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Is this wrong?

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whjc
New Member

Is this wrong?

So a couple of hours ago, I ran into an old buddy at a local bar and figured I buy him a drink since I haven't seen him since high school. When I pulled out my CSP to pay for the drinks he mentioned that he had the same card as I did and told me a very interesting way he "spent" $3000 to earn the 40k points. He began by telling me how he used to work at Nordstroms and explained to me their VERY lenient return policy. So lenient that you can basically return anything that was purchased at any Nordstroms store even if you don't have the receipt. ALL of his purchases were made online for 2 reasons, save one trip to the mall and to not screwing over a sales associate with their commission. Now this is the part that really caught my attention, he informed me that you can also have the money returned to your debit card(with no fee) even when you purchased the item with your credit card. So basically what he did was; buy something at Nordstroms for $3000, returned it to his debit card, then pay off the $3000 balance on his CSP and earn his 40k points with no money spent.

 

I know that this is flat out wrong but at the same time it makes me wonder on how much points I can accumulate Smiley Tongue

 

Just thought I'd hear peoples opinion about this!!! BTW if this is old news... I'm sorry in advanced

Message 1 of 18
17 REPLIES 17
Leadberry
Established Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?

When I was a teenager, I worked for a local gas station chain that prophecized the end of the universe whenever someone even mentioned giving a cash refund on a credit card transaction.  Something about illegal cash advances.  However, the functionality was still there.

 

I'm now working at Walmart.  When someone returns something and it was paid for with a credit card, we still have the capability to give the refund in the form of cash.  The supervisors say we're not supposed to, but it's not something they go out of their way to enforce (I'm in the far corner of the store anyways).

 

I guess my point is that it can be done, but the ethicality of the doing so would be shaky at best.

   
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Message 2 of 18
jsickz32
Valued Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?

When i returned something at nordstrom they asked to see the card i used to pay. This was last week
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Message 3 of 18
dddewdrop
Valued Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?

     This forum holds itself to a higher standard than other sites. Thus advocating doing things that are "flat out wrong"  is frowned upon around here. There are all kinds of fraud out there in the world and some of them probably work but that is information best shared somewhere else. I am not trying tobe a buzz kill. I f you aren't sure if you should do something or not, maybe apply the grandma test. Would your grandma do this? Would you do this with your grandma in the store? Just cause you can get away with something doesn't mean it is ok to do. But you already know that. Everyone has a little voice in their head. It is their conscience. Listen to what it tells you and act accordingly and you will go through life with much fewer problems.. Smiley Happy

Message 4 of 18
McArthur
Regular Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?


@Leadberry wrote:

When I was a teenager, I worked for a local gas station chain that prophecized the end of the universe whenever someone even mentioned giving a cash refund on a credit card transaction.  Something about illegal cash advances.  However, the functionality was still there.

 

I'm now working at Walmart.  When someone returns something and it was paid for with a credit card, we still have the capability to give the refund in the form of cash.  The supervisors say we're not supposed to, but it's not something they go out of their way to enforce (I'm in the far corner of the store anyways).

 

I guess my point is that it can be done, but the ethicality of the doing so would be shaky at best.


Agree 100%.

 

While not illegal, it certainly is not ethical.  Assuming the store pays 3% in credit card processing fees, he's "stealing" $90 from the store.

Message 5 of 18
Walt_K
Senior Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?

I agree that this is wrong.  Returns cost a company to process.  It's great when certain vendors have generous return policies.  Abusing those policies is more likley to cause them to change the policy.  Why stop with hitting your minimum spend when you can buy and return things all year round to earn more points.  Like people buying $50K engagement rings at Costco and getting a cash refund. 


Starting Score: ~500 (12/01/2008)
Current Score: EQ 681 (04/05/13); TU 98 728 (01/06/12), TU 08? 760 (provided by Barclay 1/2/14), TU 04 728 (lender pull 01/12/12); EX 742 (lender pull 01/12/12)
Goal Score: 720


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Message 6 of 18
navigatethis12
Valued Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?

When a shop processes a refund they get any fees attached to that transaction refunded; whether they refund in cash or to a card.

 

I wouldn't do this with a debit card, because some banks will wonder why a credit was put through when there is no transaction to match. They could see it as money laundering.

 

I don't see this as unethical since it isn't hurting the business. They wouldn't have this option if it cost them money. It probably is a way to quickly get you banned from the place or have your return privileges revoked if you do it frequently.

 

I remember people buying electronics from Costco, using them all year, and returning them right before the one year for returns was up. That is unethical.

Message 7 of 18
Walt_K
Senior Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?


@navigatethis12 wrote:

When a shop processes a refund they get any fees attached to that transaction refunded; whether they refund in cash or to a card.

 

I wouldn't do this with a debit card, because some banks will wonder why a credit was put through when there is no transaction to match. They could see it as money laundering.

 

I don't see this as unethical since it isn't hurting the business. They wouldn't have this option if it cost them money. It probably is a way to quickly get you banned from the place or have your return privileges revoked if you do it frequently.

 

I remember people buying electronics from Costco, using them all year, and returning them right before the one year for returns was up. That is unethical.


I think you're taking too narrow a view.  There's more to processing a return than CC transaction fees.  They have the option even though there are costs associated because it provides customers with peace of mind which makes them an attractive option compared to a store that doesn't have such an easy return policy.   


Starting Score: ~500 (12/01/2008)
Current Score: EQ 681 (04/05/13); TU 98 728 (01/06/12), TU 08? 760 (provided by Barclay 1/2/14), TU 04 728 (lender pull 01/12/12); EX 742 (lender pull 01/12/12)
Goal Score: 720


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Message 8 of 18
navigatethis12
Valued Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?


@Walt_K wrote:



I think you're taking too narrow a view.  There's more to processing a return than CC transaction fees.  They have the option even though there are costs associated because it provides customers with peace of mind which makes them an attractive option compared to a store that doesn't have such an easy return policy.   


I understand that they have to put it back into inventory and back into the system. If the item is open then it is a different story. Returning a new item is not a big deal to a shop, except that they don't have the money anymore. As noted, they will block you from doing this if you do it too much. Shops round here have a maximum, usually less than $100, they will refund in cash if paid by card. They even say it's easier to refund in cash then doing it by card.

Message 9 of 18
bostonte
Frequent Contributor

Re: Is this wrong?


@navigatethis12 wrote:

When a shop processes a refund they get any fees attached to that transaction refunded; whether they refund in cash or to a card.

 

 

 

No, they don't. Not on credit cards processed through normal business merchant accounts. In fact, they pay more. New swipe fees (far lower) and transaction fees to process that refund.

 

PayPal and other places like that reffees much of the fees, but not your normal merchant account.

Message 10 of 18
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