Outragous - Dicks Sporting Goods

[Abraham]

TEX,

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

Their obnoxious question is absolutely out of line.

If more customers acted like you did when asked such questions those particular questions would stop...

When it's really not that big a deal, sure, I'll go along to get along and keep quiet, but their is a line that when crossed I'll forcefully speak up. I'm glad you did.

Ask for my zip code, ask for my phone number, I may or not give it to you, but I won't be all that annoyed. I won't like it, but hey, you Mr Businessman can ask without me being rancorous.

Ask if I'm an illegal alien, whoa, you just drew the line I won't willingly cross. You Mr. Businessman don't get to go there. I see a question like that as a function of government, (see form 4473 for similar questions) but not a business. A business employee acting alike a pseudo-government functionary isn't something I'll respond well to or willingly...

It isn't rude to stand up for yourself when intrusive questions that a business has no right to ask or when challenged then ignorantly or deliberately profess the questions are a matter of law when they aren't is way, way out line.

[mojo84]

TEX,

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

Their obnoxious question is absolutely out of line.

If more customers acted like you did when asked such questions those particular questions would stop...

When it's really not that big a deal, sure, I'll go along to get along and keep quiet, but their is a line that when crossed I'll forcefully speak up. I'm glad you did.

Ask for my zip code, ask for my phone number, I may or not give it to you, but I won't be all that annoyed. I won't like it, but hey, you Mr Businessman can ask without me being rancorous.

Ask if I'm an illegal alien, whoa, you just drew the line I won't willingly cross. You Mr. Businessman don't get to go there. I see a question like that as a function of government, (see form 4473 for similar questions) but not a business. A business employee acting alike a pseudo-government functionary isn't something I'll respond well to or willingly...

It isn't rude to stand up for yourself when intrusive questions that a business has no right to ask or when challenged then ignorantly or deliberately profess the questions are a matter of law when they aren't is way, way out line.

The text of the law that you say doesn't exist is actually quoted in this thread. I addition, it wasn't Dick's that asked the question.

I get the impression some of you are the types that would go off on an airline gate attendant because of weather delays.

[Abraham]

Do you know why isn't this question isn't being asked by all the other ammo sellers, except Dicks?

I buy ammo from retail stores like Walmart, Cablelas or online from SGA and they don't ask if I'm an illegal alien?

Plus, I make my ammo purchases with a credit card.

[mojo84]

They may use a different credit card processor or bank. There are lots of options of each out there. Here's a link to give you an idea of the many options.
http://www.topcreditcardprocessorsratings.com

Banking and credit card processors aka merchant services are highly regulated. Some companies are more sensitive to government regulations and scrutiny than others.

Regardless, the hourly clerk at the register has ZERO input and should not be the subject of such wrath as these decisions are made miles above his pay grade.

[Abraham]

There are lots of options out there.

One would be to not to give my business to Dicks, especially given I've never been asked this obnoxious question by any other ammo seller and my original list isn't complete with just Walmart, Cabelas, and SGA. It also includes Academy, Marburgers, and many other retailers that sell ammo.

Blaming the credit card or bank they (Dicks) do business with reminds of businesses who claim they HAD to put up a 30.06 sign due to their insurance company.

Yeah, sure...

When businesses start in with ye olde "it's really not me asking, it's 'fill in the blank' with blaming some other entity" it's not us, really, it's not us asking, we wouldn't ever ask such a question, but ya know, it's federal law, doncha know, blah, blah, blah, I just shake my head and go elsewhere with my greenbacks...

[cyphertext]

There are lots of options out there.

One would be to not to give my business to Dicks, especially given I've never been asked this obnoxious question by any other ammo seller and my original list isn't complete with just Walmart, Cabelas, and SGA. It also includes Academy, Marburgers, and many other retailers that sell ammo.

Blaming the credit card or bank they (Dicks) do business with reminds of businesses who claim they HAD to put up a 30.06 sign due to their insurance company.

Yeah, sure...

When businesses start in with ye olde "it's really not me asking, it's 'fill in the blank' with blaming some other entity" it's not us, really, it's not us asking, we wouldn't ever ask such a question, but ya know, it's federal law, doncha know, blah, blah, blah, I just shake my head and go elsewhere with my greenbacks...

Why do you feel it is so "obnoxious"? You answer that same question every time you buy a firearm from any FFL. Maybe the credit card company asks that question for firearm related purchases as a CYA. Perhaps it resulted from "Operation Choke Point"... I don't know. But if you don't like the terms of the transaction, then don't go through with it and take your money elsewhere... No need to cause a scene by "talking in a drill instructor voice" at a retail clerk.

[mojo84]

There are lots of options out there.

One would be to not to give my business to Dicks, especially given I've never been asked this obnoxious question by any other ammo seller and my original list isn't complete with just Walmart, Cabelas, and SGA. It also includes Academy, Marburgers, and many other retailers that sell ammo.

Blaming the credit card or bank they (Dicks) do business with reminds of businesses who claim they HAD to put up a 30.06 sign due to their insurance company.

Yeah, sure...

When businesses start in with ye olde "it's really not me asking, it's 'fill in the blank' with blaming some other entity" it's not us, really, it's not us asking, we wouldn't ever ask such a question, but ya know, it's federal law, doncha know, blah, blah, blah, I just shake my head and go elsewhere with my greenbacks...

Nice try but it's obvious you have no clue how the merchant services systems work. The OP even said in the original post it was the credit card terminal that asked the question. Doubling down on a position without trying to understand says a lot. No one has been able to substantiate the insurance company claims. The credit card processor has been substatiated in the initial post and subsequent info I've provided.

At least try to understand and direct your ire at the proper target. Going off on a clerk shows very little self control and discernment. When you pay with cash, the transaction is between you and the merchant. When you pay with a credit or debit card, your transaction becomes between you and the merchant services company and the merchant.

I bet if one were to pay cash or check for ammo at Dick's that question would not be asked.

[mojo84]

If you have any interest in trying to understand you can read this. https://oversight.house.gov/report/repo ... -business/

[rotor]

Is it the credit card company that is asking or is it Dick's? I have shopped at stores and bought ammo where the clerk was reminded by the cash register to make sure I am old enough (yes) and that is probably store policy to protect them just like selling alcohol.
I doubt this is the credit card company as they would not be the ones liable for problems if Dick's sold something that a non-citizen was not allowed to purchase. Probable Dick's philosophy to cover their butt. Surprised they didn't ask if you are a felon.
I agree with AndyC though and that is to stay away from Dick's. The only thing they could be to be more anti-gun is to 30.06/30.07.

[mojo84]

Is it the credit card company that is asking or is it Dick's? I have shopped at stores and bought ammo where the clerk was reminded by the cash register to make sure I am old enough (yes) and that is probably store policy to protect them just like selling alcohol.
I doubt this is the credit card company as they would not be the ones liable for problems if Dick's sold something that a non-citizen was not allowed to purchase. Probable Dick's philosophy to cover their butt. Surprised they didn't ask if you are a felon.
I agree with AndyC though and that is to stay away from Dick's. The only thing they could be to be more anti-gun is to 30.06/30.07.

Then why was it the credit card terminal that asked the question?

[Soccerdad1995]

If this is a Dick's policy then it must be new. I bought ammo from a Dicks location in DFW on black Friday, and paid with a credit card with no such question.

[Abraham]

"But if you don't like the terms of the transaction, then don't go through with it and take your money elsewhere..." odd, I do think I said I'd take my greenbacks elsewhere...eh?

"Nice try but it's obvious you have no clue how the merchant services systems work."

There's no nice try, there's pointing out the practice of asking this intrusive question is so rare that I've no knowledge of it being used at any other retailer that sells ammo and accepts credit cards for payment.

You that meekly accept and answer questions regarding your citizenship status by a retailer seem to not appreciate how autocratic a question it is.

Retailers don't have the authority to question my citizenship status, irrespective of who they point to as the source of the question.

If you think I'm being overly sensitive to having my citizenship questioned by a retailer, my response is your perspective is spiritless...

I think about people who question in their turn, 'nothing', for fear of being thought uncooperative. When if fact, they have every right to question the questioner...

If they don't stand up for themselves, who will?

Given the tameness of many, I wonder if there's any line they'd draw when it comes to being asked inappropriate questions.

Oh dear, I don't want to offend, so yes, ask me any question, all questions, I'll answer and I'll do so promptly...gulp.

[Abraham]

BTW, if you think retailers questioning one's citizenship status is found obnoxious by some, have a look at some of the utube videos of Border Patrol agents (who are government agents, not retailers ) asking this very same question and witness the supremely negative reactions many, many people find it to be...

[Liberty]

You that meekly accept and answer questions regarding your citizenship status by a retailer seem to not appreciate how autocratic a question it is.

Retailers don't have the authority to question my citizenship status, irrespective of who they point to as the source of the question.
...

If you think I'm being overly sensitive to having my citizenship questioned by a retailer, my response is your perspective is spiritless...

The question at the terminal wasn't if you were a citizen, but if you were an illegal alien in other word are you a criminal and attempting to purchase this ammo illegally?

When I got to the counter and tried to pay for it, the electronic device you use to process you credit card and the like asked me to confirm that I was a United States citizen or an alien legally in the country.

They didn't attempt to ask for proof nor even to demand citizenship.
I do believe it was a modest attempt to ward off the criminal element in this country and I applaud them whether its the credit card company or Dick's for at least taking a stand on illegal immigration.

[rotor]

Is it the credit card company that is asking or is it Dick's? I have shopped at stores and bought ammo where the clerk was reminded by the cash register to make sure I am old enough (yes) and that is probably store policy to protect them just like selling alcohol.
I doubt this is the credit card company as they would not be the ones liable for problems if Dick's sold something that a non-citizen was not allowed to purchase. Probable Dick's philosophy to cover their butt. Surprised they didn't ask if you are a felon.
I agree with AndyC though and that is to stay away from Dick's. The only thing they could be to be more anti-gun is to 30.06/30.07.

Then why was it the credit card terminal that asked the question?

I don't know. Does Dick's have that programed into their credit card terminal ( I suspect so ) or does this originate from the credit card company?