Online shoppers can be blacklisted by companies for returning too many purchases.
Consumer advocates are warning that those who prefer cyber shopping over the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar stores may be subject to blacklisting based on their return history.
Since buying and returning items has become a major problem for retailers, the companies are tracking how much merchandise a customer returns and compiling that data in a secret list in a bid to catch 'serial returners'.
Depending on that data, those who return items often may be denied future returns with or without a receipt.
Consumer advocates are warning that those who prefer cyber shopping over the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar stores may be subject to blacklisting based on their return history. The items above are sitting in a Texas warehouse waiting to be resold or auctioned online
Since buying and returning items (TVs seen above) has become a major problem for retailers, the companies are tracking how much merchandise a customer returns and compiling that data in a secret list in a bid to catch 'serial returners'
Depending on that data, those who return items (like these iPads) often may be denied future returns with or without a receipt
Ed Mierzwinski, of the US Public Interest Research Group told CBS that consumer advocates are concerned that data is increasingly being shared among retailers.
'There should be no secret databases,' Mierzwinslki said. 'Customers should be aware of everybody collecting information.'
Mierzwinski also encouraged 'any consumer who's been denied the right to return a product' because of such databases should 'complain to the Federal Trade Commission'.
Best Buy is one company that discloses its return tracking policy on the customer's receipt.
'A valid receipt is required for all returns. Except where prohibited, we may request an ID. ID info may be stored in a secure, encrypted database used for tracking returns and exchanges,' a receipt from Best Buy reads.
But there are several other stores that don't.
Oftentimes, consumers won't know they've been blacklisted until a retailer refuses to process their return.
However, one way for consumers to check to see whether they have been blacklisted is to visit The Retail Equation's (TRE) database.
Best Buy is one company that discloses its tracking policy on the customer's receipt
'A valid receipt is required for all returns. Except where prohibited, we may request an ID. ID info may be stored in a secure, encrypted database used for tracking returns and exchanges,' a receipt (pictured) from Best Buy reads
The database works with retailers to 'warn consumers when their return transactions violate store policies or mimic excessive return behaviors,' according to the website.
TRE says it doesn't share a customer's shopping behavior from one
