Halfords returns - why do they want my name and address?

NewFolder

I've returned something for a refund at Halfords today, and when I did so, they asked me for my surname, postcode and house number.

Yes, I know I should have asked them there and then, but I didn't think about it until afterwards.

Does anyone know why they'd want to know this information? Just a bit confused about it as I've never been asked for any details when I've returned anything before.

Fosterdog

A lot of shops take details for returned items, it's really nothing unusual.

SuperHan

A lot of companies do it to track any unusual return activity/fraudulent returns.

NewFolder

Thank you for the replies. I just thought it was a lot of effort to go to for something that was going to be resold anyway.

NeverEnough

The same companies are quick to take your money when they sell you something; they are not interested in your personal details then. I think it is an attempt to intimidate people by demanding personal details to which they actually have no right - if you have the correct receipt and article I cannot see that a store would have the right to refuse a refund even if you decline the demand to produce your personal details - what exactly are they going to do with the details, where are they going to be stored, who has access to them?? What fraudsters are going to collect up this info somewhere and organise some sort of fraud using your details??

The ICO should really take an interest in this particular ploy - a shop has no right in law to demand you hand over your personal data in order to refund you for an item for which you have a valid receipt.

dancingfairy

Presumably in an attempt to stop staff faking refunds or to spot patterns of fraudulent behaviour (althoug whether the policies actually work is another matter entirely).
df

shaun_from_Africa

NeverEnough wrote: »

The same companies are quick to take your money when they sell you something; they are not interested in your personal details then. I think it is an attempt to intimidate people by demanding personal details to which they actually have no right - if you have the correct receipt and article I cannot see that a store would have the right to refuse a refund even if you decline the demand to produce your personal details - what exactly are they going to do with the details, where are they going to be stored, who has access to them?? What fraudsters are going to collect up this info somewhere and organise some sort of fraud using your details??

The ICO should really take an interest in this particular ploy - a shop has no right in law to demand you hand over your personal data in order to refund you for an item for which you have a valid receipt.

I'm sorry, but the majority of that post is totally wrong.

If a shop is accepting returns of unwanted goods (and it sounds like this is the case here as the OP states that the goods will probably be resold), then they have the right to ask for whatever information that they wish.

A consumer has no automatic right to return unwanted goods (unless purchased at a distance), so Halfords have the right to ask for personal details if they are willing to accept the goods back

NeverEnough

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I'm sorry, but the majority of that post is totally wrong.

If a shop is accepting returns of unwanted goods (and it sounds like this is the case here as the OP states that the goods will probably be resold), then they have the right to ask for whatever information that they wish.

A consumer has no automatic right to return unwanted goods (unless purchased at a distance), so Halfords have the right to ask for personal details if they are willing to accept the goods back

Nonsense.

the crux is IF THE SHOP IS ACCEPTING A RETURN FOR WHATEVER REASON they simply do not have the right to force you to supply personal data. The goods may be faulty or whatever, but that doesn't give them the right to force you to provide personal informatin for dubious or nefarious reasons. Halfrauds and the like are merely indulging in intimidatory tactics with no valid reason for collecting your personal details other than to intimidate.

Do read properly. I happen to disagree with you, so what?? Why are we then not forced to hand over personal details when we buy something?? If an exchange is necessary because the goods are faulty / not fit for purpoe etc, that does not give a shop an automatic right to abuse you or your personal data as they please.

arcon5

NeverEnough wrote: »

Nonsense.

the crux is IF THE SHOP IS ACCEPTING A RETURN FOR WHATEVER REASON they simply do not have the right to force you to supply personal data. The goods may be faulty or whatever, but that doesn't give them the right to force you to provide personal informatin for dubious or nefarious reasons. Halfrauds and the like are merely indulging in intimidatory tactics with no valid reason for collecting your personal details other than to intimidate.

Do read properly. I happen to disagree with you, so what?? Why are we then not forced to hand over personal details when we buy something?? If an exchange is necessary because the goods are faulty / not fit for purpoe etc, that does not give a shop an automatic right to abuse you or your personal data as they please.

You are wrong - again!

Shops do not have to accept returns if you change your mind. Nor are 'change of mind' returns treated in the same way as faulty goods.

Faulty goods: returns in accordance with SoGA
Change of mind: return subjected to the stores policy/terms!

You say they are using intimidating tactics to avoid you returning goods, why would they do this when they can simply and lawfully choose not to accept returns if you change your mind in the first place?

dreamypuma

NeverEnough wrote: »

Nonsense.

the crux is IF THE SHOP IS ACCEPTING A RETURN FOR WHATEVER REASON they simply do not have the right to force you to supply personal data. The goods may be faulty or whatever, but that doesn't give them the right to force you to provide personal informatin for dubious or nefarious reasons. Halfrauds and the like are merely indulging in intimidatory tactics with no valid reason for collecting your personal details other than to intimidate.

Do read properly. I happen to disagree with you, so what?? Why are we then not forced to hand over personal details when we buy something?? If an exchange is necessary because the goods are faulty / not fit for purpoe etc, that does not give a shop an automatic right to abuse you or your personal data as they please.

You are aware that there is no automatic right to a refund for non faulty goods aren't you?

As such you are reliant on the companies own return policy. A policy that they can apply their own reasonable terms to?

George_Michael

NeverEnough wrote: »

If an exchange is necessary because the goods are faulty / not fit for purpoe etc, that does not give a shop an automatic right to abuse you or your personal data as they please.

But in the case in question, the return wasn't because the goods were faulty:

I just thought it was a lot of effort to go to for something that was going to be resold anyway.

so what has been stated by others that Halfords are well within their rights to ask for personal details for accepting a return for unwanted goods is totally correct.