I have discovered an alarming new trend that is sweeping across all the big chain stores in America. I find it disgusting, coercive and alarming. I will NOT participate in it!!! This has happened to me at OSH, Walmart and tonight at Best Buy. I will not frequent these businesses anymore until they change this policy, which I do not think is likely to happen.
Here is the scam: Its seems that in the fine print that you can not even read on the back of your receipt this new policy is printed. If you wish to return an item, even with the receipt, you must surrender your ID so they can scan your personal info into their computer. Each time the clerk has asked me for ID. I gladly hand over my DL so they can verify that its me returning something and that the name on the DL, credit card and receipt all match. As I hand it over they immediately turn it around to run the magnetic strip thought their computer like a credit card. A sharp "STOP!" has prevented my personal info from being disseminated, but then I have to argue with that dumbfounded employee and then the manager and then the corporate offices. At Walmart, the manger let me complete my return with out swiping my DL. At OSH, corporate will not even return my calls. Best Buy's GM will be getting a call from me tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes.
THIS IS TOTAL BS!!! They have no right to force me to risk my personal info getting out in order to simply return an unwanted item with a receipt, ID and the original credit card that was used in the purchase. They don't need it and its wrong for them to even ask for it, much less demand it. They say that it is so they can track returns. BS!!! They already have my name. Its on the receipt for fudge sake! There have been times where I lost a receipt and they were able to find then entire transaction and give a refund just by running my CC through their system. I don't mind them having my CC info. Its a necessary evil AND I can dispute any fraudulent charges and let my all powerful credit card company DICTATE to the company in question how things are going to be, instead of these businesses dictating to ME how its going to be.
I am INCENSED about this! I do NOT want MY personal info floating around in the "secure" databases of these companies where any employee or teenager with a lap top can gain access to it. They claim they won't use the info for anything other than tracking returns, but we all know that we will start getting junk mail and they will sell your info to telemarketers and stuff too. This is abuse of the system and BAD customer service. If we all stop frequenting these businesses and start frequenting their competitors who do NOT have these invasive policies, it will stop , and stop fast! We must let them know why sales are down and dropping too. In other words, tell them, "If you want me to spend my money with you, then mind your own business and stay out of mine!!!"
Here is the scam: Its seems that in the fine print that you can not even read on the back of your receipt this new policy is printed. If you wish to return an item, even with the receipt, you must surrender your ID so they can scan your personal info into their computer. Each time the clerk has asked me for ID. I gladly hand over my DL so they can verify that its me returning something and that the name on the DL, credit card and receipt all match. As I hand it over they immediately turn it around to run the magnetic strip thought their computer like a credit card. A sharp "STOP!" has prevented my personal info from being disseminated, but then I have to argue with that dumbfounded employee and then the manager and then the corporate offices. At Walmart, the manger let me complete my return with out swiping my DL. At OSH, corporate will not even return my calls. Best Buy's GM will be getting a call from me tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes.
THIS IS TOTAL BS!!! They have no right to force me to risk my personal info getting out in order to simply return an unwanted item with a receipt, ID and the original credit card that was used in the purchase. They don't need it and its wrong for them to even ask for it, much less demand it. They say that it is so they can track returns. BS!!! They already have my name. Its on the receipt for fudge sake! There have been times where I lost a receipt and they were able to find then entire transaction and give a refund just by running my CC through their system. I don't mind them having my CC info. Its a necessary evil AND I can dispute any fraudulent charges and let my all powerful credit card company DICTATE to the company in question how things are going to be, instead of these businesses dictating to ME how its going to be.
I am INCENSED about this! I do NOT want MY personal info floating around in the "secure" databases of these companies where any employee or teenager with a lap top can gain access to it. They claim they won't use the info for anything other than tracking returns, but we all know that we will start getting junk mail and they will sell your info to telemarketers and stuff too. This is abuse of the system and BAD customer service. If we all stop frequenting these businesses and start frequenting their competitors who do NOT have these invasive policies, it will stop , and stop fast! We must let them know why sales are down and dropping too. In other words, tell them, "If you want me to spend my money with you, then mind your own business and stay out of mine!!!"