RadioShack Stops Being Nosy

jackbang writes "One small but positive step in the gradual erosion of personal privacy and increase of corporate intrusiveness - RadioShack will no longer ask for your name and address when all you want to do is buy some batteries. Now if only they would agree to remove the motion sensor that rings a bell every time someone walks in or out of the store..." Always freaked me out being asked my address just to buy some solder or something.

Comments

So what?

[brunson]

You could always just tell them, "No". I always did.

Re:So what?

[DEBEDb]

I'm sorry, but you're giving him a piece
of plastic with your name on it and expect
anonymity? Why shouln't he punch in the info
- what if the CC was stolen or something?

I try never to argue with these things when
I do CC or check. That's why I try to pay
cash mostly.

Just say no

[andy@petdance.com]

I haven't given any Radio Shack any information since the late 70s.

"Can I have your phone number?"
"No, thank you."

How tough is that?

Same goes true for Best Buy wanting your ZIP code.

"Can I have your ZIP code?"
"Nope."

About 25% of the time I'll get a surprised "Really?", half the time they don't care, and the other I'm not even asked because the drone doesn't want to ask.

harsh!

[banky]

Man, this thread is getting harsh. I mean, nearly ever sane retailer has SOME means to let employees know when someone is the store. yeah, the dinger SUCKS, but I'd rather know when someone is coming in.

The CueCat was a stupid venture, to be sure; but at some point in their lifespan, every retailer does something stupid at some point.

Yes, Radio Shack has morphed from hobbyist products and radio gear to basically a smaller, less well stocked Best Buy. But can you blame them? While many slashdotters may in fact still need diodes, Joe Average doesn't. The death of the electronics hobbyist almost killed the company. They are trying to stay alive in the face of serious competition while retaining what used to make the Shack a place to buy stuff. If you have a better idea, a way to make the company really stand out, get a job there and tell the boss. They might even listen.

And no one is really commenting on the fact that a high-profile retailer like the Shack taking a step like this may, in fact, influence others to drop their mailing. I can't buy anything anymore without a request for zip code, or some other deal.

Also Note: the Shack has one of the most tolerant, liberal intellectual property waivers ever. Unless you invent a new point-of-sale system, and do so on the job (or using work-provided materials), they don't give a crap. I mean, Best Buy would probably try to make you turn over your latest patch to BitchX but the Shack doesn't care.

What? No more memorable altercations?

[Waffle Iron]

About 10 years ago I was standing behind a guy who was buying a resistor or something. I'll always remember the ensuing exchange:

cashier: Name?
guy: Cash.
cashier: *First* name?
guy: CASH! I'm paying with cash!
cashier: Ok. I'll need to get your name and address. What's your full name?
guy: GOD DAMN IT You don't need to know my name and address! ...

... and so on. He proceeded to rip that clerk a few new ones. The clerk held his ground for several minutes, but he eventually relented and let him pay anonymously. Then the guy walked cussing and swearing out the front door.

It always made me wonder what kind of marketing genius is willing to piss off some of their customers that badly.

Oh come on now

[TheGreenLantern]

Now if only they would agree to remove the motion sensor that rings a bell every time someone walks in or out of the store..."

Yeah, cause there's absolutely no reason whatsoever that an employee at a relatively small, yet cluttered, business might need to know when someone enters an exits the store.

Nope, they have absolutely no right to know that you've entered their store, even if they might be the only person on duty at the time, and currently helping a customer in the back look for some obscure AV connector. Since, you know, no possible way a two-man team could distract the employee while simultaneously stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise right out the front door.

Jeez people, I like my right to privacy too, but let's not go off the fucking deep end here.

Re:Well...

[ncc74656]

but no one is using radio shack discrete electronics to make missle guidance systems anymore.

...probably because their parts selection has gone in the crapper. What used to take a sizable percentage of floor space is now condensed down to a metal box that takes only a few square feet. Instead of being an electronics geek's hangout, the modern Radio Shack bears more resemblance to Best Buy or Circuit City, only with worse selection, higher prices, and an even more clueless staff. "You've got questions...we've got blank stares."

Fry's needs to hurry up and finish its Las Vegas store (215 and Las Vegas Blvd., if you're curious). Once it's open, I'll never need to enter a local Radio Shack ever again. :-)

Re:Couldn't they just get it from Creditcard, if u

[jacquesm]

The adress is not available to you but there is something as an AVS check (adress verifiction system, not AGE verification system as it is used by some 'less reputable' sites), where you supply the address info and the processor then gives you a go/no-go on the address. So you can't access it but if it is given to you then you can use it to verify the persons identity.

small entrepeneur ? yeah, I probably qualify :)