Many stores nowadays boast loyalty programs to give customers a reason to return.
But it’s not every day that a store bars a customer from making a purchase if they opt not to sign up.
A Sun reader shared his experience at a Showcase store in a Mississauga mall on Aug. 6, when he said he attempted to buy an item but the cashier allegedly told him he had to hand over his personal information — otherwise she couldn’t sell it to him.
“I was at the Showcase store in Erin Mills Town Centre to buy a toy for my nephew and went to pay for it, but the cashier told me I couldn’t buy anything without giving them my email address and phone number and signing up to their loyalty program,” the man, who wanted to remain anonymous, detailed.
“I then asked her if I could just buy the toy without giving them my personal information and she said ‘no,’” he recounted.
The prospective shopper said he laughed when the woman behind the counter supposedly shut him down.
“I told her it was ridiculous and said there is no way I was going to give her my personal information,” he continued.
The customer said she countered by apologizing but stood firm, telling him she “couldn’t sell me the bubble maker.”
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He noted, “Usually, they make that optional when they ask for your information, but this is the first time I came across a company where it was mandatory.”
However, a spokesperson from Showcase clarified to the Sun that is not their company policy, which all stores follow.
“All customers are welcome to join our insider club which does require the sharing of contact information so that we can communicate with them regarding the perks,” she said in a statement.
“However, customers are more than welcome to purchase products without sharing personal information/joining the loyalty club.”
She explained that they take comments from customers very seriously and would follow up with the store’s employees to follow up and ensure they understand the policy.
She added: “We are also happy to reach out to that customer to apologize to them, of the employee’s error and make things right.”