I don't see why the return would be weird. You go the the return line and queue up with all the other contractors, contractor helpers, handy DIYers returning massive amounts of items that usually don't have their receipts. Maybe because I worked for a contractor in my youth and now do remodel projects DIY, the return without receipt is not that out of the ordinary. I've even done large returns directly after purchase when the contractor found the items he sent me out to get because he couldn't find where he placed the first set.

I have one under my belt and the return was not questioned at all, except she asked if there was anything wrong with the drill. I said no, i was just mad at my husband lol. She found that hilarious. I'm doing two more today.

Thanks MamaBearBlue I didn't know there was an app but I should have guessed. I"m thinking you use a iPhone? The android app made me create an account but that's no biggie, just an email address.

No problem, happy to help! I do use an Android, actually...when you open the app, hit the "account" icon at the bottom. Scroll down and "shopping list" is under "guest features", which you can use without making an account. However, like you said, the account just involves a (throwaway) email address.

Yes, I read thru the paperwork and the photos you have to take. You must load your cart to their specs including pick up for purchase a ladder. It is a shop and return within 10 minutes. The money should be twice what it is for the shop. Thank God, I hurt my arm, had it wrapped at drs and could not perform the shop. After I read the shop specs I was very upset I had signed for it. Personally, I have found that their "easy" shops are long, tedious and the paperwork is also. I am only going to accept bank shops for them thru KSS from now on. This is just a personal opinion.

I found something that might be interesting to those who are doing this shop. I did one yesterday and did not check to see that the plumbing items had been rung together. Not sure that I will be paid but when I got home, I
put the name of the item in the computer at the store that I shopped and was able to see how many were left in stock. The only caveat might be that some of the items would be in the back of the store as back up rather than trying to count the items on the shelf. Especially the lights and batteries.
When I went to return the items without the receipt, they wanted to give me a store credit for the item not listed on the receipt. i went back to my car and gave them the receipt.
I explained what happened in the narrative,
It took me just over an hour to find everything and next time, it should take less time. I am doing two more next week so I will be more careful to be certain that everything is charged separately.

Everyone, thanks for all the input. I quess bottom line is for me, it was not enough money for the amount of work involved. I can do a bank shop and the paperwork in about an hour mol. Bank jobs pay extremely well done here, anywhere from 65 to as much as 80. So, great shopping at Home Depot!

I will probably do one eventually. I don't mind acting...which FYI is not lying. So are you saying that actors are lying when they are acting? just sayin'. But I hate doing returns. FYI HD monitors the number of times you return without a receipt and are supposed to ask for your ID and you should only be able to do about 5 or so before the system tags your ID. Unless the credit card tags it... as a cc purchase.

the poster may have just wanted to know what the initials MSC stand for.

I've used the same card for 6 shops now. No problemo..

I did two more yesterday and they took right at an hour. The ladder is a step ladder and pretty light. I see new Home Depot purchase/return shops on the board for self checkout that pay a lot less and involve one item purchase and return.

I did one yesterday and it took just about an hour. The hardest part is counting what is left on the shelf. Some of those shelves especially the lighting go way back and I was not sure I counted them all.

What do you mean by the same card? I printed the SKU and sometimes give it to the associate to help me find the plumbing portions.

I meant same credit card as there was some speculation that we would be flagged by the system after a few returns.

@Insight wrote:

What do you mean by the same card? I printed the SKU and sometimes give it to the associate to help me find the plumbing portions.

I had one yesterday where it was impossible to get an accurate count. I used NA and put a short sentence saying I couldn't get an accurate count.

@Insight wrote:

I did one yesterday and it took just about an hour. The hardest part is counting what is left on the shelf. Some of those shelves especially the lighting go way back and I was not sure I counted them all.

Has anyone gotten a hold put this shop?

In regard to store returns, The Home Depot used to use a company called The Retail Equation to track excessive return behaviors. When the return system identifies a "serial returner" this customer may be denied a return even when a receipt is presented. When the store denies the return they instruct the customer on where to call for more information on why the return was denied and how they can request a (RAP) Return Activity Report.

Another company called Appriss Retail is or was tracking customer analytics for Home Depot and many other merchants.

Algorithms, artificial intelligence and data analytics is kinda facinating! I'm starting to put a lot more thought into my purchase making decisions and the possibility of needing to do a return. I don't want to end up on a "blacklist", lol!

That’s makes me not want to do anymore of these

I was wondering this as well.

@AMORASMOM wrote:

Has anyone gotten a hold put this shop?

MrEd I was worried about that also which was a big reason why I only took one job when they first posted. After completing the job, I'm not so sure they are still using the system. Returns previously required your ID that they scanned into their computer which is how they tracked your returns and determined if you were blacklisted. ID was not asked for when I did this last return making me think they might not be using the system.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/31/2019 03:33PM by wwin.

Yes because they are tracking your card now

I used a different card and I still have one more to do next week. Hopefully, this shop will not be an issue

FWIW Here's a quote from business insider about Home Depot Tracking. It looks like they aren't tracking these since the job use the credit card to do the return. Wish I'd known this earlier. I would have picked up more shops when they first came out.

"Home Depot spokesman Stephen Holmes said the company uses The Retail Equation to combat return fraud, which he said is "believed to be feeding the opioid epidemic."...

Unlike many other retailers, Home Depot only tracks returns that are not accompanied by a receipt, he said.

"The good news is that it’s pretty easy to avoid a non-receipted return these days because we can look up any card transaction or customers can opt to receive an email receipt rather than try to keep up with paper," he said.

You are advised not to bring in the receipt into the HD when doing the return. What I did was buy something from the garden area separately from the required items. I went outside, put the plant in the car, did some texting in order to wait the 10 minutes, and then returned to the HD saying that my husband called to say he couldn't wait for me to shop for the items on his shopping list and try to return the items without the receipt. This is the part to note how they handle the return and why you need to use your credit or debit card. First I handed the customer service lady the wrong receipt (the one for the plant) and looked flustered when she asked for the receipt for the $200 worth of items I bought. What she did was look up my purchase by using my card number and the return was done. If they insist on the receipt, then go back to the car to "find it" and do the return. Make sure you are getting the return back onto the card and not getting store merchandise credit. AND watch the associate to see if she looks into the drill box to make sure you are turning an item that belongs in that box.

I just read everyone's post and I do another HD next week at a different location. Thanks for the inside scoop. I'll use a different card than what I used last time,,,,,,in fact, I might use my husband's issued credit card so my name isn't listed again in the system. Yes, having to count what is left on the shelf is a pain, but even more is taking the pictures of each bay without looking suspicious. When an associate asked why I was taking a pic I said, "my husband wanted to see which section had the items so he'll know where to go if he needs to come in for more". The guy even moved aside a box blocking the full view, I thanked him and he walked away. My poor husband is my catch all excuse.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2019 05:14AM by MSpalter.

I’ve done 4. A bit time consuming but each one gets a little faster.

It’s tough to take discreet photos when the bay is right near the registers!

I dont think anyone cares if you take pictures or not. I have done two and the second one went much faster than the first. One more to go

I haven't done one yet, but if I take one, I'm going to text the locations of the required items to myself so it "should" be easier to find everything and less time-consuming (hopefully). Glad to hear that the return shouldn't count against me. I buy and return things all the time there, and so far haven't had any issues with returns.

I have completed ten. One shop they had the wrong plumbing item in the box and I did not catch it until check out. There is no sku on the package so I had no clue, shop went on hold and I explained this and it was accepted. One they did not like the photo, as they could not see pole to pole of the section. I always take extra photos so no biggie. One store the guy rang both lights the same. I pointed it out, there was a long line and he said don't worry about it. I just noted that in my report. I have noticed a wait for an assisted checkout at most locations. Many people don't want self checkout. I wait ten minutes in the parking lot and input all my numbers and bay pictures while waiting, I go in and just say I want to return the items. When asked for a receipt I say "I don't know what I did with it" then they ask for the same credit/debit card and there are no issues. No need to be all weird about the receipt issue. They are very friendly about the returns. I only had one out of ten act like it was a big deal and she just made faces and noises like it was a bother to her. If they ask why I am returning I just say my husband/sister/friend already picked up the stuff at another store. .

Thank you for sharing this with the group. It is very helpful.

FYI my experience at Home Depot for other shops is that much of the time, the regular checkouts are closed and only the Pro or self-checkouts are open. Does the shop require an interaction with a cashier?