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

alistair.long

The law does not state that personal details have to be exchanged when a refund is processed.
If it does then please show me proof of this.

This stupid rule has become common in shops, and is a way to send you junk mail, or for a shop attendant to do fraud on your name. Yes I know this because I alter the name I give for a refund.
I once bought a jacket in london as it was raining and gave it back in Birmingham, the shop attendant then used my credit card to order a phone for himself on my address with my fake name.

You can give a item back less something, and give false details and they will never find you. so its pointless.

shaun_from_Africa

The law does not state that personal details have to be exchanged when a refund is processed.
If it does then please show me proof of this.

No one has stated that any such law exists.

What people have stated is that unless the goods in question are faulty, misdescribed or not fit for purpose, the shop does not have accept them back for a refund or exchange.
Because the shop will be offering a service which is not a legal requirement, they are perfectly at liberty to make the acceptance of a return conditional on the returnee providing their name and address.

It is no different to shops that will only accept returns for unwanted goods on certain days of the week for items that were purchased in a sale as they may not want the customer service desks clogged up on busy weekends.
They can make this a requirement for change of mind returns and refuse a refund if the buyer does not comply with their terms but they can't make any such conditions for faulty goods.

The_Black_Sheep

All this fuss over a surname, house number and postcode?

If it's that much of a worry give a false one for all three, although unless you're a secret agent or you're on the run from the law I don't really see it being much of an issue.

Valli

One of these days (if I have a spare half-hour I'm willing to lose forever;)) I'm going to ask the assistant why the store requires the details and what purpose the data is being used for.

When I return stuff to Republic (because I'm a trendy old thing :rotfl:) they ask for an e mail address. Last time I just told them they already have my e mail address, which they do.

It has been suggested that stores ask for these details to 'prevent fraud' by store staff but IF a purchase has been made by debit/credit card and they will only refund the monies to that card then I don't really understand why they would need additional information like name and address.

Esqui

It's so that the staff can come round your house and break in and steal the things you haven't returned. Thought everyone knew that

NeverEnough

arcon5 wrote: »

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?

No I am not. Again!! So there!!


Where did I ever mention "changing my mind" about goods I had bought? The OP merely mentioned returning goods to Halfords - not that they were "changing their mind" - you have made that up all on your own! They merely said they were "returning goods". These may have been faulty, or not, as the case may be.

So you are wrong!

No shop has the right to intimidate or force you into giving personal details to them (which they can then go on to abuse). I think you will find no shop has the right to force you to provide such details. If it is part of their intimidatory ploy to prevent you returning a faulty item, they are acting illegally.

If you have merely changed your mind, they still do not have the right to force you to provide your details - but may then refuse any "goodwill" exchange or return they do not, by law, have to offer.

So its you who are wrong - again!

The_Black_Sheep

NeverEnough wrote: »

No I am not. Again!! So there!!

So its you who are wrong - again!

I haven't observed such witty retorts since my childhood days spent frolicking around the primary school playground.

NeverEnough

dreamypuma wrote: »

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?

I am indeed. It is not reasonable to demand personal data from people - where is this stored, who has access to it, how long is it kept? There are reports of people being plagued with junk mail or having their personal details fraudulently used after being forced into providing this information to shops.

The best way forward is probably to provide made up details to protect your own data from abuse in these situations.

wealdroam

NeverEnough wrote: »

Where did I ever mention "changing my mind" about goods I had bought? The OP merely mentioned returning goods to Halfords - not that they were "changing their mind" - you have made that up all on your own! They merely said they were "returning goods". These may have been faulty, or not, as the case may be.

It appears that you have overlooked post #4, where the OP says...

NewFolder wrote: »

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.

As the OP expected it to be resold, I am sure you will agree that it is probably reasonable to assume that the thing is not faulty.

As part of their process for accepting what is effectively a 'change of mind' return, the shop is perfectly entitled to use the condition that name and address be supplied.

whatmichaelsays

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.

Remember people. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.