The next time you return something to the store, just know that the all-seeing Eye of Sauron is watching you! It’s up to you to decide if that’s a bad thing or not.

Returns account for almost 10% of all retail items purchased each year, over a quarter-trillion dollars a year in the US! And while the majority of people doing the returning are average upstanding Joes and Janes like us, there are some whose practices aren’t so wholesome, and the retailers are pushing back.

Many retailers are tracking you, too — or at least your merchandise returns. The companies say it’s all in the name of security and fighting fraud. They want to be able to identify chronic returners or gangs of thieves trying to make off with high-end products that are returned later for store credit.  Salt Lake Tribune

They pass this info along (mostly in secret) to companies, almost like credit agencies, who collect your return information and create “profiles” of your habits.  Naturally, the retailers say they are trying to protect the bottom line and prevent fraud. Just as naturally, shoppers are getting worked up about profiling and transparency.

What do you think? Necessary evil in the name of Low Prices, or one more intrusion in a life that already has too many? Read the original article, and tell us your opinion over at the MindField Online Facebook page. And have a great weekend!