Standing in line at Toys-R-Us yesterday, I watched as a long line of people were asked, “Can I get your phone number?” before their purchases were rung up. They all docilely complied. As someone who gets far too much junk mail and phone solicitations, my radar is up for ways we make it easier for corporations to sell stuff to us. I guess I was somewhat surprised that no one else failed to volunteer their phone number other than me. But I was also pleased that the clerk didn’t put up even a token fight, as they often do when you tell the grocery store clerk you don’t have a store card:
“Would you like to get one? You could have saved [looks at receipt] $1.26 today with the card. Here, let me get you an application. [rummaging] No? OK, well, if you’re sure…”
Just ring it up, lady, and we can both get on with our lives.
I asked the Toys R Us lady *why* they ask for numbers. Apparently you can be randomly selected to answer a phone survey for them and get $5!
I always make one up, let some other person reap the benefits of my paranoia.