Another Best Buy Rant

[dabuddha]

You gave your number? I would have just given them the store phone number.

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: MisterMe

If you want to give out or make up personal info to make a purchase then be my guest. I don?t feel that I need to do that for a purchase. Best Buy purpose is to take my money, not to find excuses why they can not make a sale without my personal info..

Find excuses for not making a sale? How about you and your silly ideas about why you can't just give a fake one? What, did ma bell just disconnect yours? Keep in mind there is prepaid cellular available if you need it.

Seriously though dude it's a phone number...relax. You walked into their store and therefore maybe you can let loose with a little flexibilty when it comes to their requests. No you don't have to shop there but maybe afford yourself a little peace of mind by not making everything a such a battle. Ever hear of "don't sweat the SMALL stuff"? This son, is small...

I mean Gawd, Cmon! You took the time to go to manager about this trivial matter. Foof! While you so kindly turned your line into the slow one I always seem to get stuck in, were there other people waiting behind you heckling? One of my favorite pasttimes 🙂 Man I hope you didn't bring your (girl)friend along...how embarassing!

Seems to me that with your "gitter done", "don't you dare tread on me" type attitude, you would have placed a higher value on simply spending that same time walking to your car. You could have been on the road home looking forward to watching some new movies. Rather, you worked yourself into a lather about some routine strategy they are choosing to employ for this fleeting moment in time. You know how silly you are? It's a phone number...take the fake # advice and save yourself an ulcer. Have one of your skunky German beers and chill.

Even if it turns out that the BB machine and it's friendly $7/hr telemarketers get a hold of you on a Friday night at 8 PM, just hang up...they won't be hurt. I'm sure it happens all the time. Maybe give them a little credit for trying to get you to come back and spend more money. It's called marketing and it's happening all around us constantly - Wall Street dictates it. They WANT you, but they don't NEED you - all you are to them is a phone number and maybe that's the part that's upsetting you inside...try group...

And let me guess, I'll bet you're the type that tries to argue with telemarkers - saying cute things like "oh, let me call YOU at home" etc. You know what? When they get done with your a-holeness, they just keep dialing...forgetting all about the misery you tried to inflict. The only effect your personal war has is that you get your own blood boiling. Even if you feel you win a battle here and there - all this will add up when you hit 50. Make sure you excercise now or it's triple bypass instead of a party down at the Elks lodge...no smoking either...make it 45 in that case...

Why do you make it into such a big deal?

Try to be nice for a change...it really does work better...

Koombuyah baby!

Thank you for such insight but your conclusions are all wrong and don?t have a clue to my actual behavior. I only took this issue up with management after the cashier became rude over this. It's an issue with customer service. They should have a clue and not press the issue when I don?t want to reveal my personal info and proceed with the transaction. What?s so hard to understand? I understand it?s the cashier?s job but when I politely decline that should be it end of story. And when a manager can not handle a simple customer service problem is this one is really scary. Go ahead and flame away since it makes you feel good since you make such observations without knowing a thing about me.

 

[MisterMe]

Whatever makes you feel better dude. No need to explain what evidently appears to be a narrow view. But if we've seen it once, we've seen it a million times - some people just have to have it their way with absolutely no exceptions. One step over the line and whammo! Just the fact that you came here of all places to rant about the evil BB shows us it appears you are cut from this same irritating mold.

Yep I know, I get the rude check out chicks throwing the first negative attitude punch ALL the time...out of the blue - no matter MY tone. I have nothing to do with forming their attitude. I mean I don't even TRY to work with them because their just irrational. I know it has to be all about me. No problem. Let's all just perpetuate the misery. Go about your business and I'll continue to enjoy using a little creative license when it comes to describing these fits from my somewhat imaginative role as a spectator. A spectator that has been witness to enough of these types of episodes to know it ain't all THEM...see you in line...

 

[Black88GTA]

When I worked at Advance....we'd do that too if something had a warranty on it. They use it like a password that nobody will forget. That's how they bring up your record of past purchases. For instance, if you bought something that had a 1 year warranty, and it broke after 6 months, you could go in there to return it without a problem, even without a receipt.

Salesperson: How may I help you?
You: This broke before the warranty was up, and I lost my receipt.
Salesperson: OK, no problem, what's your phone number?
You: 555-1212
Salesperson: OK, here you are. Mr. Raincity?
You: Yeah, that's me.
Salesperson: Here's your money, you're all set.

It's just a way to track purchases and avoid confrontations with dumbass customers who lose receipts and expect to return something without it. It also cuts down on the "scammer factor"- people who steal stuff (or buy it on a hot deal somewhere else) and try to "return" it and make a profit. I would imagine BB is trying to extend this to all purchases (even stuff without warranties) to speed returns.

Trust me, BB has better things to do than sell your phone # to telemarketers - nor do they need the $$ they'd get from selling a phone number list. Once the news broke that BB sells customers' phone numbers (and it would), the millions of dollars they'd lose in sales, lawsuits, bad press, etc. would FAR outweigh whatever they made from selling the list in the first place.

Cliffs' notes:
It's just a purchase tracking tool
Plz. remove tinfoil hat.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
When I worked at Advance....we'd do that too if something had a warranty on it. They use it like a password that nobody will forget. That's how they bring up your record of past purchases. For instance, if you bought something that had a 1 year warranty, and it broke after 6 months, you could go in there to return it without a problem, even without a receipt.

Salesperson: How may I help you?
You: This broke before the warranty was up, and I lost my receipt.
Salesperson: OK, no problem, what's your phone number?
You: 555-1212
Salesperson: OK, here you are. Mr. Raincity?
You: Yeah, that's me.
Salesperson: Here's your money, you're all set.

It's just a way to track purchases and avoid confrontations with dumbass customers who lose receipts and expect to return something without it. It also cuts down on the "scammer factor"- people who steal stuff (or buy it on a hot deal somewhere else) and try to "return" it and make a profit. I would imagine BB is trying to extend this to all purchases (even stuff without warranties) to speed returns.

Trust me, BB has better things to do than sell your phone # to telemarketers - nor do they need the $$ they'd get from selling a phone number list. Once the news broke that BB sells customers' phone numbers (and it would), the millions of dollars they'd lose in sales, lawsuits, bad press, etc. would FAR outweigh whatever they made from selling the list in the first place.

Cliffs' notes:
It's just a purchase tracking tool
Plz. remove tinfoil hat.

Thats what MOST companies do with your phone #....not the fvcktards @ BB as they wont even begin to process a return without a receipt.

 

[Raincity]

The thought never entered my mind that I would be receiving phone calls from Best Buy. I figured that they where using the local dialing prefixes for marketing info. The issue is that I had to tell the casher no three times over a free magazine subscription before she would even scanned the items then made a bigger issue over my phone number. The manager should have some common sense and said sorry about that sir, lets get your items rung up and get you on your way. Not tell me about Best Buy corporate policy and tell me that I have to comply if I want to purchase items from them.

 

[Abhi]

Give them my ph # ....

My best guess is they wont be calling long distance to India..

 

[RaistlinZ]

This sounds pretty odd.

I work at a BB in Cali and I haven't heard of a change where cashiers are required to get your phone number just to ring up a sale.

I do know that on each credit card transaction they try to push a free trial subscription to Entertainment Weekly or Sports Illustrated - which would require that you give your phone number. My guess would be that they are just automatically signing you up for the free subscription, which is why they asked for your number.

It's an all too common practice really. Free subscription sign-ups mean more revenue and margin dollars to the store, and if a customer doesn't ask why they're giving their phone number the cashier sure as hell isn't going to say anything.

We do the same thing in the computer department where I work. We have these free 2-month Napster trial packages that a customer can get with purchase of any desktop or laptop. I think after the 2 months the customer is billed monthly. But our PC sales manager tells us to, "Just ring it up with the package regardless. Even if the customer doens't want it just tell them it's free and ring it up anyway. It's an extra $2.00 revenue to the store."

Makes me feel like scum, really. I think it's time for a new line of work. :disgust:

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Raincity
Stupid cashier would not ring up my order until I give up my personal phone number. I told her she did not need it and to enter what ever she wanted. She then read me the riot act about company policy to get phone numbers for every transaction. When I spoke to the manager on duty he backed her up on this. F@ck that place. They will have to drag me in at gunpoint before I step foot in there again.

I found a phone number for Juneau Alaska for just such occasions 🙂 I use it everywhere. I'm sure it screws up their marketing heheh.

My point is, instead of just making up a phone number, you wasted a bunch of time and didn't get what you went there to buy. Use a little savvy next time.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Something doesn't sound right about this story.

I have never been asked for my phone number and If I had been I would have politely declined to give it to them. They want my money and are not going to lose a sale over a phone number.

Yeh, this story stinks somehow.

They ask for mine all the time. Toys R Us does it too.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: raanemaan
Give them a fake number. The other day the cashier at a McDonalds wanted my name when I ordered. I just told them Jerry. When my order was up they had to say Jerry about three times before I remembered. 😀

If I'm feeling goofy, I'll just tell them "Batman"! Gets some weird looks!

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: MisterMe

If you want to give out or make up personal info to make a purchase then be my guest. I don?t feel that I need to do that for a purchase. Best Buy purpose is to take my money, not to find excuses why they can not make a sale without my personal info..

Find excuses for not making a sale? How about you and your silly ideas about why you can't just give a fake one? What, did ma bell just disconnect yours? Keep in mind there is prepaid cellular available if you need it.

Seriously though dude it's a phone number...relax. You walked into their store and therefore maybe you can let loose with a little flexibilty when it comes to their requests. No you don't have to shop there but maybe afford yourself a little peace of mind by not making everything a such a battle. Ever hear of "don't sweat the SMALL stuff"? This son, is small...

I mean Gawd, Cmon! You took the time to go to manager about this trivial matter. Foof! While you so kindly turned your line into the slow one I always seem to get stuck in, were there other people waiting behind you heckling? One of my favorite pasttimes 🙂 Man I hope you didn't bring your (girl)friend along...how embarassing!

Seems to me that with your "gitter done", "don't you dare tread on me" type attitude, you would have placed a higher value on simply spending that same time walking to your car. You could have been on the road home looking forward to watching some new movies. Rather, you worked yourself into a lather about some routine strategy they are choosing to employ for this fleeting moment in time. You know how silly you are? It's a phone number...take the fake # advice and save yourself an ulcer. Have one of your skunky German beers and chill.

Even if it turns out that the BB machine and it's friendly $7/hr telemarketers get a hold of you on a Friday night at 8 PM, just hang up...they won't be hurt. I'm sure it happens all the time. Maybe give them a little credit for trying to get you to come back and spend more money. It's called marketing and it's happening all around us constantly - Wall Street dictates it. They WANT you, but they don't NEED you - all you are to them is a phone number and maybe that's the part that's upsetting you inside...try group...

And let me guess, I'll bet you're the type that tries to argue with telemarkers - saying cute things like "oh, let me call YOU at home" etc. You know what? When they get done with your a-holeness, they just keep dialing...forgetting all about the misery you tried to inflict. The only effect your personal war has is that you get your own blood boiling. Even if you feel you win a battle here and there - all this will add up when you hit 50. Make sure you excercise now or it's triple bypass instead of a party down at the Elks lodge...no smoking either...make it 45 in that case...

Why do you make it into such a big deal?

Try to be nice for a change...it really does work better...

Koombuyah baby!

When did it become a requirement to have a phone in the United States?😕

 

[MrBond]

You know, with the new DNC list, this could be a way around it for these retailers. Say they "partner" with a telemarketing firm, then once you make a purchase at BB, you've "done business with them" and they can call you for however long is allowed by the law.

I got asked for my phone number at Lowes the other day. I was buying $200 worth of lumber though and I assumed it was for CC verification purposes, since I did the self-swiper thing.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Raincity

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You should have just thrown the sh!t into their face and said "I'm going to Circuit City, thanks asshats".

I did, I had about 200$ worth of DVD?s in hand and handed to the manager and said explain this lost revenue to your supervisor and I will be shopping at Fry's from now on for these kind of purchases. I also gave him my customer points card and told where to stick it. I did not make a big scene but I did draw attention at the front counter.

F***ing awesome! :beer: 😀

Someone give this man an award!

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: MrBond
You know, with the new DNC list, this could be a way around it for these retailers. Say they "partner" with a telemarketing firm, then once you make a purchase at BB, you've "done business with them" and they can call you for however long is allowed by the law.

EXACTLY! This is why I wouldn't give my info out. About a year ago I bought something as a gift at Sports Authority. They asked me for my phone #. Well, I work in the corporate offices of a major retailer myself, so I figured they were doing what we do; periodically asking for phone #'s or zip codes to get an idea of where our customers are coming to the stores from.

But no, couple weeks later, and now every month or so, I get a stupid TM call at dinner-time from Sports Authority, asking if I want to take avantage of their latest sale. Even though I'm on the national DNC list, they can still call me, since "I've done business with them." BS!