Please believe the hype... Customer service here is atrocitious!!
My teen son purchased a ball cap with a logo/ phrase that I deemed unacceptable to wear, so we returned it... or at least we tried to??!! Nothing in their posted return policy (online or on the reciept) prepared me for this encounter...
All tags still attached, obviously never worn, still in the original shopping bag, original receipt still in the bag, still within the acceptable 30-day return timeframe, etc. Nothing suspicious about any of it, but the girl/ mgr (named Taylor) seemed to instantly decide there was something sketchy about it. She asked farrr too many questions about the hat/ return, then demanded to PHYSICALLY HAVE my identification. I ask her why, and she only says they need "customer information." So I inform her that I would provide SOME necessary info if she would tell me why (like what they used it for). She just repeated that they need "customer information." I tell her I will not be providing my DRIVER'S LICENSE because there is sensitive, private, PERSONAL information contained therein (like my DOB, address, DL# which has already been stolen before), but I would provide my name & phone number. This silly girl LITERALLY repeated, now with an attitude, that they need "customer information" lol. I stand there wondering if I was confused one or if it was her confusion. Like can she hear me at all? Should I try sign language? Morse code on the counter top??
In this moment, I knew that our return was not going to happen today... this excuse for a manager (Taylor) was on a power-trip & determined to make this as difficult as possible. I was trying to hurry because people were behind me waiting to be helped, so I flat out tell her that what she's doing is illegal; I have the right to decline to provide CERTAIN personal information & my declination canNOT be the basis for refusing my return. PERIOD. But of course, she repeated that she needs "customer information" or she will not process our return, haha. Meanwhile, I don't even know what info I'm declining specifically, I just know that I'm not blindly handing over my DL.
I bag it up & prepare to leave... but then I realize that she STILL hasn't explained what "customer information" includes!! So I step aside to allow the next person in line to start their transaction, and I proceed to ask her (now while recording on my phone) to please confirm their return policy so that when I contact corporate, I have accurate details. Betcha can't guess what she said??? Lol, yes, she says, "We need customer information, like I told you before." I attempt to get her to explain WHAT SPECIFIC info she needs, but she refuses to reply & instead tells me to LEAVE HER STORE, and omg, CALLS SECURITY, haha!! No lie, that just happened. What an abuse of mall security services; they are not intended for ignorant employees to flex their little, insecure muscles. Guess she was hoping I'd get dragged out of the store by my hair & publicly humiliated?! Haha, sad.
I turn to a professional-looking male employee who had been listening nearby & ask if HE knew?? Oh, what do ya know, he calmly whittles it off like a pro: full name, address, phone number, photo ID, original receipt, & the same card used to make the purchase. Wow. Thanks, Anthony!! Thanks for nothing, Taylor!! Anthony should be the manager, gosh.
Needless to say, THIS IS NOT STATED in their return policy as required by law. Corporate will be contacted & her disgustingly unprofessional behavior will be reported as well as their need to train employees on their legal responsibilities regarding personal information. In additon, my teen purchased the item *by himself* so if he had returned it *by himself*, how would be provide a PHYSICAL ID if he doesn't even have one??!! "Customer information" wasn't required to purchase, so why on a return WITH ORIGINAL RECEIPT?! I would understand if we had no receipt, but c'mon now.
Extra:
As usual, my first inclination that the store was run by an inexperienced, possibly incompetent, person was accurate: The line was at least 5 people/ families deep (super crowded since the store is the size of a large closet), and 4 or 5 employees visible in the store with ONE guy ringing up a customer & the mgr lady (Taylor) training him. Common sense would dictate that customers should be served BEFORE training resumes! It's not only inefficient, but also rude & tells customers that their time/ money is not valued. Someone needs to communicate with her the importance of customer service & perhaps it would help to understanding the simple, obvious concept of NOT training an employee when there's a long line. Train the employee when there is only one customer at the register & no one waiting in line. read more