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I recently went to exchange an item I bought two days ago with cash at the children place. I had my original receipts. The cashier asked me for my Driver License. I asked the cashier why does she need my driver license for since I'm only exchanging one item for another at a higher price. First she asked me for my phone number. I dont' know why they need my phone number for either. I made up a number. If they don't want me to shop at their store it's fine with me. Why do you need my phone number for. Then she continued to ask me for my Driver license and told me they have to enter my Driver license number, address...all the information on my driver license into their system run by "the Retail Equation, " to track my returns and exchanges. I said it's fine if they want to track my personal shopping habits but they shouldn't use my driver license information to do it. That's my personal information that I should be the one giving out not vice versa. The cashier said she can't do the exchange if I didn't have a Driver license/valid ID. I felt like a criminal. All I wanted to do was exchange a $5.00 item. I spent over $77 in that one transaction. I was forced to give the cashier my Driver license so she put me into their system to track returns/exchange habits. If that was the case I wouldn't want to shop at that place. I am an honest shopper. If I don't like an item I bought I should be able to return with only the receipts not with my driver license too. The Children Place is not the only retail store that does that. Now, I'm in a system that checks if I'm a fraudulent shopper, that's prevents me from doing any returns/exchanges in a given month(s), ...etc. I should be able buy what I want and return it if I'm not a satisfied customer. I shouldn't be forced to give away my personal information just make the retailer happy. It's not my fault they have a "loose" return policy. Seriously, why would a store take something back without a receipts. Don't they know how many stores have the same exact product. Why do they need me driver license information. Why do they need to know where I live? When my birthday is? Are they going to send the returns/exchange cops to my house? Are they going to send me something on my birthday? This is fast way to lose customers. I WILL NOT SHOP AT ANY RETAIL STORES OR ANY STORES THAT HAVE THIS SYSTEM. It should be my choice to give out my driver license information. Not one that is force upon me. It's either the retail stores have to change or the system. BE AWARE OF STORES THAT HAVE THAT SYSTEM. This is your Driver license information that you should be in control of.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
https://abingtonlaw.com/Retail-Equation-class-action-lawsuit.html
Home Depot does this also
One cashier told me that she can located my info. by a search using my social security number. All of these instances are so creepy. I’m sure that these workers don’t protect our privacy. There is no need for Home Depot nor the store that you went to for the return should be scanning and keeping our private information.
Hello, well it happened to me yesterday at TJMAXX, I WASrefused a return due to too many returns. Asked for a copy of report and all that showed up was walgreens which had duplicated items throughout. Also, tjmaxx offers your receipt via email which I always choose but come to find out THEY DONT HAVE WIFI so most of my receipts are in cyberspace. I'm suing tjmaxx for the embarrassment and emotional trauma bestowed on to me yesterday. If u offer emailed receipts, you should be able to make sure your customer gets what they asked for!
If any class action lawsuits are filed against TRE, please let me know!
I believe with great increase of identity theft nowadays, and only getting worse,
this co. is a prime sitting target. All of the customers whose identity data they store
are the obvious victims! Unfortunately for all of these customers it's not a question
of if but when will their identities be compromised!
VJV: this is the website to log your experience and enter the class action if one is filed.
https://abingtonlaw.com/Retail-Equation-class-action-lawsuit-Questionnaire.html
I signed up with Abington after an experience at Home Depot this week - online order, returning part of it - return denied and I was treated as a criminal, they ONLY considered the fraud aspect. I spoke with TRE the next day and they confirmed the reason for transaction denied was Home Depot marked it as no receipt (even though they saw the online order receipt) and they put a generic sku # in. The TRE representative said she's seen people with NO returns in their transaction history get denied and it's because of the transaction type and their transactions, like mine, had nothing to do with being a serial returner or anything. But the stores must be trained that this is ONLY for fraud prevention and then we as consumers get the backlash. TRE said the best thing would have been if HD called them at the time of transaction to get things straightened out. I actually suggested that to the HD manager and he said "Your id was flagged, they need to talk to YOU, not ME." Stressful situation because of the process. Good luck everyone!
Update : I filed a complaint with the BBB and that company responded that they did not even see my issues. Then they came back and said they deleted all of my history at SteinMart and to feel free to return anything.
I signed up with them also after an experience at TJ Maxx.
There is a class action lawsuit over this. I just joined in on it today after receiving a warning from TRE after a return WITH a receipt.
abingtonlaw.com/retail-equation-class-action-lawsuit.html
I signed up Abington also after an experience at TJ Maxx.
I was trying to do a price adjustment two days ago (12/27/2016) at Toys R Us. The employee that was doing it did not know how to do it. She kept putting in and putting in a price adjustment. She did this I would say 4 times. In the mean time Return Declined slips kept coming out as a receipt. Again, about 4 of them. Finally a manager was called over and she was able to do the price adjustment and she told the other employee that this was not a return. Any way my receipts go to my email. I saw this return declined but did not think much of it. Yesterday I purchased another item from Toys R Us. Later decided I wanted to exchange it for something else so I thought about the return decline. I went back to the e-mailed receipt and call a number to The Retail Equation (TRE) that was on the return declined receipt. I was told I would not be able to return any items to Toys R Us for 365 days. I told him I just purchased an item today and wanted to exchange and he said you are stuck with it. No returns and no exchanges. After a few choice words from me I asked for the Toys R Us Manager. He told me he had nothing to do with them he just works for them and said I could call the corporate office but he did not have the number. I call Toys R Us 1 800 # and talked to an operator. When they could not resolve the situation she gave me a number to the corporate office. At this number I could not get a live person. So basically I gave up. I went back to the store later with the item I purchased yesterday (12/29/2016) and again got a Return Decline receipt. Mind you I have only returned about 4 items to Toys R Us in about a 3 weeks time. Yes it might seem like a lot but I am a Schizoaffective Disorder/Bipolar Type and tend to buy and return maybe more than the average person.. Any way be that the cause or not this is very ridiculous. The items I return are never opened and I just don't get this. I have never heard of any thing so crazy before in my life. I have never heard of any company name (TRE) and I can not believe Toys R Us would be affiliate with such. I returned 4 items. Well say roughly 8 with the Lady at Toys R Us not knowing what she was doing and shooting out Return decline Return decline receipts all over the place. Who is (TRE)? Could it be possible that I can walk in another store with a return and have this problem? Well I would hope other stores have better tack that Toys R Us. So beware my friends with your holiday returns at Toys R Crazy because you might be standing in line like me with a trail of people behind you wondering is this real or not. Since pills cant prevent me from shopping. Maybe this might curtail my spending and save me money and time. None the less I will never sat foot in Toys R Us again since I am a Maniaholic and am being discriminated against because of my Mental Illness. I have just fully read all reviews above me and now see that this is not just a Toys R Us problem. My beloved Best Buy is also on the list and I happen to be elite with them. Man, this is crazy. Some would like to call me crazy but I have nothing on this!
Yes, I had an adverse experience with Toys R Us a couple of years ago and have never purchased from them since. My situation was being generally indecisive and buying multiple items, not knowing which I would ultimately give as a birthday present, which depended on speaking to the parents of the child and determining what they would prefer.
I returned 3 of the 5 items and received the warning from TRE. After going back and forth between the store, their corporate customer service, and TRE, I also gave up and decided never again.
I've since learned there are a few more stores where I shopped which were also TRE clients. Home Depot, Lowes, JC Penney...to name a few, where I limit my shopping. They just don't get the bulk of my business. Notice none of them advise you in advance of their relationship with TRE, which is what I find deceptive and offensive.
TRE is affecting legitimate customers who do not have malicious intent. Beware!
I found out upon trying to return a laptop bag that I purchased online b/c it was not available in stores that we were banned from returning anything for 365 days. The bag was missing the shoulder strap, and came dirty. Best Buy offered to do the return w/o the receipt but we lose on the sales tax. Fine. Ordered another one online, b/c it was a nice bag at a good price. This time, it was not as dirty, but the zipper was broken! I cannot open the bag! I cannot return that item either. I would have to file a dispute and wait for TRE to do an investigation which can take up to 30 days. I told my husband we are no longer purchasing from Best Buy anymore.
As a consumer I should have the right to use a retailer's return/exchange policy. Regardless of how many returns or exchanges I have made in a given time period their policies should legally be honored. Being "forced" to sign their statement in acknowledgement to future purchase conditions is absolutely unfair and puts the consumer in a precarious position. The retailers are just trying to save $$$ since they lose money on returned/defective/exchanged/just not happy with products. Too bad. Such is the cost of doing business these days. I'm one of the disgruntled Best Buy customers who has lost his return privileges for the next 365 days. I have one of those Elite Membership Status cards which means I spend over $2000 consistently a year at Best Buy and that dollar amount is based on products I have purchased and not returned etc... I'm a consumer and since BB and other retailers offer their various return/exchange policies I am entering into a legally binding contract once the purchase has been made. They are breaking their contract and "selling" our buying habits to a 3rd party company like TRE is a whole other set of legal issues. If a product is defective or doesn't live up to my expectations or satisfaction I will not be keeping it especially if there is a policy offering such returnable conditions. All of these retailers should adjust their return policies if their shareholders can't deal with the lost profits in these scenarios. And for the record, I returned a Samsung Note 7 (recently recalled due to exploding battery issues) and purchased a Sony Xperia which proved to have some sort of firmware/nonfixable issue and was also returned. Why should I be "punished" for a manufacturer's defective goods?
There are at least 3 legal issues I suspect with both retailers who use The Retail Equation and TRE, itself. 1. Invasion of privacy. When a retailer asks or insists on using a customer's Driver's License to conduct a return or exchange, it is unlikely anyone would agree if they were advised their information was being sent to a third party's database. 2. Breach of terms. When two parties agree to transact and represent terms prior to transacting, whether expressed or implied, it is considered a legal breach if one party alters those terms after the transaction. Retailers are expressing and implying their return policy written terms in store and online and through employees who verbally explain return policies. They use terms such as "no problem", "hassle-free", and offer promises at the time of purchase to honor returns without factoring in TRE. 3. TRE's system model for profiling fraudulent customers and admittedly non-fraudulent customers who have high rates of honest returns, is inconsistent and unfairly discriminatory. Some customers are warned; some not. Some are banned after only 1 return; some more. Some are banned for 90 days; others for over a year.
There are many law firms I suspect would be interested in a class action. I know of only one which would consider it if enough people contacted them on their website. Although they are based in NY, they accept class actions representing anyone disenfranchised by corporations in the US. They are Wittels Law and can be found online. Recently they represented a class action against Time Warner Cable. Tell everyone you know who has been adversely affected by The Retail Equation.
Thanks for the info... I'll try to contact them!
Oh, I just had this lovely experience at Sephora, of all places. I was trying to exchange an unused/sealed fragrance that I received as a gift... "do you have a gift receipt?" Um, no, I don't always tell the people that I hate their gifts and that I need their receipt to exchange it for something that doesn't suck.
Instead, I got banned for 365 days. I asked for a report from the TRE (scam operation), and apparently I had an unreceipted return for ~$12 in 2013. WHAT. Really classy, Sephora. That's fine, I will just have my grandmother or one of my friends who never shops at Sephora return the fragrance for me. Then I'll sell the store credit to one of those gift card selling sites, because there is no way I will set foot in a Sephora again after the way I was treated. These stores need to learn not to make customers angry... especially when I can get the exact same products at other stores with good customer service (Nordstrom).
Well, it's a (very small) comfort to know I'm not alone. I was denied at Home Depot after buying and returning many items during a kitchen remodel (such as backsplash samples that I was told I could return). TRE said no more returns for 6 mos without a receipt. Yes, often I didn't bother taking my receipt because I new I was just going to buy more and a store credit would be fine. I recently tried to return something WITH a receipt and was again denied.
The store has a right to have what ever return policy they want but if you don't know the rules ahead of time, how can you play their game? Now I'm out amounts I charged and can't return even with a receipt. I've never stolen anything from a store, but this sure makes me want to do something back to them. They're just shooting themselves in the foot because I'll never shop there again!
LOFT has recently employed RTE. It used to be my favorite store, buying probably 95% of my wardrobe from them for 13 years. No more. They are dead to me. Here is my last attempt at communication with them via Facebook, which was ignored by them:
"Customers need to know they are being tracked without their knowledge and why they are being tracked. If you are frequent shopper to LOFT, this may interest you: LOFT’s newly implemented return policy has flagged me as a potential return abuser, based on “scientific data, ” because I fit a particular profile. For the next 90 days their third party company, The Retail Equation, which monitors return, has instated a probationary period which prohibits me from making any returns of exchanges. (This third party tracks customers through by keeping a database of their personal information, such as driver’s license, without the knowledge or written consent of the individual.) Yes, I have made copious returns in the past. I am tall, so the majority of my purchases are made on line, resulting in many returns. However, I was flagged for in-store purchase/return activity. I infrequently purchase in store to supplement what I have purchased on line. This will sometimes result in a return because of a change of mind, thinking that returning the item was not an issue because of LOFT’s 45-day return rule. It was the furthest thing from my mind that I was doing anything wrong, but apparently I was, according to industry standards. Apparently I am considered an abuser of the system, and just this past Sunday I was cited as such publicly in my local store. This took me entirely off guard. I was not aware of the new return policy, as it is not posted anywhere in the store; it is printed on receipts, but this was not realized until after the fact. As for many of its customers, over 95% of my wardrobe was in the past purchased from LOFT. I like to shop, so naturally I make many purchases from LOFT, but this also means making many returns as well. I always keep my receipts in order and try to make as organized returns as possible as a courtesy to the store associates. I always have a little tinge of guilt when making returns because of the inconvenience I am putting the store through; the women who work there are just lovely (props to the ladies of the Winston-Salem store). Because of the 45-day return policy, I thought I was playing by the rules. I did not realize my behavior was considered downright suspicious, according to “science.” No one has ever alerted me to this. Because they use this third party (RTE) to monitor and penalize customers, they claim there is nothing they can do to reverse the charge. I can dispute the warning/denial through RTE, but the process can take over a month, and there is no guarantee the dispute will end in my favor. One individual going up against not 1, but 2 large corporate entities is more or less powerless and at their mercy.
After discovering and falling in love with LOFT in 2003, and soon after opening an account with them, my nearly 13-year account was closed Tuesday evening. According to The Retail Equation’s web page the conclusion can be drawn that I am, in fact, an undesirable customer. I meant no harm to the company and thought I was being a loyal customer by not looking for other shopping options because I had found what I was looking for in LOFT’s product and pricing. Well, this has been a hard lesson learned. I will henceforth be abundantly sure my intent to keep item is firm before purchasing, knowing that it is no longer a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. Sadly, my newly established shopping habits will never be practiced at LOFT unless this situation is satisfactorily remedied."
They have yet to respond.
Hi Amy, I realize this is an old post but did you ever get a response from AT. I just had a horrible experience at one of their outlet stores. I purchased 2 items with cash and returned them both unused with tags on within the 45 day window AND had my receipt as well. The clerk asked for my driver license. When asked why, was told it was store policy. I told them you didn't need my DL when I purchased why do you need it now. Again, told store policy. Then said, this information is not disclose on your return policy here at the cash register or on the receipt. Basically it came down to, provide my DL, if I wanted my refund. I totally feel my privacy has been violated. With all the data breech issues happening with retailers, insurance companies and even Experian, I believed paying cash would reduce my information being exposed if I had to ever return something. Didn't help in this case. I am never buying from AT or loft again. I did call an attorney and said that their return policy is deceptive and fraudulent, but it would have to take a class action lawsuit and get TONS of consumer to make getting this policy changed.
I am surprised they could cancel your account since Loft does not issue any cards. The Loft card is issued by Comenity Bank. In order for Loft to be able to contact Comenity to cancel your account, (if that's even proper and legal), I would think they would have to give a reason. If they told Comenity that they suspect you committed fraud or anything improper and legal, then that is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I can't imagine your agreement with Comenity gives the store the right to cancel your card. I have a Boscov account through Comenity and nowhere does the agreement say the store can cancel my account. It DOES say Comenity can cancel my account for "any reason." I surmise then that would cover the store asking them to cancel. A problem could still arise if the store tells a 3rd party bank to cancel for reasons not legitimate. Surely, the bank would ask the store why it wants the card canceled.
Just learned what TRE is thanks to Advance Auto Parts. I Went into a store on a Saturday night with a dead battery that was purchased at that exact store about 3 months earlier. Since I was jumped off at work to get to the Advance Auto Parts, I did not have my receipt with me, but the store pulled it right up by my phone number and had the record right in their computer under my name. After they tested the battery to verify it was bad, they started the battery exchange. Unfortunately the TRE beast was awaken and a RETURN DENIED receipt printed out. I was informed rather curtly that Advance Auto Parts would not honor their warranty and I had to call the number on the denial receipt (of course they would not be open until Monday). Since that time, I have spoken to TRE 3 times trying to get "my report", and I still do not have it. I spoke to Advance Auto Parts contact center. I have spoken to a district manager and sent an email to the CEO, and it appears that they could care less. After 35 years of loyal purchasing and 10 years of loyal employment with Advance Auto Parts, I can not make returns for 180 days. Although I have never made a return without a receipt that was not listed in my customer profile, I am screwed. This is incredible. How can this be stopped.
I was blacklisted because of Three Dollar store credit. The best policy is to stop shopping at places that use TRE. Incidently TRE did me a favor, after being blacklisted I bought my plumbing parts at a Plumbing Supply House and found that it was 50% cheaper than at Home Depot.
I am in the maintenance & repair business and sub-out my work on a "Time & Material" basis. Now I've instructed all my subs I will not reimburse any purchases made at Home Depot. There are plenty of other stores that deserve your business and be appreciated.
Today I got the lovely little denied return receipt for returning unused building supplies. I spend thousands of dollars at Home Depot every year and when I return extra materials I always just ask for store credit because 99% of the time I am there also picking more materials up. I called the number and the only thing that TRE will says is that you need the receipt. Of course they do not answer a single question and keep going back to that I need a receipt and there is nothing they can do. I ask for a supervisor and get the old well I take down your number and they will call you at a later time. Not to mention they talk to you like your a criminal and stupid, that you are condemned by their crazy little system that just blocks random people to say "hey it works". What TRE is doing is outrageous and completely condemning people of illegally of fraud. Like many of the rest of you have said TRE has no idea what you buy, if you buy more you will have more to return and that is all they are concerned about. I have filed formal complaints about both companies and post this up every that I can. If there are any fraudulent people it is the elephant in the room pointing at everyone else, TRE.
Agree with all said and view this as ILLEGAL misrepresentation and defamation damages caused by Home Depot. I had to go to a trial and this information tracking NOT JUST MY RETURNS, but ALL "store credits" AND contractors who had done returns for me or vice versus---all returns are LINKED or CONNECTED according to the receipt information which is tracked the second anyone provides their ID. This HD new policy of hiring this TRE began a few years ago so it is still so new that most HD reps do not understand the linking and adverse consequences, nor do they advise you right when they typically advise, if you keep and have your receipt, returns should be no problem. I am ready to sue, even in small claims if that is the only option. Do NO accept any store credits, as store credits indicate TRE is connected. Do NO show ID. SUE!
You have to hand it to the retail equation. They must have one hell of a sales team. How they have persuaded big box retailers to use their services is beyond me. It has nothing to do with fraud or abuse, they are making $ by selling your information to third parties who in turn sell your information again and again-down the line we go. And on the other end they make Even more $$$ by selling their services to best buy, Home Depot etc. Here is a typical senario. The Retail equation goes to one of these stores-say their next victim is Walmart. Hey Walmart here is what we can do for you. We can increase your bottom line by limiting how often customers can return items, if at all and in return you pay us a small fee - all in the name of preventing fraud and abuse -wink wink.
I'm now on a current 90 DAY SUSPENSION FROM: BEST BUY. This
happened to me just 2 days ago on 6/27/2014, I'm a (victim) & by doing my research have
found many other LOYAL SHOPPERS like myself falling VICTIM to (TRE) THE RETAIL
EQUATION. I wanted to share my personal experiences with you so you can make
your own decision if you should keep wanting to shop at these retailer(s) at
your own personal risk!
A WARNING NOTICE to the PUBLIC who shops at these &
other following retailer(s) who use (TRE): Best Buy, Home Depot, JC Penney's
& Victoria’s Secret. Many of you may have done returns, price matches,
warranty service or geek squad service repair with these stores & have been
asked to give them your driver’s license; what you don't know is why. A 3rd
party company known as The Retail Equation or (TRE) says its Verify-2 software
identifies the 1 percent of consumers whose behavior can be identified as
return fraud or abuse. The company, whose software is in 20, 000 stores
throughout the country as of 2012, doesn't in fact identify only the 1 percent
whose behavior can be identified as return fraud or abuse! In my situation at
Best Buy I had 7 returns within a one week period, very small items, 2 game
pre-orders, 2 music CD's, a computer lock for a laptop PC, a chilling pad for
my laptop PC & 1 Blu-ray movie. I'm an Elite Plus Best Buy Reward Zone
Member which entitles me to a 45 Day return, price match period with receipt
over the normal 14-15 day return, price match period with receipt, that we as
Elite Plus Members pay dearly for this privilege as we must maintain a certain
spending average each calendar year & if not met we lose the Elite Plus
Status! I found out during my research with companies listed above using (TRE)
that it's completely legal & you as a customer don't stand a chance with
any legit argument or reason why you're making the returns or doing price
matches, you're in fact just being (punished) for doing so. It just pops up on
your record after giving them your driver’s license that you're at first placed
on a 90 Day Suspension. What this means: Right at that moment you can be denied
your current return & you're banned for 90 Days from making any future
returns to this store even if you've purchased a product within your right to
return under that stores return policy & have kept your receipts from prior
purchases. So if you purchased let’s say a TV, Camera, Blu-ray Player, Computer
or Cell Phone prior to this point & you should have a problem with your past
purchase(s) not working properly, even if it is with-in the return period,
you're out of luck since you're placed on a 90 Day Suspension. You will be
stuck with a defective item & legally you can't do anything about it as
they're protected under laws. My first
reaction: I said it doesn't say this on the receipt under the return policy nor
does it mention this on their return policy on their website which I read
through twice. After getting the verbal notice from the (CSR) Customer Service
Rep at Best Buy, you're then forced to sign your name on the electronic device
where you sign your name after agreeing to pay for your item, (giving you no
choice) but to accept your (punishment) you're then printed out a little memo
of your suspension & can call (TRE) at an 800 number or write to them,
however you can only leave them a message, then at their convenience they will
call you back regarding any questions you might have. I'm still currently
awaiting my response. The same day I had forgotten to bring in my Blu-ray
player which I had purchased the Geek Squad Protection Plan which gives you an
extended warranty & is then covered under Best Buys Policy instead of the
90 Day Manufactures Agreement Policy. I had a 4 year warranty, which I paid for
to have the extra service provided by Best Buy. Knowing I had been given a 90
Day Suspension which I thought was only for returns actually in fact carried
over my (punishment) on an item I had previously purchased a year ago through a
Best Buy Extended Warranty! In this case the (CSR) at Best Buy originally gave
me two options. 1. I could’ve gone & picked out a different Blu-ray Player
that I wanted, even if I wanted one at a higher price, I could’ve paid the
difference for it. 2. I could’ve gotten a store credit in the amount which I
paid for the item plus the extra 3 remaining years left of the warranty
coverage back in store credit. What actually ended up happening to me for the
very first time in over two decades from shopping at Best Buy because of my 90 Day
Suspension from (TRE) the (CSR) wasn’t in fact able to offer me my store credit!
She then told me I could only get a comparable item in its place, left with no
room to argue & knowing they’re within their legal rights I was forced to
accept a lower priced item than what I initially paid. I was (further punished)
by Best Buy keeping the extra money that I had originally paid for on my
current Blu-ray player and the remaining money from the 3 years left on the
extended warranty. I was not able to pick out a new Blu-ray player. I had to
accept the one that they gave me, even though the box was damaged. I then had
no choice but to accept it & was forced to purchase yet another 4 year
warranty. My thought was, what if something happens with this one & it just
stops working as the previous one did because at this point I lost all my
rights to return anything for 90 Days. I did make the CSR open it, so that we
could see if there was any physical damage. Not only did they make out by
keeping my extra money on a product & keeping the remaining 3 years left of
my money on a warranty but they got even more money from my pocket by giving me
no option but to purchase a 4 year warranty so I could return it after my 90
Day Suspension if something were in fact defective with it. If it stops working
within my 90 Day Suspension, I’m just out of luck & I’ve yet to suffer some
more!
I’ve posted a link below if you would care to read Mr. Peel’s
experience back in 2012 being handed his 90 Day (Punishment) through (Best Buy)
by (TRE) He actually went to the news media however it ended up doing him no
good & further wasted his time.
http://articles.courant.com/2012-04-09/business/hc-bottom-line-best-buy-returns-20120409_1_return-fraud-return-or-exchange-fraudulent-returns
Another good link that you can find out from what other VICTIMS of (TRE) are currently saying & speaking out about. Plus other people who've been hassled by this process!
Retail Equation — Driver license scanned for exchanges/return
My goal is to get the public’s help! I cry out to you for
your support by showing everyone my letter here please. I need
everyone’s support so it gets to as many people as possible so YOU the consumer
know what you’re up against by these above retailers & others who follow in
their footsteps by using (TRE) Thank You for your time & support! After all we've to look out for our other shoppers so they don't become another VICTIM of (TRE) through yet another company or Best Buy!
If you (fall victim) to (TRE) at the time of your return, price
match or warranty service, do what I did, (Remain Calm) because remember
yelling, screaming & being completely pissed off & causing a scene at
any retailer will only get you possible banned from the store or worse
arrested. Instead act totally calm during your process, I know it’s hard but it’s
in your best interest to do so because by remaining calm you have more rights
& will be respected more; plus you can reach your goal quicker. Never say,
I’m going to sue you or get my attorney. Saying this statement to any retail
store employee will only get you the response of: I can’t talk to you legally since
you said this & at this point you’re forced to leave the retailers store. Remember
it’s not the (CSR’s) fault for this happening to you, it’s the fault of the
corporate office who in fact made the decision in the first place to use (TRE)
(TRE) doesn’t in fact know how you shop at a store at all.
It only goes by what you as a customer return. If (TRE’s) software followed my
Best Buy Elite Plus Reward Zone Membership it would know for a fact that I’m
not the one percent of people committing fraud by returns! Also to point out,
all the employee’s know me very well at this Best Buy location since I had
shopped there so often.
Today is 12/2017 and this is still happening! No one knows about TRE unless you are a victim. Go figure! Have you checked the reviews on YELP? This is a travesty! Consumer's Report should write an article, and, of course, AARP should warn all readers ... I cannot afford to keep something that is useless when on social security!
When you return an item at best buys, they ask you to scan your drivers license. Best buys says it uses a third party to verify your identity and to verify your product return behavior. This third party company is call The Retail Equation located in Irvine Calif.
Does anyone know whether this company uses this information to support its other business lines? For example, is the information stored in a "data farm" whereby The Retail Equation leverages this information to support another one of its product lines like offering its clients product marketing analysis. By collecting Drivers license information, The Retail Equation has now added/enriched the data available to its clients.
If we can understand what else this data is being used for (not just for catching people who make frequent returns) then we can focus on the real issue driving the need to collect driver's license information. We all understand the problem which is retailers losing money from returned merchandise. If the company The Retail Equation interest stops at only helping Best Buys catch people making frequent returns then I remain uncomfortable but can live with this new reality. But should The Retail Equation make money by leveraging my/our personal information for its own profits then we all should be outraged. We should stop corporations from collecting information beyond the scope of their original intentions...especially without our permission. We should all investigate this issue and stop this practice by the company, The Retail Equation.
Retailers may think they are protecting themselves with this system, but what they are really doing is pushing away customers in the long run. No one wants to go back to a store that treats you like a criminal and hires a company like TRE to secretly track your shopping habits and then use that info to try and make you feel bad and think you have a problem by using such terms as "shopping bullimic" and "returnaholic". Who are they to tell you how to shop? No one wants to be embarrassed by having a return rejected, and then on top of that having to get a phone call from the idiots at TRE shaming you and warning you to monitor your shopping habits as if they were you parents or something. I used to feel bad when I would read about retailers going out of business or having problems like Best Buy is having, but when they treat they're customers like this they are asking for those problems. People shop to relax and feel joy, but who would want to go back to a store when they treat you like this? Just because you return often does not mean you are scamming a store. Its not a crime to change your mind, or sometimes you just don't have the time to try it on in store. Are you supposed to keep something that does not fit just to avoid getting a "warning" from TRE? If a store does not want returns, then they should just state that instead of giving a customer false shopping confidence and making up lies about "hassle free returns" and saying "no receipt, no problem" and then sending TRE to do their dirty work of shaming customers for returning items too often. People have enough to deal with in life and dealing with this nonsense should not have to be one of them. The only thing these retailers are achieving is making customers never want to go back to their stores and pushing them towards their online competition permanently.
Dear "Fed up with bad service" did you start a class action lawsuit due to your encounter? If so, how did you proceed and who did you get to represent you? Any information that you can share wil be greatly appreciated.
Today is 12/2017 and this is still happening! No one knows about TRE unless you are a victim. Go figure! Have you checked the reviews on YELP? This is travesty!
I am an employee of the Children's Place. TRE is a system that we use for all return/ exchanges. However if you have your recipt a drivers license is nt required, we just have to type in the transaction number, store the items were purchased, and date of purchase. I have never seen a transaction with a receipt be denied unless it was over the 45 day return policy. I'm not sure what store you were at, or if it is possibly different per state? We are in tennessee. We do ask for an address for returns, this is not shared information ( we are told by the company that we do not sell information, but anything transmitted thru TRE is obviously shared with them) but you can opt out of giving your address if you have a receipt. If you do not have a receipt a drivers license is required, we cannot even process an exchange without either a receipt or DL. I would double check this JFK with your local store, but that is how it is here, I have worked here for two years.
Receipted returns are most DEFINITELY tracked using license numbers. I was warned yesterday and knew I hadn’t made ANY nonreceipted returns...furthermore I knew I’d had NO returns since Christmas! I immediately requested jm report when I walked out the door; 12 hours later, low and behold, there are 3 returns for CHRISTMAS CLOTHING that did not fit that I EXCHANGED WITH MY RECEIPT which my drivers license info was attached to. And these were the ONLY returns besides the one from yesterday. So, I am being blacklisted for 4 receipted returns in 10 months. THAT is COMPLETE BS.
I bought a laptop at a Best Buy retail store. The display had particles under the glass, so I exchanged it. The replacement had a defect with the CPU, so I decided to get something completely different. I bought a Microsoft Surface RT tablet, but it had significant light bleeding from the bottom bezel - which is a manufacturing defect - so I exchanged it for the same product. When I did that exchange, I received the 90 day warning.
If Best Buy didn't sell shoddy merchandise, I wouldn't have exchanged anything in the first place. But regardless of that, no retail store should force their customers to keep items they are unhappy with, whether they are defective or not. The Retail Equation is costing Best Buy customers. Now that there's an Apple store and a Microsoft store near my home, and I can supplement other electronics purchases with Newegg or Amazon, I'll never step foot in Best Buy again.
I had nearly the same experience. I went into exchange jeans for size - even exchange items with tags still on in obviously new condition and it was denied by the retail equation. After discussing this with the store staff, who couldnt not deviate from the policy with the excuse they could get fired we attempted to call the service number which is only open on M-F 9-5 pacific time - no answer.
I refused to leave the store until the issue got escalated to a area manager who approved the transation. Childrens place has effectively abdicated its ability to provide a reasonable customer experience to long standing loyal customers to TRE. SHAME ON CHILDRENS PLACE. They have last a loyal customer. I'm considering starting a class action lawsuit against TRE and Childrens place.
I'm in the middle of a major remodel and have spent over $5, 000.00 at Orchard Supply in the past 90 days and WAS planning
on spending triple that until today when I attempted to return TWO unused unopened mouse traps out of the ten I purchased. I call The Retail Equation because the store was CLUELESS as to what the issue was since I paid CASH and spend $170.00 and now wanted to return $10 worth of mouse traps. I called corporate for Orchard Supply they too were clueless and took a report. I received a voicemail stating they were very sorry it was a store manager decision. I called the store manager the one on duty was clueless he had never heard of such a thing since I had the receipt and it was less than 24 hours old, paid cash, unopened moiuse traps return reason I purchased TWO too many. I will be filing a complaint with the Attorney Generals office for failure of this retailer to notify me that they were sharing my personal data with a thrid party and furhtermore the fact that this retailer has NEVER stated such a return constraint or stipulation, basically I purchased too many electrical and pluming widgets and returned more than the alloted quanity even though I spent over $5000.00 and returned perpahs a total of $125.00 You bet I am mad as heck as a consumer who helps keep local merchants in business given I have a lot of disposable income. So guess this is why they want us to stop supporting US business and buy on-li ne and overseas where we pay no sales tax and free shipping and sometimes free return postage. Shame on US retailers who use TRE for returns of products that are in UNOPENED UNUSED condition. TRE states they are in business to help stop consumers who USE a product and then return it... so much for 30 day money back customer satisfaction. I am going to check TRE webside and boycot every retailer on their list.
I am a Best Buy victim ... go figure! No one has ever heard of TRE unless you are a victim of this practice ...
I need to see your driver's license before I can respond