Why the hell does a corporation need my phone no.?

[Bluzmann57]

Yesterday I went to a large corporate hardware place to buy some home improvement stuff. I think maybe I pissed some folks off. First of all, I explained to the sales person what I needed, (an interior door), and then I explained to him what I was willing to pay. He still tried to sell me a more expensive door than I wanted or needed. I very politely said "No thank you, I'll take this one that I'm looking at now." Ok, the young man was fairly cordial after that until it came time to give out my information. I filled out my name and street address and nothing else.
The young man asked me if I could put my phone no. in there and I politely declined. I said that it wasn't really important, especially since I was paying cash, so neither he nor the company needed it. He said that it mattered because they may have deals to send me via text message. I told him that 1- I am not a real tech savvy guy, and 2- I know how to read a newspaper ad, so no phone no.
Then he asked about my email address and I flat out said "No.". After that, he just directed up to the cash register so I could pay and then pick up my purchase. But wait, he fun and games weren't over yet. The young lady at the cash register asked me the same stuff as the salesman. I told her no as well. She tried to tell me that they needed my phone no., street address, zip code, and email address "for their records". I said "No they don't"
Anyway, I went back to the loading area and got my door and went on my way. But I still cannot understand why these people are instructed by their masters to ask for my personal info, especially after I tell them "NO". Support locally owned businesses whenever possible.

[valerief]

1. You paid with cash and was taking the door with you?

I would have given them nothing but the money.

[vets74]

46. Why the Hell does FACEBOOK demand my phone number ??? Branch office of CIA/DIA/NSA/FBI/Cointelpro ??

Fuck 'em.

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Give 'em a fake number, like I do.

I usually give them the number of another annoying local corporate office.

[DesertFlower]

16. i give them the wrong number.

[pipi_k]

29. I've given fake numbers, too, mostly

to online vendors where you can't order something without filling out certain required information.

So I found a site that has a list of fake numbers to use in situations like that.

Screw them. They don't need my phone number for any reason. Bad enough I give them my email for purchase confirmation.

[uppityperson]

32. area code 555-1212. Many younger people don't recognize information. It works in most

supermarkets and gas kiosks also.

[SkyDaddy7]

38. Here is a list of phone numbers to use depending...

on where you live! These are the phone numbers to the "Rejection Hotline"! These numbers come in handy for so many things!!

ALABAMA
334-541-0107
ARKANSAS
501-340-3896
ARIZONA
602-230-4210
CALIFORNIA
310-217-7638 (Los Angeles)
916-733-1550 (Sacramento)
858-492-8002 (San Diego)
415-356-9833 (San Francisco)
408-236-2060 (San Jose)
COLORADO
303-607-7527
D.C. (Washington DC)
202-452-7468
FLORIDA
352-475-6679 (Gainesville)
904-879-8012 (Jacksonville)
305-241-0033 (Miami)
407-338-0036 (Orlando)
407-970-8278 (Orlando)
813-273-8160 (Tampa)
561-986-0035
321-844-0033
954-287-0023
GEORGIA
706-335-0511 (Athens)
770-908-7383 (Atlanta)
ILLINOIS
773-509-5027
INDIANA
317-332-0670
KANSAS
785-875-3188
KENTUCKY
270-735-1622
MAINE
Temporarily Unavailable
Check Back Soon
MASSACHUSETTS
617-861-3962 (Boston)
413-351-2684
508-556-3549
781-654-2925
978-364-8939
MARYLAND
410-347-1488
MICHIGAN
248-262-6861
MINNESOTA
612-232-1638
MISSOURI
314-359-3930(St. Louis)
417-326-2677(Springfield)
MISSISSIPPI
601-792-4440
NEBRASKA
402-827-9874 (Lincoln)
402-434-6535 (Omaha)
NEVADA
702-386-5397
NEW HAMPSHIRE
603-413-2340
NEW JERSEY
201-808-6011
NEW MEXICO
505-310-2496
NEW YORK
212-660-2245 (New York City)
516-730-7245 (Long Island)
718-971-5245
845-259-2245
914-269-4245
518-935-4012 (Albany)
315-682-1822 (Syracuse)
716-357-2127 (Buffalo)
NORTH CAROLINA
828-859-2905
704-264-2861 (Charlotte)
OHIO
216-269-0085 (Cleveland)
419-452-6002
440-328-3382
OKLAHOMA
918-649-1711
OREGON
503-450-9938
PENNSYLVANIA
215-618-1505 (Philly)
814-337-4101 (Penn State)
RHODE ISLAND
401-648-6543
SOUTH CAROLINA
803-358-0885
TENNESSEE
901-328-8380 (Memphis)
615-346-2800 (Nashville)
TEXAS
512-647-4813 (Austin)
972-504-6270 (Dallas)
817-326-1433 (Ft. Worth)
713-866-6249 (Houston)
210-893-7109 (San Antonio)
UTAH
801-296-7163
VIRGINIA
703-912-1725
WASHINGTON
206-376-9798 (Seattle)
WASHINGTON DC
202-452-7468
WISCONSIN
414-243-1102
Source(s):
www.rejectionhotline.com

[Capitalocracy]

3. Because corporations are people too, and want to be your friend

You know, give you a call, see how it's going, see if maybe you wanna hang out.

I sent my sister a birthday ecard. It had pre-selected checkboxes for sending out a newsletter and affiliate offers when I selected the card, and then a second time after adding the personalized message and checking the final result. Lucky thing I scrolled down and saw it and was able to deselect.

[FarCenter]

4. The story I got was that they used the phone number to look up the transaction

In case you came in to return the goods and didn't have a receipt.

Apparently, people think because it is a product that only "large corporate hardware place" sells, they should be able to bring it in and get money for it without a receipt, which strike me as a little odd.

[meow2u3]

7. I've heard flimsy excuses for craporations demanding personal information

But this is ridiculous!

Looking up the transaction in case of a receiptless return my eye! They just want to sell your phone number for telemarketing purposes, so don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining.

[Ohio Joe]

5. Best Buy does that same shit

I never give them a fucking thing.

[Fuddnik]

10. They wouldn't sell me a dvd player (a gift) without it.

They said "We need this information". I said "No, all you need is my cash". He kept giving excuses, and I kept declining. He said, "We can't complete the sale without this information". I said, "Too bad", and then walked next door and bought the exact same thing at Circuit City, without all the bullshit.

They're mining for data for their use, and to sell. Give your e-mail address to Radio Shack, and see how much spam you get.

[Ohio Joe]

12. They have yet to go that far with me

But I would walk out before giving to them as well :thumbsup:

[RufusTFirefly]

21. Funny you should mention Radio Shack...

From what I understand, Radio Shack became so notorious for their spamming and data mining that they had to launch a big PR campaign about how they "value our customers' privacy." True to the principles of PR, they didn't really change their intrusive policies at all, just the way they spun them. Even the big signs in their store that appeared to be signaling a change of attitude had fine print that essentially said something to the effect that they would only share your information with companies who provide products or services that you might be interested in.

[sammytko]

28. I purchased my iPhone from Radio Shack and never received any spam e-mail

It was a great deal - 36 dollars!

[WinkyDink]

43. I would have gone higher.

[SkyDaddy7]

39. Next time you are asked for phone number...

by a corporation of any person or organization you despise give them one of the following depending on where you live...These are the phone numbers to the "Rejection Hotline" in your area!

ALABAMA
334-541-0107
ARKANSAS
501-340-3896
ARIZONA
602-230-4210
CALIFORNIA
310-217-7638 (Los Angeles)
916-733-1550 (Sacramento)
858-492-8002 (San Diego)
415-356-9833 (San Francisco)
408-236-2060 (San Jose)
COLORADO
303-607-7527
D.C. (Washington DC)
202-452-7468
FLORIDA
352-475-6679 (Gainesville)
904-879-8012 (Jacksonville)
305-241-0033 (Miami)
407-338-0036 (Orlando)
407-970-8278 (Orlando)
813-273-8160 (Tampa)
561-986-0035
321-844-0033
954-287-0023
GEORGIA
706-335-0511 (Athens)
770-908-7383 (Atlanta)
ILLINOIS
773-509-5027
INDIANA
317-332-0670
KANSAS
785-875-3188
KENTUCKY
270-735-1622
MAINE
Temporarily Unavailable
Check Back Soon
MASSACHUSETTS
617-861-3962 (Boston)
413-351-2684
508-556-3549
781-654-2925
978-364-8939
MARYLAND
410-347-1488
MICHIGAN
248-262-6861
MINNESOTA
612-232-1638
MISSOURI
314-359-3930(St. Louis)
417-326-2677(Springfield)
MISSISSIPPI
601-792-4440
NEBRASKA
402-827-9874 (Lincoln)
402-434-6535 (Omaha)
NEVADA
702-386-5397
NEW HAMPSHIRE
603-413-2340
NEW JERSEY
201-808-6011
NEW MEXICO
505-310-2496
NEW YORK
212-660-2245 (New York City)
516-730-7245 (Long Island)
718-971-5245
845-259-2245
914-269-4245
518-935-4012 (Albany)
315-682-1822 (Syracuse)
716-357-2127 (Buffalo)
NORTH CAROLINA
828-859-2905
704-264-2861 (Charlotte)
OHIO
216-269-0085 (Cleveland)
419-452-6002
440-328-3382
OKLAHOMA
918-649-1711
OREGON
503-450-9938
PENNSYLVANIA
215-618-1505 (Philly)
814-337-4101 (Penn State)
RHODE ISLAND
401-648-6543
SOUTH CAROLINA
803-358-0885
TENNESSEE
901-328-8380 (Memphis)
615-346-2800 (Nashville)
TEXAS
512-647-4813 (Austin)
972-504-6270 (Dallas)
817-326-1433 (Ft. Worth)
713-866-6249 (Houston)
210-893-7109 (San Antonio)
UTAH
801-296-7163
VIRGINIA
703-912-1725
WASHINGTON
206-376-9798 (Seattle)
WASHINGTON DC
202-452-7468
WISCONSIN
414-243-1102
Source(s):
www.rejectionhotline.com

[PoliticAverse]

6. What was the 'large corporate hardware place' ? n/t

[Xithras]

8. 767-2676

Depending on the age of the cashier, they may or may not get the joke. But even if they do, what are they gonna do about it...argue that "your number" isn't your number?

[Skidmore]

9. Over the weekend my husband and I received full color ad brochures from a nearby hospital

where we had received treatment over the past few years. They were addressed to specific health problems in our histories and informed us that they had set up a website in our names. Now I consider that to be an inappropriate use of my health information. The information was given to them to provide the doctor with a basis for treatment, not for a targeted ad campaign. We asked them to remove us from their ad campaign database and pointed out that if we realized how we were targeted, then we could pick up any other brochure like from them to any other person and know something about that individual's health history.

[cvoogt]

14. sue them

It is against HIPAA rules and they are liable for a $100,000 fine at a minimum, I believe.
At they very least report them for HIPAA violation.

[ohheckyeah]

11. When they ask for mine I just say

it's unlisted. End of discussion.

[mnhtnbb]

13. I just say "no thank you" and never have a problem. They want to sell

the numbers.

If a store wants my zip code for marketing purposes, I'll give it to them. But I NEVER give them
my phone number.

[Celebration]

15. their marketing department uses the phone number

for locations of customers. It is way more specific than zip codes. That is what it is about. Yes, just give them a false number of someone equally annoying and be done with it.

[izquierdista]

17. I'm glad to oblige them

I still remember the number of the first phone I got in my name 35 years ago. Plus a lot of others that I have had since. Oh, my CURRENT phone number? I have trouble remembering that one. I don't use the phone much anymore and it sits on the window sill most of the time.

[IDemo]

18. 867-5309 is one I've used frequently n/t

[notadmblnd]

19. Why argue with them? Just make something up.

That's what I do.

[Raine]

20. If I HAVE to give a phone number I give them my old landline

number. I kept the landline for emergencies (outgoing only) the ringer is turned off and it's not connected to an answering machine so they can knock themselves out calling .... because I will NEVER hear it, so I will NEVER be answering it. :evilgrin: NEVER EVER would I give out my cell phone number to ANYONE but family or friend!!!!

[TBF]

25. That's what I do -

it's easy to remember.

[DaveJ]

22. Mainly I'm just tired of no/fake personality anymore

Now stores all have to say "Hello" when you walk in the door. And you know they really don't want to say it. They have to.

When I go to the hardware store, every single time they say "Are you putting this on your store card?" Once I said, "No, why do you ask?" The girl was shocked I actually continued with a dialog. She just said "Uh, we're supposed to say that."

I wish people could just be themselves.

[woo me with science]

30. I agree completely.

It's insulting to the employee, too, who apparently cannot be trusted to have an independent two-minute conversation with a customer. They are micromanaged to a ridiculous degree.

[Bladian]

33. She would've gotten in trouble if she didn't ask.

It's not her fault. People get fired for not asking.

[OnlinePoker]

23. Find the number for your most hated politician and give it to them. n/t

[hobbit709]

24. When anyone insists that they need my number for their sales

I give the local Time/Temperature number.

[SkyDaddy7]

40. Can I suggest a number you should use?

Find the phone number for your local area in the list below & put it in your cell phone contacts list & that way you will always have it when you need it!

It is the "Rejection Hotline"

ALABAMA
334-541-0107
ARKANSAS
501-340-3896
ARIZONA
602-230-4210
CALIFORNIA
310-217-7638 (Los Angeles)
916-733-1550 (Sacramento)
858-492-8002 (San Diego)
415-356-9833 (San Francisco)
408-236-2060 (San Jose)
COLORADO
303-607-7527
D.C. (Washington DC)
202-452-7468
FLORIDA
352-475-6679 (Gainesville)
904-879-8012 (Jacksonville)
305-241-0033 (Miami)
407-338-0036 (Orlando)
407-970-8278 (Orlando)
813-273-8160 (Tampa)
561-986-0035
321-844-0033
954-287-0023
GEORGIA
706-335-0511 (Athens)
770-908-7383 (Atlanta)
ILLINOIS
773-509-5027
INDIANA
317-332-0670
KANSAS
785-875-3188
KENTUCKY
270-735-1622
MAINE
Temporarily Unavailable
Check Back Soon
MASSACHUSETTS
617-861-3962 (Boston)
413-351-2684
508-556-3549
781-654-2925
978-364-8939
MARYLAND
410-347-1488
MICHIGAN
248-262-6861
MINNESOTA
612-232-1638
MISSOURI
314-359-3930(St. Louis)
417-326-2677(Springfield)
MISSISSIPPI
601-792-4440
NEBRASKA
402-827-9874 (Lincoln)
402-434-6535 (Omaha)
NEVADA
702-386-5397
NEW HAMPSHIRE
603-413-2340
NEW JERSEY
201-808-6011
NEW MEXICO
505-310-2496
NEW YORK
212-660-2245 (New York City)
516-730-7245 (Long Island)
718-971-5245
845-259-2245
914-269-4245
518-935-4012 (Albany)
315-682-1822 (Syracuse)
716-357-2127 (Buffalo)
NORTH CAROLINA
828-859-2905
704-264-2861 (Charlotte)
OHIO
216-269-0085 (Cleveland)
419-452-6002
440-328-3382
OKLAHOMA
918-649-1711
OREGON
503-450-9938
PENNSYLVANIA
215-618-1505 (Philly)
814-337-4101 (Penn State)
RHODE ISLAND
401-648-6543
SOUTH CAROLINA
803-358-0885
TENNESSEE
901-328-8380 (Memphis)
615-346-2800 (Nashville)
TEXAS
512-647-4813 (Austin)
972-504-6270 (Dallas)
817-326-1433 (Ft. Worth)
713-866-6249 (Houston)
210-893-7109 (San Antonio)
UTAH
801-296-7163
VIRGINIA
703-912-1725
WASHINGTON
206-376-9798 (Seattle)
WASHINGTON DC
202-452-7468
WISCONSIN
414-243-1102
Source(s):
www.rejectionhotline.com

[hobbit709]

47. to do all that I'd have to dig the phone out of my pocket

turn it on, and look up the number.
I prefer to give the Time/Temp number so if they call, they too can have the joys of listening to a recording and options.

[SkyDaddy7]

50. Or just memorize the number, maybe?

But giving them the time is funny as well.

[lost-in-nj]

26. I just tell them it's unlisted

they can't do anything about it....

I have never had a problem......


no way I have to give out an unlisted number


lost

[sammytko]

27. IF its lowes or HD, they use your phone number to let you return things without a receipt

or so they tell me. Its worked before. Things like this do not bother me. If they really wanted to get your number, they could.

[WinkyDink]

44. Not for a cash transaction, they couldn't.

[pipi_k]

31. For future reference....

sites that give you fake numbers

some even charge the caller

http://voip.about.com/od/security/tp/AnonymousNumberServices.htm

[Faryn Balyncd]

34. Tell them that you need the CEO's home address, home telephone & cell phone number for your records.

[BR_Parkway]

35. I always just tell them to put their own number in there - makes them pause

and think about what they're being asked to get from other people

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

36. When pressed I just say my phone number is 714-781-4565

my name is Mickey Mulot and my address is 1313 South Harbor Blvd.

[TransitJohn]

37. It's so that they can match your movement patterns after they buy your location data from Verizon

or AT&T and market more effectively to you. Big Brother/Choicepoint style data-mining. It's happening to you while you're browsing DU, too.

[WinkyDink]

45. Not if you don't have a cell-phone. :-)

[reggie the dog]

41. when i pay cash i refuse to give any info

they dont get to know my email, my home address or my phone number. hell i dont even give the zip code. i say i am paying cash what does it matter?? if they push i get annoyed a say something like "look i am paying cash for legal items and i dont have to give you any personal info, i have to give you the money, if you dont want my money i will go to another store that will accept it." and they generally just ring the stuff up then. i also note that i do not have a single preferred customer card either. I avoid using my debit card and once my divorce goes through i will be back to using direct deposit for my phone and health insurance and just take the rest out in cash to pay my rent (landlord is the neighbor), my electric bill to my landlord, groceries and what not. big items like plane tickets will be done on debit card but when you fly across the atlantic you are tracked anyways.

[WinkyDink]

42. Drones. Sad, ignorant, unquestioning drones.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. KMart asked for my email address

and I don't mind because it's not that hard to just delete emails.

But now I kinda like it because they email me a copy of the receipt when I buy something.

I think that's a good use of email. Haven't got any other emails from them - just the receipt.

[DaveJ]

49. Seriously? There are lots of reasons.

I thought "Why do they need my phone no?" was a rhetorical question. But then I saw people really answering this question. But nobody gave my answer:

Mainly, it is for marketing.

They track what you buy (by you, not YOU personally, but all customers) and when you buy it, and then use sophisticated algorithms to decide what to stock on their shelves. They will use any and all information they can get about you, so they know how best to sell you things.

This benefits you, so that when you go to the store they have stuff you want on the shelves.

Also, it really does not matter if you give them your personal home phone. Any unique number will do, so they can identify your buying habits. Trust me nobody wants to call you. Nobody wants to call me either. I've never received any calls from the variety of stores I've given numbers to. I'd love it if they did. But really, do you think they have nothing better to do? I know that I would just babble useless jibberish that would serve them no purpose at all. Like, Sears people are just sitting around bored saying, hey I'm going to give DaveJ a call just to annoy him. Maybe I will trick him into buying a refrigerator he doesn't need. Like they really want to talk to me. I don't think that's the purpose.

I know. Lots of people are like "Screw the Man" and do not want to participate ion this. I do not understand why. This has nothing to do with the 1% screwing the 99%, it is just how business works more efficiently.

[Occulus]

52. "Mainly, it is for marketing. "

That's called a want.

[Edweird]

54. You don't need someone's phone number or a 'sophisticated algorithm' to figure out what's selling.

Every purchase is executed with a networked computer. They know what's selling and when. Your personal information isn't needed for that.

Hell, when I managed Papa John's restaurants we did everything with pens, paper and a calculator and we were able to figure out what we needed to order and when.

[Trillo]

51. Corporations are highly aggressive.

Why "No" is not respected on its first use, while humans are legally mandated to respect it in regards to sexual relations, is a matter of deep hypocrisy.

[bobthedrummer]

53. To sell and trade it Bluzmann57, it's part of The BEAST...

RECALL SCOTT WALKER!