I don't like to be a snarky Debby Downer, but today I am going to RANT!
Last week, I went to a cycling shop very close to my house. I had never been there before, but I was looking to pick up a couple Gus to try out before purchasing a whole case. I found exactly what I needed and took my purchases to the cashier. The gentleman working was very nice and asked if I found everything I needed. I had.
"Have you shopped here before?"
"No," I said.
"Okay, then let me get you in our system. What is your name?"
Innocent question, right? Little did this guy know that I am so sick of being asked my name, phone number, email address, and most recent pap smear results when I shop at a store. Last year I got in a HUGE confrontation when I wouldn't give Hair Cuttery my phone number when I went in to get my eyebrows waxed.
"Um... do I have to give you my name to buy the Gus?" I asked him.
"Well, no," he said, clearly miffed.
"Okay, then I won't," I said pleasantly and paid for my items with cash.
The gentleman's demeanor changed after I declined to give him my name for his computer records. He wasn't as friendly or smiley, but I stayed friendly and smiley.
Is it too much to ask to be able to just freaking BUY something without needing to have your name in a "system"? I was buying Gu, not a gun! And even though it's annoying when they ask, it's even more annoying when they aren't nice to you anymore just because you don't want to give them your name!
I shop mostly online so don't have to deal w/ this (except I had to give them ALL of my info so it can be delivered to my house!).
ReplyDeletelol I have been buying more and more online which is hilarious because talk about giving away info!
DeleteIt would be funny if you had business cards made that explain that you won't be giving your name/info - then you could just hand it over with your cash without having to explain yourself!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a salesperson get annoyed when I say "no thank you" to giving my info, now that I think about it. They just get on with ringing me...maybe they don't want me in their system that badly!
That would be hilarious! Don't give me ideas, I can be snarky. :)
DeleteYes very annoying. And I never give phone. I mean really. The worst is at my Drs. office when they make you write down the very same info. over and over and over. Ridiculous.
ReplyDeletePau gets so mad at Drs and hospitals. Like he will go to his neurologist and they will ask him to write down what meds he's taking. He's like YOU PRESCRIBED ME MY MEDS, YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS LIST ALREADY!!
DeleteYep! All this personal info gathering is a real pain in the ass. When they ask me that stuff, I just say "No thank you." They are usually confused at first and then they just move on. I do notice that some folks get miffed as though they have a right to your personal info. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm a no thank you girl too and it really confuses some people!
DeleteI work at Michael's and we are required to ask for an email address each time. We get weekly ratings of how many customers we had, how many we got emails from and how many were new emails to our system. IF we don't they tell you, you need to bring up your email rate or we will cut your work hours. So I very politely ask everyone and if someone says no, I respect that. And I say "thank you." I don't give them attitude. I am just there doing my job. Believe me, I don't enjoy giving out my information either.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand that the salesperson is just doing their job, that is why I am never rude to salespeople. Another one of my pet peeves is when customers take out their complaints on the people who do not make the decisions! That being said, the man should not have stopped being nice to me after I didn't want to give him my name. It makes me not want to go back to his bike shop. The cashiers at Michael's are always nice! I do remember that they ask for email address but I don't think anyone has ever been rude to me there.
DeleteYes, this is annoying. I remember this one time when I was in college my mom and I went to Radio shack (yea, remember those?) to buy me batteries for something. That's when they started asking for your Zip code (apparently email wasn't as big back then). My mom gave them the zip code 90210 an I just thought that was funny. I know it probably wasn't since the person behind the counter obviously had no idea where that zip code was.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have something I wanted to share with you about "Hot Topics" please remind me next time we meet cus I really think you'll get a kick out of it!
Radio Shack! Those were the good old days. That is a funny story! Can't wait to hear about your hot topic. :)
DeleteI hate that! Why do they need all my info? So they can send me ads? Or a SURVEY? WTH? Every time I call a company or shop, I get an F-in survey. I'm so so so done with this.
ReplyDeletethank you.
WENDY IS FIRED UP!!! :)
DeleteI hate giving my name, phone and email address too at most places. There are some places I go often where I don't mind because they are big companies with good CRM software in place that will send me offers as soon as I shop there for my next visit. Small places that I won't go frequently, like a bike shop, would annoy me because I don't want them to call/email me since I won't be going back to buy any bike related things!
ReplyDeleteAs a marketer, I hate the way the bike shop guy framed the ask as well. ""Okay, then let me get you in our system. What is your name?" That's so self-serving! He would have a better response rate if he said "We have an email list where we frequently send out biking tips for locals, could I add you to the list?" or "We have an email list where we frequently send out coupons for Gu and other sports items. Would you like to join the list?" The ask should always lead with a benefit for the customer to get a better conversion rate! And no matter what he should not have been rude!
You are so smart, Kristina! Putting my name in a "system" sounds like a PUNISHMENT! I love hearing your marketer perspective!
DeleteOh my god! I saw Rant and got really excited to read this!! There was no reason for that man to be a jerk to you after you declined to give him your name and email.... that is beyond rude! You were still spending your money there! so your money is not good enough? without your name and email? RUDE!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Don't be rude when I politely say no.
DeleteHA HA yep! I appreciate it when they first ask me, "Are you already signed up for our emails?" or something like that. Not just, "What's your phone number?" I'm like, NO THANKS.
ReplyDeleteOoh I never give out phone number. They're like, "We don't call you," and I'm thinking well why do you want my number then?!
DeleteOur local running shop is the same way... but the "info" is my husbands. Sad I'm not getting credit for being a runner too :) I have no idea why they want the info. It's not like we are getting coupons in the mail. Or maybe we would if we spent more money there. Hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteMaybe! Thanks for listening to me rant. :)
DeleteAt my running shop I did give them all my info but they record what shoes I have purchased, that I coach (discount) and probably some other stuff. But it keeps me from having them want to re size or reevaluate my gait.
ReplyDeleteI don't like anyone else asking though. It is like everywhere wants all of your history so they can send you junk...or try to anyway.
Yeah, I mean I am sure we all have those stores we don't mind. LIke Kohl's- they give me good discounts so I have a charge there. But this bike shop it's kind of like, dude, I lived a 1/2 mile from your store for the past 8 years and this is my first time coming in. Clearly if I was a regular customer who wanted to be in your system I would have done so by now! Thanks for listening to me rant!!!
DeleteYeah, a good salesperson should just shrug it off and not be rude. Because I assure you I am NOT rude when I say no thanks.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I just say, "I'll pass, thanks" but there are def times when they give me a pissed look. Whatevs.
ReplyDeleteUgh.
DeleteThe only time I give my info is at my LRS because I get purchase points. At a certain level I get $20, which I apply to shoe purchases.
ReplyDeleteOoh that is handy!
Delete