Argos Refusing Service?

RevolvingDoors

Hi everyone,

My sister has recently been informed by our local Argos that they will no longer serve her.

She has, in the past few months, taken back a few laptops and tablets (she claims that each return was legit) and from the sounds of it has used the money from one to pay for the next, so Argos has regained the money from each, so to speak.) She's shown us receipts etc so we know that the laptops WERE indeed brought from Argos and not somewhere else. Are Argos actually allowed to refuse her business? I would understand if she had conned them somehow but if the receipts are all valid and such, what's her position on this?

Many thanks in advance.

CoolHotCold

Yes.

Argos, are allowed to do this. Businesses are able to refuse service to any consumer so long as it is not on the grounds of discrimination (such as race, religion, etc).

RoonilWazlib_2

As long as they are not discriminating for one of the protected characteristics (age, race, disability etc) they can refuse to serve anyone they like.

You'd expect they would give a reason but is it worth the fight? Use someone else.

RevolvingDoors

@CoolHotCold Many thanks, I wasn't sure so I thought here would be the best place to ask

@RoonilWazlib The ironic thing is, I advised her to buy her goods from John Lewis (my ultimate go to for anything electrical as they have always been fabulous with me), but she wouldn't listen. Ah well...

Zinger549

Amazon do this to people who have a high number of returns. I guess they feel she is returning to much stuff in a short period of time. Why is she returning so many of the items? Perhaps she needs to do some more research beforehand. Check the specs, read reviews ect.

neilmcl

RevolvingDoors wrote: »

Hi everyone,

My sister has recently been informed by our local Argos that they will no longer serve her.

She has, in the past few months, taken back a few laptops and tablets (she claims that each return was legit) and from the sounds of it has used the money from one to pay for the next, so Argos has regained the money from each, so to speak.) She's shown us receipts etc so we know that the laptops WERE indeed brought from Argos and not somewhere else. Are Argos actually allowed to refuse her business? I would understand if she had conned them somehow but if the receipts are all valid and such, what's her position on this?

Many thanks in advance.

As stated, a retailer can refuse to do business with anyone they wish as long as they don't fall foul of discrimination legislation.

daytona0

I've worked for a company similar to Argos and it is uncommon for a consumer to return an item. It is rare for them to return a string of items.

Alarm bells would be ringing here. They should be ringing for you too! Why would she continue to purchase laptops and tablets (of all items! Wouldn't be as concerned if it was a pair of knickers!) from Argos if they aren't up to the required standard?

I used to investigate fraud for an online retailer and this is fairly classic. EVEN IF it isn't fraud, the company is hardly making money from your sister so what is the actual point in dealing with her?!

As for why it *could be* fraud, consider this;

You may see receipts which show the purchase of a NEW laptop from Argos. What you may not see is a receipt for the purchase of an identical 2nd hand laptop from CEX at a lower price, and the re-packing of said laptop and the returning of it to Argos. Hey presto, a new laptop for the price of a used one! Could also be credit card fraud, but that's considerably more heavy. EDIT: Could also be money laundering!

You following?

Not saying that your sister IS committing fraud, but there is a distinct possibility (and I really don't blame Argos for cutting her off!!) and you would never know about it...

baza52

daytona0 wrote: »

I've worked for a company similar to Argos and it is uncommon for a consumer to return an item. It is rare for them to return a string of items.

Alarm bells would be ringing here. They should be ringing for you too! Why would she continue to purchase laptops and tablets (of all items! Wouldn't be as concerned if it was a pair of knickers!) from Argos if they aren't up to the required standard?

I used to investigate fraud for an online retailer and this is fairly classic. EVEN IF it isn't fraud, the company is hardly making money from your sister so what is the actual point in dealing with her?!

As for why it *could be* fraud, consider this;

You may see receipts which show the purchase of a NEW laptop from Argos. What you may not see is a receipt for the purchase of an identical 2nd hand laptop from CEX at a lower price, and the re-packing of said laptop and the returning of it to Argos. Hey presto, a new laptop for the price of a used one! Could also be credit card fraud, but that's considerably more heavy. EDIT: Could also be money laundering!

You following?

Not saying that your sister IS committing fraud, but there is a distinct possibility (and I really don't blame Argos for cutting her off!!) and you would never know about it...

What a great idea

Keep_pedalling

I'm not surprised, retuning items after having opened the packaging, having a play with the item before retuning them means the item can't be sold as new and unused, so she is costing them money.

Can you let us have her eBay ID so we can put the time waster on our block bidder lists please