Walgreens NIGHTMARE!

[midri]

Today I went to Walgreens to buy a heating pad for my back and some OTC pain releiver. I ended up buying a few extra items, and my total purchase was about $65.00.

 

I swiped my Wells Fargo Signature Visa card, hit all the necessary buttons, and was waiting to sign. As the cashier gave me the sales slip to sign, she said "may I see your ID please?" I normally say "no," but today I wasn't in the mood for confrontation because my back hurts. I handed it to her just so I could get home.

 

I signed. "Maria" was not satisfied with the way I signed the slip and she said, "Your signature does not match your licence." Yeah, that's true because I've recently begun abbreviating my ridiculously long name from something like "Marie Antoinette von Bulow" to "M. A. v. Bulow." However, according to the Visa Merchant agreement, they shouldn't be verifying the signature on my Driver's License. She said she was going to confiscate my Driver's Licence *and* my Credit Card.

 

While my signature didn't precisely match my ID, it was in the exact same handwriting, AND IT MATCHED THE SIGNATURE ON THE BACK OF THE VISA CARD 100%. I showed her the back of my credit card. She said she didn't care and that I was in violation and she would need to go through "the proper authorities."

 

So, I said "but you already charged me." She said she'd have to call her manager. I said the merchandise is paid for and I would like to have my bags and cards so I could leave. She said no, the merchandise was still in her possession, and she was going to get the manager. I told her to go ahead and call the manager, but I am still leaving with my items.

 

She started to take the bags off the counter, but I stopped her and took the bags. I took my licence and credit card off the counter as well, and then I walked calmly out of the store with my paid-for merchandise and the receipt in my hand. As I walked out the door, I heard her saying Code something over the loudspeaker and two people chased me to my car. That's when I said I didn't want to be harrassed any more by the Walgreens "family" and that I would never come back to their store again. They tried to detain me, but I just showed them the receipt and left. They were still trying to get me to stay so they could "question" me. Geez!

 

I get all of my prescriptions from Walgreens and do most of my "drugstore" business there. I am shocked that they would treat a regular customer as if I were a criminal! I've never stolen anything in my life. I really want to go back and return everything I bought today. I mean, seriously, what the heck!!??

 

Has this EVER happened to anyone else before? I was completely shocked about how aggressive they were with me! I'm going to start with a letter to the manager, but I'm not really sure where to go from there. Any advice?

 

Thanks for reading . . . and so much for trying to avoid confrontation!

[GEORGE]

Today I went to Walgreens to buy a heating pad for my back and some OTC pain releiver. I ended up buying a few extra items, and my total purchase was about $65.00.

 

I swiped my Wells Fargo Signature Visa card, hit all the necessary buttons, and was waiting to sign. As the cashier gave me the sales slip to sign, she said "may I see your ID please?" I normally say "no," but today I wasn't in the mood for confrontation because my back hurts. I handed it to her just so I could get home.

 

I signed. "Maria" was not satisfied with the way I signed the slip and she said, "Your signature does not match your licence." Yeah, that's true because I've recently begun abbreviating my ridiculously long name from something like "Marie Antoinette von Bulow" to "M. A. v. Bulow." However, according to the Visa Merchant agreement, they shouldn't be verifying the signature on my Driver's License. She said she was going to confiscate my Driver's Licence *and* my Credit Card.

 

While my signature didn't precisely match my ID, it was in the exact same handwriting, AND IT MATCHED THE SIGNATURE ON THE BACK OF THE VISA CARD 100%. I showed her the back of my credit card. She said she didn't care and that I was in violation and she would need to go through "the proper authorities."

 

So, I said "but you already charged me." She said she'd have to call her manager. I said the merchandise is paid for and I would like to have my bags and cards so I could leave. She said no, the merchandise was still in her possession, and she was going to get the manager. I told her to go ahead and call the manager, but I am still leaving with my items.

 

She started to take the bags off the counter, but I stopped her and took the bags. I took my licence and credit card off the counter as well, and then I walked calmly out of the store with my paid-for merchandise and the receipt in my hand. As I walked out the door, I heard her saying Code something over the loudspeaker and two people chased me to my car. That's when I said I didn't want to be harrassed any more by the Walgreens "family" and that I would never come back to their store again. They tried to detain me, but I just showed them the receipt and left. They were still trying to get me to stay so they could "question" me. Geez!

 

I get all of my prescriptions from Walgreens and do most of my "drugstore" business there. I am shocked that they would treat a regular customer as if I were a criminal! I've never stolen anything in my life. I really want to go back and return everything I bought today. I mean, seriously, what the heck!!??

 

Has this EVER happened to anyone else before? I was completely shocked about how aggressive they were with me! I'm going to start with a letter to the manager, but I'm not really sure where to go from there. Any advice?

 

Thanks for reading . . . and so much for trying to avoid confrontation!

IVORY TOWER TIME

 

RETURN THE STUFF TO ANOTHER WALGREENS IN TOWN (if you have one)

 

GO SOME OTHER PLACE TO SHOP

 

WAL*MART...TARGET...even K-MART (if you must)

 

TRANSFER YOUR RX

[GEORGE]

I personaly would have demanded they make a CODE 10 CALL since they are calling me a thief

 

(others have)

 

1-800-FRAUD-FREE (1-800-372-8337)

[angeleyeskkhr]

I would be SOOOO calling Walgreens IVORY TOWER, branch manager, and anyone else involved in Walgreens to complain about your treatment, harrassment, and for the fact that they tried to accuse you of stealing when in fact you'd ALREADY PAID.

 

Then I would call VISA report them for breaking the merchant agreement by requiring your DL, and using THAT to compare signatures instead of the back of your card.

 

ETA: While I do like soldiergurl, I wonder what she'd have to say about this? I mean she's usually all for showing ID but in this case it caused more problems than refusing would.

Edited February 19, 2006 by angeleyeskkhr

[GEORGE]

I might want to also contact the POLICE

 

"IF" you wanted to file HARASSMENT charges

 

and attempted UNLAWFUL DETAINMENT

Edited February 19, 2006 by GEORGE

[GEORGE]

1-800-VISA-911

[midri]

Anyone know where I could get a copy of the Visa Merchant Agreement? I don't mean the fluff-laden one they have on Visa.com. I want the one with all the legalese. I'm going to use it to attach to my Ivory Tower letter.

 

I'm calling that 1-800-VISA-911 now.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm very bitter with Walgreens. I'll go to Costco or something for my prescriptions from now on.

Edited February 19, 2006 by midri

[GEORGE]

Anyone know where I could get a copy of the Visa Merchant Agreement? I don't mean the fluff-laden one they have on Visa.com. I want the one with all the legalese. I'm going to use it to attach to my Ivory Tower letter.

 

I'm calling that 1-800-VISA-911 now.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm very bitter with Walgreens. I'll go to Costco or something for my prescriptions from now on.

More HOMEWORK

[midri]

Anyone know where I could get a copy of the Visa Merchant Agreement? I don't mean the fluff-laden one they have on Visa.com. I want the one with all the legalese. I'm going to use it to attach to my Ivory Tower letter.

 

I'm calling that 1-800-VISA-911 now.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm very bitter with Walgreens. I'll go to Costco or something for my prescriptions from now on.

More HOMEWORK

 

Gotcha! Thanks.

[GEORGE]

Anyone know where I could get a copy of the Visa Merchant Agreement? I don't mean the fluff-laden one they have on Visa.com. I want the one with all the legalese. I'm going to use it to attach to my Ivory Tower letter.

 

I'm calling that 1-800-VISA-911 now.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm very bitter with Walgreens. I'll go to Costco or something for my prescriptions from now on.

More HOMEWORK

 

Gotcha! Thanks.

HERE IS MY HOMEWORK

 

When should you ask a cardholder for an official government ID? In most cases,

merchants may not ask for an ID as part of their regular card acceptance

procedures, either when a valid card is first presented or to complete a sale.

Laws in several states also make it illegal for merchants to write a cardholder's

personal information, such as an address or phone number, on a sales receipt.

 

If you are suspicious about the transaction or feel you need additional informa-

tion to insure the identity of the cardholder, make a Code 10 call.

http://www.usa.visa.com

Edited February 19, 2006 by GEORGE

[Uncle Leo]

Today I went to Walgreens to buy a heating pad for my back and some OTC pain releiver. I ended up buying a few extra items, and my total purchase was about $65.00.

 

I swiped my Wells Fargo Signature Visa card, hit all the necessary buttons, and was waiting to sign. As the cashier gave me the sales slip to sign, she said "may I see your ID please?" I normally say "no," but today I wasn't in the mood for confrontation because my back hurts. I handed it to her just so I could get home.

 

I signed. "Maria" was not satisfied with the way I signed the slip and she said, "Your signature does not match your licence." Yeah, that's true because I've recently begun abbreviating my ridiculously long name from something like "Marie Antoinette von Bulow" to "M. A. v. Bulow." However, according to the Visa Merchant agreement, they shouldn't be verifying the signature on my Driver's License. She said she was going to confiscate my Driver's Licence *and* my Credit Card.

 

While my signature didn't precisely match my ID, it was in the exact same handwriting, AND IT MATCHED THE SIGNATURE ON THE BACK OF THE VISA CARD 100%. I showed her the back of my credit card. She said she didn't care and that I was in violation and she would need to go through "the proper authorities."

 

So, I said "but you already charged me." She said she'd have to call her manager. I said the merchandise is paid for and I would like to have my bags and cards so I could leave. She said no, the merchandise was still in her possession, and she was going to get the manager. I told her to go ahead and call the manager, but I am still leaving with my items.

 

She started to take the bags off the counter, but I stopped her and took the bags. I took my licence and credit card off the counter as well, and then I walked calmly out of the store with my paid-for merchandise and the receipt in my hand. As I walked out the door, I heard her saying Code something over the loudspeaker and two people chased me to my car. That's when I said I didn't want to be harrassed any more by the Walgreens "family" and that I would never come back to their store again. They tried to detain me, but I just showed them the receipt and left. They were still trying to get me to stay so they could "question" me. Geez!

 

I get all of my prescriptions from Walgreens and do most of my "drugstore" business there. I am shocked that they would treat a regular customer as if I were a criminal! I've never stolen anything in my life. I really want to go back and return everything I bought today. I mean, seriously, what the heck!!??

 

Has this EVER happened to anyone else before? I was completely shocked about how aggressive they were with me! I'm going to start with a letter to the manager, but I'm not really sure where to go from there. Any advice?

 

Thanks for reading . . . and so much for trying to avoid confrontation!

 

A couple random thoughts. First, I don't believe this is a Walgreens thing specifically, as I hear too many similar stories about other stores also, stores that I frequent and never have a problem with. I believe it's more an individual cashier problem and/or store manager problem. Having said that, contacting the "Ivory Tower" is still in order, especially in a case like this.

 

Second, I find it simply amazing that she felt she was with her rights to confiscate your DL. Credit card is one thing (but, doing so does require clearance to do so, she can't just do it on her own), but the DL is way beyond her authority.

[BBQ123]

I have been to Walgreens before and had no issues paying with credit card... whether it was under $25 (no signature required) or over $25 (signature required).

 

Likely, this store has an salamander in charge of it or the clerk was a moron.

 

I wonder if you had let them confiscate your card and your license, if you could then file theft/fraud charges against them stealing your driver's license.

 

By the way, had you just left the items with them and taken your card/DL back and walked out, you could get the money refuded by filing a chargeback.

 

But -- since you had provided payment for the items, they were now legally your property. In fact, if Walgreens had a door-alarm thing and you set it off, you would not need to stop to have it deactivated. Once you provide payment, the merchandise is now your property... you have all legal right to leave the store with it.

 

You should try to contact a higherup at Walgreens (for example the District Manager or Corporate HQ). Also, you may want to contact local media... a "consumer beware" story can hurt a company. Plus, filing police report about harassment may be a good idea.

 

Definitly report those morons at Walgreens to Visa/MC/AmEx and your card issuer.

 

And next time... REFUSE to show ID.

[cannoda]

I've always gotten a kick out of how a pharmacy can hand over a Schedule II drug, say OxyContin, without ID, then ask for ID for a credit card.

 

Your situation is definately not in accordance with Walgreens policy. I smell a firing coming on.

[GEORGE]

Today I went to Walgreens to buy a heating pad for my back and some OTC pain releiver. I ended up buying a few extra items, and my total purchase was about $65.00.

 

I swiped my Wells Fargo Signature Visa card, hit all the necessary buttons, and was waiting to sign. As the cashier gave me the sales slip to sign, she said "may I see your ID please?" I normally say "no," but today I wasn't in the mood for confrontation because my back hurts. I handed it to her just so I could get home.

 

I signed. "Maria" was not satisfied with the way I signed the slip and she said, "Your signature does not match your licence." Yeah, that's true because I've recently begun abbreviating my ridiculously long name from something like "Marie Antoinette von Bulow" to "M. A. v. Bulow." However, according to the Visa Merchant agreement, they shouldn't be verifying the signature on my Driver's License. She said she was going to confiscate my Driver's Licence *and* my Credit Card.

 

While my signature didn't precisely match my ID, it was in the exact same handwriting, AND IT MATCHED THE SIGNATURE ON THE BACK OF THE VISA CARD 100%. I showed her the back of my credit card. She said she didn't care and that I was in violation and she would need to go through "the proper authorities."

 

So, I said "but you already charged me." She said she'd have to call her manager. I said the merchandise is paid for and I would like to have my bags and cards so I could leave. She said no, the merchandise was still in her possession, and she was going to get the manager. I told her to go ahead and call the manager, but I am still leaving with my items.

 

She started to take the bags off the counter, but I stopped her and took the bags. I took my licence and credit card off the counter as well, and then I walked calmly out of the store with my paid-for merchandise and the receipt in my hand. As I walked out the door, I heard her saying Code something over the loudspeaker and two people chased me to my car. That's when I said I didn't want to be harrassed any more by the Walgreens "family" and that I would never come back to their store again. They tried to detain me, but I just showed them the receipt and left. They were still trying to get me to stay so they could "question" me. Geez!

 

I get all of my prescriptions from Walgreens and do most of my "drugstore" business there. I am shocked that they would treat a regular customer as if I were a criminal! I've never stolen anything in my life. I really want to go back and return everything I bought today. I mean, seriously, what the heck!!??

 

Has this EVER happened to anyone else before? I was completely shocked about how aggressive they were with me! I'm going to start with a letter to the manager, but I'm not really sure where to go from there. Any advice?

 

Thanks for reading . . . and so much for trying to avoid confrontation!

 

A couple random thoughts. First, I don't believe this is a Walgreens thing specifically, as I hear too many similar stories about other stores also, stores that I frequent and never have a problem with. I believe it's more an individual cashier problem and/or store manager problem. Having said that, contacting the "Ivory Tower" is still in order, especially in a case like this.

 

Second, I find it simply amazing that she felt she was with her rights to confiscate your DL. Credit card is one thing (but, doing so does require clearance to do so, she can't just do it on her own), but the DL is way beyond her authority.

HOLDING THE DRIVERS LICENSE COULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED THEFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

CALL THE POLICE (not on the 911 line) USE THE NON EMERGENCY LINE

 

HOLDING CREDIT CARD FOR PICK-UP CARD IS LEGAL FOR A CASHIER PER CREDIT CARD POLICY

 

(if the register says to)

 

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ASK THE MANAGER

 

(BUT it has to be turned into the cash office ASAP)

Edited February 19, 2006 by GEORGE

[BBQ123]

If the register said to hold the card, it is legal... but otherwise, it isn't. (Of course, I believe an unsigned card can be confiscated regardless)

[mk_378]

In situations like this, STOP and ask the key question:

 

"Are you accusing me of a crime?"

 

This is a yes or no question. If the answer is no, you leave with the merchandise. If the answer is yes, you insist that they call the police and have the police investigate the situation.

[midri]

If the register said to hold the card, it is legal... but otherwise, it isn't. (Of course, I believe an unsigned card can be confiscated regardless)

In this case, the register did not say to hold the card. The purchase was approved, the card was signed, and I was signing the sales slip when all this drama started.

 

I called Visa and the lady I spoke with said that Walgreens was really out of line in this case, as the cashier should have asked to look at the CREDIT CARD while I signed, not my ID. Since this is the weekend, of course, a manager will have to call me back during the week . . .

 

We will see how it goes . . . Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it!

[soldiergurl74]

I would be SOOOO calling Walgreens IVORY TOWER, branch manager, and anyone else involved in Walgreens to complain about your treatment, harrassment, and for the fact that they tried to accuse you of stealing when in fact you'd ALREADY PAID.

 

Then I would call VISA report them for breaking the merchant agreement by requiring your DL, and using THAT to compare signatures instead of the back of your card.

 

ETA: While I do like soldiergurl, I wonder what she'd have to say about this? I mean she's usually all for showing ID but in this case it caused more problems than refusing would.

 

 

I would have done exactly what she did, except I might have had the clerk call the cops. If she is going to try to confiscate my property, I would want the police involved. Walgreens was totally outside of their rights in this situation.

[GEORGE]

I would be SOOOO calling Walgreens IVORY TOWER, branch manager, and anyone else involved in Walgreens to complain about your treatment, harrassment, and for the fact that they tried to accuse you of stealing when in fact you'd ALREADY PAID.

 

Then I would call VISA report them for breaking the merchant agreement by requiring your DL, and using THAT to compare signatures instead of the back of your card.

 

ETA: While I do like soldiergurl, I wonder what she'd have to say about this? I mean she's usually all for showing ID but in this case it caused more problems than refusing would.

 

 

I would have done exactly what she did, except I might have had the clerk call the cops. If she is going to try to confiscate my property, I would want the police involved. Walgreens was totally outside of their rights in this situation.

Edited February 19, 2006 by GEORGE

[BBQ123]

If they wanted to confiscate my DL, I would be the one calling the police lol.

[GEORGE]

If they wanted to confiscate my DL, I would be the one calling the police lol.

IT WAS THEFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

or

 

UNLAWFUL DETAINING

[soldiergurl74]

If they wanted to confiscate my DL, I would be the one calling the police lol.

 

 

Either way.... but they wouldn't confiscate anything without the police telling me that they had the right.

[genseeker]

I was in a grocery store once ad had the clerk ask for my id after I paid for the purchases which included beer. Sometimes I sign neat, sometimes sloppy, depends on how backed up the line is and how much a hurry I am in. When the cashier started to put my bank card into the register, I demande dit back. She felt it didn't match my DL and tried to take it too. I took out my cell phone and called information for the non emergency # for the police. While waiting to be connected, I asked her for her full name, she asked why and I said because I intend to sue for all my inconcienence. She said they could hold false ids, I pointed out my DL was good for another couple years And I had a kid with me and if she kept my DL I oculd not legally drive home. The line was really backing up so a manager came to see what was wrong. I told the manager she was trying to keep both my DL and check card and the sigs were not perfect 100% match but then whose is. She was taken off the register and had to trade to doing stocking so that person could get on the register. I ended up with a $25 gift certificate but then again it was our big week for groc so I had well over $100 worth of stuff. Cashier was reassigned to stocking duties only.

[Uncle Leo]

If they wanted to confiscate my DL, I would be the one calling the police lol.

Either way.... but they wouldn't confiscate anything without the police telling me that they had the right.

Shoot, many times in cases like that, the police don't even know the law.

[Uncle Leo]

I was in a grocery store once ad had the clerk ask for my id after I paid for the purchases which included beer. Sometimes I sign neat, sometimes sloppy, depends on how backed up the line is and how much a hurry I am in. When the cashier started to put my bank card into the register, I demande dit back. She felt it didn't match my DL and tried to take it too. I took out my cell phone and called information for the non emergency # for the police. While waiting to be connected, I asked her for her full name, she asked why and I said because I intend to sue for all my inconcienence. She said they could hold false ids, I pointed out my DL was good for another couple years And I had a kid with me and if she kept my DL I oculd not legally drive home. The line was really backing up so a manager came to see what was wrong. I told the manager she was trying to keep both my DL and check card and the sigs were not perfect 100% match but then whose is. She was taken off the register and had to trade to doing stocking so that person could get on the register. I ended up with a $25 gift certificate but then again it was our big week for groc so I had well over $100 worth of stuff. Cashier was reassigned to stocking duties only.

Just unreal.