So I went to the Best Buy the other day to pick up a couple of movies for my dad for Fathers Day like you do. Greeter/security dude, said hello, as per normal. Those guys are really on top of their job. Walked around on the floor, took a look at things like I normally do. Not a single person on the floor asked me if they could help me, which is normal in my experience and actually prefered since I don’t really need help shopping, unless I can’t find something.
Anyways, got up to the register, and the girl asked me for my phone number. Realizing this was not because she thought I was hot shit and wanted to go out, but so she could type it into the computer system.
“Why?” I asked
“Just so its easier for you if you return it, we can look up the purchase with your number. We don’t give it out or anything.” She responds.
“Well I’m paying with a credit card, couldn’t you look it up by that? That has seemed to work for years as far back as I can remember.” I say.
“Oh we can, its just easier with the phone number, we don’t give it out to anyone else or anything like that.” She responds.
“I’m not concerned with you giving my phone number to any third party.” I respond. “I’m concerned with what Best Buy is going to use it for. Are you telling me that the only thing the phone number will be used for is an ID number with which you can pull up the transaction?”
“Well its not a big deal, it just makes it easier for you.” She replies.
“So you aren’t sure if my phone number would be used for anything else? Like obtaining my home address so you can send me mailings?”
“Well umm…its ok not to give me your phone number, thats fine.” She said.
If I had more time, I would of kept going with a manager. But I had to go to work, so I just didn’t give the number, and left with my DVDs for my Dad. I hope he likes them. I just find it interesting that large companies like this, need all of your personal information. I’m already giving them my hard earned money, they should be happy about that, and let me go home and enjoy the product they sold me in peace. So I poop on your chest Best Buy. Poop I say.
