Jack writes:

Every time I went into Radio shack I had to give them my name, address,
phone number, wife's maiden name, first born's name, favorite dogs name
and other assorted stupid crap. I once tried to buy without giving them
the info and they wouldn't sell to me until I did.

I'd tell them no[*], and they'd still sell to me. Your experience seems
unusual, I frequented radioshack in several states throughout the
70's and 80's.

In any case, you could certainly have lied.
[*] "My name is cash".