MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Ok , So I wasn't buying £300 of Hilti and Makita power tools in the local branch the other day. However , the chap who was has his address broadcast around the shop by a memeber of staff desperate to get him signed up to a smart card Q code thiing.
I think Screwfix and Toolstation are pretty much the only retailers who repeat back your postcode and house number so any less than honest person knows where you live, They also know that there is a white T5 van full of power tool at that address . They also know there is brand new Hilti gun in the back of that T5.
I suppose its in screwfix's interest to shout out the postcode , so when things get stolen they get to sell more expensive power tools.
Its really very easy to get into the thousands of pounds worth of tools neccessary for tradesmen to work efficiently day to day , and cheap crappy 12V drill drivers do not last .
I guess the chances of lowlife theives being in the shop , and being able to remember a post code are very low, but there is a chance they are . And in todays world of identity theft and everthing thats not nailed down is nickable should the screwfix staff really be giving out this infoormation to all customers in the shop?
I just refuse to give them it.
Aa11 0aa, number 1 or 10 , SW1A 2AA
I just refuse to give them it
Me too....unless I'm gripped in a fugue of mischievous whimsy in which case I give them the house number and postcode of the now released convicted paedophile who lives three doors down.
The more junk mail he gets, the better.
It's the petty victories that are sometimes the sweetest.
never been asked, then again I just hand over my screwfix card for them to scan.
It's Misuse of data under the DPA, plain and simple.
Unless you give your express written consent they can only use the data for the purposes for which it was supplied, I. E to give them the means to deliver to you.
Publicly broadcasting it in the shop would clearly require further explicit consent.
Probably easier for them just to follow you home...
I think Screwfix and Toolstation are pretty much the only retailers who repeat back your postcode and house number
In screwfix you can use a card and save them the time of having to ask or confirm your details - saving you, them and the people in the queue behind you some time.
In Toolstation you can write your name, house number and postcode on the orderslip (as it asks you to) and if you do all three they don't need to ask/confirm anything. They'll only need to do that if you've left a detail out or not written it clearly.
They also know that there is a white T5 van full of power tool at that address .
Why would you leave tools in it? People will break into a van just to have a look at whats inside - they don't need to know whats in there, they don't need to follow you home. The chances of someone doing all this sleuthing is pretty small - its pretty hit and miss as a strategy because not everyone keeps their work vehicle / stuff at their home address. But if a thief sees a van parked somewhere where theres the opportunity to break into it.. they'll break in - of course they'd be wasting their time because you wouldn't have left anything valuable in there 🙂
Mind you - by way of contrast - if you go to one the independent /small chain trade suppliers you have to quote your customer account number verbally as part of the transaction if you're buying on account. My account number only 3 letters and 3 numbers long and anyone in ear shot would be able to use it to help themselves to £5k worth of my trade credit without having do anything to prove their ID
Hilti ? In screwfix ? How did that happen ? 😏
I think I'll file this under dark panther .
They have never broadcast my address and number round the shop.
How ever pay peanuts get monkeys.
Why would you leave tools in it? People will break into a van just to have a look at whats inside – they don’t need to know whats in there, they don’t need to follow you home. The chances of someone doing all this sleuthing is pretty small – its pretty hit and miss as a strategy because not everyone keeps their work vehicle / stuff at their home address. But if a thief sees a van parked somewhere where theres the opportunity to break into it.. they’ll break in – of course they’d be wasting their time because you wouldn’t have left anything valuable in there
If I emptied my van every night and reloaded every morning, not only would it take me 2hrs longer to work everyday but everyone who wanted to watch would see just exactly how many tools I have and where I keep them. If the van is empty and they still break in, then they've usually knackered the van door and caused a grands worth of damage anyway. I do however have gurt big deadlocks on all the van doors and no sign writing.
My garage has been broken into, whilst I was in the house, but luckily as I keep my tools in my van, they only nicked all my bikes instead.
I’ve spent quite a lot of time in Screwfix this year. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone buying tools of significant value - realistically that must be a rare occurance compared to people buying consumables. At least as many people seem to be DIYers as trades. I’ve never once looked at the clientelle and worried they were going to rob me - perhaps they are very good undercover low level thieves, more likely then like 99.99% of the population they make their living from crime.
Now that doesn’t mean I like being asked my email address, or postcode at the till but that is because I don’t want their spam and am not getting to see what they do with the data. Will be interesting to see if the change their behaviour in May.
around my way they dont bother with this sort of reconnaissance mission..,...
they find it easier just to rob the screwfix in an olde fashioned stick em up situation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-43152566
I'll give them my postcode and what not. I've had loads of £5, £10 off vouchers over the years sent through
Pretty much any house/garage will be full of expensive stuff to steal, so would be thieves don't really need to hang around Toolstation/Screwfix to case their next joint.
The other day I tried to find out what benefit that Screwfix card is to us - they couldn't tell me. And despite t'other half having altered the email and address online about two years ago, he still got an email to the old one showing the old address too. Perhaps as well the card is of no use to us...
I found Screwfix the cheapest for my Festool CXS drill. Next day collection.
When asked for my postcode on random websites where it's useful to find the nearest store, etc., I always give my area code followed by 1AA. e.g. ST16 1AA.
1AA is usually the Post Office and is usually valid.
Pretty much any house/garage will be full of expensive stuff to steal, so would be thieves don’t really need to hang around Toolstation/Screwfix to case their next joint.
+1 OP is being unusualy paranoid.
Just google for a local builder, then see if they have a registered address on companies house. I could prepare for a life of crime whilst drinking my morning coffee!
I'm in Screwfix every other day, never given it a second thought, never been relieved of my tools except when I've left anything on site.
If it bothers you, just get the bloody card so they can scan the QR code. All they do with the information is e-mail you the receipts so you don't have to hand your accountant a mountain of dog eared paper at the end of the month!
so when things get stolen they get to sell more expensive power tools
Honestly, that was never a user story.
Probably easier for them just to follow you home…
Or for the baddies to simply break into the vans and garages of traders when the vehicle is parked outside their house.
People who ask on internet forums AIBU are generally BU, this seems no exception.