So a week or so ago I purchased a wireless keyboard and some other things from the local Apple Store.

During the transaction I was pretty shocked at all of the information they request from you. The employee asked for my phone number, zip code, address, etc. Umm… WHY? I understand they use it for metrics concerning where their customer base is coming from, and how many customers from what location. That alone can help them best decide where to build a new Apple Retail Store. However its not REQUIRED for them to have for any transaction. Whats worse is they do not tell you that its optional. In fact, what happens if you move? Are you not allowed to purchase future products until you notify their postmaster? Anyway, on to the point…

I decided to use the perk of being entitled to the Corporate Partner discount. Well, all things went well until the end of the transaction. Now to get the discount he asked that I show him my ID, so I did. Thats perfectly reasonable. You want a discount because you work for xyz, then can you please show me your ID to substantiate it?

Of course thats fine, Ive even seen employees that give student discounts when students didn’t have acceptance letters, or student ID’s. They would just have them log in to their email account at that University/College. All they need is verification right? Right. No problem there.

Now the issue I have is that after I have swiped the card, signed my name, transaction authorized and already processed, they asked for my email address. WHAT? What the F&$# do you need my email address for?

You’ve already seen my badge, so verification of being an employee of a corporate partner, thus entitled to the discount is verified. Your email address has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the transaction of the currency (cash, check, CC, or debit card).

I told the guy he didn’t need my email address. He said it is REQUIRED to have for him to physically hand me the receipt! HUH? He said he has to have it so it prints below your name on the receipt. What does that have to do with proof of purchase? Even if it wasn’t against corporate policy, why in the flippin’ hell would I want my email address floating around on a receipt?

Email addresses are the most spoofed entity on the entire internet. Why, oh why would one choose an email address to uniquely identify a person? I gave him a BS email address like 123@hotmail.com, and he said “This is a one time exception, sir”!

What the F%$# ever. One time exception or youll what? Not give me the discount that I can just as easily redeem online? Yea, right.

Now I understand how easy it is to hop on the Apple Bandwagon. The company has a tremendous driving force in fashion, society, and technology, and a positive image to match its influence. But hold the phone people. Why the heck are you giving up personal information that they do not need, nor really require to process a transaction.

Anyone ever hear its not wise to put all your apples in one basket?

They do not need to know anything other than the person presenting a credit card is in fact YOU. Furthermore, if I wanted to prove it was actually me returning a product, they can look up your purchases by swiping the same credit card. Or I could use my credit card bill, or bank register statement to provide them with the transaction number which they can also use to query, and prove I purchased the product.

If they are having problems with stolen products being returned, or fraudulent returns then they need to change their return process/policy, not require a repository of personal information about you upon purchase.

People seldom realize with the power of the internet, common sense, and a little practical knowledge, just how much can be found out about you with the tiniest bit of information. If I know your phone number and zip code I can pretty much find out where you live. People often use their email ID (ex: EMAIL ID@ email.com) as their username on public message boards, or myspace, facebook etc.

Not only that, but the blatant amount of info people post about themselves on social networking sites alone is almost enough to open up a credit card account. Anyway, point in case is you dont need to give out any more information to anyone than what is absolutely needed. This is why we have Privacy and Consumer Rights.

I hoped you liked my cute little rant.