Why Cashiers Ask For Zip Codes

Cashier: “Hello, may I have your Zip code please?”

Customer:” NO!”

It’s an all too common answer for several cashiers around the world, who simply have to ask this question. They usually get the “no” answer from a disgruntled customer who just wants to pay for their things and leave.

I’m one of those cashiers who works at a store, and have to ask this question.

The reason we ask for zip codes is because of one or all of these reasons.
1.) We want to know where our customers are coming from.
2.) If a high population of people come from a certain area, we may want to have a store built there.
3.) We’d know where to advertise, and it has nothing with filling your mailboxes with ads and spam mail.

Even in this low economy, a new store would jump start unemployment who want to work for their families, even if that includes retail.

Especially with a retail chain located only up north, which is an example like a retail chain like Christmas Tree Shops. They get hundreds of customers everyday from different areas around the world, and recently a high population from Canada and even states from Florida and Ohio. They often ask why we don’t have a shop up/down there and they happily will give you their zip codes, in hope that one day they’ll have a CTS over their area that they can shop in, and not have to travel past states to come.

As for the ones that don’t hand out their zip codes, it’s really okay if you don’t want to give your zip codes to cashiers, but really it is better if attitudes were dropped about being asked for them.

You don’t need to yell “no” or say “I don’t have one” or other ridiculous excuses. Just say “I’d prefer not to give out my zip code” or “no thank you” in a nice and calm way. We’ll just enter in five 0’s and continue on (*varies in other stores), but it’s that attitude with the yelling “no” that will cause someone to have a bad day.

I think I’m standing up for all cashiers that have to ask this questions, and have been treated rudely for an innocent question. Seriously, it’s okay if you don’t want to share your zip code, just drop the attitude. Please.