I'm not trying to stalk you...

[iradney]

A million times this.

It doesn't matter how "rude" someone finds the questions to be - going off on the clerk doing the asking is totally uncalled for.

^-.-^

Amen. If you say no, its over. If you go on and on about how mad it makes you it adds a minute or so to your transaction. And now you have succeeded in what? Yelling at someone who in no way has any power to keep this from happening again. And now you are a jerk.

Its one thing to decline giving out info. Its another to be a jerk.

As for me... I just use the zipcode 90125 at places that insist on wanting that.

This is the right attitude to have. Consider this an official mod note - I understand it's not always convenient to be asked to give your information, but taking it out on the clerk is sucky.
The OP came here to vent, and some of the responses are unnecessary. It's not the OP's fault that corporate came up with this stupid policy. Got it? Good.

[Barracuda]

Agreed 100% that there are polite ways to say no. I have to ask for information all the time as an answering service rep. (Mind you, these people called US.) Saying "Sorry, I don't want to give you that" is a perfectly acceptable response. Saying "No" in a rude tone of voice and then chuckling like I'm an idiot for asking the question is NOT. That of course being the MILDEST response I have gotten; some idiots chew me out for daring to ask the question in the first place. The BIGGEST idiots are the ones who refuse to give me any information and then wonder why I say I can't have anyone call them back without their phone number...

[RootedPhoenix]

The BIGGEST idiots are the ones who refuse to give me any information and then wonder why I say I can't have anyone call them back without their phone number...

That's...pretty spectacular. *hands out cookies*...because that made my brain cower a bit. >_<