Screwfix (The Shop) and my details.

[sortingitout]

I went to screwfix today (first time) to get some bits and bobs, filled in the Argos style product code slip and went to the counter.

 

Once there, the assistant took the slip, then asked for my full name, postcode and house number, i asked what they would be needing them for and she replied that they need to make a customer account and if i don't give my address and name she wont be able to take my order.

 

Stupidly i gave my real address (i hate company's sending me post + they always seem to sell my details on, as i will receive, no doubt, catalogs, flyer's, special offers etc from every DIY store in the UK now)

 

The other thing that me, after i had put my pin in, she asked to see the card, i was dubious, but i handed it over, she proceeded to read off it and type it in the computer, i asked what on earth she was doing writing down my card details, reply was to finish off my customer account by adding the last few digits of my card number.

 

I know this may seem extremely pedantic to most, but it royally annoyed me.

 

Can I write to them and ask them to delete my address and any other details, under the Data Protection Act or other?

 

Thanks

[Movingon]

Yes. They don't need your details to sell you things - especially if you pay in cash. DPA the suckers and tell them to delete the lot.

[Spiceskull]

I had a similar thing in PC World...I was buying a box of CDs and the woman wanted all of my details...I asked what for, and she told me it was because if I was a business then I would get a VAT receipt...I told her that it was none of her business and that I wouldn't give her my details...she said "sorry, no sale" so I went to Maplin instead...

 

What is it with these companies...they want your money, then they want you to spend a further five minutes of your own time, unpaid, populating their marketing databases...jeez...as if I don't have enough to do in the daytime...

[sortingitout]

Is there a relevant section in the DPA, i can refer to, to draft a letter up

[Movingon]

Data Protection Act 1998, Schedule I Part I - The Principles of Data Protection:

 

SCHEDULE 1

THE DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

PART I THE PRINCIPLES

1. Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless-

• (a) at least one of the conditions in Schedule 2 is met, and

• (b) in the case of sensitive personal data, at least one of the conditions in Schedule 3 is also met.

2. Personal data shall be obtained only for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes.

3. Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.

4. Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.

5. Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.

6. Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.

7. Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

8. Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

 

CONDITIONS RELEVANT FOR PURPOSES OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLE: PROCESSING OF ANY PERSONAL DATA

 

1. The data subject has given his consent to the processing.

 

2. The processing is necessary-

• (a) for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, or

• (b) for the taking of steps at the request of the data subject with a view to entering into a contract.

3. The processing is necessary for compliance with any legal obligation to which the data controller is subject, other than an obligation imposed by contract.

4. The processing is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject.

5. The processing is necessary-

• (a) for the administration of justice,

• (b) for the exercise of any functions conferred on any person by or under any enactment,

• © for the exercise of any functions of the Crown, a Minister of the Crown or a government department, or

• (d) for the exercise of any other functions of a public nature exercised in the public interest by any person.

6. - (1) The processing is necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by the data controller or by the third party or parties to whom the data are disclosed, except where the processing is unwarranted in any particular case by reason of prejudice to the rights and freedoms or legitimate interests of the data subject.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order specify particular circumstances in which this condition is, or is not, to be taken to be satisfied.

 

a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a.

[Movingon]

So -

 

1. Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless-

 

1. The data subject has given his consent to the processing, or

2. The processing is necessary

 

Neither of these conditions, nor the remaining conditions shown, are true...

 

a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a.

[sortingitout]

Great stuff, thanks for your time StoneLaughter:)

[demon_x_slash]

Something similar has bugged me for a while. When giving a refund on a faulty item/unwanted gift, many shops now ask for your postcode and enter it in during the refund process. Their reason is that it's to deter fraudulent refunds. Are they allowed to do this? Are they also allowed to make it a condition of the refund, if it's an unwanted gift and not faulty? HMV have been doing it for years now, and I noticed Maplins started it about six months ago. There may be more.

[ukaviator]

A lot of companies collect the information to sell on to other companies. They get around £2.50 per name and address. Besides their own junk mail, you get other companies calling and sending out stuff to you as well.

I rarely give out my information unless i really have to. With chip and pin they really don't need to check your card security at the back these days.

[Movingon]

Something similar has bugged me for a while. When giving a refund on a faulty item/unwanted gift, many shops now ask for your postcode and enter it in during the refund process. Their reason is that it's to deter fraudulent refunds. Are they allowed to do this? Are they also allowed to make it a condition of the refund, if it's an unwanted gift and not faulty? HMV have been doing it for years now, and I noticed Maplins started it about six months ago. There may be more.

 

They may not make it a condition of a refund because there is no provision for this in the Sale of Goods Act. In fact, I believe that refunds under the SOGA are to be *unconditional* once it is agreed that you are entitled to one.

 

If they ask, just tell them that you're "no fixed abode".

[rosiecotton]

This is of course assuming the goods are faulty.

[Movingon]

..

[demon_x_slash]

Are they also allowed to make it a condition of the refund, if it's an unwanted gift and not faulty?

 

Hate to quote mesel'... I just find it intrusive and, and well, just downright nosy.

[Movingon]

This is of course assuming the goods are faulty.

 

I believe that refunds under the SOGA are to be *unconditional* once it is agreed that you are entitled to one.

 

Was that not what I said?

[Movingon]

Unwanted gift... not faulty

 

In THIS case, the company can attach whatever conditions they like as they are not legally required to refund at all...

[rosiecotton]

Sorry was just clarifying, not trying to be difficult!

[Guest Gertie100]

Along the same lines...I thought chip and pin was meant to remove the need for anyone else to touch your card, therefore stopping fraud. So why have so many shops kept the swipe function and then ask you to input your pin? (ie Tescos, and I know we all hate them!!!!)

[tim2718281]

Something similar has bugged me for a while. When giving a refund on a faulty item/unwanted gift, many shops now ask for your postcode and enter it in during the refund process. Their reason is that it's to deter fraudulent refunds. Are they allowed to do this?

 

Note that not every UK address has a postcode.

 

(Amazing, isn't it? I worked with a chap who told me his address has no postcode. He asked the Post Office why not, and they told him they only assign postcodes to addresses if it would help them deliver mail. He asked what he should do when asked for a postcode, and they said if they were him, they would put the postcode of the post office.)

 

Tim

[barracad]

Note that not every UK address has a postcode.

 

(Amazing, isn't it? I worked with a chap who told me his address has no postcode. He asked the Post Office why not, and they told him they only assign postcodes to addresses if it would help them deliver mail. He asked what he should do when asked for a postcode, and they said if they were him, they would put the postcode of the post office.)

 

Tim

 

Whoever he spoke to in the "Post Office" was either braindead or telling porkies. Every address in the UK has a postcode.

[tim2718281]

Every address in the UK has a postcode.

 

What makes you think that?

 

Tim

[blitz]

Regarding the postcode for refunds. We are meant to ask every person for a refund, yet if you were to ask 99% of people why they would have no idea.

Just refuse to give it, and if they try to stop the refund just mention the DPA and that its not relevent.

If everyone goes wrong then make up (make sure it is made up and is invalid), a postcode, as half the systems just record and do not check the address. (Only do this when it really isn't relavent)

[barracad]

What makes you think that?

 

Because it's fact.

 

Every house and business in the UK has a postcode.

[purple**princess]

I used to work at Comet Service Centre, I would presume the reason they assk you for your details, is to record it on the system should your item become faulty. If you give your details and later need your purchase servicing or exchanging and you lose your receipt it's much easier to provide your postcode than to rummage around for old receipts! Although I'm pretty certain it was only for certain purchases e.g. you wouldn't be asked for your details if all you bought was a ream of paper. Maybe other stores should take Comet's example!

[satin]

Along the same lines...I thought chip and pin was meant to remove the need for anyone else to touch your card, therefore stopping fraud. So why have so many shops kept the swipe function and then ask you to input your pin? (ie Tescos, and I know we all hate them!!!!)

 

It's incase the card's chip does not work and not all card have a chip and pin function.

[Guest Gertie100]

How do all the other shops cope then?