of information? This type of store "policy" is completely out of line. __________________ "The gift of liberty is like that of a horse, handsome, strong, and high-spirited. In some it arouses a wish to ride; in many others, on the contrary, it increases the desire to walk." -- Massimo d'Azeglio

08-19-2004, 07:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	They have no right to that information... You were correct to request it not be collected. The surley attitude is a direct result of you disrupting the flow of his (and the other customer's) day... You not only made his life miserable by making him make an exception for you you also underscored for everyone on line what stupid policy CompUSA has... __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

08-19-2004, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I don't give up information easily... and because there are so many people who do ask for it, I have prepared already some "fake info", usually differnet names and addresses so that I can figure out who's selling my information. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

08-19-2004, 08:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
bullmoose Wookie Location: Howdy from Oklahoma	It amazes me that the majority of people will sheepishly give up personal information. I usually answer those requests quickly. "If you cannot complete the transaction without that information I wil go somewhere else." Usually works for me. __________________ Rehab is for quitters. Last edited by bullmoose; 08-19-2004 at 10:54 AM..

08-19-2004, 08:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
tropple Junkie	Where am I? ...In the village What do you want? ...Information Whose side are you on? ...That Would Be Telling. We want information, information, information. You Won't Get It! By Hook Or By Crook, We Will! Who are you? ...The New Number Two Who is Number One? You Are Number Six. "I am not a number, I am a FREE MAN!" __________________ +++++++++++Boom! Last edited by tropple; 08-19-2004 at 08:25 AM..

08-19-2004, 09:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kalnaur Psycho Location: Portland, Oregon	See, the one I like to hear is when my friend from Penn. comes over to Washington. The stores ask for a zip code to "see what areas buy the most products from them". He then proceeds to give them a Penn. zip code, and when they ask where that's from, he tells them. I've only seen one person not erase the zip code after that. __________________ PC: Can you help me out here HK? HK-47: I'm 98% percent sure this miniature organic meatbag wants you to help find his fellow miniature organic meatbags. PC: And the other 2 percent? HK-47: The other 2 percent is that he is just looking for trouble and needs to be blasted, but that might be wishful thinking on my part.

08-19-2004, 10:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
animosity on fire Location: Atlanta, GA	It is amazing the kind of information that people will give out upon your request. When I worked at Gap we got a 1$ for every customer that we got to apply for a gap credit card... Now, when I asked people if the wanted to get a gap card and save 10% on their purchase, they would fill out all the info, SSN included and be approved or denied before they even knew that they were applying for a credit card.... Who gives out this kind of information if they are not applying for a creditcard?

08-19-2004, 11:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
sadistikdreams lonely rolling star Location: Seattle.	I swear, I fucking hate when they ask you this shit. At Toys R Us, they ALWAYS ask for your phone number. Usually, if there's a girl workin the register, I'll say "isn't it more traditional for me to ask for yours?" That usually shuts them up. __________________ "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." -Lin Yutang hearts, by d.a.

08-19-2004, 12:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	I am not a Number.....I am a Free Man __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

08-19-2004, 12:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	Strangly enough you could have gotten him and the store in trouble. If a store needs that information they have to ask for it. They can'y simply ask for you license and start coping it down without any permission. __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

08-19-2004, 12:22 PM	#16 (permalink)
Blackthorn Beware the Mad Irish Location: Wish I was on the N17...	I've recently started scratching out the credit card number and the expiration date on paper receipt copies given at the time of sale (leaving the last 4 digits visible). The last four + transaction code and date are all the vendor needs to account for the sale. This (so I'm told) is a good thing for everyone to do to prevent your credit card number and exp. date from being horked. I've only had one ass hat complain about it and as a result he lost the sale. Everyone else has apparently collected their money just fine. I've certainly been billed correctly so apparently everyone is happy and I'm not leaving my VISA number every damn where. __________________ What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want?

08-19-2004, 02:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
Glava Betitled	Asking for a name, address, or phone number may be over the line, but I don't see the big deal about zipcodes. I'm sure there are tens to hundreds of thousands people in your zip code, so it's not like they will come looking for you.

08-19-2004, 02:25 PM	#20 (permalink)
IShotAndyWarhol Upright Location: The Arrogance Capital Of The Universe	I just want to point out that I've never had a good experience with Comp USA in any way shape or form. Their prices suck, their return policy sucks, the employees are usually a bit condescending (even to someone like myself who knows exactly what I want and need when I go to a computer store), and the lines are ridiculous. So yeah, fuck Comp USA. It doesn't surprise me that something like that happened there. __________________ First We Take Manhattan, Then We Take Berlin.

08-19-2004, 02:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	Different CompUSAs are different. There's a class C store near work which is pretty good.

08-19-2004, 05:29 PM	#24 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	All CompUSSR has ever asked of me has been my ZIP code...every single time I'm there. I always say "13085" and maintain poker face while the cashier tries to figure out why she has to type it in twice and press some "override" key. 13085 is a defunct ZIP code. The Lebanon, NY post office closed over 20 years ago.

08-19-2004, 05:50 PM	#25 (permalink)
analog Banned	This is why my ID is in a clear window in my wallet. I flip it up so they can see it. The only thing they can punch in is my date of birth, and ONLY if i'm buying alcohol. Sometimes they'll ask that I take it out. I'll say sure, take it out, and hold it up for them. Usually they reach for it, and i withdraw it saying, "do you need to hold it in your hand to verify it?" If they insist, I let them know that if they enter anything into their keyboard, i'm going to make life very unhappy for them. Being shady about grabbing my info is bullshit. Some people get cocky with their SSN because they watch too much 20/20 and they're clueless morons. If you're trying to sign up for some service which requires a credit check, you HAVE to give us your SSN for us to be able to perform the check. If you absolutely will not give it, then you pay a $250 deposit for activating without a SSN, or you just don't get service. That's the way it works. If you're going to be an asshole about it, you don't need the service that badly.

08-19-2004, 06:01 PM	#26 (permalink)
StormBerlin Happy as a hippo Location: Southern California	In defense of CompUSA (where I work as a saleswoman), don't get mad at the guy behind the counter because he's just doing his job. Even if it was a manager or a lead, they are just doing their jobs as well. Cashiers are instructed to take personal info in case you lose your receipt and come back in a while to return or exchange something. It just helps us take care of customers. You are perfectly entitled to tell them that you don't want them to take your info, then they wont. Granted, he should have asked and not taken the drivers license.... Oh and IShotAndyWarhol, we price match the lowest competator every time, our return policy is the same as other retailers, and you're probably right about the employees being condescending sometimes because usually every friggin customer that comes in doesn't know shit about computers. If they did, they would buy online where prices are better overall. __________________ "if anal sex could get a girl pregnant i'd be tits deep in child support" Arcane

08-19-2004, 06:18 PM	#28 (permalink)
limited Crazy Location: upstate, NY	As another employee of CompUSA right now, I'm gonna chime in with Storm. We might not have the world's best return policy or corporate policies, but I'll guarantee you that we have the most knowledgable staff of any major electronics store. At least 60% of the salesmen at our store are either in college for graduated from a technical field (CompSci, Computer Engineering, etc). If we're arrogant, its probably because of the questions we get. I had a lady come in and ask for a firewire cable. I show her where they are and after further questioning she tells me its for a printer. Printers don't take firewire, only USB or parallel. Turns out she didn't recognie the square USB Type B connector and just assumed it was firewire. On the surface it seems like she knew what she was talking about, but she was really clueless. As far as our information policies go, I don't exactly agree with them, but I'm getting paid to enforce them. I don't personally work at a cash register, but any customer making a purchase over 400 dollars or so has to fill out their name/address/phone on a sales slip. I have no clue what they use this information for, with the exception that they claim not to do any direct marketing with it. I've only had a few customers complain, but if I tell them some line about warranty information (which i don't know if its true or not) usually calms them down. My one piece of advice to someone shopping there, don't go there to make a purchase unless you want to get the extended warranty. At least at my store, it'll make everyone's lives involved easier.

08-19-2004, 07:13 PM	#30 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Glad to hear you refused it. While there could be pertinent reasons for them taking that info, I think I too would rather them not take it. StormBerlin, I dont see too much of a problem in them being asked to take it, but I think they should ask first, and if refused, honor that. Being a pain or sneaky about it just makes people mad. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

08-19-2004, 07:29 PM	#31 (permalink)
Lokus I can't think of a good title Location: East Bay Area, CA	Pffft, that's nothing. On certain transactions, we take the customer's fingerprint along with their drivers license number, name and all that jazz. I've never been asked for my SSN outside of my bank, maybe I just got lucky. __________________ The black wind howls...

08-20-2004, 09:47 AM	#37 (permalink)
laconic1 Junkie	It's actually a law in Colorado, and I'm sure in many other states as well that the entire CC number cannot be printed on a receipt. I imagine the states that haven't caught on will do so soon though as identity theft continues to receive press. As far as CompUSA goes, most of the time the clerk just enters the 80014 zip code that the store is located in, instead of bothering to ask me for the one that I actually live in.

08-20-2004, 10:11 AM	#38 (permalink)
unoaman Loser Location: Scenic Drive	I'm pretty stingy with my numbers, but the one that takes the cake in my book is "what is your birth date?" like there weren't a million other people born on that same day, but I guess that narrows the search somewhat. Recently at a "Lowes", a young female cashier asked my birthdate, and I told her that I was old enough that she could catch me if she wanted to...didn't go over worth a crap...

08-20-2004, 11:22 AM	#39 (permalink)
Gabbyness Chicken scratch. Location: Japan!!!	Being in the military, your SSN is used constantly, so I feel myself getting lax with its security. It's something I have to be aware of all the time.

08-20-2004, 12:02 PM	#40 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	You're right, I would much rather not have them ask for proof and just accept that I am who I say I am. I am willing to deal with the backlash that is going to occur when somebody steals my credit card and goes on a spending spree, at least I know that my driver's license number is safe... seriously, this is a security procedure implemented for both yours and their protection. That is what the DL# is for! Its a method of verification. Most places do the same thing when you write a check. Nobody will be able to access your bank accounts with that number or send you spam, or drain your retirement fund. If I were the clerk, I would have let you go ahead and go somewhere else. __________________ --size matters not-- yoda