How many times do I have to say NO before you just ring up my stuff and let me leave?

Written by Dan Zuccarelli

Tuesday, 29 August 2006 17:02

Why is it so goddamn difficult to pay and leave a store sometimes? Over at Best Buy during my lunch break to buy Arrested Development Season 3, I knew checking out that I'd be asked to sign up for a bunch of crap, as well as divulge my phone number. People who don't shop at Best Buy usually look at me in disbelief when they see it in action. I'm as cold as ice about it, since the hard sell of warranties, magazine subscriptions, reward cards, and acquired phone numbers is old hat to me. "Not Interested. No. No. I don't give it out." In my mind I'm begging for it to end, this exercise in futility. It's like an extra price I pay every time I go into the store. On principle alone I'll never say yes to any of those things, ESPECIALLY the phone number. Does this ever work? It seems like it would piss off more people than it endears. But then I see someone buy a replacement warranty on a gameboy game and it hits me, some people really are that stupid.

Ben Kuchera from Opposable Thumbs has the right idea, focusing in not only on Best Buy but GameStop as well. From the rant:

At Gamestop it's even more ridiculous. At my last visit I didn't want to pre-order anything, I didn't want to sign up for the Madden tournament, I didn't want to subscribe to their magazines, I didn't want to look through the prerelease binder while I waited just in case I changed my mind about the pre-order thing, I didn't want the used copy, and I didn't want to hear the pitch about how the card and the used copy worked together to save me even more money.

Check out his full editorial here.

I think I'd stop going to Best Buy but it's close to my job and their prices are worth the hassle, for now. That probably makes me a hypocrite, or maybe just confused. Either way it's just too damn convienent to stop. Plus I HATE Circuit City.

Comments (7) Add Comment

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written by Kat, August 30, 2006

I always say: Do what one customer did to my co-worker: tell them your phone number is (your area code) 867-5309. My co-worker didn't even realize it until I pointed it out to her!

Benefit of Best Buy: They're not on commission, so the pressure isn't as high as Circuit City's.

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written by aechris, August 30, 2006

^^^ that is genious. So simple but I have never given it much thought other than "no".

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written by jimmycanuck, August 30, 2006

Gah!! Arrested Development S3 hit shelves and I forgot all about it!! I should have my cool kid card revoked! smilies/sad.gif

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written by Joe, August 30, 2006

I've come up with the best way to avoid frustration in this situation: While approaching the registers, I try to pick out the best looking cashier and go to her register. Then, when she says "Phone number?" I say--more or less tongue-in-cheek--the only way I will give her my number is if she gives me hers.

Does that ever work? Of course not. But it's usually good for garnering a kind-hearted smile. And let's be honest, leaving Best Buy with a smile from a pretty cashier is a lot better than elevated blood pressure.

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written by Me, September 01, 2006

I thought I was the only one who got angry at all those questions. One time I was at a gas station, and the clerk had to ask me if I wanted to donated to blah blah blah. No! Then the clerk asked me if I wanted to donate to 2nd blah blah. No! Then she asked me if I wanted to donate to 3rd charity. I didn't go back for months.

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written by Harpua Scorpio, September 01, 2006

I would like to commend Best Buy for always asking for my ID to accompany my credit card and for pointing out when a game is rated M. Other than that the questions can go to hell. Especially since it's been the same "Your purchase today qualifies you for 8 free issues of Entertainment Weekly, Sport Illustrated or Time. Would you like to..." "No thanks."

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