Why do retail store clerks ask for your zip code? nt

[raccoon]

[Hawkeye-X]

1. I always give them a zip code 25 miles away from me

It's none of their business, but I think it has to do with the statistics of the store.

[onenote]

11. How does impeding a business' efforts to become more efficient help you?

Stores ask for zip code info so they can figure out where there customers live and target their advertising more effiently.

[MajorChode]

23. Woohoo! Just what I need, more junk mail

Thanks, but no thanks.

[onenote]

41. if you live 25 miles the poster above you can thank him for your junk mail

since the store thinks that you are in their target area because he gives the wrong zip code.

[MajorChode]

44. I do the same thing

Except I give them the zip code for DFW airport(75261), which has it's own. If they want to send junk mail to Terminal C at DFW, more power to them.

[onenote]

45. and again, could you explain how your helping the company waste money helps you?

[MajorChode]

48. Just as soon as you explain how helping them distribute more junk mail helps you

Fair enough?

[onenote]

51. i'm the one arguing that what they're trying to do is distribute LESS junk mail

If a store can target to certain zip codes instead of others, it can spend less on advertising by sending less junk mail to areas where there is little return on that investment.

Its not rocket science.

[MajorChode]

57. Fair enough, but I have a different strategy

If they get enough bad data, eventually they will figure out their data collection methods are flawed and they will abandon the approach. I fail to see how helping them send me more junk mail benefits me. I also don't care for their reasons behind asking and prefer to spend 5 seconds giving them false data rather than spending 60 seconds explaining why I don't want to give them the information.

[onenote]

58. how are they going to know?

If they are getting bad data they are sending mail to areas where they don't have customers but the data they have says that they're making sales there.

[MajorChode]

75. I don't think it matters much either way

If they are showing sporadic customers from 25 miles away, why on earth would they send mail there? Even if they did, they are bound to notice that such mailings are pretty ineffective. Either way I really don't care. I'm not going to give them my actual zip code or phone number and I'm not going to waste my time explaining why. That really only leaves one option.

[Atman]

80. I have a totally zany strategy; just tell them "No thanks" and move on.

The clerks don't care in the slightest. They're just doing what they're told, and they have a key to press for no-answer. What's the bfd? It's comical what DU will get their panties in a bunch over.

[Kolesar]

25. They want to figure out how to attract rich people with money to spend to the store

no riff raff

[arcadian]

35. And this is a good thing?

Helping them rape the planet? :eyes:

[onenote]

43. how is it helping them "rape the planet"

for them to target their advertising etc so that they able to reach more people with fewer ads?

For example, instead of mailing a flyer to an entire region, they may only pick certain zip codes.

[Telly Savalas]

69. If you're worried about that then why are you in the fucking store in the first place?

[MadHound]

37. Why are we obligated to help a business gather information?

All we're obligated to do is pay a business for goods and/or services.

[onenote]

39. you're not obligated

but i'm trying to figure out why you think its good for you if a company is less efficient and has higher costs as a result.

[MattBaggins]

46. They want to piss in your fridge... True story

[fishwax]

76. does giving them the correct zip code help you?

[Divine Discontent]

2. so the company knows where to put advertising dollars, I would think.

and the point of where to build the next store, as said below.

[onenote]

4. yep

its about marketing.

[Gman2]

3. To determine how far to do local adverts, coupons, etc.

How many stores are needed to saturate.

[Divine Discontent]

5. saturation, good point.

[JuniperLea]

6. Advertising...

So they know where their advertising dollar is making the most gains... or where they need to advertise more. Of course, they don't consider the randomness of most purchases.

[ParkieDem]

12. If

If you're using a credit or debit card, it can be used to prevent fraud.

Lots of gas stations now ask for you to key in your billing zip code if you're using a credit or debit card; I read somewhere that something like 20% of stolen credit card transactions are used to purchase gas.

But the other posters are correct -- at most retail outlets, it's for marketing purposes. I really don't mind that, if they want to target my ZIP code with coupons and discounts, fine by me. I won't give them my full address, though.

[nickinSTL]

65. I've been to gas stations where that's true

but generally the retail clerks ask regardless of how you're paying.

I think it's a matter of marketing for that - the zip to purchase gas, though, is intended to limit sales to stolen cards.

The one time I had a debit card stolen, they used it once - to buy about $20 of gas.

[tammywammy]

7. So the store can know from what areas do their customers come from

If you get a lot of customers from XXXX1 and almost none from XXXX2, maybe you spend more advertising in area 1 vs 2 or 2 vs 1.

[WolverineDG]

33. or if one store in town in the xxxx5 gets loads of people from xxxx3

and the store in xxxx3 doesn't get as many, then it indicates there's something customers don't like about that store.

dg

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. So they know what area their customers are coming from.

It's not always a bad thing. For example, if you have to drive to the other side of town to go to a particular store, and they find out that they're doing a lot of business with your neighbors, you might get another branch/franchise of that business a little closer.

Zip codes, I have no problem with. When they ask for address and phone number, that's another story.

[jobycom]

9. They want to steal your car.

They know what area to cruise. :)

[Prometheus Bound]

61. I knew it.

[frazzled]

10. But your phone number ...

We're fine with responding with a zip code, for the reasons listed above. But when they ask for a phone number, we just say "no, thanks."

[Toucano]

13. They're looking for a nice neighborhood with good schools.

You must look like money!






Just kidding.

[grantcart]

14. If it is a pharmacy then they need it to help provide data back to the

death panel administration so that they know how large a FEMA camp they are going to have to have in that zip code.

[Codeine]

15. They ask YOU GUYS for advertising and tracking purposes.

They ask ME because I'm so fucking hot.

[KansDem]

16. Marketing?

If you're buying a certain item and give a certain zip code, then based on that the retailers might glean what is wanted in that zip code, especially if more than one customer from that zip code asks for the same, or similar item.

I think...:shrug:

[NYC Liberal]

17. Where I used to work, it was partly for advertising and was optional.

But in some cases, it was used to automatically register a warranty if you bought it.

[GreenStormCloud]

18. I have never been asked that.

Sometimes I get asked my address and phone, which I refuse unless the purchase is of a sort where there is a legitimate need for that.

[anigbrowl]

19. to measure the effectiveness of their advertising

Zipcode areas are small enough that they're a useful filter for statistical information, such as median income or consumer spending. Zipcode information from customers helps a company to guess what part of their advertising is most effective. As a rule of thumb, a business should spend about 10-15% of its budget on advertising - there's no use in launching a new product range or holding a sale if you don't tell people about it and get them to visit your store or website.

But there's a saying that '50% of all money spent on advertising is wasted - the trouble is nobody knows which half'. this is one reason that coupons have numbers or mail-in offers like rebates are sometimes addressed to 'Department QRX, Bigcorp Company...' - the code (QRX) helps the business track where the customer heard about the product or service and where they should direct more or less advertising. Same thing with zipcodes...you can correlate that information against purchases of billboard advertising, or sales figures for particular magazines containing your ads, and get a better idea of how to reach your potential customers.

Of course you don't have to share that information if you don't want to, just say you like your privacy. But in all honesty it probably works out in your favor to share it by keeping a lid on prices. Hiding or misreporting that information will make their analytics slightly less effective, meaning their ads will be slightly less well targeted, and the wasted money will be passed on to product pricing.

[Soylent Brice]

20. they're attempting to assimilate you. resistance is futile.

[October]

21. Actually...interesting you should ask...

I always felt my privacy was violated when the clerks requested my zip and/or phone number, but not any more.

One day I got a phone call from Circuit City telling me my "projector" was ready for shipment. ($899 price tag) I hadn't ordered a projector, but I had purchased something at the store a long while back, so they had my telephone number. That phone call came because the shipping zip code did not match the billing zip code on file -- and that triggered the phone call the verify the purchase -- since it was a high price.

I had assumed they wanted my zip code for profiling purposes or some other marketing reason -- but it was actually to help stop identity theft.

[gmoney]

26. I thought this was a collection agency trick

"Hi, Mr Deadbeat? Yes, we have your bigscreen TV on the truck, but we need to confirm your delivery address? Will someone be there in 20 minutes to sign for it?"

So, either you give them your address, or you even agree to meet them, when they serve you with papers, or can start mailing collection notices to your new address, etc.

[Toucano]

74. Many years ago...

I worked for a retailer and we had to emboss all the credit card transactions.

We were obligated to ask the customer for their phone number and write it on the voucher.

The reason?

Clerks would forget to give the card back to the customer FREQUENTLY, and it made it simple to return the card to them.

We didn't have FEMA death camps in those days. :-(

[zipplewrath]

22. Data

It's another piece of data for them to use to make money. It could benefit you, or not. Their ability to track your purchases is pretty powerful, and their ability to identify you is pretty good too. But the truth is, they don't care so much about who you are by name as much as by what you will and won't buy, when, at what price. Rest assured though, and potential benefit to you will be "collateral" in nature. Their primary purpose is to separate your money from you.

[Warren DeMontague]

24. They want to steal your undies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kk8n-J2i1I

[chemp]

27. marketing

Retail guy, here!

It is to determine the distance a typical customer will travel to visit your location.
Advertising fliers also come into play. If enough people are traveling a great deal to get to your location the company may franchise another location closer to you.

You can always decline to give the information. It's not mandatory.

[Ratty]

28. Reminds me of the old Radio Shack days

They'd tell you to put your name and address on every receipt and they'd keep a copy. I remember when I first realized I could just simply say no thank you. This was quite a few years ago and the guy looked at me like I was crazy. After that it was so empowering. Buy something at Radio Shack and politely decline to give your name and address. What a rush!

Yeah, I give the store my zip code when they ask. What harm can it do?

[WolverineDG]

29. quick, easy, free marketing survey

they want & need to know where their customers are coming from.

dg

[county worker]

30. It gives them an idea if their coverage and demographics of it customers.

You have a profile somewhere based on your credit or debit card transactions along with where you live and income level among other information collected.

[DefenseLawyer]

31. The chip they implant in your head will vary from zip code to zip code. n/t

[tjwash]

32. Its a conspiracy

It is.

[ladywnch]

34. it is for targeted advertising, to help decide where to locate new stores,

and to determine sales tax rates in some cases.

[Obamanaut]

36. Similar to the finger scans at Disney - if you go to another one of their

stores, you will be charged extra - especially if you have carry-on luggage or attempt to use the restroom.

Run like the wind! Save yourself!

[SoCalDem]

38. so they can see where their customers come from and it helps target their ads

Some go to extremes though. I once went to Radio Shack to buy a watch battery..they wanted name address phone number..the works.. I said no thanks , laid the battery down and walked out.. For a cash purchase of batteries, I did not want to go through all that..

[pitohui]

40. when paying cash it seems especially silly, doesn't it?

i have a "good" zip code so i wonder sometimes if i should, for shits and grins, offer them a "bad" zip code instead

[onenote]

47. if the goal is to make their advertising expenditures more efficient

why would it matter whether you paid in cash or check or credit card?

[pitohui]

60. i have no idea but i think if i pay in cash they have only my word for it

i usu. make retail purchases in cash so they have no way to track me except my word

[DailyGrind51]

42. That's how they plan their advertising purchases.

When bulk mailers or newspapers want to know where ads and flyers should go, zip codes tell merchants where their customers come from so that they can make sure they get their promotional materials.

[TexasObserver]

49. They want to know where to invest their advertising dollars.

[DailyGrind51]

78. I only began receiving flyers from this particular produce store in another community

after the cashier requested my zip code.

[NeedleCast]

50. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with FEMA death camps

[Nikki Stone1]

52. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

:rofl:

[Toucano]

73. Duzy Alert! n/t

[blondeatlast]

53. Just to piss some people off (and as clearly shown in this thread, it works). nt

[Bluebear]

59. Really. They're not going to track you down or anything.

[joe_sixpack]

54. For better targeting of advertising.

Just like this site tailors advertising based on cookies.

[AnArmyVeteran]

55. RADIO SHACK used to really INVADE your privacy....

Every time I went to Radio Shack to buy something, with either cash or credit, they asked me my phone number, name and address. I always made up most of it. And every time I changed the name. I played with them the first year they did this by giving them different names each time, but with my real address. I told them I was Arnold Swartzenegger, Babe Ruth, Phylis Diller, Bob Hope, Nolan Ryan, or I just made up a ridiculous sounding name. Every month I started getting dozens of Radio Shack brochures and magazines each with all the different names I gave them. Sometimes my mailbox was so full the mailman had to bundle them all up with a thick rubber band and put them on my doorstep.

It became so frustrating to be asked my name every time I bought something I began asking the clerk what was the name, phone number and address of the Radio Shack's CEO. Of course they wouldn't give me that information. To Radio Shack, their CEO's privacy is important, mine is not. After many, many years they stopped being so invasive.

Side story: One time I went to buy something and the clerk asked me my name and I refused. He wouldn't sell me the product! So I went back to work and called to talk with a general manager of Radio Shack and he apologized to me. He said no clerk is supposed to deny you service if you don't give him your name. I told him I wasn't going to continue shopping at Radio Shack until they stopped their invasive practice. I also told him about the dozens of Radio Shack advertising magazines I got every month and said they are really good for getting my fireplace started.

[JANdad]

77. Wow!

What a rebel you are! I wish that as a former RadioShack employee I could have told all you arrogant fucks who blew me shit for doing the job I was told to do to go fuck yourself and buy your .49 cent fuse elewhere! People like you who pick on retail clerks make me want to puke!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

79. I always refused to give them info. The clerks always seemed a bit surprised by that.

[Obamanaut]

56. If one does not want to give the correct zip code, make one up.

It is for advertising purposes, and is non-sinister.

[raccoon]

81. Next time, I'll give them one from 28801 to 28816. Those are all

Asheville NC zips....not my real one.

[Prometheus Bound]

62. I just tell them "that's private".

[Motown_Johnny]

63. marketing research

[bemildred]

64. Apparently, they think you won't lie to them about it. nt

[AnArmyVeteran]

66. To help them, give them you SS#, driver's license #, mother's maiden name, and bank acct# too...

We need to help support local businesses. Don't stop by just giving them your zip code. Give them everything so they can use all of that data against you. And just think of how much extra money they will make by selling and reselling all of your personal information. While you're at it, give them your first born male child too. And if they ask, then volunteer to have your forehead branded with their store logo too. It will help their name recognition. I love capitalism!

[LeftyMom]

67. So they can sneak into your house at night and steal one sock from each pair out of your dryer,

which they then sell to tube sock fetishists via vending machines in Japan, thus financing the Illuminati's cattle mutilation and electoral fraud schemes. You must have missed this month's copy of The Gay Agenda, it's all clearly explained with charts and graphs and everything.

There's also a really good coupon for a new moisturizer for combination skin.

[blondeatlast]

82. Oooh, now you've done it. But damn, that moisturizer is a wonder, isn't it? nt

[kestrel91316]

68. I ask the clerk why they need it, and they can NEVER give me any reason at all,

other than that they are supposed to ask for it, so I politely decline.

[Mimosa]

70. You don't have to give it...but why not?

I remember when Tuesday Morning used to ask for telephone numbers. Now that's intrusive and nobody's business.

[backscatter712]

71. Marketing.

To help them figure out how to sell more shit to you.

[proteus_lives]

72. Junk mail.