Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
BestBuy banning people for returning things
- Thread starter xx22
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Not sure what an mvl is?
I should probably redefine my stance here regarding showing ID as I am speaking more in general, vs specifically focusing in directly on BB. For instance, my bank has my SSN, and I know why, it's because they pay me interest that has be reported, along with other arbitrary laws. that said, if I get a teller that doesn't know me, I use my passport. I have never given my drivers license to my bank.
At the other end of the spectrum, purchasing a firearm at a gun show, I've never been able to use anything besides my drivers license for govt. ID for the background check. I'm (consistently) told the reason is to show residence in the state of the purchase, Out-of-state buyers would have to go thru an FFL. And I guess I understand that, and to date, I'm not sure how I would prove state residency, other than a drivers license.
Taking a step further back, what I'm trying to emphasis is the need for protection of your personal information, where ever you can. Unfortunately, you, or at least I can't win everywhere, but it is a battle I have no problem fighting anytime someone request information they have no need of.
Identity theft is a much bigger issue that $100 bucks lost at BB. And once identity theft has happened to you, its not something that causes some discomfort for a couple of months and a few lost noon hours on the phone with creditors. Its something that follows you around for years, and in some cases never goes away. I've see identity theft happen to more than one coworker (another long story), and from my perspective, its always worth spending a few more dollars to some place that will treat you like a human being. YMMV.
OP, sorry for the off-topic rant. This is something I have seen first hand, on more than one occasion, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
[doublepost=1515450349][/doublepost]
Sorry, I'm just not following your logic. If I purchase something, then return it a couple of days later due to it being defective, along with the original receipt, why should I need to provide ID? Criminals are not going to have a cash register receipt. What exactly would an ID provide to assist with this transaction? Anything necessary should be documented on the customer receipt, and in the store's computer system.
Big box stores have been hurting for a long time. Well over a decade.
If I want to physically touch something, and/or want/expect after the purchase support, I will plan to purchase at a brick and mortar store. Most of my higher end purchases from brick and mortar stores are at smaller, specialty stores though. I expect to pay some additional overhead and I also expect that I can get in store support, accessories, etc after the purchase.
Regarding big box stores, I do not expect any expertise at all. I expect to see know-nothing, minimum wage workers (hopefully high school kids), minimally chatting quietly to themselves and doing their best to act like adults.
If you're a professional adult that provides exemplary service in a big box store, thank you for your time and efforts. I very rarely find you, but when I do, I appreciate your support.
[doublepost=1515450776][/doublepost]
I think that one of the "mental blocks" that I'm personally having with this thread is trying to wrap my mind around, and create some type of a situation, where I would be continually returning things.
Someone shared an earlier example of a contractor returning building goods to Lowes or Home Depot, and although I'm not a builder or contractor, I can certainly grasp that.
OTOH, I'm having a more difficult time specifically with BestBuy. Trying to imagine a situation where I would be frequently purchasing then returning stuff.
There is a different i think in abusing the service (taking it for granted only) with no indication to buy at all. Under those situation then, ya, a ban is acceptable, but i'm saying every now and then you would try it out and utilize that return policy, even you u made the right choice, (the excuse would be if u have any doubts)
RATSG -
MVL = motor vehicle license/drivers license. It's the abbreviation we used.
Proof of state residence: They may or may not accept an electric bill or other utility bill showing your address along with your passport.
"OTOH, I'm having a more difficult time specifically with BestBuy. Trying to imagine a situation where I would be frequently purchasing then returning stuff."
As I said, I've been shopping there for many years. In 2016, I returned two minor items totalling $34. In 2017 I returned two items. Others report returning even less and still getting banned. Also as I said the BB salesmen are always touting their return policy saying in effect go ahead and buy it and try it out and if u don't like it u always have 2 weeks to return it. Some of those things I wouldn't have bought in the first place had I known in advance how bitchy they are getting about returns now, them and their so-called 3rd party partner.
[doublepost=1515530292][/doublepost]
Home Depot is also using TRE. Could he have possibly have bought something at one HD store and returned it at another? I'm asking that because I suspect that's what might have triggered them when I made my last return. They won't tell you.
[doublepost=1515530458][/doublepost]
So is that not a legitimate reason to return something?
MVL = motor vehicle license/drivers license. It's the abbreviation we used.
Proof of state residence: They may or may not accept an electric bill or other utility bill showing your address along with your passport.
"OTOH, I'm having a more difficult time specifically with BestBuy. Trying to imagine a situation where I would be frequently purchasing then returning stuff."
As I said, I've been shopping there for many years. In 2016, I returned two minor items totalling $34. In 2017 I returned two items. Others report returning even less and still getting banned. Also as I said the BB salesmen are always touting their return policy saying in effect go ahead and buy it and try it out and if u don't like it u always have 2 weeks to return it. Some of those things I wouldn't have bought in the first place had I known in advance how bitchy they are getting about returns now, them and their so-called 3rd party partner.
[doublepost=1515530292][/doublepost]
Home Depot is also using TRE. Could he have possibly have bought something at one HD store and returned it at another? I'm asking that because I suspect that's what might have triggered them when I made my last return. They won't tell you.
[doublepost=1515530458][/doublepost]
So is that not a legitimate reason to return something?
My friend who got banned at Home Depot didn't have the receipt. I suppose on multiple occasions. He does his own maintenance on some apartment buildings.
I guess what they are trying to combat are "refunders". I have some experience with that! 30 years ago, before I moved here (San Diego) I was visiting a friend here. His roommate was "refunding", apparently with stolen credit cards. My friend was doing it to, but with his own card (his parents, really...) I was asked to go return a toolset at Sears, "to save time" while they went to return other goods. I refused, and it caused a big row...
A few days later I was staying at my friends house. We were sitting there watching the evening news, and some guy in a suit comes to the front door, and I go to answer it. I notice another guy in a suit walking around the side of the house.
Guy says "FBI"...
Everybody got cleared (after being held at gunpoint...) except for the one friend who had been using stolen cards. We had to run around town hocking Rolexs to get him out. I don't want to know where the Rolexs came from. My friend called from the jail and asked us to get Rolexs from this drawer and go hock them.
---
A thief wouldn't have a receipt? That's faulty logic. What if they grabbed a bag, from a person, a car, unattended momentarily at a store...
---
Retail stores get some funny ideas sometimes, though, and can focus on idiosyncratic behavior that is not criminal. My uncle used to take me one day a week, and for some reason I enjoyed going to K-Mart with him. The store detective would follow us around. It was because he was a window-shopper (I supposed because he was with his nephew who was fasciated with K-Mart) and never bought anything. He always got great delight in pointing-out the store detective.
---
States have ID cards for people who do not have a driver's license. At least California does. You can possess one, the other, or both. They are equivalent to a driver's license for proof of age or residence.
I guess what they are trying to combat are "refunders". I have some experience with that! 30 years ago, before I moved here (San Diego) I was visiting a friend here. His roommate was "refunding", apparently with stolen credit cards. My friend was doing it to, but with his own card (his parents, really...) I was asked to go return a toolset at Sears, "to save time" while they went to return other goods. I refused, and it caused a big row...
A few days later I was staying at my friends house. We were sitting there watching the evening news, and some guy in a suit comes to the front door, and I go to answer it. I notice another guy in a suit walking around the side of the house.
Guy says "FBI"...
Everybody got cleared (after being held at gunpoint...) except for the one friend who had been using stolen cards. We had to run around town hocking Rolexs to get him out. I don't want to know where the Rolexs came from. My friend called from the jail and asked us to get Rolexs from this drawer and go hock them.
---
A thief wouldn't have a receipt? That's faulty logic. What if they grabbed a bag, from a person, a car, unattended momentarily at a store...
---
Retail stores get some funny ideas sometimes, though, and can focus on idiosyncratic behavior that is not criminal. My uncle used to take me one day a week, and for some reason I enjoyed going to K-Mart with him. The store detective would follow us around. It was because he was a window-shopper (I supposed because he was with his nephew who was fasciated with K-Mart) and never bought anything. He always got great delight in pointing-out the store detective.
---
States have ID cards for people who do not have a driver's license. At least California does. You can possess one, the other, or both. They are equivalent to a driver's license for proof of age or residence.
Jtara - A "refunder" would only want a cash refund though, wouldn't he? I almost always just ask for the refund to go back on my credit card. I wonder if that last refund was an exception and I asked for cash. I almost never do that but on rare occasions I do. I don't really remember.
Speaking of store detectives, when I go to the Costco (a store that treats both their employees and customers right!) I'd often see this nerdy looking guy walking around with no shopping cart apparently aimlessly. I thought he was just some nut who liked to spend his time waddling around the big Costco store. Then I once saw him chatting it up with some other employees and I figured out he's what they used to call a floor walker. Good thing I didn't stuff the filet mignons under my shirt that time was following me nyuk nyuk!
Speaking of store detectives, when I go to the Costco (a store that treats both their employees and customers right!) I'd often see this nerdy looking guy walking around with no shopping cart apparently aimlessly. I thought he was just some nut who liked to spend his time waddling around the big Costco store. Then I once saw him chatting it up with some other employees and I figured out he's what they used to call a floor walker. Good thing I didn't stuff the filet mignons under my shirt that time was following me nyuk nyuk!
Awful nuisance dealing with people isn't it? The annoying employees want to get paid leave on Christmas and other ridiculous privileges, lunch breaks, etc. And the even more annoying customers want to return things they've already bought and paid for, and waste our valuable time asking questions, and poking the nice shiny merchandise, getting their filthy slimy fingerprints all over it!
Summed up right there why we will continue to lose B&M stores. I, for one will say outright that going to the store to check out and fondle the product only to go online to but it is flat out Chickensh!t! Call me a crusty old fart if you want but I will support the local store every time as long as they perform ethically. Amazon will ban you just the same, it’s just a lot more effort to make a return when shipping is involved.
I’ll put away my soapbox now...
I have one particularly good anecdote about this.
I went to Fry's maybe 15 to 18 years ago to buy a DVD burner to upgrade the CD burner in my PC.
The only one they had that fit my needs had the "Returned item - 10% off" sticker, but I bought it anyway.
When I got home and went to install it - the drive inside was a CD-ROM drive - some ****** had installed the DVD writer, and put their old CD-ROM in the box and returned it. (And they also kept the two blank DVD-R discs - back when those were not cheap.)
That's chutzpah!
But, would you have done better if you had a queue of people waiting with their returns?
Mistakes surely can and do happen. Doesn't change the fact that they are mistakes nonetheless.
Just for reference, these are some of the more common stores that utilize The Retail Equation Services if anyone was interested to know:
1.) JC Penney
2.) Best Buy
3.) Home Depot
4.) Amazon
5.) Sephora
6.) Victoria's Secret
7.) Dicks Sporting Goods
8.) Lowes
9.) Nike
10.) Toys R' Us
11.) Wal-Mart
12.) Dollar Tree/Dollar General
1.) JC Penney
2.) Best Buy
3.) Home Depot
4.) Amazon
5.) Sephora
6.) Victoria's Secret
7.) Dicks Sporting Goods
8.) Lowes
9.) Nike
10.) Toys R' Us
11.) Wal-Mart
12.) Dollar Tree/Dollar General
Reading online, like the yelp reviews for tre, thd worst abusers are bestbuy, by far, and then jc penney, and the latter has been expected to go belly up for several years now.
[doublepost=1515550641][/doublepost]
I'm with RichardMZ now too. I'll use BB to "check out and fondle" the product and then buy it elsewhere, and to use your own words, it's because of the "flat out chicken$hit" way they treated me, a long time customer (which even the flat out chicken$hit tre dude on the phone "thanked" me for being), arbitrarily banning me from returns for a whole year with no prior warning and no explanation.
So happy shopping at your favorite store, you BB defenders. I hope you return something - or don't you ever engage in such plebian activities? - and they ban you too!
I've returned plenty to BB and others. I'm sure I am on their list, but I also spend thousands a year. I run a business and frequently need to buy something immediately. If you don't want to do business with them then just go elsewhere. I would actually prefer to deal with a true local dealer, but there are just not any around any more. I would sure like to have a "real" computer store like an old CompUSA or MicroCenter, but they are gone largely due to outlets like Newegg.
This strikes a nerve since I work in a field where we perform many high value services for customers, several of whom then put our design and hard work up to the lowest bid.
This strikes a nerve since I work in a field where we perform many high value services for customers, several of whom then put our design and hard work up to the lowest bid.
They don't care. They'll ban you anyway. They ban their best customers. Then we'll see if you come back here and still defend them. This from a review of TRE on Yelp, another one of TRE's "clients", Home Depot (but most of the complaints are about BestBuy):
"Well I was declined to return a cheap $50 heater at Home Depot ....so stupid because aim a pro customer a spend about $600 dollars a week at Home Depot so stupid will start shopping somewhere else know can believe there going to loose $4,500 dollar customer a month for $50 stupid dollars...
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-retail-equation-irvine?start=20&sort_by=date_desc
My point was not about returns, but the need to have a real brick and mortar to pick up stuff locally. On my market BestBuy is the only game in town, so when they go we will have nothing except the Apple and MS store.
Still have Walmart and Sams Club and Costco (the best!) and Office Depot and Frys. I didn't get much out of going to BestBuy anyway. Most of their salespeople are treated even worse than the customers and not that knowledgeable, and downright deceptive about the return policy, and ordered to hard sell their extended warranties. Most things are not on display or not working or locked up. The only thing that was good about BB was you could try things out and return it easily if it didn't work out, but you can't even do that anymore.
Last edited:
Fry's stores are pretty limited in general, Only one in Oregon (Wilsonville, south of Portland) and one in Washington state (Renton, near Seattle.)
Here is the full list of locations:
https://www.frys.com/ac/storeinfo/storelocator?site=csfooter_H
The internet has killed all of the specialty/computer stores for the most part.
Here is the full list of locations:
https://www.frys.com/ac/storeinfo/storelocator?site=csfooter_H
The internet has killed all of the specialty/computer stores for the most part.
I've been to Fry's all over. But... Richdmoore, your clarification of the situation is much better than the original. There are still such stores out there, but, like Circuit City and HH Gregg, among others, they are dying out. As will Best Buy barring an update in their marketing efforts. Not that they are bad at the moment; just that market dynamics constantly change and they'll need to be ready to move quickly.