The Retail Equation

Dear Mr. [redacted], Are you still in possession of the GS9+Zagg Surface HD screen protector? Our records indicate that this item was successfully returned on 4/24/2018. A new warning was issued to you after that return/exchange due to your return activity with [redacted]. [redacted] removed the return transactions we listed in our previous response as a 1-time accommodation to allow you the ability to return/exchange your GS9+Zagg Surface HD screen protector. Please note, The Retail Equation is contracted to gather and store [redacted]'s return data. The Retail Equation does not implement or create [redacted]'s policies/guidelines. Please feel free to visit [redacted]'s website for detailed information on their return policies/guidelines. Regards,The Retail Equation

Dear Consumer, After thorough review of your RAR, Best Buy has found that return [redacted]-BBY was not in error. We have shared the consumers comments with Best Buy.  If you believe your RAR still contains an error, you may submit into your Return Activity File a consumer statement up...

to 100 words in length to explain items in your file.   To submit a consumer statement into your Return Activity File for disclosure, please reference the transaction number for the return(s) you wish to dispute.  Please mail your consumer statement via the U.S. Postal Service to The Retail Equation using the information listed below:              Address:          RAR (Return Activity Report)  The Retail EquationP.O. Box 51373Irvine, CA [redacted] Regards,The Retail EquationCustomer Service[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me and as long as they don't add me back to the list unfairly.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
Regards,
[redacted]
It is not problem that their  clerks did not input any notes on why the other computers were returned. [redacted]y's site and their receipts do not state anything about       being denied to return an item. Their "Return Policy" states that [redacted]y promises to accept a return if you have a receipt and the item is returned within 15 days of purchase. Nowhere does it say anything about being denied for any reason. I will continue to dispute this matter as long as it takes. I still have the unused item. If they are going to deny someone on a return they need to not sell anything to the person.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I filed a report previously regarding an item that needed returning. I received a message back from TRE's Frank Rodriguez saying that I would be granted the ability to return this item. But, when I went back to The Home Depot, my return was denied again! When I called the number back, I was unable to reach a resolution with a number of CSRs from TRE. I tried my best to explain the situation but the CSRs resorted to blaming The Home Depot for the error.
Please take a look at my previous complaint (Complaint ID:[redacted]) and assess our situation regarding this matter. I would still like to go ahead and proceed with the original agreement made by Mr Rodriguez, Revdex.com, and myself, to make a return and exchange like I attempted to do on... [11/28/17 (Transaction ID-[redacted]) DENIED] & On [1/4/2018 (Transaction ID-[redacted]) DENIED] when I returned from the holiday break. ---------------- As a result, I have had to purchase separate, additional tools, spending hundreds of dollars in order to continue doing the work I was contracted for (SEE TRANSACTION ID: [redacted] from 12/22/2017 on my RAR...To clarify, that transaction ([redacted]) is separate from this matter. --------------- I am available to return the THD on any day at any time in the future to discuess this further or provide additional information. ------------- Thank you.
Regards,
**

Dear Ms. [redacted],
 
After thorough review of your RAR, [redacted] Stores has found that return [redacted] was not in error. However, [redacted] Stores will, as a one-time accommodation, allow...

the return or exchange for this item. Please feel free to return your unwanted item/s to any [redacted] Store location from June 9th –June 23rd. Please note that [redacted] Stores does limit the returns they process  at their stores based on each consumers return activity. In this case we cannot guarantee that you won’t run into another denial in the future. The Retail Equation will not provide a list of our clients.
 
Regards,
The Retail Equation

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I made returns at both Best Buy and Home Depot.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[
I drove all the way to [redacted] took time out of my busy day to do this return, and again was left embarrassed when I was declined my returns. I brought an additional return and the girl told me to run it under one transaction because it will to decline if she tries to do it separately. So after running both of them together it was declined and then she said let's just try the one that was approved and then that one was declined individually.. I do not have time to keep driving back-and-forth to [redacted]
 
ID: [redacted]
ID: [redacted]
Why did you say this return was approved and it wasn't 
?
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
“approximately”Is not used on this website yet. If so send the link.2 numbers are required to calculate a percentage.  Customers attempted and Customers blocked. Show both.For example:100 customers attempted 1 customer blockedThat is 1% of customers blocked.
Regards,
[redacted]

Dear Mr. [redacted],
Thank you for your patience during this time. We understand you are requesting to have your information removed from our database. Unfortunately The Retail Equation does not have the authority nor the permission to do so. Please understand that The Retail Equation...

is contracted by [redacted] to gather and store their return data. This information is used solely for return authorization purposes and only for [redacted]. The information gathered by [redacted] belongs to [redacted] and not The Retail Equation. Please note,  When making a return please use
your Plenti card and if not available you can enter your phone number that is
linked to your Plenti card.  For [redacted]’s return policy, please go to www.riteaid.com.   If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact the Group Vice President of Security for [redacted],
[redacted], at [redacted].
Regards,
The Retail Equation

Thank you for your patience during this time. The Retail Equation would like this time now to respond to Mr. [redacted]s complaints/requests.
1.Incorrect calculation on...

https://www.theretailequation.com/Consumers/FAQ Company states they block 1% of all consumers from making a return. Is there any data to prove it is 1 %? Maybe it is 2%?
The Retail Equation’s response: The TRE solution is designed to identify the 1 percent of consumers whose behaviors mimic return fraud or abuse, and then, in conjunction with our retailer client’s processes, warn or decline those consumers making a return. These statistics are based from regular internal analysis of our service, which shows that we approve 98.97% of all returns processed through the Verify® return authorization service. While this percentage may vary slightly by retailer and by season, it has been consistent enough over the 15 year life of the company to base these FAQs upon.
2.Company also states on Revdex.com.org they only track id's and do not issue blocks of returns. This is false advertising. The Retail Equation is a data harvesting company that needs to be subjected to regulation.
The Retail Equation’s response: TRE offers a very detailed FAQ list on our consumer web site that clearly describes the service we provide to retailers and how we collect, store, and utilize the data to prevent retail fraud. We also offer a consumer call center to assist any consumers with questions regarding warning or declines.
The desired settlement is described as:
•Change the wording on their website. If there are 100 quantity – 1 % means 1 quantity and 99% means 99 quantity; 1 % does not mean a small amount and 99% a large amount. Please eliminate numbers from your website because I am 99% sure that your numbers are not accurate.
The Retail Equation’s response: Based on the results listed above, the 99% and 1% are accurate figures. We will not eliminate them from our web site, but since they may vary slightly over time we will add the word “approximately” to the first use of each metric in the FAQ list.
Regards,
The Retail Equation

Dear Mr. [redacted],
After reviewing your recent complaint we have found that the reason for your denial was due to your ID being manually entered incorrectly. It seems that the store clerk who processed your recent return manually entered in the wrong issuing sate. Due to this store error we have extended your window for approval to March 23rd, 2016. Please have the store re-process your return with your correct ID information. If multiple ID's are being used or if the ID is entered incorrectly again it may cause another denial. Please understand that The Retail Equation is only contracted to gather and store return data for The Home Depot. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused, if you have any additional questions regarding this approval window please feel free to contact us at the number below.
Regards,
The Retail Equation
866-407-5562

Dear Mr. [redacted],Thank you for your patience during this time. We understand you are requesting to have your information removed from our database. Unfortunately The Retail Equation does not have the authority nor the permission to do so. Please understand that The Retail Equation is contracted by...

[redacted] to gather and store their return data. This information is used solely for return authorization purposes and only for [redacted]. The information gathered by [redacted] belongs to [redacted] and not The Retail Equation. Please note,  When making a return please use
your Plenti card and if not available you can enter your phone number that is
linked to your Plenti card.  For [redacted]’s return policy, please go to www.riteaid.com.   If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact the Group Vice President of Security for [redacted],
[redacted], at [redacted].Regards,The Retail Equation

Dear Mr. [redacted],Please provide the transaction ID number located on the declined receipt which should have been provided to you by The Home Depot. The transaction ID number is 9-11 digits followed by the letters T.H.D. Once we have this information we will be able to better assist...

you.Regards,The Retail Equation

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[Hello,The report that is being referenced has never been sent to me and I personally have never returned an item to [redacted]. I was looking initially to exchange a phone that was VERIFIED to have faulty software. How is forcing someone to pay full price for an item that is faulty legal?]
Regards,
[redacted]

Dear Consumer,After thorough review of your R[redacted] has removed return transactions [redacted]-[redacted] and [redacted] from your file. The Retail Equation has amended your Return Activity File. Please note, the 365-day waiting period has also been removed.    If you believe...

your RAR still contains an error, you may submit into your Return Activity File a consumer statement up to 100 words in length to explain items in your file.   To submit a consumer statement into your Return Activity File for disclosure, please reference the transaction number for the return(s) you wish to dispute.  Please mail your consumer statement via the U.S. Postal Service to The Retail Equation using the information listed below:              Address:          RAR (Return Activity Report)The Retail EquationP.O. Box 51373Irvine, CA 92619-1373  Regards,The Retail EquationCustomer Service

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I am not satisfied because they are still rejecting the return because of TRE saying  they deny it. It's no different from the run around that they give me when I call them about it. They'll say that they fixed the problem just to get around complaints but they didn't!!
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
This still doesn't take away the fact that I've been BANNED to make returns without receipt for 365 days. I would appreciate if this can be removed from my records due to the reasons as previously stated in my original complaint.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be *barely* satisfactory to me. I am attaching here my Return Activity Report provided to me the TRE. As you can see, I only have one return submitted without a receipt on 10/27 in my report. Just one. If [redacted] would like to change their policy, that two non-receipt returns will result in automatic 365 ban from future returns, then educate the customer and do so. Otherwise, indirectly accusing customers of having shoplifted and/or of being shopaholics (these are the words directly pulled from the TRE website) is ludicrous and bad business. An apology is in order.    Regards,[redacted]