How can I politely respond to a sales clerks question for my personal information?

That is part of their job and if they refuse to do so, will lose the job. You need to talk to the manager or contact them through e-mail with your gripes. I agree it's annoying especially when I'm in a hurry, so I let those at the top of the heap know.

I just say,"Not today, thanks for asking."

I also find this one of the most annoying things about shopping now. It's not just retailers that are doing it fast food restaurants are also adding in the questions and making my transaction take even longer. I have learned that at fast food places after they finish their necessary smear that I just say exactly what I want, down to the size and type of sauce then end it with and that will be all. Then I pull off. I realize that they must say all this stuff, it's a requirement but I'm sick of it. The only way to combat it is to complain to corporate. Ultimately they are the ones in charge of everything. Now as for the retailers when they start with the questions, if I am not interested in receiving discounts and coupons and endless e-mails, I simply hold out my cash and say "I just want to pay, thank you."

Buy online or from catalogs then you wont' have to worry about talking to any sales clerks at all!

You don't have to give any information except what is basically necessary, they usually ask for a zip code to get an idea where people live that are buying from them but you can say" no email or any other ads please, lets get on with the transcation I have an appointment"

I just give them the number for a local butt doctor (proctologist). Of all the years I've been shopping not once have I gotten a phone call from a store.

I usually have to run to my car b/c I'm about to start laughing and give myself away.

I will only give them the information they request if I actually want them to send me coupons. Otherwise, I just say something like "Sorry, I'm not interested" or if they ask me if I'll like to sign up for the store credit card, I'll make a joke about it like, "Are you kidding me? Then I'll never leave this place". It doesn't really bother me.

Just be polite and consistent. I just keep repeating 'Thanks, I'm not interested.' And you can also take control of the situation by pushing the interaction forward. If they ask you again, repeat 'I'm not interested' and give them the cash or your credit card. When I do that they usually take the cash and just move on.

If they don't ask the questions - and a supervisor hears them failing to ask the questions - they could get fired from their job for not complying with employer's directions.

How hard is that to understand?

I just give them my ph number and nothing else and just look at them without saying anything until they finish their questions. Sometimes silence really is golden.

i just say no thank you. if they persist, i say its none of your damn business. they usually catch on by that time.

they want to get to know you better, report her/him to the store

manager.