Follow up - providing email and phone to merchants

February 12, 2008 / Filed under: Offbeat

The other day I messed up again, but only partially. I was at Bath & Body Works, getting a gift for my Mom for Valentine's Day. While checking out, the cashier asked me for my phone number and email address.

Even though this has happened before, I was still somewhat unprepared for it. I blame myself for shopping solely online - the one time I do actually walk into a brick-and-mortar store, I am vulnerable.

When you're "put on the spot" unprepared, your mind goes blank. This is exactly what happened.

I was able to provide my GrandCentral phone number (useful for blocking calls before they even come in), so I got that much right. However, I stupidly managed to provide my real email address, simply because I couldn't think of a better one.

Minutes later, while leaving the store, I realized I should have just given her a fake email address. Either that, or simply declined providing one at all.

Sure enough, the next day I started receiving email newsletters from Bath & Body Works.

Rest assured, next time this happens, I will be prepared. I can only fail so many times before I eventually succeed.

Comments/Mentions

# Kevin M. Keating at 2/12/2008 8:05 am cst

Ouch. Better luck next time, I guess. I definitely can relate to the increasing inability to participate in offline financial transactions, though. What do you mean you require cash? I have to sign my name? You need to actually SEE my credit card?! WTF?