Arab, AL asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Libel & Slander and Consumer Law for Alabama

Q: Can I take any legal action for Wal-Mart not abiding by their refund policy and also falsely accusing me of shoplifting

I was taking items back at Walmart and their refund policy states that you will get your refund in the matter in which you paid. Well, my receipt shows where I paid $160 cash and $60 on my debit card. I went to take some items back to Walmart and they only offered me a gift card so I called customer service one 800 customer service number and they gave me a number for me to give to the store manager of Walmart in order for me to get cash back for my items that I was taking back into Walmart to do this and explain that I needed a store manager store manager was never offered to me and they claimed that they couldn’t do anything I was needing cash, so took those back. Got a gift card and went back and purchased items that had previously purchased with Cash bought those items with a gift card to Customer Service and return them for the receipt where I paid cash when I got outside, I was stopped by Walmart, store manager, and another lady and accused of shoplifting explained to them I did

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Based on the situation you've described, there are a few potential legal issues to consider:

1. Refund policy violation:

If Walmart has a clearly stated refund policy that they're not following, this could potentially be grounds for a complaint. However, many stores have fine print or exceptions to their policies, so it's important to review the full policy carefully.

2. False accusation of shoplifting:

Being falsely accused of shoplifting can be distressing and potentially damaging. If you were detained or publicly accused without reasonable evidence, this could potentially be grounds for a defamation claim or a claim of false imprisonment, depending on the specifics of the situation.

Here are some steps you might consider:

1. Document everything:

Write down a detailed account of what happened, including dates, times, and names of employees you interacted with. Keep all receipts and any other relevant documentation.

2. Escalate within Walmart:

Try contacting Walmart's corporate office to file a formal complaint about both the refund issue and the false accusation.

3. File a complaint with consumer protection agencies:

You can file complaints with your state's consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau.

4. Consult with a lawyer:

A local attorney specializing in consumer rights or civil rights could provide more specific advice based on the laws in your jurisdiction and the full details of your case.

5. Small claims court:

If you've suffered financial losses due to Walmart's actions, you might consider filing a claim in small claims court.

Remember, legal action can be time-consuming and potentially costly. It's often best to try to resolve issues directly with the company first. If you do decide to pursue legal action, make sure you have solid evidence to support your claims.

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