Discussions

It is my understanding that under Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy regulations, businesses should not be asking for and/or demanding customer’s personal information ( name, telephone, email) unless there are valid reasons such as health or safety. It seems to me that more and more businesses in Brandon are attempting to gather personal information from their customers. I try to graciously say ‘no thank you’ but this is often not well received by staff who are only doing what they have been told to do. Likewise I am continually amazed that so many people give their personal information away so easily.

Some businesses ask for your postal code so that they know which area their customers are from. I know others ask for your email address to send out info (and they generally don't care if you say no), or others have points systems or email receipt copies. I actually like getting an emailed receipt so I cant lose it for warranty purposes. And the points systems dont bother me (some use your phone number for this, but I've never gotten a call) since I find it easier to give my phone number or email at checkout than to keep a card for every store.

I know I don't have a problem with it. It isn't like they ask for my sin number. Name, phone number, email is all I have ever been asked for. Other than ordering food. Let me guess you will give your name, address, and phone number to a place to deliver food but you won't give out a phone number to say Best Buy? Princess Auto, no issues with phone number. They have looked up many receipts for me this way. Emails I just say pass as it will usually be related to signing up for newsletters from the company. Honestly people put more information on Facebook than to be worried about what is held by a business. Every pizza place in town has my name, address, phone number, and email for my copy of the reciept.

If you say no thanks i’ve never once had an issue or had an employee give me an attitude. It’s generally your right to deny this information. If you’re receiving an attitude back perhaps it’s the way you’re reacting to the employee doing their job. If it’s anything like your initial post I’d probably react back annoyed as well.

Was it really necessary to start a thread about this? Tell the stores you you don’t want to give them your info vs coming on ebrandon and complaining about it.

You if you want to do hard drugs but I am sure you will say no. If someone asks you and you don’t agree or don’t want to provide information, just say no thanks. I do understand that it can get annoying or repetitive but just say no thanks.

Just to demonstrate why a business might be asking for personal information: I work in an industry that relies on certain personal information to verify that I am speaking to the person that is legally entitled to the information they are requesting, especially over the phone. Due to the privacy laws I can not release information unless I am certain I am speaking to the person they claim to be. We may ask for full name, address, birthdate, email, recent transactions that may be recorded etc.  
 
We aren't trying to frustrate people or fish for info, we just have to ask. And no, we can't give you information about your spouse, child etc without first speaking to them.

I know that princess auto will ask for your phone number when you make a transaction. They are using it as a customer number, and will track your purchases for a certain period of time. It is primarily to allow you to return merchandise if you don't have your receipt, otherwise you would likely only get the sale price on a return with no receipt and no tracking. Only once was I ever called as a result of a purchase, and it was when I did not receive a "bonus" item that was supposed to be included with the sale.

a business asking for my postal code or phone number, both are printed in the phone books but they don't need my email address.  
I can see the OP's point, if your phone number and address is not listed in a phone book then maybe you don't want people to have it.  
But I would give out both but my email address, forget it!

Do what I do. I have a extra e-mail that I use for all things like this. Keeps my main e-mail free to friends/family (and of course random spam), and all store e-mails go to another. I am looking for a deal, I go in there. Often there are benefits for giving out an e-mail. Why not take advantage of them with this simple step? Now, some stores do get carried away. Had one that was sending 5 a day! Even from my dummy e-mail, they got the boot.

I have a junk email specifically for things like this, as well I never give my real phone number. I have an old cancelled one I use to this day (last I checked they had not reused it - so I will keep using it).  
 
Not sure if this is Nation wide or not, but here in BC it is mandatory that if you are going into a restaurant to dine one of your party MUST leave a contact name and number in case there is another outbreak. It is so you can be traced in that case. In that case, the business has a valid reason for asking I guess.