After the Carter's store at the Outlet Mall called us with a recorded advertisement I don't give out a phone number anymore.

I've never had anyone at Best Buy ask for my number, however, Toy's R Us and Radio Shack do all the time. I always tell them 867-5309, and nobody ever gets it.

My only real complaint with BB as far as checking out is they always try to give me 8 free weeks of whatever magazine, but that's very easy to decline, and if I go to the right cashier, she knows I'm not interested, and doesn't even bother asking anymore.

I don't like giving fake numbers, because that fucks up whatever they're doing. Best to just say "no thank you" and walk away.
I would rather be excluded from their study or whatever than completely screw it up. People's jobs could be dependent on it.

Sounds just like those websites where you have to enter where you live...ugg I hate it and always put in bullshit. I hate being asked for crap like this and wish they would just fuck off.

An idea...
 

The BestBuy here has asked for my number once. I've not had any calls from them in the last 4 years, and I enjoy being a customer of theirs and a part of their Reward Zone program where I earn points for everything I purchase, no matter how large or small, in which I receive gift certificates towards anything/everything in their store.

I can't say they've ever given me reason to dislike or disagree with the way they do things. I find nothing really wrong with the way they do things...however, I do definitely understand the concern for this and other similar practices from companies.

In an age where we are quite conscience of the value of our own personal information, a suggestion and idea I've thought of is I find a "code" of (with or without your actual area code) your birthday and numeric (first/last name) initials work just as well. (See example below for clarification).

This has worked several times for me. :) Otherwise, as mentioned often above, just say "No, thank you". This works as well...

Regardless of your opinion on this practice, most of these companies offer great prices for merchandise, have good to great hours, friendly staff, etc. Focusing on the positive always helps. :)

They ask for it.. then again I'm using my points card and so its for verication purposes...

i used to work for a female clothing store and one night I asked for this hottie's phone number at the register. she smiled and thought I wanted it for myself. i explained it was necessary for the computer, then it spat out a receipt. she looked on it and saw that her number was printed right on the receipt. then handed it to me and said, why not you keep it for yourself

so I call her and we screw for 2 years. yay
now she's a prostitute, I hear. double yay
so I guess the moral is it depends on who's asking and who's gving. wth

If it's a member of the opposite sex at the register, you should just say "Tell me yours first".

eh, I don't care. No one ever calls my landline anyways.

Never give out your phone # to a store. Are they going to call and ask how your purchase is doing? No, it's for marketing. Last time I was at BB, they asked me for my phone #. I told them I didn't have a phone. Oddly enought, I was buying a phone. Sometimes I give out 555-1212 as my #.

I can confirm at least some retailers do use zip codes for CC verification purposes, and I am happy to providce my zip code for them. Phone numbers, however, are a different matter.

This would never happen in England. There would be a public outcry. I happen to have spent some time in the states and used to buy my CD's etc in best buy and was concerned that they asked for my phone number.... i told them klondike 5 3226 - which happens to be the number for homer simpsons Mr Plow.

call mr plow, thats my name, that name again is mr plow
call klondike 5 3226

the girl didnt click which amused me even more