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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think I should be able to exchange a present without the retailer insisting on telling the person who bought me it, 'due to GDPR'?

91 replies

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:18

This must be a common scenario.

A relative gave me a Christmas present of an outfit. It is the complete opposite of anything I would ever wear. It was far too expensive to shrug off as 'one of those things' and shove it in the wardrobe never to see the light of day.

There are plenty of things from the same retailer I like and would wear. It was purchased online. So I contacted them and asked if I could exchange it.

No problem, they said. However, they will need to email the person who bought me it and tell them I'm exchanging it.

Shock

Which I really can't do - they will be really offended because they thought it was gorgeous and the very last thing I want to do is upset them Sad

I asked why and was told its an automated email which goes to them. I pressed further and was told it was a shipping email and they can't stop it. They said they 'have to' tell the gift-giver because they are the original purchaser and this exchange would be 'activity on their account' and under 'GDPR law' they have to tell them.

I asked if I could just do a straight swap of it in the shop (rather than return it via online), they said no because it was purchased online, only things purchased in the shop can be exchanged in store. I said if there is no receipt, how would they know where it's purchased? They said they can only do it in a shop with a receipt. (this also seems weird)

Surely this is not right that they "have to" tell for an exchange? If I wanted a cash refund then fair enough, but I just want to swap them. If the purchase was made in-store then they wouldn't be able to contact my relative (unless they made them give their email at the till, I guess), so that argument that they 'have to due to GDPR' doesn't make sense to me, as surely it would apply regardless of where it's purchased (and I haven't heard it does?)? I also explained that I don't want my information shared with my relative in this shipping email and I don't give my consent for this, but they weren't interested Hmm

Are gift vouchers in exchange, or a quiet swap of presents no longer allowed?

I can't sell it, as I don't think anyone else would wear it either. It's for a very niche taste.

I think the GDPR thing is a fob-off, but I am at an impasse as they are saying they can't do any exchange without notifying relative.

Please, can anyone help me?

OP posts:
MynameisJune · 27/12/2018 17:37

That’s general Boden policy about the email. I thought Boden as soon as I read it as I’ve seen the same complaint before.

Astella22 · 27/12/2018 17:37

There is allot of hysteria around GDPR, it’s just supposed to ensure ur personal details are not shared with a 3rd party. I can’t see how u returning a present breaches ur relatives gdpr or yours.

MepsiPax · 27/12/2018 17:38

Blimey! I've never heard of this before!

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:40

I can't say it doesn't fit, (there several parts to it) because it will still be obvious when they then are told they have shipped two different items!

Also, they have checked the purchase against my relatives account; they asked me their details, so they know I haven't bought it on Ebay or something and trying to get a refund.

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 27/12/2018 17:42

It's a complete failure of Boden to comprehend the GDPR, is what that is. It's actually against the spirit of GDPR!

Or more likely the person you spoke to knows their system will send an email, won't or can't do anything about that, and uses GDPR as a handy scapegoat for anything in order to make people like you go away.

GenerationSnowflake · 27/12/2018 17:42

how do they manage when the original buyer paid cash in store? It makes absolutely 0 sense.

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:43

Are "gift receipts" no longer a thing, now that GDPR exists? Confused

OP posts:
Nquartz · 27/12/2018 17:43

Do you want to exchange in-store or post back & expect to receive something else instead? I'm not sure!

If there is one nearby I'd just take it into store to exchange or get a credit note, I'm sure they won't ask who bought it for you or how they bought it...

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:44

It's a complete failure of Boden to comprehend the GDPR, is what that is. It's actually against the spirit of GDPR!

Or more likely the person you spoke to knows their system will send an email, won't or can't do anything about that, and uses GDPR as a handy scapegoat for anything in order to make people like you go away.

This was exactly my perception of what they were saying.

OP posts:
MaverickSnoopy · 27/12/2018 17:45

Hmm can you phone up another day and say it was given to you in a secret santa at work....?

DanielCraigsUnderpants · 27/12/2018 17:46

I'm a data protection specialist.

They is speaking shit

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:47

how do they manage when the original buyer paid cash in store? It makes absolutely 0 sense.

My thoughts exactly. Someone buys you a (say) coat. You don't like it. You take it into the shop, with the labels still attached.

If you have a receipt you can get a refund of the money (or occasionally a gift voucher)

If you don't have the receipt then it's credit note or exchange only.

If it's been reduced in price and you've no receipt then you get the sLe price value only.

When did this change?

OP posts:
PreppingPrat · 27/12/2018 17:47

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Biffsboys · 27/12/2018 17:48

Tell relative it doesn’t fit so your going to exchange for something else ... most people would be fine with that ?

Walkingdeadfangirl · 27/12/2018 17:48

YABU, of course the buyer needs to be told, they need proof someone has actually paid for the item. You could have shop lifted it for all they know.

It's different than exchanging something in a shop because of the cost of P&P.

nimski · 27/12/2018 17:48

Who are you speaking to at Boden? Social have more clout than customer services [email protected]
My sil had to exchange something that was too small one year and I was never contacted.

NotSureWhoIAmToday · 27/12/2018 17:48

Tell them it was a secret santa so you have no idea who bought it. Therefore they cannot link it to anyone's buying account.

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:49

I'm a data protection specialist.

They is speaking shit

I thought so. I asked for the part in GDPR they are basing this on, she basically said she wasn't going to discuss it any further and this is their policy, full stop.

OP posts:
nancy75 · 27/12/2018 17:49

I actually think this would have been the case even before the GDPR, the contract & all associated rights of return are between the seller & the person paying for the item - if they add/remove or do anything on another persons account they have a right to know.

codenameduchess · 27/12/2018 17:51

The GDPR excuse is crap, but if it was bought on someone's account a return/exchange/refund or whatever is activity on THEIR account and so they would of course be notified. It's very different systems and processes buying in store vs online - online is naturally more complex because the company needs your name, contact info and address as well as payment info rather than a card or cash transaction in store.

I'd just chance popping by a store if possible and not mentioning any of this, just go with 'got this is a gift can I exchange?' And they'll more than likely go with it.

implantsandaDyson · 27/12/2018 17:53

I returned two books to Amazon just before Christmas. I'd been given them as presents - already had them. This morning I got confirmation they had received my return, amount was credited to my account and in the email they mentioned that the giver of the gift wouldn't be informed.

nancy75 · 27/12/2018 17:55

I would say Amazon were in the wrong to do that, especially as you have been credited the amount. You could have found the parcel on next doors doorstep for all they know!

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:57

the contract & all associated rights of return are between the seller & the person paying for the item - if they add/remove or do anything on another persons account they have a right to know.

But sury this is also the case when something is purchased in the shop?

And if it were the case, then why are (were?) gift receipts a thing, and nobody was ever contacted before shops also managed to get hold of people's email addresses?

OP posts:
Missingstreetlife · 27/12/2018 17:57

Sell it on ebay

Original poster
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/12/2018 17:58

I returned two books to Amazon just before Christmas. I'd been given them as presents - already had them. This morning I got confirmation they had received my return, amount was credited to my account and in the email they mentioned that the giver of the gift wouldn't be informed.

Thank you.

See, it is obviously not compulsory or necessary to inform the giver.

OP posts: