Anybody Else Have This Happen - Half Price Books (First Vanity Ever)

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[Boonie Rat]

I had an interesting experience at Half Price Books today. Two weeks ago I went to Half Price Books and purchased a book with cash. After determining that the book was not going to be needed I went back today to return the book. I took with me the book, in unopened condition, and the receipt, clearly indicating the cost of the purchase, the amount tendered, and the change given. The clerk asked for my name, a drivers license or equivilant, and my phone number to make the return. I told her no, that cash was used for the purchase, as clearly indicated by the receipt.

After my refusal the clerk called her manager, who again said they needed identification to make the return "because the software required it".The manager said the software had just been rewritten to require a name, identification, drivers license or equivalent, and phone number before a return could be made, even a cash return. I suggested the manager use her personal information to satisfy the software's "requirement". The manager was reluctant to do that and she called her manager, a second tier manager. After she spoke with her manager and described the issue I spoke with the second level manager. I asked her why they needed the information and she replied that it was for a company database.

I told her that I had no desire to be in their database. The second level manager said Half Price Books would not release my personal information, but used it internally to track customers who made returns. I asked her if I provided my personal information was she willing to provide me her name, address, and drivers license information for my database so that if Half Price Books did sell or otherwise release my personal information I could hold her personally and financially responsible for damages. At that time she said she would not discuss it further and asked to speak to the local manager.

After the second level manager spoke with the local manager, the local manager gave me a name and phone number at corporate to contact regarding the issue.

Now. If I had provided Half Price Books with the information "required", that data would be totally owned by Half Price Books, Corporation, as I had provided it "voluntarily", to do with as they please. Half Price Books could sell that data to anyone they desire, and make a profit for the data, to my detriment. Half Price Books appears to believe that they have the right to my personal information, by writing their software to "require" indentification for refunds. I disagree.

The purpose of my post:

Has anyone else seen this attitude in their transactions with Half Price Books or other merchants?

What kind of response did/would you give

Is Half Price Book's requirement reasonable?

BTW - I used a card from a large wholesale discount club and got the money while the "managers" trying to decide what to do.

Boonie Rat

MACV SOCOM, PhuBai/Hue '65-'66

[ErnBatavia]

It's the corporate way of fumbling through the shoplifting problem...good on ya.

[dts32041]

In Chicago it is the law to provide this information when selling used CD's.

There must be a lot of stolen CD's in the city.

It has become standard SOP for every body to get the data, big brother you know, and he must be satisfied.

Try opening a checking account without a SSN.

Is it time to shoot the bastards yet?

[Mark]

Mark's personal data base

Boonie Rat- input information- CC: government database, McDonald's database,Google.com,DNC.....(/humor)

[isthisnickcool]

BTW - I used a card from a large wholesale discount club and got the money while the "managers" trying to decide what to do.

What are you saying? After everything you described you got your money back anyway?

Many retailers require some ID on returns to make sure their employees are not being "creative".

[Samizdat]

That was a good one. I'll remember to ask them for their information when they ask me for mine next time. Like Radio Shack.

BTW and FYI, I was at Office Max today and they have government tax forms for sale. Mind you, these forms are provided by the IRS at no charge and you can get them at the post office but some enterprising fellow has put the appropriate forms and transmittal forms together, slaped some cardboard as backing and bundled them up in cellophane shrink wrap. Some of the packages were 30 bucks!

[blam]

Bravo... I've had similar problems with others. I like you approach though, give me yours and I'll give you mine. I hate these SOB's who ask for personal information!

[griffin]

ok...all I need is your date of birth now please....

[Boonie Rat]

What are you saying? After everything you described you got your money back anyway?

Yep. And they DID NOT get my personal information!! Skru 'em.

Boonie Rat

MACV SOCOM, PhuBai/Hue '65-'66

[BenR2]

I had an interesting experience at Half Price Books today.

Radio Shack clerks can be almost as obnoxious. When I wanted to make a cash purchase, the clerk started by loudly asking (in the presence of others): "Phone number?"

I objected. I was paying with cash. He said the rules are the rules (like I was a troublemaker).

I finally called his bluff: "You mean you won't let me pay cash for these batteries unless I give you my telephone number?"

He finally relented, but he clearly hated my guts (because there were other customers listening).

[MtnScout]

AM clearly has no sense of humor - eh Mr. Nixon?

[feedback doctor]

If you plan on going to Radio Shack, look up THEIR phone number before you go. When they ask for your phone number give the the number you looked up.

[MrJingles]

Went to Radio Shack on Thursday. They didn't ask me for my name/address/phone number/etc. Anyone notice when (or why)the switch happend?

[isthisnickcool]

Yep. And they DID NOT get my personal information!! Skru 'em.

Yea, but HOW did you get it back? Please explain.

[isthisnickcool]

Just call me "Tricky"....

[MtnScout]

Sometime in the last month or two. I remember a news (radio) report somewhere. And it mentioned RS was finally giving up - too many customer complaints.

And the last time I went to the one near me, they did not ask.

[Age of Reason]

They didn't ask me for my name/address/phone number/etc. Anyone notice when (or why)the switch happend?

I saw an article on the net a few weeks ago, which reported that Radio Shack has changed its policy about asking such information because they believed it was alienating customers.

I can relate to that--having to fight with the sales clerk over giving such information was something I took into consideration whenever I decided which store to go to for electrionic related merchandise.

[TightSqueeze]

Radio Shack clerks can be almost as obnoxious.

I will only purchase from Radio Shack as a last resort and then only with cash. When they ask for my phone number I tell them that it is unlisted and my name is Johnny Cash, works every time.
I have no clue when this backward business will get hip to the fact that people despise them and their attempt to invade our privacy. If this recession last any longer companies like will bite the dust and never really know why. I mean they might have the best and brightest people managing this company at the top only to have all this effort wasted by the little piss-ant behind the register.

[Age of Reason]

I'll guess that they want that information so they can identify people who buy things, use them, and then return them--treating the store like a free lending library.

It might also happen that customers might damage merchandise, and then hide the fact that they damaged the item saying they just changed their mind and wanted to return it.

Things like that is probably whyt they want the info.

But I wouldn't give it either.