Can a store check if an item was purchased when asking for a return without a receipt?

Question

Or can someone just go and pick out something and ask for a return when they never purchased it? Do they check it "in the system"?

Answer 1

yeh i work in a ski shop and we have a history thing stored in the computer. so if someone comesin you can ask for there credit card number or signiture and we can match it.

but im not sure if all retail shops have this program

Answer 2

Stores routinely have such people arrested.  They use the tapes from the security cameras to back up the charge.