Posted on 08/26/2012 3:34:53 PM PDT by ConservativeInPA
I decided to do some local sporting goods shopping this afternoon before I headed to the gun club. I went to Bass Pro to look for a sling and rifle case for the AR-15A3 that I built Saturday evening. I found the rifle case that I wanted, but no luck finding a sling. As I checked out at Bass Pro, the cashier asked me for my phone number. I firmly said, "No thank you." The cashier typed in a bogus phone number and then asked if wanted to give $2.00 to some charity. Again, a firm, "No thank you." Lastly I was asked if I had a rewards card, "No". Followed by, "Do you want one?" Again, I firmly replied, "No thank you".
I go to Bass Pro a couple times a month. I know the drill. I don't like the questions. I am not going give the cashier a hard time, it's not her fault. But I am not going to appear to be happy, because I want them to know my shopping experience was less than perfect.
Since I didn't find the sling at Bass Pro I went to Dick's Sporting Goods as it was almost on the way to the range. Dick's had an adequate sling with price. It wasn't worth burning time and gas to look elsewhere or to pay extra for shipping for a purchase on the Internet.
So after waiting entirely too long to check out, the cashier asked me for my birthdate. I said, "No". There wasn't a thank you associated with my reply. She said, "You purchase is age restricted." I replied, "I am old enough to be your father." The cashier insisted by saying, "If you don't provide a birthdate, I can not approve your purchase." I retorted, allowing others in line to hear my dismay, "It's a gun sling, there's no law that requires me to provide you with my age." She was stunned that I stood up to protect my privacy and didn't say a thing. I then provided a false birthdate, "4-1-1912" and said "Dick's just lost a customer." My purchase was approved, and some other customers that were swift enough to figure out I wasn't 100 years old and born on April Fools Day had a bit of a laugh. The cashier was completely astonished. Note: I noticed a month or so ago that Dick's started recording birthdates for ammo purchases. There's a law associated with that, but it does not required Dick's to enter your birthday into their computers. I wasn't happy with that and I don't like the law either. I think my children of driving age should be able to buy ammo and go shooting when they want without dad tagging along. They know what they are doing. They have been around guns their entire lives, and are safer than many people on the range.
I’ve had my @ss in a sling several times but no one wanted to know my birthday.
The problem is at our local food market (not a national chain) without the swipe card you don’t get the discounts.
And without the discounts, the alternatives are the mobs at WalMart or the unions of Kroger.
Mine does not. I bought right at 600 rounds of various ammo at a semi local Wal Mart today and never showed any ID; I did write a check though so it's a moot point I suppose. They know who I am.
...a disconnected number from work, or
...weather central (local weather forecast)
...or dial-a-prayer (every locale has at least just one!)
I got to checking around and found dial-a-sermon.
Other possibilities: the local police force. Or the store's own central office. The possibilities are endliess!
No, definitely not.
Woot! Woot!
Dig the inscription...
I refused to give my liscense at target, and they wouldn’t accept my military ID either!
I don’t but alcohol at Target anymore.
I am old enough to purchase anything that you can sell me. I resent having to show ID. Where the hell did common sense go???
Here in Pennsy the gov’t has “mystery shoppers” trying to buy tobacco & spirits. I don’t know about firearms & the like.
Anyway, if the cashier fails to ask, they get a yellow card. Second offense gets them a red card and fired.
So cut the cashier a break, willya?
Direct your anger at the unelected bureaucrats who have run Harrisburg into the poorhouse.
Oh, so YOU”RE the guy.
I had the same thing happen to me at regional grocery store chain that has jumped through all kinds of hoops to be allow to sell wine and beer. (from PA here ... ass-backwards alcohol laws and business regulations.). At one time they had a wine vending machine ... A huge thing, had cameras, breathalyzer and a Liquior Control Board employee on the other side of the camera. Hardly anyone bought from the thing. It is gone now. Now the same store has a separate beer section and they scan driver licenses at checkout. The first time I tried to buy beer there and was asked for my drivers license, I said, "No". They didn't relent, so I left the beer on the counter and walked out. I have continued to buy my beer from businesses thar don't card me. I am in my late 40's and look every minute of it. It was the grocery store's policy, not state law.
Academy sporting goods stores ask for a zip code on every purchase. I always tell them 90210, as in Beverly Hills 90210.
It wasn’t that long ago that you could honestly say, “I don’t have a telephone.”
Whenever I am paying cash and asked for zip code, I use 96919 which is Guam. Let the marketers figure that out.
For my phone number, I used to use local police dept number.
I lived near Erie in the late 70’s... I still hate the State Stores.
Recently though, I was asked if I was old enough to buy something (booze) and I told the charming cashier, “My underwear is old enough to drink, wanna see?” They haven’t asked me since.
Dick’s (we have one in Albuquerque) is a clothing store that carries some low end guns. Nothing about the place impressed me.
Bass Pro shops (none in NM) does get my business over the internet, I ordered 10 flats of 12 gauge target ammo this week ($4.76/box free shipping). Funny, they didn’t verify my age for that transaction.
I guess I’m not any more paranoid then the rest of you... I would NEVER buy Alcohol tobacco or firearms with anything other than cash...
“I hate “rewards cards” and “club cards” and try to shop at stores that don’t use them.”
I ask if I get a discount if I sign up for their card.
When they respond NO, I say well no thanks then.
There are no laws in PA that require the entering of my birthdate into Dick's computers, especially when purchasing a gun sling. I exercised my freedom of speech without being angry at the cashier. I stuck up for my privacy. I communicated my disdain for Dick's policy.
The young, clueless cashier appeared to be the type of person that always turns to government for solutions. She was astonished that I just didn't go along with her request. She got to see someone that had every right to complain. I didn't call her names. I didn't degrade her.
By your response to my post you seem like the type a person that wouldn't stand up for your privacy rights. You may complain to the government and be angry, but the front line is where business create well intentioned but piss poor policies. I am not going to ask my state rep and senator to create some law to fix this problem. I fixed it. Dick's lost a customer. They know the reason, and perhaps the young, mindful of mush cashier has something to think about. At minimum, if she was so traumatized by her encounter with me, she should complain to her manager. The manager might even agree that it is a stupid policy created by "corporate" and it is driving business away.
Want!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.