Red Wave Radio

Quote:Osterbur) writes:

>   Do you continually get asked for your name or the last 4 digits of
>your phone number when you go to Radio Shack??   I find it very
disgusting
>as I buy from about 7 differenct Radio Shack stores over several
months.
>Each store wants the same information and I am sick of it.  

>Please your views also.  Thanks     Lynn
>--

When I worked at RS many, many years ago, we were evaluated on the
number of names and addresses on the receipts.  Everyone knows that RS
uses these for their advertising/mailing campaigns.

Anyway, we had a customer that was about our own age (***) that used
to come into the store all the time and purchase parts.  We became good
friends.  He came in so often that we two salesmen memorized his
address.  When a customer came in that did not want to give his name
and address, or when we were too lazy to ask, we used to write a
ficticous (sp?) name with our friend's address on the store/company
copy of the receipt.

We did this so often that when the monthly flyer was mailed out, our
friend Carl received over 75 flyers in the mail!  The mailman used to
*** at him for having to lugg all this stuff around his route.

So if you want to have some fun, every time you go into RS and you are
not buying something that needs a warranty like little parts and wire,
etc., give them a false name with your real address.  See how many
flyers you can get in the mail.  Maybe you can beat Carl's record!

Regards,

Duffy - WB8NUT

Quote:>   Do you continually get asked for your name or the last 4 digits of
>your phone number when you go to Radio Shack??   I find it very disgusting
>as I buy from about 7 differenct Radio Shack stores over several months.
>Each store wants the same information and I am sick of it.  
>Please your views also.  Thanks     Lynn

Lynn,

I am an employee at a local Radio Shack store.  And yes, we do ask for your
name and address.  And yes, it does show up on the employee's sales ledger.
However, the names are not just used for mailings.  We use the names for
returns/exchanges so we know it is a legitimate return, we use names for
repairs, and we use names to look up receipts on the computer if a customer
lost their receipt and needs it for some reason.

I know asking your name can be annoying sometimes, especially at several
different stores.   I wish that at least the local stores would tie their name
databases together so that if you are in the computer at one store, we can
look it up at my store.  I have had numerous complaints saying "But I'm in
another store's computer already!"  From what I have heard though, a linked
database would cost us more money per sale, and this would lead to higher
prices.

Lynn, we also respect your privacy.  If you don't want to give your name for
small items, that's fine.  However, for returns/exchanges, repairs, and to
look up receipts, we need your name.  For instance, if you dropped off an item
for repair, how would we reach you when the repair is complete?

Radio Shack is not the only store that asks for your name.  Micro Center does
it, Incredible Universe does it, (in fact, they require a special ID card to
even enter the store!), and the local ham radio store does it too.

That's my view on this subject, the view of a Radio Shack employee, and a ham.

Regards,

Mark N8VJF

Subject: Whats ur name Radio Shack

Quote:>>Do you continually get asked for your name or the last 4 digits of
>>your phone number when you go to Radio Shack??

Yes.

Quote:>>I find it very disgusting...and I am sick of it.

Have you tried, "No, thanks - I'd rather not give you that information"?

A really stupid thing to get disgusted and sick over.

Clint Bradford
---
 * TLX v4.00 * The worst thing about censorship is ########
 t wcECHO 4.1 AR-Net: ATTENTION to Details t Mira Loma, CA t 909-681-6221

Quote:>Actually, I turned it into an adventure.  They get the address of one of
their
>other stores around here from me.  Took a few tries, but I've memorized
>at least one of their stores' street addresses.  They haven't
complained
>yet.  And besides, if the flyers are sooooo valuable, I wouldn't want
them
>to miss out on all of those sales now, would I?

I took that idea one better...memorize the address of your local RS
DISTRICT OFFICES, and have all the flyers sent there!!

-Drew in C***te-
 KF4DDM

The information is used to obtain and maintain a mailing list of persons who
shop at RS. Providing this info will insure you receive the sales fliers. It
is however not required. Since I am on the list and shop often enough to
maintain the listing, I often respond "Cash" when they ask for my name or
number. I have *never* had a second question about my ansewer.

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|          David C. Miller - KB7ZJY - Renton, WA USA           |

| The views expressed here are my own and may not be the views |
| of my employer or internet provider.                         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Quote:Durigan) writes:

>>Actually, I turned it into an adventure.  They get the address of one
of
>their
>>other stores around here from me.  Took a few tries, but I've
memorized
>>at least one of their stores' street addresses.  They haven't
>complained
>>yet.  And besides, if the flyers are sooooo valuable, I wouldn't want
>them
>>to miss out on all of those sales now, would I?

>I took that idea one better...memorize the address of your local RS
>DISTRICT OFFICES, and have all the flyers sent there!!

>-Drew in C***te-
> KF4DDM

 ow Drew, that is an idea that I really like.  Or how about sending a
bunch of flyers to your "favorite" business or organization.  Make 50
or so small battery purchases and send a flyer to a different name with
the same address.  Just think how your "favorite" organization will be
made aware of those great sales.

By the way, I always get the sales flyer in my Sunday paper right after
I get in in the mail.  Big Deal!

Regards,

Duffy - WB8NUT

Quote:>However, the names are not just used for mailings.  We use the names
for
>returns/exchanges so we know it is a legitimate return, we use names
for
>repairs, and we use names to look up receipts on the computer if a
customer
>lost their receipt and needs it for some reason.

Other stores do not need your name on receipts for returns.

Quote:

>I know asking your name can be annoying sometimes, especially at
several
>different stores.   I wish that at least the local stores would tie
their name
>databases together so that if you are in the computer at one store, we
can
>look it up at my store.  I have had numerous complaints saying "But
I'm in
>another store's computer already!"  From what I have heard though, a
linked
>database would cost us more money per sale, and this would lead to
higher
>prices.

RS downloads the information daily to Ft. Worth.  Ft. Worth could
easily upload names and addresses for customers in the same zip code
area.  This would not increase costs.  Prices will not go up because
they are already too high and RS has to be competitive.

Quote:

>Lynn, we also respect your privacy.  If you don't want to give your
name for
>small items, that's fine.  However, for returns/exchanges, repairs,
and to
>look up receipts, we need your name.  For instance, if you dropped off
an item
>for repair, how would we reach you when the repair is complete?

Asking for a nmae on a repair is different than asking for it on a
sale.

Quote:

>Radio Shack is not the only store that asks for your name.  Micro
Center does
>it, Incredible Universe does it, (in fact, they require a special ID

card to even enter the store!), and the local ham radio store does it
too.

Isn't that funny that you would criticize another chain of stores that
was owned by your parent Tandy?  You know Tandy owns Incredible
Universe.  Also, that card is why I won't shop there.

Quote:>>>Do you continually get asked for your name or the last 4 digits of
>>>your phone number when you go to Radio Shack??
>Yes.
>>>I find it very disgusting...and I am sick of it.
>Have you tried, "No, thanks - I'd rather not give you that information"?

Some RS sales droid, upon hearing that response from me, started whining that I was
only making a $2 purchase.  Whereupon I put MY two bucks back into my pocket
and left--and have never gone back to that store.

Quote:>A really stupid thing to get disgusted and sick over.

Actually, I turned it into an adventure.  They get the address of one of their
other stores around here from me.  Took a few tries, but I've memorized
at least one of their stores' street addresses.  They haven't complained
yet.  And besides, if the flyers are sooooo valuable, I wouldn't want them
to miss out on all of those sales now, would I?

Quote:> The information is used to obtain and maintain a mailing list of persons who
> shop at RS. Providing this info will insure you receive the sales fliers. It
> is however not required. Since I am on the list and shop often enough to
> maintain the listing, I often respond "Cash" when they ask for my name or
> number. I have *never* had a second question about my ansewer.

I too object to being asked my name and address.  If RS used the
information for advertizing, then I would be so opposed to giving
it out.  What I fear is that RS *sells* that information to other
companies, marketing firms, and commercial database vendors.  This
is very common--even state departments of motor vehicles do it unless
you notify them in writing no to.  

Call me paranoid, but I want my name and address in as few databases
as possible.  On a less paranoid point: I want as little junk mail
delivered to me as possible.  If RS wants me to know about a sale,
they can tell me and every one else in their monthly newspapers
inserts.  

Todd Carney

Geez...they're just trying to send you sales flyers..probably the
reason you went to the store in the first place to get that $29
temperature meter for $14.99..

Steve, WA2NHZ

Quote:>i work at radio shack, And it annoys me when people get defensive about
>giving this information. True, your privacy is your right, but providing
>this info will help us & the customer in many ways:

It annoys me when people ask me for information totally unnecessary
for carrying out a transaction.  If there is a legal requirement
for asking, I might grumble but I don't blame the clerk, but
no purchase I have ever made at Radio Shack fits this category.

Quote:>1) Allows us to get familiar with the customer, know them on a first-name
>basis, etc.

Then, simply ask me my name, and use it a few times.  You don't
need my address or telephone number to have a first-name relationship
with me.  However, it may be the case someone prefers not to engage
in an artificially sincere conversation, and may prefer to be called
"Mr." or "Mrs." or "Miss"; I hope you can appreciate this.

Quote:>2) Provides the customer with proof of purchase in case their reciept is
>lost.

This might be a benefit, but no RS clerk has ever suggested this to
me when I'm declining to give my name and address to buy a $1 box
of fuses.

Quote:>3) Puts the customer on the list to recieve the flier, which will alert
>them of items on sale in which they may be interested

Well, it should be no problem at all to ask me if I'd like to be
on the mailing list and understand when I politely decline.  Hey,
if I miss out, that's my problem, isn't it?

Quote:>4) Allows us to pre-approve customers for credit.

Good God, no!  If I want credit, I'll fill out an application. I
am having a hard time believing RS routinely scans the customer
database, pays for credit reports, and then makes sure some note
pops up next time someone buys a 9V battery saying "Jon Doe has
$1500 of pre-approved credit".  If Tandy really does this, I'll
never, repeat *never* give my name or address again, not that I
do frequently now.  Maybe the folks in Fort Worth will help
clear this up when I call tomorrow and ask about it.

Quote:>Also, If you give the information, and return to the store, it will save
>you the trouble of having to go through the same thing over, and over. I
>do wish that the stores linked these databases, though...

How about this: when I politely decline to give the information,
it will save you the trouble of having to type it in.  Then, on
future visits, I'll save you that trouble again and again.  After
some time, when you actually do remember my first name, you'll also
remember that I prefer not to give my address and you'll have the
respect to not even ask in the first place.

Quote:>When people come into my RS store and are unwilling to provide name and
>address, it gives me the impression that they don't trust us....

Don't take it personally, Nathan.  If I don't want to give you my
address, maybe I just don't want to give out my address.  Maybe you,
like most people, are a nice, honest, law abiding citizen and would
never think of using my address to engage in a criminal activity.
However, there are actually some very bad people out there, and
some of them even work at Radio Shack; it is just the law of
averages at work.  If I'm paying cash and carrying my purchase
out the door, there is no conceivable need to even know my first
initial.  Suggesting otherwise smacks of deceit, and *that* certainly
doesn't inspire trust.

The suggestion that my name and address may be used to "pre-approve"
me for credit makes me even less trustful, by the way.

Quote:>The benifit is mutual, and really, how hard is it to say your name & address?

How about this:  my name and address are pieces of information that
can be used to my disadvantage; if I politely decline to give them
upon request, how hard is it to respect my desire as a customer that
may be directly contributing to your income?

Dana

--
 * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ, DoD#: j | Views expressed here are      *
 * (310) 348-6043               | mine and do not necessarily   *

Quote:> When people come into my RS store and are unwilling to provide name and
> address, it gives me the impression that they don't trust us....

I completely trust you to send yet one more catalog with yet another minor
variation in spelling or punctuation of my address.
--

: i work at radio shack, And it annoys me when people get defensive about
: giving this information. True, your privacy is your right, but providing
: this info will help us & the customer in many ways:

: 1) Allows us to get familiar with the customer, know them on a first-name
: basis, etc.
: 2) Provides the customer with proof of purchase in case their reciept is
: lost.
If I am spending $300.00 on a new receiver, or a camcorder, then yes,
you should probably insist on my info.  If I am buying a $.02 resistor
(for $.49), odds are I'm not going to return it and ask for my money
back, and even if I do, noone else packs resistors like you do, so there
would be little doubt where it was purchased.

: 3) Puts the customer on the list to recieve the flier, which will alert
: them of items on sale in which they may be interested
enough has been said on this subject

: 4) Allows us to pre-approve customers for credit.
Wow, yet another opportunity to get create at 18 to 21.9 %
I get four to six pre-approvals a week now, I don't need any more.
Thank you for your interest through.

: Also, If you give the information, and return to the store, it will save
: you the trouble of having to go through the same thing over, and over. I
: do wish that the stores linked these databases, though...
Answering Cash is faster than spelling my name over and over, and having
to tell the clerk which one I am on the screen (of which there are
at least 5 with minor variations because of entry errors.

: When people come into my RS store and are unwilling to provide name and
: address, it gives me the impression that they don't trust us....
: The benifit is mutual, and really, how hard is it to say your name & address?
Who cares if they trust you or not, they are paying cash!  If they
cannot document their purchase at the time of the return, you don't have
to take the return anyway.  And I would bet that your undocumented return
rate is not substantial enough for this to even be a concern.  Besides,
the sales receipt still shows what was bought, what was paid, and the date.
If you require a name/address for the return, get it at that time or
refuse the return.  However, now that I know that you don't trust me,
I'm not too inclined to return to your store.  K-mart, Wal-Mart,
grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, etc do not seem to
non-trusting in me when I pay cash.  If you changed jobs and went to
work for K-mart, would you insist that each customer there provide
a name/address for each purchase ?

That's my $.02
John
--
   John E. Rosenwald       It is devastating to think that God will have

   Amateur Radio: NM3P     even speak to right now.

: i work at radio shack, And it annoys me when people get defensive about
: giving this information. True, your privacy is your right, but providing
: this info will help us & the customer in many ways:

The customer does not care if you get annoyed.  You are there to sell
merchandise, plain and simple.  There is one RS store that is close to my
office, but I drive past it to go to another, where they are not so
insistent on getting this info.  

: Also, If you give the information, and return to the store, it will save
: you the trouble of having to go through the same thing over, and over. I
: do wish that the stores linked these databases, though...

If RS did not ask for the info in the first place, we would not have to go
through the same thing at all.

: When people come into my RS store and are unwilling to provide name and
: address, it gives me the impression that they don't trust us....
: The benifit is mutual, and really, how hard is it to say your name & address?

It is not hard to say it, but most of us are busy, and we do not like having
our privacy invaded at the same time.

I do not trust many retailers in the first place.

Could be that most of us already get enough junk mail in the first place.  I
enjoy getting the RS sale fliers, but how do we know to whom RS sells their
mailing list?

The only reason that I ever go in any RS store is that a friend from the
local radio club is the manager there.  I have been so put off by this
inquisition in the past that I actively avoid RS if at all possible.

Jim

Systems Analyst     |   San Bernardino City Unified School District
(909) 881-8146 (O)  |   Unix:  "It isn't supposed to be easy...If it
(909) 862-0662 (FAX)|   was, everyone would be doing it."  -Unknown-

So I'll add my two-bits to this thread about Radio Shack
asking for your name and address each time you buy something.

I never liked it since it was a tedious process to go through
every time I bought something, which invariably was a component
that I was paying a few dollars for.  The process wasn't a bother
when buying something substantial, because when you're buying
something for a hundred dollars or more, it deserves little pomp.

However, those of us in Canada are now free of the process.  They
don't ask anymore, and in fact there is no longer any place on the
bill for a name and address.  This isn't something they've simply
dropped for low cost items, because I did buy something last year
and the woman made a point of telling me to keep the bill for
warranty purposes, but never asked for my name and address.

I was always surprised that the people working at Radio Shack
would want to bother filling out the name and address when I was
buying a few dollars worth of something.  When Radio Shack first
got into the computer business, history has it that they weren't
sure whether or not it would sell.  They ordered X number of
TRS-80's with the fallback plan that if nobody bought them, they
could be used in the stores for administration purposes.  They sold,
and the stores never got their computers to keep track of inventory
and such.  The clerks continued to fill out those forms with your
name and address by hand.  Then eventually they did bring in
computers, much later though at this point it must have been a good
number of years ago.  They continued to ask for name and address.
It should have been a less tedious process for them, since nobody
had to transfer that information into a data bank later, but since
few of the clerks seemed to have touch-typing abilities, they had
to hunt and peck and it took longer than when they did it by hand.
Around that time, I saw some message from the president of Radio
Shack in Canada in the flyer saying how the stores would keep
the information at hand if you were a regular customer, so they
could get the information by asking your last name.  SOmehow,
that never seemed to work for me.  Probably because I never
went to one Radio Shack regularly.

At some point, I stopped getting the flyers in the mail.  I'd
been getting them for close to twenty years.  They also phased
out the asking of name and address.  I can't say when they
stopped doing that.  There must have been period when they had
stopped asking, but I simply assumed the rules had been loosened
and they didn't have to ask everyone.  It was later when I
somehow grasped that they weren't asking anyone, anytime.

It's a whole lot nicer buying something at Radio Shack now that
they don't ask for your name and address here in Canada.

        Michael  VE2BVW
--

| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own.