Just heard on the radio this morning while driving into work that RadioShack will no longer be asking for your name or telephone number while checking out at the register. I was wondering how long it was going to take for some CEO sitting in his corporate office to wake up and realize how annoying this was.
That’s just proof that their new facial recognition system is online and working. Now they know who everyone is that steps foot in their store, you don’t even have to buy anything. Notice there’s always a camcorder set up near the entrance.
I wonder how much bad data they were getting to make them finally realize it was useless? I haven’t lived at my parents house in 10 years, but they still get RS circulars in my name in the mail.
I have been using:
1060 W. Addison
Chicago,Illinois
for years (Wrigley field), I use it for petitions, junk mail, Radio Shack (I just want a battery asshole).
unclviny
I’m going to miss the glazed eyes and “Does not compute” expression they always got when I told them that I wouldn’t give them my address.
It has to do with the fact that the upper managers realized that yes, the peons are in fact like them (surprise!) and don’t like being bothered with such annoying stuff. Really. The bad data was corrected with a program (unless the address is legit like MC$E’s parents’ address).
I would just like to say that I LIVE where hell has frozen over.
And there just happens to be a radio shack here…
I’ve used 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for years for stuff like that. I’ve only had one person call me on it.
She asked “Hey, isn’t that like the Pentagon or something?”
This probably means that they’ve overextended themselves with new standalone storefronts and are about to start contracting again to increase profitability.
Man, I listen to way too much Marketplace.
If you’re anywhere in the D.C. area, and someone demands a telephone number, give them 202-762-1401. “U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock. At the tone, the time will be…”
Maybe Toys-R-Us will follow suit. Another annoying retailer who asks the name/address question.
I like the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue / Pentagon response. I make it a point to shop both RS & TRU with cash, this way when they ask, I answer, “Cash…Hello, My Name Is Johnny Cash.”
I wonder, with all the marketing revenue squandered by Radio Shack to announce the rescinding of their “what’s your name & address” questions by employees, will they deduct a portion of it from the paycheck (or better yet, outright fire) the corporate officer who initially instituded such an inane and annoying policy in the first place?
I wowed 'em at an RS one time by responding to the question by answering “I’m in here buying parts to build a bomb, and you want my name and address?!?”. Didn’t use it again, because 9/11 happened soon after.
I usually copped a 'tude and said “No.” I’ll miss the policy, also…
Yeah, we’re all going to be sitting around twenty years from now telling our kids, “Back in my day RadioShack used to ask for your name and number everytime you went in to buy batteries.”
Y’all actually buy batteries from Radio Shack? What the hell do you think the grocery store is for?
Next thing you know, you’ll be buying motor oil from AutoZone.
Once at Safeway, before I had gotten a card. My brother and I shared an apartment and I knew if I just used our phone number, I’d still get the discount. Since my brother received catalogues in the name of Stone Cold Steve Austin, I should have been better prepared for the cashier’s response while thanking me. “Thank you Mrs. DrinksBeer, have a nice day.”
The 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is hilarious. I get the best ideas from this board. I still want to use one that was posted for a question to be asked to verify users. “What are you wearing right now?” and the response “I don’t think that’s appropriate!” I can’t remember who posted this, but it had me rolling.
My summer job working in retail, when I was on a register, I had to ask people their postal zip code (it wasn’t necessary to know, but I was expected to ask).
Most people just said it. Some people asked why, but told me anyway.
And then there were those who flat-out refused to give me the information, and then thirty seconds later started wondering out loud why everyone but them had been mailed these 20% off coupons . . .
As a professional marketer (at least I WAS and soon WILL BE again by the grace of the gods because this cab driving BS is killing me), the postal code thing is an incredible help in determining the market penetration/draw for a given location or promotion.
The name and number thing is just annoying, though, and is most often used to sell to/trade with other firms as part of the ever expanding field of direct marketing. Oddly, by providing the information, you can technically be considered an “opt-in” since you gave it voluntarily.
I’m glad RS is dropping this, and I wish every other store in the world would too.
I used to work at Radio Shack. Believe me when I tell you that I hated asking for that info as much as people hated giving it. Management actually kept track of individual salespeople’s receipt logs to find the percentage of customers we got addresses from. If your percentage was too low you caught flak for it.
I always asked for the info if the customer was buying something substantial, never for something like batteries or a butt connector <insert your own joke here>. If it was a small purchase, or the customer was resistant, I usually inserted a bogus address.
I too used to work at RadioShack, and like WC, I hated asking people for their address. If they refused, I just skipped on by, with no further pressuring. The only time I would ask again if it was a large purchase (made warranty stuff easier), or if they were paying by check, in which case, I didn’t ask, I just took the address off the check.
The only thing I hated more was pushing TSPs. (Tandy Service Plans…extended warranties). They are so overpriced.
Usually, I just leveled with people, especially about computers (I’d say “you know, this computer really isn’t what you want…and it’s expensive…go to Dell.com and buy one from there.”)
Needless to say, I wasn’t the top salesman. I only worked there for 5 months, and it was not fun…absolute crap for pay, and little thanks for the amount of knowledge you are expected to have…(I was strong in several areas, but weak in radio scanners and car audio parts)
Jman
So when is Circuit City doing the same? (please please please please)
For great RadioSuck stories, check out “RadioShackSucks.com”. Pretty funny stuff there.