Outragous - Dicks Sporting Goods

[mojo84]

Then why was it the credit card terminal that asked the question?

Credit card terminals are just an extension of the Point of Purchase (POP) machine (cash register for us old folks).
Its a computer, programmed by Dicks.

Just like at Academy where it asks for Zip Code, I always hit cancel. Yet I still process my credit card through it.
Its not the CC company asking for my Zip, its Academy trying to get information about their clients.

No it's not. Ignorance of something doesn't make it so. I'm old also but at least I try to understand.

Academy uses that info to determine where to build future stores. It could actually benefit you if you have to drive a while to get to the Academy. Nothing nefarious going on with this info.

I didnt say Academy is doing anything nefarious.Just that they are using the CREDIT CARD TERMINAL for their own information.
Just answering your comment above about why is the credit card terminal asking the question.
If you agree that ACADEMY is using the CC terminal for their INTERNAL use, how can you even say DICKS did not use the CC Terminal for their own use, and it must be the CC Company?
You dont need to agree, but after many years in retail, I understand the systems pretty darn well.

I question the bolded statement. The clerk asks the zip code question at Academy, not the credit card terminal. The POS terminal/register is a completely different system than the credit card terminal. They are operated by two different companies even though they are connected to one another.

When Academy first started asking the question years ago, they had an agreement with the credit card processor to obtain that information to help them decide where to build future stores. They stopped doing that way some time ago and just had the clerk ask and put it in the register at the time the transaction was rung up.

I had similar concerns years ago but I approached it differently than the OP. I finished my transaction and then asked for a manager. I asked him why they requested the info. He explanined it to me.

Even though some are conflating 2 different issues, do you put in your zip code when you purchase gas at a self pay gas pump when you use a credit card or do you go in and berate the clerk?

[cyphertext]

cyphertext,

The OP cleared that up.

He said he wasn't rude, but forceful.

There's a difference.

I think the vast majority of us on this forum aren't Casper Milquetoast's either. We aren't the meek.
We aren't not rude either.

There's a difference.

Standing up for yourself is too much for some, I get it...



Some of us simply won't tolerate being mistreated in any manner, shape or form. We won't simply over, but if you find doing so best suits you, ok...

No, he didn't clear that up... he was purposefully loud and made a scene. I can be forceful in a discussion without the need to involve everyone else in the store. He wanted to "educate" everyone...

I quote from the OP... " I guess it was then that I started speaking in a rather loud drill instructor type voice because I notice everyone at all of the other checkout counters stopped what they were doing to see what the ruckus was about. I told the young sales clerk that he was insane, misinformed or stupid and that there was no such law, I went on to ask him where the heck he thought he was – California?"

So, after he noticed that everyone was looking, he went on to belittle the clerk. That's not rude? He could of simply spoke with the manager and when the manager could not bypass the question, thank them and leave. But no, he became loud, and forceful to "educate"...

[Teamless]

The clerk asks the zip code question, not the credit card terminal.

Simply put. WRONG
Any Academy I have gone to in the Houston, Webster, Pasadena areas. you are asked to enter the zip code ON THE CC Terminal.
I ALWAY hit "cancel" and NEVER put it in. -Why? Because I dont give my phone, email or zip UNLESS it is necessary to complete the transaction.

[mojo84]

The clerk asks the zip code question, not the credit card terminal.

Simply put. WRONG
Any Academy I have gone to in the Houston, Webster, Pasadena areas. you are asked to enter the zip code ON THE CC Terminal.
I ALWAY hit "cancel" and NEVER put it in. -Why? Because I dont give my phone, email or zip UNLESS it is necessary to complete the transaction.

I bought a basket full of goodsabout a week ago and the clerk asked me. I told him and he put entered it. Either way, the info does no harm. They already know more about you from you using a credit card than you realize.

So you do not use a credit card at a self-pay gas pump?

Is any of this justification for berating a clerk in front over other people in the store?

[Abraham]

"My loyalties lie with reasonableness."

Hhmmmm, not terribly Winston Churchillian old boy. More meek and mild.

What you may consider reasonable, others may not.

Fortunately for the rest of us, you don't get to decide what's considered reasonable for all...

As for the constant drum beat regarding the so-called yelling at the retailer is just another opinion - of yours.

The OP said he was forceful, not rude and much like I pointed out earlier, being forceful doesn't necessarily equate to being rude, but you choose to think it so. Your opinion.

I'm sure most here aren't the male equivalent of "Stepford Wives" who are so docile they wouldn't complain if their mouths were full of manure...

[Abraham]

"Either way, the info does no harm. They already know more about you from you using a credit card than you realize."

Therefore, resistance is futile eh?

So whatever is asked you should answer as it's only 'reasonable' do so...

In a pigs eye...

[mojo84]

"Either way, the info does no harm. They already know more about you from you using a credit card than you realize."

Therefore, resistance is futile eh?

So whatever is asked you should answer as it's only 'reasonable' do so...

In a pigs eye...

That's absurd and ridiculous.

[mojo84]

"My loyalties lie with reasonableness."

Hhmmmm, not terribly Winston Churchillian old boy. More meek and mild.

What you may consider reasonable, others may not.

Fortunately for the rest of us, you don't get to decide what's considered reasonable for all...

As for the constant drum beat regarding the so-called yelling at the retailer is just another opinion - of yours.

The OP said he was forceful, not rude and much like I pointed out earlier, being forceful doesn't necessarily equate to being rude, but you choose to think it so. Your opinion.

I'm sure most here aren't the male equivalent of "Stepford Wives" who are so docile they wouldn't complain if their mouths were full of manure...

Reread the original post. It's obvious the OP decided to backtrack on what he posted once he was challenged on it. Not sure from where you are from but the OP outlined how he insulted the clerk. That is being rude.

[cyphertext]

As for the constant drum beat regarding the so-called yelling at the retailer is just another opinion - of yours.

The OP said he was forceful, not rude and much like I pointed out earlier, being forceful doesn't necessarily equate to being rude, but you choose to think it so. Your opinion.

Abraham, you are insane, misinformed, or stupid if you think the OP was not rude!

Now, was that rude?

[mojo84]

"My loyalties lie with reasonableness."

Hhmmmm, not terribly Winston Churchillian old boy. More meek and mild.

What you may consider reasonable, others may not.

Fortunately for the rest of us, you don't get to decide what's considered reasonable for all...

As for the constant drum beat regarding the so-called yelling at the retailer is just another opinion - of yours.

The OP said he was forceful, not rude and much like I pointed out earlier, being forceful doesn't necessarily equate to being rude, but you choose to think it so. Your opinion.

I'm sure most here aren't the male equivalent of "Stepford Wives" who are so docile they wouldn't complain if their mouths were full of manure...

Please read this and tell me this is not rude.

The clerk told me (hold back your laughter please) that it was a “Federal Law” that ammunition could only me sold to US citizen of alien nationals here legally. I had already had a very long day and it was at about this this point I started to feel my temperature rise. I guess it was then that I started speaking in a rather loud drill instructor type voice because I notice everyone at all of the other checkout counters stopped what they were doing to see what the ruckus was about. I told the young sales clerk that he was insane, misinformed or stupid and that there was no such law, I went on to ask him where the heck he thought he was – California? His eyes got kind of big and he keyed his phone to page a manager. The manager arrived and said they could not process the sale without me answering the question and that it was not Federal law, but Dick’s policy. I told him that if he could not bypass that question and process the sale, there would be no purchase now or of anything in the future. He fiddled with the register for several minutes and then stated that he didn’t think it was possible to do that.

[jkurtz]

The clerk asks the zip code question, not the credit card terminal.

Simply put. WRONG
Any Academy I have gone to in the Houston, Webster, Pasadena areas. you are asked to enter the zip code ON THE CC Terminal.
I ALWAY hit "cancel" and NEVER put it in. -Why? Because I dont give my phone, email or zip UNLESS it is necessary to complete the transaction.

My local Academy also asks for the zip code on the CC terminal and often times the clerk will instruct me to enter my zip code on the terminal. For what it's worth, I just hit cancel.

Even though some are conflating 2 different issues, do you put in your zip code when you purchase gas at a self pay gas pump when you use a credit card or do you go in and berate the clerk?

If I am not mistaken, gas pumps are not actually asking for your current zip code, rather it is looking for the zip code associated with the billing address for that card. It is usually the same, but not always. The reason for this has more to do with security by ensuring that the person using the card is authorized to do so since there is no clerk to verify ID along with the CC. When I use my debit card, it only asks for my pin.

More to the OP, you may not have been rude, but you indicated that you did cause a scene. Perception can be more important than reality. Even if you, in your opinion, were not rude, I bet many of the people that stopped to stare would think differently. In their minds, they witnessed a gun owning grown man berate (what was likely) a teenage kid. If anything, you probably reinforced the idea that ammo purchases should be vetted among those that witnessed your tantrum. Dick's has the right to ask, and you have the right to disagree with the policy, but I highly doubt your actions would make them less likely to enforce such a policy. Rather, you should have just refused to make the purchase, left the store, and addressed your concerns to someone at Dick's HQ that has the authority to influence change over such policies.

[Abraham]

"Abraham, you are insane, misinformed, or stupid if you think the OP was not rude!"

At times, I'm all three and then some! Just ask my wife, she'd laugh out loud and heartily agree.

Guys, I've very much enjoyed our spirited debate, alas, I've at least one downed tree gracefully displayed across my fence, I must chain saw it into submission. I'm hoping it's the only one...

[txglock21]

If I can interrupt y'alls lively discussion to ask one question, how is this (Dick's asking the citizen question) stopping an illegal from buying ammo? All they have to do is lie! There is no federal penalty like the form you fill out to buy a gun by hitting a yes or no button on a store machine. Just like giving a made up phone number when asked by a Northern Tool cashier. Back to the fight....

[mojo84]

The clerk asks the zip code question, not the credit card terminal.

Simply put. WRONG
Any Academy I have gone to in the Houston, Webster, Pasadena areas. you are asked to enter the zip code ON THE CC Terminal.
I ALWAY hit "cancel" and NEVER put it in. -Why? Because I dont give my phone, email or zip UNLESS it is necessary to complete the transaction.

My local Academy also asks for the zip code on the CC terminal and often times the clerk will instruct me to enter my zip code on the terminal. For what it's worth, I just hit cancel.

Even though some are conflating 2 different issues, do you put in your zip code when you purchase gas at a self pay gas pump when you use a credit card or do you go in and berate the clerk?

If I am not mistaken, gas pumps are not actually asking for your current zip code, rather it is looking for the zip code associated with the billing address for that card. It is usually the same, but not always. The reason for this has more to do with security by ensuring that the person using the card is authorized to do so since there is no clerk to verify ID along with the CC. When I use my debit card, it only asks for my pin.

More to the OP, you may not have been rude, but you indicated that you did cause a scene. Perception can be more important than reality. Even if you, in your opinion, were not rude, I bet many of the people that stopped to stare would think differently. In their minds, they witnessed a gun owning grown man berate (what was likely) a teenage kid. If anything, you probably reinforced the idea that ammo purchases should be vetted among those that witnessed your tantrum. Dick's has the right to ask, and you have the right to disagree with the policy, but I highly doubt your actions would make them less likely to enforce such a policy. Rather, you should have just refused to make the purchase, left the store, and addressed your concerns to someone at Dick's HQ that has the authority to influence change over such policies.

And you know that Academy's credit card processor isn't also using it for security verification? I've given Academy my zip code both ways for many years now. Haven't experienced any major negative concequences. Just being on the internet exposes people to more privacy issues than giving out a zip code.

I'll leave it here and let you folks that are dead set being rude and obnoxious is ok and productive have at it. It's been fun.

[cyphertext]

If I can interrupt y'alls lively discussion to ask one question, how is this (Dick's asking the citizen question) stopping an illegal from buying ammo? All they have to do is lie! There is no federal penalty like the form you fill out to buy a gun by hitting a yes or no button on a store machine. Just like giving a made up phone number when asked by a Northern Tool cashier. Back to the fight....

You are correct, it doesn't keep someone from lying... but by asking, perhaps they feel they have done due diligence on their part and if questioned by the BATFE about selling ammo to prohibited persons they can cover their butt. Perhaps it is to put their non-gun customer base at ease by showing that they are "responsible" retailers... who knows.

I've never been asked this question when buying ammo, but it doesn't bother me.