Complaint from Fran Porter about Recently, purchased item for $17.00 from Best Buy, Simsbury.
I returned 1 week later with receipt, in perfect condition. BB asked for driver’s license , I questioned why, was told BB needs to enter into their data base, so if I buy & return “excessively” they will not allow returns for a period of time.
I said I refuse, licenses are not to be used in this way, invasion of privacy. BB said they cannot give credit or money back. I can complain to corporate, gave me 1 800 tel. no.( Oh sure, spend my life, calling a 1 800 #, disconnect, etc.,been there , done that !)
So. I gave them info, left furious, I refuse to shop there, & I tell all my friends & family. I would like any ideas or feedback on this.
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I’m wondering – is this against state or federal law? What are the specific details, anyone know?
I don’t blame them. Businesses, especially big box stores, get scammed a lot by various merchandise return schemes. It’s not unreasonable for them to demand proof of identity when you return something.
I was recently asked for my driver’s license number at Guitar Center. I went to the store to pick up an item that was ordered online and previously paid for. After the salesperson gave me the item and my receipt, the security person stationed at the door asked me for my driver’s license number. I was told that the reason was to ensure that the right person was picking up the item -?! After I protested, a manager confirmed that was the policy. The security person then wrote down my name, driver’s license number and other information on a piece of paper she had and asked me to sign it. I have tried to get more information on this store policy from the company and to find out what the store does with the paper with customers’ personal information on it but have not received a response.
I got the same runaround, but was allowed ‘one time only’ to return without my license. This is what I posted on Facebook:
I went to return an item to Best Buy today. I walked up to Customer Service, receipt in hand, and said I wanted to return this item and exchange it for that. The woman asked me for my drivers license, so I showed it to her assuming she wanted to make sure I matched the credit card name. She said, “No, I need you to take it out and hand it to me.” I asked why. She said, “We need to scan and make a copy of your license.” Shocked, I said, “For what?!?”. She said, “We are keeping track so people don’t abuse returns.” I didn’t know what to say. I told the woman, “I’m sorry, I’m not giving you my license to copy. You’re a private business and have no right to the personal information on my driver’s license.” I was told that without it, I could not get my money back.
I asked to see a manager, and reiterated the same thing to him. “I’m returning something I purchased, not renting a car. You don’t need my license; you don’t need to store my Driver’s Licence Number, height, weight, birthdate, license expiration, whether or not I wear glasses, and not to least of which my picture.” I was told that this was new corporate policy (since July) and that it was required. I said, “Well, we’re at an impasse. I’m returning this and want my money back, but I’m not giving you my license.” The guy said he’d be back and left for a couple minutes.
He came back, gave me my money back, and said he would let me return without the license “this one time,” but I couldn’t again. I said not to worry, I wouldn’t be shopping there again. Then, I said I would pay for the other thing I wanted to buy with cash so I didn’t have to show my license if I returned it. He said, “No, even if you pay with cash, we have to scan your license to return.” Incredulously, I said, “even if I make a completely cash transaction with no personal information given at all, not even a credit card, I’d need to give you personal info to return it?” He said yes. I said, “Keep it, I’m never shopping here again.” He replied, “Oh, every retailer will have this policy soon.” I retorted, “Sounds like a great reason to start shopping locally and supporting small business mom-and-pop stores.”
No private business has any right to demand that king of personal information for a normal transaction for even an expensive item, much less the cheap one I was returning. So, I will not be going to Best Buy, or any store adopting this policy, again. Who’s with me??
@EarlyOut. Proof of identity is fine. I will be happy to show you my license. ‘Scan’ my license? Put my info into your system? Uh-uh, that’s not going to happen.