Can I have you Zip Code please?

[CrazyKell]

Does every store in the US do this?

I just say "no" (I don't have a zip code) or I say "90210". They usually get it but sometimes they say "that's in California isn't it?"

"Yes.....yes it is!" :lmao: :lol:

[Rider]

A few do but thankfully not all. Off the top of my head the only one I can remember always asking is Best Buy.

[shmike]

Not every store.

I don't mind giving a zip code, it's mostly for marketing purposes.

Sometimes the zip is needed for the CC to clear.

If they ask for a phone number they get a definite: "NO".

[askmrjesus]

Sometimes the zip is needed for the CC to clear.


Bingo.

The rates that retailers pay for the "privilege" of running your CC, can vary 2% or more, based on "qualified sales" and "non-qualified sales". With no zipcode, it's a non qualified sale, depending on the processing company being used.

JC

[CrazyKell]

I had it happen in these stores:

Macy's
Bon Ton
Victoria's Secret
Pac Sun
Wet Seal
Kitchen Gadgets
Borders
Kohl's
Sears
Kirklands
Banana Republic

There are more but I can't remember them all. I know up here if you give them your phone number you are giving them permission to contact you. Free marketing. I hate when the cashier gets all pissy when i won't give it. I politely say "no thank you" and shouldn't be asked or hassled further.

Didn't know that about the CC thing though. But I don't have a zip code. :idk:

[z06boy]

I don't mind giving the zipcode that's probably for marketing and of course used if you use a credit card.

I hate when they ask for a phone number...I usually give it to them with one digit incorrect...I don't need any extra calls.

[karl_1052]

I had it happen in these stores:

Macy's
Bon Ton
Victoria's Secret
Pac Sun
Wet Seal
Kitchen Gadgets
Borders
Kohl's
Sears
Kirklands
Banana Republic

There are more but I can't remember them all. I know up here if you give them your phone number you are giving them permission to contact you. Free marketing. I hate when the cashier gets all pissy when i won't give it. I politely say "no thank you" and shouldn't be asked or hassled further.

Didn't know that about the CC thing though. But I don't have a zip code. :idk:

13662
Massena, NY
about 45 minutes from my house.:D

[Sean]

I've wondered how Canadia-ans can pay for stuffs with a CC in the US with no zip.

We have to give a zip to buy gas basically everywhere. There ain't no letters on the pump.

[Rider]

I've wondered how Canadia-ans can pay for stuffs with a CC in the US with no zip.

We have to give a zip to buy gas basically everywhere. There ain't no letters on the pump.

Not here, I've never been asked for a zip when paying at the pump.

[askmrjesus]

I've wondered how Canadia-ans can pay for stuffs with a CC in the US with no zip.


It varies from company to company. I can process CC's from Canada, but it's going to cost me more to do it. It's just another bullshit fee, based on "risk".

Most people don't realize this, but there is even a difference in how much a retailer has to pay for a "swiped" transaction, (card in hand) vs. an internet transaction, (for us it's 1.7% swiped, or 3.86% manual input).

It's all a scam, since the card is either approved or it isn't, but if you want to do business with Visa/Mastercard, that's the way it is.

JC

[Sean]

You guys hate me, because I put absolutely everything on my AmEx for the points.

[shmike]

You guys hate me, because I put absolutely everything on my AmEx for the points.

Me too.

The few places that don't accept AmEx usually get a lecture about dealing with a better merchant services rep.

Those that complain about AmEx being so much more expensive usually don't have a very firm grasp of how their CC billing works.

[LeeNetworX]

Not every store.

I don't mind giving a zip code, it's mostly for marketing purposes.

If they ask for a phone number they get a definite: "NO".

Ditto.

[askmrjesus]

You guys hate me, because I put absolutely everything on my AmEx for the points.

No we don't.

We don't accept AmEx. :lol:

The AmEx rep got all pissy with me when I told him I wasn't interested in paying upwards of 5% for AmEx transactions. "You're going to lose a lot of business!"

Yeah, right. Anyone that has AmEx, will also have a Visa or Mastercard, so fuck you and the 5% you rode in on.

Haven't lost a sale yet.

JC

[askmrjesus]

Those that complain about AmEx being so much more expensive usually don't have a very firm grasp of how their CC billing works.

What's to understand?

1.7% vs. 5%

Simple enough.

If I was in competition with others selling the same merchandise, I might consider it, but what I sell, you can't get many other places, so it's Visa/Mastercard, or take a hike. :lol:

JC

[the chi]

I always knew it was true. You really can buy your way into heaven. Whats your 800 number?

[marko138]

Not here, I've never been asked for a zip when paying at the pump.

Me either.

It varies from company to company. I can process CC's from Canada, but it's going to cost me more to do it. It's just another bullshit fee, based on "risk".

Most people don't realize this, but there is even a difference in how much a retailer has to pay for a "swiped" transaction, (card in hand) vs. an internet transaction, (for us it's 1.7% swiped, or 3.86% manual input).

It's all a scam, since the card is either approved or it isn't, but if you want to do business with Visa/Mastercard, that's the way it is.

JC

Shitty. :squint:

[Flexin]

No we don't.

We don't accept AmEx. :lol:

The AmEx rep got all pissy with me when I told him I wasn't interested in paying upwards of 5% for AmEx transactions. "You're going to lose a lot of business!"

Yeah, right. Anyone that has AmEx, will also have a Visa or Mastercard, so fuck you and the 5% you rode in on.

Haven't lost a sale yet.

JC

They want to charge you 5%. From what I remember we paid a little more for Amex but it was no where near 5%. I should find one of my statements to see what we were paying.

James

[askmrjesus]

I always knew it was true. You really can buy your way into heaven. Whats your 800 number?

1-800-453-3860

Tell them Jesus sent you.

JC

[MILK]

I make up a zip but give out my ex father in laws cell number. :lmao: I can't stand that man.

[marko138]

1-800-453-3860

Tell them Jesus sent you.

JC
The real question is, do you take American Express?

[the chi]

The real question is, do you take American Express?

He said no, thank goodness I have Mastercard! I'm SAVED!


:rofl:

Kell, i was wondering about Canada and zips...I get it all the time, it doesnt bother me. I also have to give it at certain gas stations, maybe its not a northern thing?

[CrazyKell]

Kell, i was wondering about Canada and zips...I get it all the time, it doesnt bother me. I also have to give it at certain gas stations, maybe its not a northern thing?

Every once in a while we get it up here. We have postal codes (same diff really just a letter/number combo). It's not as common though.

It doesn't piss me off.....just found it wierd. But the phone number thing.....well like I said i don't get pissed until they get pissy with me for not wanting to give out that information. :rolleyes:

[Particle Man]

Not here, I've never been asked for a zip when paying at the pump.

I only get asked for my zipcode at the pump when I'm paying for gas with my corporate Amex card.

I get asked for my phone number often when buying stuff (even when it isn't a CC purchase) and I never give it.

I like the idea of one digit off though

[Rider]

I only get asked for my zipcode at the pump when I'm paying for gas with my corporate Amex card.

I get asked for my phone number often when buying stuff (even when it isn't a CC purchase) and I never give it.

I like the idea of one digit off though

328-7448........ (eat-shit):lol

[LeeNetworX]

1-800-453-3860

Tell them Jesus sent you.

JC

:lol

http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/official.htm

[z06boy]

No we don't.

We don't accept AmEx. :lol:

The AmEx rep got all pissy with me when I told him I wasn't interested in paying upwards of 5% for AmEx transactions. "You're going to lose a lot of business!"

Yeah, right. Anyone that has AmEx, will also have a Visa or Mastercard, so fuck you and the 5% you rode in on.

Haven't lost a sale yet.

JC

If they don't accept our Amex so we can get our "points" we gladly pull out either our Marriott "points" Visa or our USAIR "points" Visa.

[z06boy]

328-7448........ (eat-shit):lol

:rofl: :rofl:

[shmike]

If they don't accept our Amex so we can get our "points" we glad pull out either our Marriott "points" Visa or our USAIR "points" Visa.

Those "points" cards cost extra.

Guess who picks up the extra tab? The merchant.

Often, when a merchant thinks they are paying X.X% (say 1.7 for example) for Visa/MC an audit reaveals their true fees are significantly higher based on the structure of their contract.

[marko138]

Those "points" cards cost extra.

Guess who picks up the extra tab? The merchant.

Often, when a merchant thinks they are paying X.X% (say 1.7 for example) for Visa/MC an audit reaveals their true fees are significantly higher based on the structure of their contract.
Didn't know that.

[z06boy]

Didn't know that.

Me either but it sure has worked out for us. Went to Hawaii...San Francisco and St. Thomas and stayed in killer Marriott's and paid almost nothing as far as hotel/airfare. WIN !!

[marko138]

Me either but it sure has worked out for us. Went to Hawaii...San Francisco and St. Thomas and stayed in killer Marriott's and paid almost nothing as far as hotel/airfare. WIN !!
WIN for YOU! Nice work. Keep fuckin that chicken!

[askmrjesus]

Those "points" cards cost extra.

Guess who picks up the extra tab? The merchant.

Often, when a merchant thinks they are paying X.X% (say 1.7 for example) for Visa/MC an audit reaveals their true fees are significantly higher based on the structure of their contract.

This is true, so why would I want to take AmEx, and make things even worse?

It makes no sense.

Oh. Right. Customer service. If I took AmEx, I'd have to raise my prices to stay at the same margins I have now. I don't take AmEx, so you can pay LESS.

Now that's what I call customer service.

JC

[shmike]

This is true, so why would I want to take AmEx, and make things even worse?

It makes no sense.

Oh. Right. Customer service. If I took AmEx, I'd have to raise my prices to stay at the same margins I have now. I don't take AmEx, so you can pay LESS.

Now that's what I call customer service.

JC

The point is that the difference in cost is usually much smaller than merchants are led to believe.

My brother does this for a living. He has shown me cases where a well negotiated AmEx fee will be cheaper than the Visa/MC fees of the same client once all the upcharges are factored in.

[HurricaneHeather]

Used to use AmEx but got sick of having to pullout the MC or Visa for so many merchants. I did some research and Chase has a MC that gets better reward points than the AmEx. Win.

[askmrjesus]

The point is that the difference in cost is usually much smaller than merchants are led to believe.

My brother does this for a living. He has shown me cases where a well negotiated AmEx fee will be cheaper than the Visa/MC fees of the same client once all the upcharges are factored in.

That could be, but to negotiate a decent rate, you generally need a constant monthly volume.

My business is somewhat seasonal in nature, so that just doesn't work for me.

JC

[HurricaneHeather]

That could be, but to negotiate a decent rate, you generally need a constant monthly volume.

My business is somewhat seasonal in nature, so that just doesn't work for me.

JC

More people going to heaven in the summer? Because more suicides happen in the winter and you don't let them in?

[askmrjesus]

More people going to heaven in the summer? Because more suicides happen in the winter and you don't let them in?

Yeah, it totally sucks.

If we could get more people to die from hypothermia, we could probably get AmEx down to 3.5%.

So for our sake, please wear less clothes this winter.

Thank You.

JC

[z06boy]

WIN for YOU! Nice work. Keep fuckin that chicken!

I have to give the wife credit for that...since we've been together she has gotten some killer travel deals and does us right everytime so she's been designated as the family Travel Agent. :lol:

[Flexin]

I only get asked for my zipcode at the pump when I'm paying for gas with my corporate Amex card.

I get asked for my phone number often when buying stuff (even when it isn't a CC purchase) and I never give it.

I like the idea of one digit off though

I don't remember ever being asked for my postal code when paying with a cc. I have just for making a purchase. I give it to them. Its not my address so I don't care. And I know one store that will ask for names or address and so on. I give them my info and it worked out for me. When I returned the item they were able to look it up when I forgot the receipt.

James

[Smittie61984]

I don't mind giving a zip code, it's mostly for marketing purposes.
.

I hate that shit. I mean fuck, that statistical data should be for their marketing people to find out on their own. I just want my shit and to get out of there as fast as possible without having to talk to the cashier.

Give me a 20% discount and we'll talk.

[tommymac]

I hate that shit. I mean fuck, that statistical data should be for their marketing people to find out on their own. I just want my shit and to get out of there as fast as possible without having to talk to the cashier.

Give me a 20% discount and we'll talk.

Thats why I try to order as much as I can online. I hate going to stores and getting all that crap.

Tom

[Rangerscott]

I get hit at the pumps a few times with the zipcode. It's becoming more common now.

I give out fake zips and no.'s all the time. Why does it matter where people are from buying from your store? You're selling shit arnt you?

[Flexin]

I get hit at the pumps a few times with the zipcode. It's becoming more common now.

I give out fake zips and no.'s all the time. Why does it matter where people are from buying from your store? You're selling shit arnt you?

Some stores want to know where there customers are from so they know what areas to advertise in. Advertising is very expensive and can be hit or miss so knowing where your customer are can help a lot and save you a lot of money.

James

[Tsunami]

All the pumps here ask for zipcodes. My canadian friend has to walk into the store and hand them cash.

The only stores that ask for zip codes here are on or near the strip. They never ask for my phone #. It takes me a second to give them my zip so i don't really care.

[Cass]

I make up a zip but give out my ex father in laws cell number. :lmao: I can't stand that man.

snort

[sherri_chickie]

I just tell them I am visiting from Canada and they dont bug me further, but its never caused me to be able to not complete my purchase.