I’ve not had the problem outlined by Wendy Holden in the Telegraph.
What do an ironing board, a haircut and a case of wine have in common? In order to get them, I was expected to hand over information I’d think twice about giving a policeman.
It was on a sunny Friday morning in Majestic Wine Warehouse that my problems began. I’d popped in to replenish our stocks of Côtes de Provence rosé. When I handed over my debit card at the till, the assistant asked for all my details – address, phone number, email, mobile phone – to put on a computer. When I asked why, as I didn’t need credit or to have the stuff delivered, he said it was so I could receive information about Majestic events, plus a copy of the company magazine.
The only times I’ve ever been asked for that kind of information is when it involved a delivery or warranty – involving postal communication. In those circumstances, contact information is necessary for the transaction. However, for the transactions Holden illustrates, such information is very much not necessary and I would refuse to give it. When Holden refused, she was reminded just how meek our fellow citizens are when faced with the request:
So I politely turned him down. His evident amazement was less surprising than the implication that my act was unprecedented in the history of the store.
I’m inclined to suspect that she is right; people do meekly hand over this information as soon as it is requested. Yet a polite refusal is all that is needed. the retailer may be baffled, but there is nothing much they can do. If, as John Lewis said to her, it’s a “customer requirement”, the response should be “not for this customer”. If they insist, walk out leaving the goods on the counter. There are always other retailers.
But why? Why should retail outlets casually expect us to divulge personal information; even more amazingly, why do we go along with it? We have fought for personal freedom and the rule of law in two world wars, we have fiercely resisted the onset of ID cards, we see our homes as our castles and we fanatically shred every last supermarket receipt.
And yet in the shops we’re expected to hand over our emails, addresses and phone numbers like sheep.
Good question. the answer, I suspect, is; “because we can and because you are stupid enough to comply”.
I will go on with my campaign against this invasive lunacy, however. And I invite you all to join me. When you’re asked for personal details, do as I do. Just say no.
Count me in.
This is one of the reasons I prefer to pay cash up to the point where the number of £20 notes involved becomes unwieldy (say £300-£400), fifties generally being a no-no. My credit card is largely confined to on-line purchases and my debit card to drawing cash out of ATMs.
There’s also a certain pleasure to be had in watching the shop assistant’s eyes widen as you hand over a wodge of notes and they have to call a manager to help them count them.
So there’s no way I’m giving you my name and address for a simple cash purchase, Mr Retailer, and no I don’t want to sign up for your “club card” either.
It always amazes me to see young people paying for a single round of drinks with a card. What interesting purchasing histories they must have. And if they’re so skint they have to kite-fly on the card then maybe they should cut down on the discretionary spending a touch.
Actually, we are being encouraged to use cards for small transactions. My new debit card has a chip in it that enables touch and go without even using a PIN for transactions up to the value of £15. I can’t say I am happy with this and don’t plan to use it in that way, but younger people will just be accustomed to it. Paying for a round using cards is going to be more and more the norm. They’ll ban cash eventually – money laundering is a useful excuse. Cheques are already on the way out.
I felt the same way about the fuss being made over the news that the police are requesting (and holding) personal info from witnesses and 999 callers; the police admit it’s voluntary, so just say ‘No’.
But that’s the Brits for you – conditioned to obey and not make a fuss…
I’ve been similarly conditioned, but my hackles rise whenever I am asked for information unnecessarily. My usual protest is to ignore it. I never, ever, enable those equal opportunities surveys for example. If I am asked for personal details where they are not necessary for the transaction, I will politely refuse.
I become more awkward as the years pass.
Do you remember Tandy? They asked for your address if you bought a lightbulb because they wanted to “send a catalogue” (the real reason being the profit to be had from selling address lists). They always seemed confused when I explained that I would not give them my address. (I used to shop there a lot).
I once bought an off the shelf mobile phone (about 9 years ago; not sure you can do that anymore) and they wanted my address. The only reason he could give was in case I lost my receipt. He had to get a manager to override the till before he could take my 40 pounds cash.
I aviod giving any personal info wherever I can.
I agree, not only with the points in the post, but also with these comments. If I really want to make a particular transaction, and the shop is adamant that it cannot be without a postcode and house number, then I find that I live at SW1A 2AA, number 10, name is Cameron at present. If they won’t try that then how about W1A 1AA, any even number between 2 and 20 (inclusive), any name you wish.
As someone else says on his email tag: “If you don’t get grumpy as you get older, you haven’t been paying attention”.
I’ve just read the remainder of Ms Holden’s article – it gets even worse. Asked to provide all sorts of personal info just to get her hair trimmed while on holiday.
This has only happened to me a couple of times, but I’ve found that a useful reply is “Not before you give me a copy of your company’s data protection procedures”. That tends to flummox the average sales-person, and they back off immediately.
Count me in to join the growing refusenik band.
Been saying NO for almost a year now and it’s fun and very satisfying watching the people who make the request for your personal details squirm and fumble as they don’t know what to do next.
Latest was a door knocking PCSO asking if I’d seen a couple of likely lads with a ladder in the ‘back street’. I answered in the negative and then he asked for my details. I again answered in the negative and he was stunned into silence because one NO was expected and the second one wasn’t so I closed the door on him.
Saying no the best free fun there is in today’s nanny state Britain.
Completely agree and had one instance today. As for job applications – it’s criminal. Just refuse, as you say.
Mind you, people who drink rosé are a bit sus.
It’s a legal requirement to hand over your details to retailers when you buy a TV, DVD or even a computer – devices which can receive TV broadcasts to ensure the address can be logged for the TV Licence. Seriously.
I did know that.
Tell them you live in Kuwait, guaranteed they will not take the process any further.