Comments on: They always want my phone number http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/ random noises emanating from the boston area Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:37:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: The Anonymous Shopper http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/comment-page-1/#comment-3278 The Anonymous Shopper Wed, 27 Sep 2006 05:20:26 +0000 http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/#comment-3278 I've mentioned some tricks on my website: http://anonymousshopper.blogspot.com/ T.A.S. I’ve mentioned some tricks on my website:

http://anonymousshopper.blogspot.com/

T.A.S.

]]> By: Grant Hutchins http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/comment-page-1/#comment-2580 Grant Hutchins Mon, 21 Aug 2006 07:31:45 +0000 http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/#comment-2580 Today I signed up for the Borders sell-your-soul club or whatever it's called, and when they asked for my phone number they specifically asked not to get the area code. That way, they can't call me even if they wanted to. The number is so that if I'm at a Borders and I don't have my card I can tell them my phone number and they can look it up for me. Wow, that's cool. Especially given that the number I gave has a Massachusetts area code and I'm in Austin, TX, now. Today I signed up for the Borders sell-your-soul club or whatever it’s called, and when they asked for my phone number they specifically asked not to get the area code. That way, they can’t call me even if they wanted to. The number is so that if I’m at a Borders and I don’t have my card I can tell them my phone number and they can look it up for me.

Wow, that’s cool. Especially given that the number I gave has a Massachusetts area code and I’m in Austin, TX, now.

]]> By: Andy http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/comment-page-1/#comment-2561 Andy Sun, 20 Aug 2006 13:10:26 +0000 http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/#comment-2561 When Best Buy started asking for zip codes a few years ago, I just started saying "90210"...it was funny to notice those varied responses: 1. Some would smile and enter it without saying a word, realizing it was a phony and defensive answer. 2. Some would smile, look at me, and say, "So, you don't want to give me your zip code?", to which I'd say no, and we'd move on. 3. Some would look confused, as if perhaps I was some rich, famous guy from a TV show (and, if so, why didn't I have beautiful sideburns?) 4. And some (most, actually) would just enter it as what seemed to be a truthful and straightforward answer. Yeah. I guess that's why they're working as cashiers at Best Buy. When Best Buy started asking for zip codes a few years ago, I just started saying “90210″…it was funny to notice those varied responses:

1. Some would smile and enter it without saying a word, realizing it was a phony and defensive answer.
2. Some would smile, look at me, and say, “So, you don’t want to give me your zip code?”, to which I’d say no, and we’d move on.
3. Some would look confused, as if perhaps I was some rich, famous guy from a TV show (and, if so, why didn’t I have beautiful sideburns?)
4. And some (most, actually) would just enter it as what seemed to be a truthful and straightforward answer. Yeah. I guess that’s why they’re working as cashiers at Best Buy.

]]> By: Mel http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/comment-page-1/#comment-2555 Mel Sun, 20 Aug 2006 05:45:03 +0000 http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/#comment-2555 "I'm sorry, I don't have a phone." I'm hearing impaired, so I really didn't have one until I got to college and was required to get the cheapest cell phone possible. But then they'll ask you if there's a phone number you can be contacted at, and I can't really claim that I'm a hermit or that my entire extended family is stone deaf... I've learned you usually can't get very far with customer service drones; they're just doing what they're told and probably don't know what to do if they can't get the number so by gosh they're going to try. I wonder if there's a law - or better yet, a human-readable business-card sized summary of such - that you could whip out when asked this question. Something to the effect of no, I do not freakin' have to give you my information; the Miranda Rights for privacy. You could even laminate it. And then sell it through the EFF's website. Step 4: profit. Is it legal for a business to refuse you service for not giving them your phone number? “I’m sorry, I don’t have a phone.”

I’m hearing impaired, so I really didn’t have one until I got to college and was required to get the cheapest cell phone possible. But then they’ll ask you if there’s a phone number you can be contacted at, and I can’t really claim that I’m a hermit or that my entire extended family is stone deaf…

I’ve learned you usually can’t get very far with customer service drones; they’re just doing what they’re told and probably don’t know what to do if they can’t get the number so by gosh they’re going to try. I wonder if there’s a law – or better yet, a human-readable business-card sized summary of such – that you could whip out when asked this question. Something to the effect of no, I do not freakin’ have to give you my information; the Miranda Rights for privacy. You could even laminate it. And then sell it through the EFF’s website. Step 4: profit.

Is it legal for a business to refuse you service for not giving them your phone number?

]]> By: dlin http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/comment-page-1/#comment-2554 dlin Sun, 20 Aug 2006 05:31:30 +0000 http://blog.acmelab.org/2006/08/19/they-always-want-my-phone-number/#comment-2554 there is always the ol' "i seem to have lost my phone number. can i have your's?" only if the cashier is hot. there is always the ol’ “i seem to have lost my phone number. can i have your’s?” only if the cashier is hot.

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