4 ms·

This happens in brick-and-mortar too. It has become difficult to buy something in person without being asked to sign up for a frequent shopper program -- someti

This happens in brick-and-mortar too. It has become difficult to buy something in person without being asked to sign up for a frequent shopper program -- sometimes very forcefully. Apparently retailers despise the fact that some customers prefer to buy things anonymously without being spammed or having their privacy invaded. I predict B&M stores will soon begin to block you at the front door until you give them your email address.

yawnr 4y ago
I literally couldn’t buy something the other day without giving an email because “oh we’re paperless!” Was the response I got when I asked for a paper receipt instead. Of course, 10 seconds later I got a “welcome to the family!” email. Should be illegal.
- marcosdumay 4y ago
  > Should be illegal. Hum... Isn't that one of the main goals of the GDPR?
jonathanlydall 4y ago
A few brick and mortar store retailers around South Africa have started asking "May/can I have your cellphone number?" when I'm making a purchase to which I respond with either "You don't need that." or simply "Nope.". When asked why, conversation typically goes like: Me: "I don't want my phone being sent SMSes or phone calls from your company or anyone they would share my number with." Them: "Oh, don't worry, that won't happen from us." Me: "Well it absolutely won't happen if you don't have my number.".
- AnimalMuppet 4y ago
  "No" is a complete sentence. You don't have to justify it, especially to someone who may be paid to not see the reasonableness of your logic.
  - jonathanlydall 4y ago
    While I'm entitled to take that stance, I opt to be less confrontational since the person I'm talking to is just doing their job in the manner mandated by their corporate head office. I've never had to explain more than that and in the unlikely event they insisted, I'd politely ask to talk to the store manager about it.
    - mikro2nd 4y ago
      "No" is not confrontational. It's simply an answer to their quesion.
      - nicbou 4y ago
        If it's impolite to decline, it's impolite to ask.
- Karellen 4y ago
  I tend to go with "No, thank you, I'm fine." It kind of re-frames their request as if they were offering to do me a favour, which I then politely indicated I don't even need. I've found that it either cuts off most of the counter-arguments that the person asking was about to retort with, or it just throws them off-balance for long enough that the interaction moves on, enough that I don't get a lot of push back after using it.

yawnr 4y ago

I literally couldn’t buy something the other day without giving an email because “oh we’re paperless!” Was the response I got when I asked for a paper receipt instead. Of course, 10 seconds later I got a “welcome to the family!” email. Should be illegal.

marcosdumay 4y ago
> Should be illegal. Hum... Isn't that one of the main goals of the GDPR?

jonathanlydall 4y ago

A few brick and mortar store retailers around South Africa have started asking "May/can I have your cellphone number?" when I'm making a purchase to which I respond with either "You don't need that." or simply "Nope.". When asked why, conversation typically goes like: Me: "I don't want my phone being sent SMSes or phone calls from your company or anyone they would share my number with." Them: "Oh, don't worry, that won't happen from us." Me: "Well it absolutely won't happen if you don't have my number.".

AnimalMuppet 4y ago
"No" is a complete sentence. You don't have to justify it, especially to someone who may be paid to not see the reasonableness of your logic.
- jonathanlydall 4y ago
  While I'm entitled to take that stance, I opt to be less confrontational since the person I'm talking to is just doing their job in the manner mandated by their corporate head office. I've never had to explain more than that and in the unlikely event they insisted, I'd politely ask to talk to the store manager about it.
  - mikro2nd 4y ago
    "No" is not confrontational. It's simply an answer to their quesion.
    - nicbou 4y ago
      If it's impolite to decline, it's impolite to ask.
Karellen 4y ago
I tend to go with "No, thank you, I'm fine." It kind of re-frames their request as if they were offering to do me a favour, which I then politely indicated I don't even need. I've found that it either cuts off most of the counter-arguments that the person asking was about to retort with, or it just throws them off-balance for long enough that the interaction moves on, enough that I don't get a lot of push back after using it.