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Policies and procedures

Posted Wed February 9, 2011 5:12 pm, by Sandra D. written to Sears, Roebuck & Co.

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Purchased a Nuvi Garmin GPS 12/23/10 as a present. The recipient declined the gift and I attempted to return it to the original store. My personal identification was requested. I showed my drivers license but said that I did NOT want my info entered into their database. The employee said that nothing could be done. I asked for a manager, he said he was it. Following day, I called the store manager and related the problem. He said there was no way to process a refund without submission of my information.

I did not have to provide personal info in order to buy the item and I shouldn't have to provide it for a refund.

Then I called Sears 800 customer service. I spoke with Miranda, emp #77020, who said that "...no one can help me with that..." and that "...nothing can be done...". I asked for a manager/supervisor and spoke with Alexis, emp #250901. She reiterated what everyone else had said, that no refund can be processed without caving into to this corporate policy and allowing my personal info to be gathered, coalated, analyzed and potentially sold as a commodity by one of the wealthiest retail marketers in the US. I respectfully decline and choose to opt out of this practice.

I understand the need to prevent fraudulent returns. I verified my identity and have the original receipt. It is MY policy not to have personal info entered into anyone's database, for any reason. I am incredulous that NO ONE at Sears can think outside the box and find a way to resolve my issue without violating my principles. I object to being forced to submit to data collection in order to obtain a refund. I resent having company policy quoted as opposed to action being taken to resolve my issue. I'm very dissatisfied.

I want a refund check sent to my address of the full purchase price, $106.99. Sears may have my name & address and nothing else.


Reply



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by MA Cunningham Posted Wed March 2, 2011 @ 1:10 PM

Um, then wouldn't that involve you supplying your PERSONAL
INFORMATION??

You say you understand the need to prevent fraud, so I guess that I
DON'T understand why you're refusing.

I mean, I'd rather have my $106 back!

Reply
by mooney Posted Sun February 27, 2011 @ 8:05 PM

well it looks like you lost $106.99 then. if everyone else complies to
the policies and procedures that keep the store from taking a loss,
what is it that makes you so special?

Reply

by KGBags Posted Sat February 12, 2011 @ 11:20 PM

Sometimes you have to show ID with a return. I know Target's return
policy, for example, clearly states that an ID MAY be required for ANY
return, even if you are not doing anything out of the ordinary.
Returning items to a store is not an automatic, if you choose not to
abide by a company's return policy, than that is your right. Just as
the company has a right to set their own return policy. As others
have said, the alternative is a "no return, period" policy.

In the future, if you are very selective about your personal
information, I suggest you familiarize yourself with a company's
return policy BEFORE you make a purchase, and specifically ask a
manager if and when you might be required to show ID. Then choose to
shop at those stores that do not require IDs for returns. It is your
responsibility to be an informed consumer.

Reply

by Chadg Posted Sat February 12, 2011 @ 8:01 AM

Good for you! Its time we start standing up and challenging big
businesses and their motives. As the person below said, Law
Enforcement, Finance, and Gov't Agencies are the only groups that
should be taking your information.

Its starting to get annoying that WE are subject to THEIR terms and
conditions. Its as if WE dont matter.

Perhaps they do have honest motives like preventing fraud, but, if
their data systems become compromised and your information is stolen
and used to commit fraud against you, thats not exactly fair.

As far as im concerned, sears can have two pieces of information- My
full name, and my zip code. No DL numbers, SSN's phone numbers or full
addresses, too many opportunites for ID theft and or unwanted mailings
or phone calls from the advertising department.

Reply

The deal is by Lisa H. Sat February 12, 2011 @ 12:51 PM


Just the other day.. by Harleycat Sun February 13, 2011 @ 2:13 PM

Re: Policies and procedures by Jared C. Fri February 11, 2011 @ 1:12 PM

Well then by Nicole F. Fri February 11, 2011 @ 4:19 PM

by batmoody Posted Sat February 12, 2011 @ 11:11 AM

It will just make returns even more of a pain for customers and we all
know how much they will like that!

Reply
by dg132001 Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 8:42 PM

"I want a refund check sent to my address of the full purchase price,
$106.99. Sears may have my name & address and nothing else."

Well, then apparently you may have NO REFUND!

Reply
by MoniB Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 7:56 PM

The information is collected so that if they need to they can verify
that you actually returned the merchandise and it's not an employee
doing fake returns.
It has nothing to do with selling your

Reply


by Irving Patrick Freleigh Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 7:12 PM

"It is MY policy not to have personal info entered into anyone's
database, for any reason."

Then get rid of your drivers license and your Social Security card,
for starters, because having those things puts your personal info in a
database.

Reply
by Richard S. Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 3:27 PM

If you don't want to return the items to Sears and get a refund, then
you can try selling the Garmin on Ebay or Craig'slist. You can even
try giving it to someone else as a gift.

Most stores ask for your name and address when returns are made. This
is to keep track of who is making returns.

Another option for you is to ask the person who you were going to give
it to, to return it for you. That way their information is given and
not yours.

Reply

by RedheadwGlasses Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 1:32 PM

$100+ gift and the person didn't want it? Yowza.

Reply


by RedheadwGlasses Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 1:31 PM

From what I"ve read, stores keep track of this information and share
it -- through a couple of different clearinghouses -- and then they
use that info to identify people who do too many returns (then those
people are denied the ability to return at some stores, even at stores
they've never shopped at before).

Reply

by ST Posted Thu February 10, 2011 @ 1:06 PM

I'll echo what the others have said. Sounds like you were wanting to
return outside of the normal window. Therefore, you're asking them
for special consideration. You're asking for a favor.

They aren't the ones asking for special consideration, therefore, they
don't have to play by your policies.


Reply

by Harleycat Posted Wed February 9, 2011 @ 9:59 PM

Sorry, if you want the refund which seems to be outside the normal
return period, you need to supply the information. There is no
"thinking outside the box" involved here. You want them to do
something "outside the box" so you need to abide by their policy,

Reply

Good point by Lisa H. Thu February 10, 2011 @ 12:41 PM


by Bill R. Posted Wed February 9, 2011 @ 9:11 PM

I'm with Pepper and Nicole on this.

Two choices:
Give the information requested and get the refund.
or
Not give the information and figure out what to do with the goods.

Much the same that they can ask what they want you have the right to
not play along, refuse to answer and not get the results you desire.

BillR.

Reply
by Nicole F. Posted Wed February 9, 2011 @ 6:41 PM

You are not providing the full story.

The only time they do get your DL number (regarding returns) is
because you either do NOT have the receipt or it is over the 90/30 day
return policy. You say it is from electronics? 30 day return policy,
which would make the last day you could return it around 1/23.

So, you are over the 30 days and they were going to do a courtesy
return/refund for you. This means you have to play by their rules,
sorry.

Also, they don't sell your information. I'm "in the system" both with
my address and DL number. I have never received any junk mail that I
can tie to Sears. What could they do with your DL number? They could
get more information from your name and address, anyway. The most they
could pull from your DL number is your birthdate, maybe.

Reply

by PepperElf Posted Wed February 9, 2011 @ 6:12 PM

the reason information is stored into the database is most likely to
ensure a customer isn't a "serial returner'

aka someone who buys an item to use it for a few days and then returns
it ... like they were "renting" it.



as for your personal data being in a database... um it already is.
seriously. it's public information.

http://www.spokeo.com/ ... www.zabasearch.com ... and those are just
two sites. i've seen others too.

Reply

Exactly by Lisa H. Thu February 10, 2011 @ 9:59 AM




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