I buy a small home electronics item. Take it out of it’s package and install it properly. It does not work. In the meantime, someone has given me a functional unit that works perfectly fine. So the purchased item is now redundant. I return to the store with the item and the receipt. My best hope is a full refund. If not that, a credit note at the store to purchase something else. I am fine with that as well. However I encounter a response that I have never had before. I am told that without the packaging - that non-descript, hermetically sealed and molded plastic packaging that they use on everything these days. The kind that you need a chain saw to cut open and that has edges that can nearly cut your fingers off if not careful when opening - (the chain saw is actually safer to operate). Of course, I discarded this dangerous plastic right away - they really can be a danger to, say a toddler in the house. Anyway, I am informed, jauntily by the store manager that without that ridiculous plastic packaging he can do nothing for me - it’s essential for any returns to be processed. I stand their with that “you’re kidding” look on my face. I say, “so even with the receipt, their is nothing that you can do for me. You need that crazy plastic packaging, that can cut someones finger off”. He says that. “I might be able to give you another unit”. I say, “I am not sure you heard me, but I don’t need the item now. I wish to return it hopefully, for either a refund or a credit”, and on it goes. Clearly we have reached an impasse. It seemed odd to me that a 1cent piece of dangerous plastic, was essential for the return of a $29 item. Their were other customers in the store waiting, and not wanting to create to much of scene, I asked if their was a customer service# I could contact to take this up further - which I will do.
Am I out of line here? Has anyone else encountered this? What is the deal with this packaging?
First never tell the person “You don’t need it anymore” always say “It doesn’t work and I don’t trust that a new one will either. I want my money back or in store credit”.
Second if it’s the packaging they want then by all means give them packaging. Go purchase two pieces of plastic and use a blow torch to melt it around the item…bring it back and then see what they say
First never tell the person “You don’t need it anymore” always say "It doesn’t work and I don’t trust that a new one will either. I want my money back or in store credit
Perhaps a strategic blunder on my part - too honest, I guess!
Perhaps a strategic blunder on my part - too honest, I guess!
Well I don’t suggest lying , as that’s bad. But the fact is that it doesn’t work and you don’t want another. I personally would not trust buying the same thing so it’s not really a lie.
In my experience many times when you go in and say “It’s broke and I don’t want this anymore” they assume you are lying about it being broke and just have decided you don’t want it anymore, mostly because LOTS of people actually do that.
That being said what I would do is trying going back a different time when the person you spoke to isn’t there and try again. Simply stating “It’s broke. I want my money back”. I’m sure there is some clause about packaging and they are probably well with in their rights to refuse cash or in store credit without packaging, but I’d try again anyway.
Another option is to go back, get an “Exchange”. Do a really nice clean job of opening it up, take it back, with packaging and actually lie and say “It doesn’t work. This is my second one I want my money back”
You’re looking at it with common sense , These stores have been ripped off for years .
Half baked , motherless bastards that stay up at night dreaming up ways to out smart them.
Steal one , buy one cash , return the hot one for cash on the old receipt . Buy one on Ebay and sell it back for a profit .
We purchased an inexpensive electronic gift for my daughter for Christmas. When it was opened it didn’t work. It also already had batteries installed and it became very clear that it had been previously purchased and returned as defective, re-stocked and sold again. When we returned it to the Mart of Wal…we were told that it had to be returned to the specific store from which it had been purchased. Since that store was a couple of hours away, I simply dropped it into the trash can and told the manager that if he liked, he could pull it out and sell it one more time.
It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I go into another WalMart. Truth be told though, they probably couldn’t care less. More’s the pity.
I simply dropped it into the trash can and told the manager that if he liked, he could pull it out and sell it one more time.
Great symbolism. Seriously. The thought had crossed my mind to do that while I was in the store.
It’s amazing to me how long and hard people will stand on principal for something like this. I have never worked in a business where you could do that. Customers are always way to valuable and important to treat with such indifference.
That nonsensical view of store management is the primary reason I have not set foot in a Best Buy in 8 years.
Nonsensical, indeed. I nearly laughed my head off when the guy said he needed to see the packaging. He said it with a straight and sober face like he really meant it. By contrast, I had never heard of anything as absurd as that, in my life. Normally what they are bugging you for is the receipt - which clearly I had and handed it right to the guy, but it seems the receipt was next to worthless!
If the packaging is key, why then do they make packaging that you nearly have to destroy to get it open and at the contents? I asked what good the packaging would be, wrecked and damaged as it was, and he reverted to that classic and novel line of it being, “the policy”.
