REturning Items To shops Why do they want my Name & Address details?

Question

Why do shops always want you to fill in your name and address details when you return something for a refund ? Why do they need this information? What do they do with it anyway?Can you refuse to give the information?

Answer 1

yes you can refuse.  they only collect it to sell on for advertising and junk mail use.

It is a fuc*ing cheek!

Answer 2

Always wondered that myself...maybe its to check that your not a serial returner!!

Answer 3

I thought it was to try and stop fraud, in case you were stealing items and then taking them back to get the money and saying they were a gift so you didn't have the receipt.

Answer 4

it's because so many people return things .e.g. buy it.. use it .. return it within 2 weeks so they don't have to buy it fully.. and it's probably than cheaper than hiring the same thing.

so like hiring something, but without any cost. someone I know used to buy things and keep returning them every 2 weeks.. so he didn't have to actually buy anything. he did that for about a year.

Answer 5

They want the info to make sure you are not buying an item new- going home and swapping it for the same item which might be broken or out of warrenty, also to stop people buying and returning multiple items - my mum used to do this buy stuff - when it broke - bought a new one and returned the broken one in the new packaging for a refund.

Answer 6

i always refuse to give my information

there is no reason why they would need my address when im returning a top.

or indeed returning anything for that matter. i always say  no.

Answer 7

I have always wondered too, someone please tell us!! :)

Answer 8

i think they sell name and addresses to other companies who send you junk mail

just make up a name and address next time.

Answer 9

Yes,and they can refuse to give you your money back.I guess the same reason the police want all personal info on you if you report a crime.They act as if you are the criminal.

Answer 10

Just scribble a made-up address as they don't check it - it's just to keep them right.

Answer 11

To show you are not a serial returner or a thief who steals and returns.

You can refuse if you wish, but what's the big deal?

Answer 12

sometimes staff can buy things on discount and then get someone to return it and get the full money back, taking down your details can prevent this... I think