DOLLAR General has defended its policy of scanning drivers’ licenses, after a shopper condemned the practice.
The discount retailer was responding to a comment on social media from an irate consumer.
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Posting on X, @Trisha35841205 wrote:
“@DollarGeneral stop scanning driver’s license when the information is on the front of the license there’s no reason to scan a license You’re picking up the barcode has other information on it storing it and using it for other purposes!
“I won’t shop at Dollar general anymore.”
In response a spokesperson tried to assure the furious shopper that its actions were necessary.
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“Our system uses the barcode solely to validate a customer’s date of birth.
“No other personal information is obtained or stored.”
However Trisha was having none of it and reiterated her intention to shop elsewhere going forward.
“That’s not true when you scan the barcode everything is pulled not just the date of birth.
“You may be verifying the date of birth but you pulled everything off the barcode and it is being used.”
She added: “Your employees can read the front of the license like every other store none of the other retail stores are scanning licenses anymore The date of the birth is right on the front of the license that’s all you need I will not shop at Dollar general anymore.”
RETAIL WOES
Meanwhile the retailer has also been slammed by customers over its self-checkouts.
One customer posting on X said: “The self checkouts do not work across many of your stores.”
She added: “It’s pretty sad that I can go through a Walmart supercenter to pick up one of two items quicker than I can one of your smaller stores.”
General untidiness and aisles blocked with stock have also caused customers to complain on social media.
IDENTITY CHECKS
Dollar General isn’t the only retailer that has come in for criticism from customers over ID checking.
What is Dollar General’s return policy?
Dollar General’s return policy states that goods bought in-store must be returned to the branch, while goods purchased online have to be returned by mail.
If you buy an item through the chain’s website, you can’t return it in-store.
When returning the online goods, you should initially contact the Dollar General’s customer support centre by completing the email form.
They should then send you instructions and a return authorization number.
Consumers have 30 days to return items, whether that’s online or in-store.
Goods generally should be unused and in their original packaging, and a receipt is required for a cash refund.
Without a receipt, the customer is limited to an exchange or store credit.
Damaged goods should also be returned within 30 days of purchase and with a receipt.
Costco controversially installed scanners at the entrance to its stores last year in a bid to stop non-members shopping there.
Members’ cards are now scanned when they enter, but some don’t include photographs.
In such cases customers have to prove their identity by alternative means, such as their driving license.
Some Costco shoppers have also complained they have had to prove who they are at checkout, too.
While one woman claimed on X she was card checked three times: entering the store, in a random aisle and at the register.