Joshua is a functioning adult with plenty of money to spend at TigerDirect, but they don’t want to sell computer parts to him. That’s because he leads sort of a nomadic existence. The billing address for his cards doesn’t match his address history in the various “public records” databases. He could fix all this by sending in his photo ID, a utility bill, anything that proves that he is where he says he lives. But he’s crashing with friends, and that doesn’t get your name on the power bill.

Recently I figured it is time to build a new PC. So I visit the Tiger Direct website and order up $1400.00 in parts for my build on a Saturday. I opt for 2 day shipping because as a musician I need the equipment quickly.

Well, they charge my Mastercard. Then something strange happens. They call me on Monday. Apparently my address doesn’t match “public records.” So they need verification of my address. In fact, my billing address doesn’t match their “public records.” Even though they had already ran my card. Now they are demanding that I send them paperwork and ID.

As a person who is currently staying with friends and is thus not on the bills this is difficult to do. Any sort of professional on the run who requires frequent relocation will find the requirements to order arduous as Tiger Direct’s system is clearly not intended to serve mobile professionals. Below are my concise complaints.

1. Tiger Direct took my money by running my Mastercard which verifies my zipcode but did not ship the product as they required further identification beyond the Mastercard verification process. This is a violation of the Mastercard TOS and I will be contacting them.

2. They placed this extra verification process AFTER they had taken my money. If Tiger Direct can’t ship too you fine, but they should NOT be taking your money before they determine if they can ship to you. This is just bad form.

It’s comforting to know that merchants and financial companies are looking out for potential fraud committed against us, but less comforting when those same safeguards keep us from making completely legit purchases.

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