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Wal-Mart requires a ridiculous amount of ID to buy cat litter

2007-11-11

My husband and I made a late night stop at the local Walmart (American Fork, Utah) to purchase cat food, cat litter and chips. In total, the purchase was twenty something dollars. Since it was 1am, there was only one register (minus the long register next to the cigarettes) and hence we proceeded to purchase our items. After ringing everything up, my husband attempted to pay with our Discover card. The lady asked for state issued ID to which my husband refused (per agreements with the CC companies, AMEX, Discover, VISA and MC - companies MAY NOT ask for photo ID as this may contribute to identity theft). Because she wouldn't accept the card without photo ID, he gave her our AMEX card which HAS a photo ID on the back. She refused this card as well based on one card having my husbands full name and the other only having his first name as an initial (he goes by his middle name). As she was not going to allow us to purchase our items, we asked for the manager. The assistant manager, Stefan, spoke with us and also refused to let us purchase our items. This resulted in requesting an actual manager, Jared. I don't know why this manager felt the need to come with an army of people, but he did. I can only assume he was doing some sort of training (at 1am?). Even after seeing BOTH cards AND state issued ID, he told us that walmart is a privately owned company and they are not required to accept our cards or provide any service! I was completely floored! We even offered to step over to the ATM which happens to be outside of the credit union where our accounts are and pay with cash, but we were refused! I could have sworn that paper money says "legal tender" on it and can not be refused.

Regardless, his state issued ID had ALL THREE NAMES in full and should have provided plenty of proof! I even offered to show my cards with the same number and my name and even my state issued ID which they declined. I offered to call AMEX which they told me that would not be necessary (which I did call after leaving and they verified that I was correct and have filed a complaint with regarding Walmart). He informed us that he felt we were trying to steal something and where trying to fraudulently pay for the items. I don't know what else I could have possibly shown them after them seeing two credit cards and a state issued ID. They didn't even attempt to swipe either card! They were going completely on the initial refusal to show the state issued ID and that one card had his full name and the other an initial. Apparently they think thieves are able to steal cards of people with different names but look identical to the thief. And here's a shocker, an off the clock walmart employee was checking out in front of us and was he asked for any ID? She didn't even glance at his card - but ours, well, it gets the third degree.

At this point I was completely shocked that Walmart was refusing to allow me to purchase ANYTHING with either of my cards after asking for a ridiculous amount of ID! And even more shocking, they then escorted us out of the store!!!! I can not even believe Walmart reacted this way when I was completely within my right! I've spoken with both AMEX and Discover both which told me I was completely within my right to deny the state issued ID and informed me that any store which carries their logo MUST allow me to purchase the items. They may not deny me service based on failure to provide state issued ID - and that's in their merchant agreement that they sign with the credit card companies!

I have since also spoken with both the District Manager and the Store Manager who both agreed the issue was handled incorrectly. Yet, I've not been offered an apology and the employees still work at walmart.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 comments » 698 Views

Comments »

ooojerry @ 2007-11-11 17:00:15
Go Chicky! Makes me never want to shop at Walmart again.

ooojerry @ 2007-11-11 17:00:19
Go Chicky! Makes me never want to shop at Walmart again.

teh-pwnzer @ 2007-11-11 18:42:27
What a horrible experience! I didn't know you could actually refuse to show photo/state id when asked to. I think Walmart wayyyy overreacted.

sprshade @ 2007-11-11 22:59:27
Yeah really, i agree with pwnzer, they way overtook it, wayyyyy. I'm pretty sure there is also a bit of discrimination there as she didn't glance at the people ahead of you, but when she saw you, noooo time to overkill. You are completly right, I totally agree. You tell 'em

Raven @ 2007-11-12 05:13:15
What a crock of sh*t!

That's nearly as bad as when I went to buy a leather care kit for our couches at the store. I went in asked for the kit, handed over my cash when they then asked for my postal (zip) code. When I refused and asked why they stated that they couldn't give me a receipt without me first giving them my zip code!

Well i refused and they "refused" to sell me the goods. Why should I give them an address to buy something off the shelf.

I think corporate bodies should take a long hard look at themselves!!

cpnichol @ 2007-11-12 07:19:20
Walmart seems to treat it's customers like criminals. I tried to take a PS2 back to my local ASDA (owned by Walmart) and was told that I couldn't get a refund as I might of copied it. I did eventually get a refund but I was not impressed by them assuming I was a criminal for wanting to return a game.

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Wal-Mart requires a ridiculous amount of ID to buy cat litter

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Chicky

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