Radio Shack.

[Paul B.]

Do these guys at Radio Shack ever get on your nerves, asking you for a bunch of personal data when you're just there to buy something as simple as a couple AA batteries? I think we should inconvenience these people as much as they do us. A while ago I was in Mason buying a printer cable adaptor and the guy asked me for my name.
"Ghosseindhatsghabyfaird-johnson," I replied.
(blank look of confusion) "How do you spell that?" he asked, obviously not wanting to know.
"With a hyphen," I clarified
"Once more?" he asked
"Ghosseindhatsghabyfaird-Johnson"
"Could you please spell that?" he asked, glancing at the half dozen people waiting behind me.
"Oh... just like it sounds," I said nonchalantly.
Putting down "Johnson," he went on and asked about the address.
"Washburn, Wisconsin, 14701 N.E. Wachatanoobee Parkway, Complex 3, Building O, Appt. 1382b," I replied.
Almost through writing all this down, I said, "Or did you mean current address?"
Stopping, he said, (becoming irritated) "Yes. Current address."
"Diluthian Heights, Mississippi, 1372 S. Tinatonabee Avenue, Building 14C, Suite 2, Box 138201," I replied quite slowly.
Waiting until he finished I said, "No, wait, it's NORTH Tinatonabee Avenue." Annoyed, he backed up and changed it.
"I think," I interjected.
"And is all this correct?" he asked in a standard manner.
"Of course not," I replied, leaving, "If you want my REAL name, look at the damned credit card receipt."
A little mean, I must admit, but no jury would convict me... at least, none that had been to Radio Shack.

 

[melsmobile]

SAME crapp a Staples not less then 30 mins ago!

Mel

 

[ARC]

Just a tip from someone wo has had their identity stolen and has spent years trying to resolve problems created by others....

Don't give anyone any more information about you than YOU think is necessary for them to complete the transaction. If you use a credit card, they already have enough information about you. If they want to verify your identity by LOOKING at your license, that should be sufficient.

They don't need to know where you live, they don't need your phone number, your SSN#, date of birth, or bank account numbers.

It is easy enough, for anyone inclined, to find out enough about you to make it much more expensive for you to buy a car, house, or finance anything. I was even arrested at my job one day because of someone using my identity when they were arrested!

The point is: Don't make it easier for someone to screw you over.

 

[Douglas Hicks]

How about Dun & Bradstreet? They call and want all kinds of info. I give the public stuff, address, phone (which is how they contact me), how many employees, type of business, how long in business. Then they ask my gross receipts. I politely say"no". They ask again. Then I tell them that my company is a private business, they have no need of that information. They say thay need it for credit reports. I then tell them again as a private business that information is something only my bookkeeper, my accountant and the IRS have access to. They usually ask 2 or 3 times before figuring that I will not tell them my private financial information.

I run into that at Safeway Stores also. They want to give me one of those cards you carry on a key chain. Again, they want info that is not needed to buy groceries. When they persist, I tell them that I only shop Safeway as a last resort, as Safeway does not do business with me. I explain that my income is based upon my cutomers, and as Safeway will not use my services, I will use Safeway services only when I have no other options.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

 

[ron]

ron p

the reason for the info is to keep costs down.
Co like this and a lot of cable co. sell this info to other co. looking to put you on there mailing lists. Ever wonder where or how all that crappy junk mail comes from or those dinner time phone calls?

 

[Paul B.]

Sometimes I play a little coding game where I will give a different middle initial, or a one letter mis-spelling. It's amazing how easy it is to find out who sells the first layer.