sye Loc: The Old Dominion Near DC

at least within the last two years?

I went today to amp up for a firearms training course that I'm taking next week -- YES RIXPIX, OLE SARGE and TOM G -- even plain old civilians can receive firearms training too.

Anyway, I was asked by the cashier to give my birthdate in the presence of other shoppers waiting in line behind me.

At first, I refused, then I gave my birth year then I gave my month and year but that was still unsatisfactory. An asst manager was called to the register and asked me to show my driver's license so he could record my full birthdate. When I asked him why he needed it, he told me that it was a corporate policy to ensure that I was over 21. When I asked him how old I looked he said I looked well over 21 but he still needed my full birthdate.

I also complained to the store manager and he agreed that a birthdate and possibly a credit card that I used could be used for identity theft. He also agreed with me that even Dick's Sporting Goods must deal with identity theft issues such as stolen or unauthorized usage of credit cards. However, this was corporate policy and was out of his hands.

The last time that I was ever carded was over 40 years ago !!!

This policy has been enforced by Dicks for two years already.

That's really ashamed since Dicks Sporting Goods has some very primo products -- especially the name-brands like Winchester and Remington with the prices to match.

I made my displeasure known to the Dicks Sporting Goods corporation customer support dept in their comments format. The auto return said I would hear back from them within 24 hours. I'm waiting but will still try to get a decent nights sleep and will not hold my breath.

IMHO, the requirement to disclose personal info in the presence of anyone who might be smart enough to do something with it is inexcuseable. If Dicks wants to card someone, they should do it to someone who may actually look younger than 21, very much like what's required to buy alcoholic beverages or cigarettes.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Here in California, most of the counties, if not all, require id to purchase ammo. This is so they can attempt to trace it back to a bad guy if a recent crime was committed using a fire arm.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

In October,Connecticut is requiring all ammo purchasers to have an Ammunition Certification card or a Pistol/Rifle permit. More feel good legislation courtesy of Adam Lanza.

busted_shutter

I just tell them it's not legal for me to use my driver's license for anything but driving.

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

This is similar to Radio Shack. I was behind someone who wanted to purchase a cell phone. They were asked for a phone number which they did not have. The manager told the customer they required a phone number for all purchases. That customer left. When I was asked for a phone number I told them simply they had no need for it. I was informed by the manager that it was required after 9/11. I asked her to show this to me and she refused.

I left and notified Radio Shack's corporate headquarters of the incident with store number, location and managers name. I also asked for proof that this information was required. I have yet to receive a response from that query or six more that I sent over the next year and a half.

I absolutely refuse to purchase anything from Radio Shack.

GCS Loc: Ann Arbor, Michigan

That is just one of many reasons why I do not shop at Dicks. I refuse to patronize them for anything.

magicray Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

I am with you. They are absolute buttheads when it comes to customer service and interrogation at the register. My last visit to buy a $1 connector (cash) resulted in 10 minutes at the register explaining to them why I saw no need why they would want my name, address, date of birth, email address, etc. Sell your stock, they are going the way of Blockbuster.

magicray Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

They are called Dick's for a reason.[

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

If you go to Walmart, and try to purchase some fuel additive/cleaner, you have to show your I.D.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

This is such a stupid policy - with a bottle of wine at the grocery store they seem to have a policy that if the customer obviously looks over 40 they don't have to card them....makes sense. And at Dick's, it would be easy enough to have a similar policy and if they needed to check on younger patrons simply LOOK at an ID but not record the information. And at Radio Shit, if they ask for a birth date, there is nothing that says you can't just make one up on the spot. And isn't it funny that you would have to already have a phone in order to buy a cell phone at that RS store...a true "Catch 22".

sye Loc: The Old Dominion Near DC

SB --
Your comment is very intyeresting about making a birthdate up.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE DICK'S Manager told me too.

Sort of defeats the intent for asking for the birthdat in the first place, doesn't it ??

I try to buy my ammo at Walmart whenever I can but their stock and variety of calibers are very low at the moment. THey didn't have what I needed and the training date is fast approaching so I caved and went to Dick's.

sye Loc: The Old Dominion Near DC

UPDATE -- IT's been almost 24 hours since I sent Dick's my comments.... NOTHING YET.

I'll grant them reasonable doubt since it's a weekend. Maybe someone at corporate is too busy applying for new credit cards using my birthdate and other credit card info that other poor suckers like myself were forced to divulge.

I HOPE NOT but I still believe and strongly support Ronnie Reagan's "TRUST BUT VERIFY" credo.

ggttc Loc: TN

I have to show ID to buy beer at a conveiniece store or a cocktail in a restaurant...even tho I am in my 60's

However I DO NOT have to show ID to buy a case of scotch.

Welcome to TN.

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Many places I go ask for a phone number at time of purchase. I simply tell them I do not give that information out and they relent (Tiger Direct is an example). I am sure they use it as a tracking mechanism as to what customers purchase so they can use this to see what combination of items are purchased by certain demographic groups.

However, my contention is it is not required by any 9/11 legislation or any other legislation I am aware of. I should not have to supply any phone number, phoney or not, to make a purchase.

I have no issue with showing ID when purchasing a firearm or gunpowder in bulk or something I can see the reasoning behind. I do have an issue with giving or showing information that is NOT required.

Even the drugstores and supermarkets are getting into the tracking. We are asked to give information to receive a "Super Saver Card" allowing a discount on our purchases. No card - no discount. Do you think they are not tracking our purchases? Do you not think that somewhere there is a computer file with your information and what you have purchased for the past several years? Am I being paranoid, perhaps, but with what I see going on in other areas of our government I may be right to be so.

I just do not like someone gathering or asking for unneeded information on me and everyone else. It smacks of Orwell's 1984!

Larry

micolh Loc: NYC

Wow, there is that mountain out of a mole hill theory in all its glory.