Do we/they really need to know?

[Mom]

Well I have just been having a little sqizz at KB and stumbled on this thread

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72830

On there I find a debate about an apparent lack of disclosure around who owns what.

What I really wonder though is why there is this overwhelming need to know everything, about everything when it comes to things like this. You get a good deal, it is reasonably priced and according to the respondants gives an amazing service should things turn belly up.

This has really lead me to think about a something I have experienced in thaq past week regard to people wanting/needing to know stuff about me.

I am an Xtra customer (no crap thanks guys...LOL) I sent myself an email from my work email (now web based) and it did not arrive. My eldest daughter sent me an email from her Uni (web based) email and it did not arrive. After checking all reasons my end for not sending the email, I came to the conclusion the spam filter at xtra was taking these messages to the ether. I rang...*insert frustrating call and lengthy waiting time*

Yes I am right! So I need to update my web mail at xtra, now yahoo? I need to sign up to yahoo? No just register at yahoo to be able to access my xtra web mail. Best bit were the fields that I had to fill out, name, yes thats ok, closest city, yes that is ok, date of birth. Hmmmmm, no not happy to give that out, but cant get past it as it is "required". So give my day and month of birth, it is ok for them to send me happy birthday message after all...LOL

NO! They require my year of birth also! I am now strongly protesting to the fellow at the xtra help desk. I never asked for this change, I always could access my mail via the web, now because of a change xtra made I cant unless I give them some fairly personal information! I dont care if people know how old I am at all, what worries me is why I have to put this information out on the web just to get my email sorted.

What is with this "have to know" thing that is happening. JB Insurance give fantastic deals to bikers. Reasonable rates, good after shit happens service, that is good enough for me!

Xtra, need to give very personal information to enable access to a service I pay for....pFrUiCcKlEeDss

They dont need to know! Do we need to know?

[imdying]

They can get that info anyway, so you might as well give it to them, rather than having them having to go and find it built into the cost.

[MSTRS]

They need it for statistics on the age demographic of their customers? What a load of bollocks.

[Str8 Jacket]

Dont worry Mom, you look great for your age.... I dont reckon you look a day over 50!

[CookMySock]

It's the new microsoft/telecom way - "we'll do whatever we like whether you like it or not. We'll change the rules even if it penalises you financially or any other way, or even if we break the law. We don't care either, because the slap-on-the-wrist penalty is peanuts compared to the money we'll make just in the next month. Oh, by the way, you will do precisely and exactly as you are told (waves 24 month contract or EULA) or we will scare you even MORE with some really huge words. You might as well just give in and let us put whatever we like up your arse - everyone else is just letting us do it and they are liking it too because now they don't know anything different. and now you are our bitch too. See? you like that, don't you faggot. It feels nice, doesnt it honey? :drool::love:"

When are people going to get it, that the only way to deal with these people is to walk away. Just do it. Do it today.

DB

[BiK3RChiK]

It's the principle of the matter. Gradually, ever so gradually, we accept this kind of thing until one day we find our identity stolen by someone and the hell that comes along with it.

Take another example. The phone rings and you answer it... Hello, xyz, this is abc from (insert some official organisation). We are doing a survey of our customer base or we need to verify/update our information systems.... Who is this person? Can you verify it? Are they entitled to this information?

Call me suspicious, but they can eff off! Send it to me by snail mail, then I will respond if I choose to respond.

[fergie]

whenever i am presented with a date of birth type question i often lie and put in some o:(utrageous age,seems to work.