currys asking for personel details

[buzby]

It's when a vendor ask for your DATE OF BIRTH, I reallt get annoyed. Just say 'over 21' and watch the consternation. One complained he couldn't enter that into his system, I tired for him - and it accepted OV-ER-21

[Renzokuken]

What the staff are told is:

1: It's for TV licensing, when buying a TV.
2: It's so they can send you information about whateverhappens once your guarantee is up.
3: It's to give them lookup information so they can lookup your recept should you lose your old one or need it for some kind of insurance claim.

There is a data protection leaflet in each store stating in small print that they won't sell your information on ask to see this if your unsure. Also there is a no marketing button on the tills once you enter the details to prevent them sending you anything, including whateverhappens information. Which I instinctively tick even without being asked, and frequently get told off for.

Also, the tills won't allow a sale to be processed without giving the information, canceling the information simply returns the user to the previous screen for example:

Goods scanned > Total > Address information > Payment selection.

Pressing cancel on the address info returns us to total and doesn't allow us to take payment.

[gyzmo]

Here are a few names to use (thanks to contributors of Private Eye)

Hugh G'n Ockers
Miss Anne Thropy
Corriene Achunstriet
Ke Tu kifrietchikn
Chris Talpalas
Hatchem Vekween
Aas Oles

[JonCris]

Originally Posted by Renzokuken

What the staff are told is:

1: It's for TV licensing, when buying a TV.
2: It's so they can send you information about whateverhappens once your guarantee is up.
3: It's to give them lookup information so they can lookup your recept should you lose your old one or need it for some kind of insurance claim.

There is a data protection leaflet in each store stating in small print that they won't sell your information on ask to see this if your unsure. Also there is a no marketing button on the tills once you enter the details to prevent them sending you anything, including whateverhappens information. Which I instinctively tick even without being asked, and frequently get told off for.

Also, the tills won't allow a sale to be processed without giving the information, canceling the information simply returns the user to the previous screen for example:

Goods scanned > Total > Address information > Payment selection.

Pressing cancel on the address info returns us to total and doesn't allow us to take payment.

In the case of a TV yes it is required for licensing purposes. As for the rest
it may be what the staff are told but it's complete rollocks & they know it...............or are just plain dumb to understand they have been misled (lied to) by their equally stupid employer

[Renzokuken]

Originally Posted by JonCris

In the case of a TV yes it is required for licensing purposes. As for the rest
it may be what the staff are told but it's complete rollocks & they know it...............or are just plain dumb to understand they have been misled (lied to) by their equally stupid employer

I see, and you as a generic consumer with no attachment to the company or inside info are obviously more enlightened to this than me, a member of staff.

If we have been lied to, then consumers have been lied to, and the information and legal documentation in our stores is wrong and the company could be seriously prosecuted for it.

Do you really think DSGi are stupid enough to put a bunch of disclaimers out saying they won't sell your details on then do it anyway. Surely they'd just not bother with the disclaimers.

[buzby]

I see - so Domestc & General who wrote to me out of the blue to advise my guarantee was about to expire managed to know this because they are clairvoyant? I think not.

DSG outlets are well known for ensuring that customers details are used for marketing purposes both within the group, for statistical purposes, and for post-sale warranty 'opportunities'. The fact the tills won't process the sale without those details is easily overridden - and it happened today. It was displayed as CASH SALE. When customers refuse to provide their information (as is their right for non TVLRO sales) if DSG's tills supposedly block the sale, we can hold our breath for then next two major High Street failures....

Jonchris has every right to be suspicious, and having listened to sales staff spout total nonsence in many sales pitches (even being asked to consider paying £15 to extend the warranty on a £4.99 pair of headphones), nothing surprises me there.....

[Renzokuken]

Originally Posted by buzby

I see - so Domestc & General who wrote to me out of the blue to advise my guarantee was about to expire managed to know this because they are clairvoyant? I think not.

DSG outlets are well known for ensuring that customers details are used for marketing purposes both within the group, for statistical purposes, and for post-sale warranty 'opportunities'. The fact the tills won't process the sale without those details is easily overridden - and it happened today. It was displayed as CASH SALE. When customers refuse to provide their information (as is their right for non TVLRO sales) if DSG's tills supposedly block the sale, we can hold our breath for then next two major High Street failures....

Jonchris has every right to be suspicious, and having listened to sales staff spout total nonsence in many sales pitches (even being asked to consider paying £15 to extend the warranty on a £4.99 pair of headphones), nothing surprises me there.....

For starters, the company has never offered any additional insurance on headphones, so that is a blatant lie right there.

Secondly, the tills will not allow you to process sales which ask for address details without the name and address, reguardless. No if's or buts, we just can't do it, it doesn't let us.

And finaly, we are talking about selling information on, it's a well known fact that DSGi use your details within the group. They send you information on whateverhappens, once, when your guarantee is up, they find out what people in each reigon are buying. They also, allow you to find records of missing recepts, transaction history, and transaction details linked to your name, this has implications in everything from fraud prevention to insurance claims. If you don't want whatever happens information, then ask at the till and they'll check the no-marketing box.

Your complaining because they:
Use your details to match products to suit your area.
Send you 1 mail at the end of the year telling you your warantee is up and offering you a replacement.
Give you access to your reciepts even if you've lost them.
Allow you to return goods using those reciepts.
Allow you to know everything bought under your name in the company

To be honest, when one of you comes into the shop, and returns something with a missing recept, I'm seriously going to laugh my ass off, when you can't remember the false name you used.

[postggj]

can you explain this saga with domestic and general

i got my last lap top from dixons
refused the usual hard sell on extended warrinty
12 months later , domestic and general sent me a letter trying to get me to extend the warrinty

what alliance have dixons and domestic got togeather
its obviouse they passed on my details
with out my consent

realy would like you to answer that question

totally impartial, just like answers

[buzby]

All these 'blatant lies' you talk about... since you were not part of the conversation you are not it a position to judge either way - but I can assure you I was offered an extended warranty at the point of sale. The item had an rrp of £14.99, but was actually being disposed as an end of line at £4.97. And I AM aware of the coding DSG use with their 97/98/99 price points too.

But you ignored the REAL question, the D&G mail shot wasn't sent by DSG, but from D&G directly, and postggj clearly received the identical mailing. So it wasn't clairvoyance was it? The information was used within the group and no doubt 'OTHER SPECIALLY SELECTED' companies - however I wasn't given the opportunity to opt out at the point of sale.

Finally, you can laugh like a drain should I return to the till with a faulty product - but I'd not be so stupid as lose my receipt. Put it another way, would I actually trust DSG to retain my receipt for such an eventuality? Too right I wouldn't.

Of your list of 'benefits' for requesting the consumers identity, none of them seem particularly compelling. Why I would want to know an aggregated list of things I bought over the year (years?) wouldn't interest me, but I imagine the police may welcome such a database if the want to check out unusual spending patterns in case of a possible money laundering enquiry.

How long will it be before DSG demand purchasers show them a Government ID card to buy anything? From your description, that day won't be far away...

	Are you letting your bank keep your money Are you giving away thousands of pounds?? Many people aren't claiming all of the money they are entitled to when they make their bank charges claims. You have been forced to pay unfair bank charges. Have you forgotten that your bank has charged you inteest on those charges? If you are overdrawn and the bank owes you charges - then your overdraft is made up of charges - money which you bank owes you. Yet you are paying interest to the bank - on your own money!!! Follow this link to see the discussions on this. You might even double th size of your claim.

[caledfwlch]

Regarding buying a TV. Has the law actually been changed that we could be prosecuted for giving a high street shop false details when buying that TV? Or are all the obligations on them to ask and get details, no business or worry of them they are correct?

What will they try next... Insisting you give full details when buying condoms to send to local sex health clinics?

[banker_rhymes_with]

Remember folks, sitting just one small step behind all of this blatant Data Harvesting lies the Debt Industry.

The Debt Industry wants this Data, and uses the Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) to get it. The CRAs will either pay the Retailers directly, or they'll use so called Marketing Companies as more palatable agents to gather it for them.

I also think the CRAs go out of their way to harvest Data via more direct means, such as via the annoying Price Comparison Web Sites that seem to be in my face when ever I try to watch a non-BBC TV Channel. Some commercial TV Channels are almost unwatchable these days, with 5 mins of Adverts every 10 mins or so.

A full in-depth investigation into these Price Comparison Web Sites may well reveal a long and twisting trail that leads straight back to you know who.

After all, what better way to Harvest people's Data than to get them to enter lots of details via Price Comparison Web Sites that Sell nothing.

Many of the Car Insurance Price Comparison Web Sites are deeply suspect, as the amount of Data they ask for reads like a CRA's wet dream.

It's time people were made more aware of what is really going on.

My advice is to always question what people ask you for. Always read the small print. If completing anything in writing, then add a note to say your Data must not be Sold to any other group under any circumstances.

One way to keep track of both on-line and written submissions is to add some minor detail that will tell you if they do sell the details on, such as adding variable middle initials to your name:

John J Smith (for something you Sign in January)
John F Smith (for something you Sign in February)
John M Smith (for something you Sign in March)
John A Smith (for something you Sign in April)
John M Y Smith (for something you Sign in May)
John J E Smith (for something you Sign in June)
John J Y Smith (for something you Sign in July)
John A T Smith (for something you Sign in August)
John S Smith (for something you Sign in September)
John O Smith (for something you Sign in October)
John N Smith (for something you Sign in November)
John D Smith (for something you Sign in December)

There are many other ideas like this, but you may get the picture.

If you have to complete any forms, then adding some extra characters can tell you who was responsible for Selling your Data.

This could make an interesting project for an investigative journalist. For example, spend 6-12 Months giving out very structured details to every Price Comparison Web Site, Insurer and major Retailer they can find, and then see just what pops up in Weekly Credit Reports. If they used, say, 10 valid names and addresses, and had a structured plan to edit the details very carefully so that they can track what details went where, it could yield some interesting results.

Bung that lot into a Database, and get that to plot out all the Data Harvesting routes that lead back to the CRAs. I would think it could be very enlightening and very sobering.

Happy New Year to all Caggers by the way!

Cheers,
BRW

	Credit Report Click link to open in new window.

	Car Insurance

[buzby]

I've been doing this since 1972, but rather than using a letter change for each month, I reserve letters for function (V for the Voter's Roll, for example) and it is most illuminating to see what turns up. I also randomise my date of birth when O V E R 2 1 doesn't work in the 6-digit box!

As for the earlier comment about the TVLRO obligation for the info provided to be 'truthful', there is none, and it only applies to the purchaser. I usually provide an address in Eire, where they don't even have postcodes (yet)

[banker_rhymes_with]

Hello Buzby!

I usually provide an address in Eire, where they don't even have postcodes (yet)

Brace yourself for an almost entirely useless piece of bumf, but I think they have started to use Postcodes in Dublin!

Only fell across that fact when we had to ship some goods to Eire and found they didn't use Postcodes almost everywhere in Eire, then found they were starting to use them in Dublin...apparently!

Probably more than you wanted to know!

Cheers,
BRW

[buzby]

I knew I should have been clearer! Dublin is the only town to use postal districts (numbered from 1 to 25) the even numbers are south of the River Liffey, the odd numbers to the north. They are not true postcodes as everybody in the same postal district has the same number (1,4, 8 etc). An Post IS planning to introduce postcoding on a national scale, but only to facilitate bulk mailing. Tenders for the design and implementation of a new system are pending - but I think I'll be safe until 2020 at the earliest!

[JonCris]

Originally Posted by Renzokuken

I see, and you as a generic consumer with no attachment to the company or inside info are obviously more enlightened to this than me, a member of staff.

If we have been lied to, then consumers have been lied to, and the information and legal documentation in our stores is wrong and the company could be seriously prosecuted for it.

Do you really think DSGi are stupid enough to put a bunch of disclaimers out saying they won't sell your details on then do it anyway. Surely they'd just not bother with the disclaimers.

1st there's nothing to stop them giving them away & yes these retailers do lie repeatedly they DO NOT require even by law the name & address of a buyer no matter what is claimed........... unless it's for a TV.

They continually try & sell warranties that are not only over priced but are sold on the falsehood that if the product breaks down after 12 months it won't be repaired .......... unless the customer buys an extended warranty.

This is more crap perpetrated both by the company & their staff. If a product expected to last of few years breaks down just after 12 months then it would be considered unfit for purpose & the dealer would have to replace it allowing for wear & tear.

Also Curry's et'al have been the subject of investigation by the OFT for selling warranty's resulting in them giving an undertaking to stop misleading consumers................ .... apparently it seems the staff have'nt been told

[Renzokuken]

Originally Posted by JonCris

1st there's nothing to stop them giving them away & yes these retailers do lie repeatedly they DO NOT require even by law the name & address of a buyer no matter what is claimed........... unless it's for a TV.

They continually try & sell warranties that are not only over priced but are sold on the falsehood that if the product breaks down after 12 months it won't be repaired .......... unless the customer buys an extended warranty.

This is more crap perpetrated both by the company & their staff. If a product expected to last of few years breaks down just after 12 months then it would be considered unfit for purpose & the dealer would have to replace it allowing for wear & tear.

Also Curry's et'al have been the subject of investigation by the OFT for selling warranty's resulting in them giving an undertaking to stop misleading consumers................ .... apparently it seems the staff have'nt been told

I'm no fan of whateverhappens warantees, infact they are the bane of my existance, as I'm expected to have 24% of my customers buy one. But I won't have you saying me and my colleages sell these warantees under false pretenses!

The guarantee states:
If your product breaks down in any way within the contract period we will fix it within 21 days or replace it. This goes above and beyond what your statuatory rights offer you because it covers you for any eventuality, natural disasters, accidental damage, misuse, anything. If it can't be repaired then you get a like for like, or like for better replacement at no additional charge, unlike your house insurance which may charge you an excess and up your premiums.

Irrelivant of price, and your statuatory rights, none of that is a lie, therefor we are not "misleading consumers". Failing to inform consumers of their statuatory rights is contrary to popular opinion, not a crime. I'm sure that if everytime you bought something we read out your statuatory rights you'd get sick of hearing it and start complaining about that too.

The problem is, that the great british public love to have a villan, and salesmen happen to be the perfect target. It started with dodgey second hand car salesmen and eventualy we all got stuck with it. 99% of us are not out to scam customers, we ask about the guarantees because it's our job, not because we enjoy it. I think it's about time the great british public lost this superiority attitude, and stopped being soar about the "customer is always right" shop asistants no longer existing. If you have an issue with the company, giving you junk mail, or selling you warantees, take it up with our managing director, the guy actualy to blame, and don't victimise the staff.

I have said this before, but we are paid minimum wage, we are fully expendable, and have next to no say in how the buisness is ran. If your getting junk mail, thats because some SOB at head office decided it was a good idea to lie to everyone, I'm not happy about it, but I also can't change it, and shouting at me because I have no choice but to take your details is not helping the situation.

What I'm trying to say, is if you don't like it, put some pressure on upper management to stop it, instead of crying to each other about it on a internet forum.

[banker_rhymes_with]

All being well, one benefit of this Recession will be the resurgence of small corner shops run by a nice old bloke who knows his onions, that is filled to the brim with things you want to buy.

Likewise, all being well, another benefit of this Recession will be the closure of vacuous barn like Retail outlets, staffed by house trained hoodies, full of 80% stale air and 20% plastic widgets you don't really want that non-stop adverts have brainwashed you into thinking you need.

Then we'll see the demise of that sector of the Debt Industry that sells useless add-on Warranties we don't need either, for the things we never really wanted to buy in the first place.

Fleets of SuperCargo Container Ships will then stop sailing to/from China, filled with Plastic Landfill Goods that operate for exactly 1 Month past Warranty (extended or otherwise).

Cheers,
BRW

[breeze1996]

Hey don't raise my hopes.. it may be warm there.


House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

[JonCris]

Originally Posted by Renzokuken

I'm no fan of whateverhappens warantees, infact they are the bane of my existance, as I'm expected to have 24% of my customers buy one. But I won't have you saying me and my colleages sell these warantees under false pretenses!

The guarantee states:
If your product breaks down in any way within the contract period we will fix it within 21 days or replace it. This goes above and beyond what your statuatory rights offer you because it covers you for any eventuality, natural disasters, accidental damage, misuse, anything. If it can't be repaired then you get a like for like, or like for better replacement at no additional charge, unlike your house insurance which may charge you an excess and up your premiums.

Irrelivant of price, and your statuatory rights, none of that is a lie, therefor we are not "misleading consumers". Failing to inform consumers of their statuatory rights is contrary to popular opinion, not a crime. I'm sure that if everytime you bought something we read out your statuatory rights you'd get sick of hearing it and start complaining about that too.

The problem is, that the great british public love to have a villan, and salesmen happen to be the perfect target. It started with dodgey second hand car salesmen and eventualy we all got stuck with it. 99% of us are not out to scam customers, we ask about the guarantees because it's our job, not because we enjoy it. I think it's about time the great british public lost this superiority attitude, and stopped being soar about the "customer is always right" shop asistants no longer existing. If you have an issue with the company, giving you junk mail, or selling you warantees, take it up with our managing director, the guy actualy to blame, and don't victimise the staff.

I have said this before, but we are paid minimum wage, we are fully expendable, and have next to no say in how the buisness is ran. If your getting junk mail, thats because some SOB at head office decided it was a good idea to lie to everyone, I'm not happy about it, but I also can't change it, and shouting at me because I have no choice but to take your details is not helping the situation.

What I'm trying to say, is if you don't like it, put some pressure on upper management to stop it, instead of crying to each other about it on a internet forum.

You ARE selling these warranties under false pretenses & for you to understand do a bit of research.......... The Sale of Goods Act would be a good start.

The warranties you sell offer less protection than that which is provided by a buyers ordinary statutory rights & are therefore completely unnecessary & a complete waste of money ......... in other words a rip off & yes there are those who know who do refuse but there are many trusting consumers who believe what they are told by the staff & sign up ......... So now that you know or will know if you follow advice & do some research will you stop flogging them whilst misleading consumers

[Renzokuken]

Originally Posted by JonCris

You ARE selling these warranties under false pretenses & for you to understand do a bit of research.......... The Sale of Goods Act would be a good start.

The warranties you sell offer less protection than that which is provided by a buyers ordinary statutory rights & are therefore completely unnecessary & a complete waste of money ......... in other words a rip off & yes there are those who know who do refuse but there are many trusting consumers who believe what they are told by the staff & sign up ......... So now that you know or will know if you follow advice & do some research will you stop flogging them whilst misleading consumers

Yes.. I'll stop flogging them, on the condition you pay me a wage so I can eat and stay warm once they sack me

On a more serious note, how exactly do your statuatory rights protect you against accidental damage, or natural disasters or infact anything not caused by the manufactorer or store? Are you going to say your TV wasn't built with sufficant durability in mind because it couldn't survive a tumble down a set of stairs, I don't think so.

Anyway back to the topic at hand, I got a copy of the new data protection slip from the store today and I must say, they've changed it for the worse since I was trained on it. :/

Here's what it says word for word:

---------------

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Data Protection
If we take your name, address and other details, they will be held on a computer to process your purchase, provide after sales service and to maintain guarantee records.

We would like to send you details of product service agreements or insurances, other products and services, and information which we believe will be of interest to you from currys and other companies within the DSGi group of which currys is a part. We would also like to pass your details to other organisations approved by us which can offer products and services likely to be of interest to you. You may be contacted by post, e-mail, telephone, SMS or other such means as we regard as appropriate including new technology.

If you do not wish to recieve information about other products and services please inform the cashier when you are asked for your details.

BUISNESS NAMES ACT 1985
This buisness is operated by DSG Retail Limited.
Registered in England Number 504877.
Registered office Maylands Avenue,
Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7TG.

---------------

Needless to say I retract my statement about them not selling your details as this was based on an older version of this document, and will continue to check "no marketing" on the customers behalf.

	Are you letting your bank keep your money Are you giving away thousands of pounds?? Many people aren't claiming all of the money they are entitled to when they make their bank charges claims. You have been forced to pay unfair bank charges. Have you forgotten that your bank has charged you inteest on those charges? If you are overdrawn and the bank owes you charges - then your overdraft is made up of charges - money which you bank owes you. Yet you are paying interest to the bank - on your own money!!! Follow this link to see the discussions on this. You might even double th size of your claim.