Name and Address on Refund

Cleany

I'm not sure if this is in the consumer rights guide, but shops always ask for your name and address when they give you a refund. Twice when I have had something refunded they have asked and on both times I have refused.

First of all I just wanted to check that I am right, and that businesses have no right to your personal information when they give you a refund.

Second I wanted to highlight how bad this is. I bet loads of people who are vulnerable because they are so glad they got a refund that they weren't sure they had a right to simply give up their information just in case they don't get their money back.

And thirdly maybe it should be added to the consumer rights guide, I think maybe if people know they don't have to bend over backwards to get a refund, and that includes giving away personal information that shops and business have no right to (and will sell on), they will be more confident when confronting shops and businesses.

:-)

Chimpofdoom

From the days I worked in a shop, we were told it was to make sure staff members weren't filling in fake refund slips.

nice thread about this before though!
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1168429

MichH

Chimpofdoom wrote: »

From the days I worked in a shop, we were told it was to make sure staff members weren't filling in fake refund slips.

nice thread about this before though!
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1168429

I think this is still the case, my OH works for a retailer and this has been a problem in the past. There have also been cases of people buying a product to obtain a valid receipt, then stealing/shoplifting the same product and returning it for a full refund (caught on CCTV).

I am not aware of shops selling on, or even using, personal details. I would be interested to hear of which shops have done this..

Totally understand why you wouldn't want to give over this information.

Cleany

MichH wrote: »

I am not aware of shops selling on, or even using, personal details. I would be interested to hear of which shops have done this..

ProCook said they wanted the information to send me stuff, basically for marketing. Of course it would go with the rest of their stock of information and be toyed with like the rest.

4743hudsonj

That depends largely on why your getting a refund.

If its because its faulty etc ( ie under your consumer rights) then they have no right to demand them.

If however its due to you not wanting it, it being the wrong size or colour etc, then they're entitled to.

It's worth noting though that many places computers MUST have these details to process a refund ( including mine) which is wrong.

So for the sake of ease, I write credible false details ( not mickey mouse or John Smith)

Edited some mistakes, phones arn't great for typing on the move

fluffnutter

Hmm, this sounds a tad paranoid. The DPA is clear about how and why you can collect personal details. Have you asked these shops why they want it? Have you asked them whether they sell personal details? No business can pass on your information to a third party without your prior consent. I appreciate that this might well be buried in a little tick box somewhere, but a company can not take your details without giving you an opportunity to opt out of marketing literature/having your details sold on. It's illegal to do so. Rather than posting about violated rights perhaps the simple thing is just to politely ask (rather than 'confront') why they take your details, how they use them, how long they keep them for and how they store them (if you're that thorough!). If you don't feel comfortable with the answers, then take it from there. Remind them of the DPA. The idea that 'vulnerable' people are at risk here is a little bit of an overreaction..?

DCFC79

To be honest i dotn have a problem giving my name and addess when getting a refund, not much can be done with it,

Cleany

fluffnutter wrote: »

Hmm, this sounds a tad paranoid. The DPA is clear about how and why you can collect personal details. Have you asked these shops why they want it? Have you asked them whether they sell personal details? No business can pass on your information to a third party without your prior consent.

On the whole I don't trust large businesses and organisations to deal with people's information in a trustworthy and legal way.

You might think that's paranoid, others might think that's sensible.

fluffnutter wrote: »

I appreciate that this might well be buried in a little tick box somewhere, but a company can not take your details without giving you an opportunity to opt out of marketing literature/having your details sold on. It's illegal to do so.

Yet that's exactly what they were trying to do. There was no box, and I was told it was to send me stuff.

fluffnutter wrote: »

Rather than posting about violated rights

Thankfully, due to my "paranoia", nobodies right were violated.

fluffnutter wrote: »

perhaps the simple thing is just to politely ask (rather than 'confront') why they take your details, how they use them, how long they keep them for and how they store them (if you're that thorough!).

There was only politeness and no confrontation. As I said I know a bit about consumer law so there's no need to get anxious or confrontational.

fluffnutter wrote: »

If you don't feel comfortable with the answers, then take it from there. Remind them of the DPA.

Or just don't give them your details.

fluffnutter wrote: »

The idea that 'vulnerable' people are at risk here is a little bit of an overreaction..?

No it's the whole point!

I would hope that most people by now know the dangers of identity theft and the problems with large organisations losing millions of people's information. Any one of the millions who have suffered from credit card fraud, or illegal Direct Debits, or any of the other problems will know what I am talking about.

And there is another, more important point. It shouldn't be up to the consumer to have to make any sort of effort or enquiry as to whether or not they should give up personal details to anyone, including shops and businesses. Shops and business have no right whatsoever to anybodies personal information under most circumstances, and yet there seems to be a culture that assumes they do, and this is reinforced when shops and businesses consistantly persist in asking for that information.

If you want a Tesco Clubcard or something then of course they will want your details. But if you're buying something off them or getting a refund covered by consumer law they have no right to it whatsoever.

I think that if people knew that, they would be more calm and confident when getting a refund, and it would be less of a stress for everyone concerned.

Equaliser123

Cleany wrote: »

But if you're buying something off them or getting a refund covered by consumer law they have no right to it whatsoever.

.

And if you want to enforce those rights you will have to go to Court. Guess what the box on claim form asks for - your name and address...

SallyForth_2

I would be more concerned if they refused to give you the refund unless you provided the information. Can they do that?

4743hudsonj

SallyForth wrote: »

I would be more concerned if they refused to give you the refund unless you provided the information. Can they do that?

Not if its under consumer rights but as i said, many places require details to be entered on the till before it will allow a refund. My work does, so in these cases i just make up some details. I dont fancy trying to force customers to do something i know full well i wouldnt do myself.