Best Buy "Re-stocking" Fee

[RoseRed]

There was something on the news about this the other day. One of the reasons given for example, people buying expensive video cameras, use them over the holidays and then return them.

 

[SAHRAB]

There was something on the news about this the other day. One of the reasons given for example, people buying expensive video cameras, use them over the holidays and then return them.

when i worked at the Montgomery Wards Wharehouse we hated the week or so after super bowl, since thats when people would return (without a restocking fee) the big screens they had purchased just for the "Big" game

 

[aps45819]

when i worked at the Montgomery Wards Wharehouse we hated the week or so after super bowl, since thats when people would return (without a restocking fee) the big screens they had purchased just for the "Big" game

and they're no longer in business.

 

[willie]

I know people who have pulled that at Lowes. Buy a tiller etc., use it and return it. Lowes has no restocking fee. So why does BB? I'll shop somewhere else.

Do you think that what your friends do at Lowes is honest? Lowes has chosen to absorb the losses from dishonest people. It is unfortunate that other stores choose to protect themselves from dishonesty and the person making an honest mistake has to help pay for it.

 

[willie]

Geez. I thought the restocking fee only applied to electronics that had been opened.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Softballkid]

Do you think that what your friends do at Lowes is honest? Lowes has chosen to absorb the losses from dishonest people. It is unfortunate that other stores choose to protect themselves from dishonesty and the person making an honest mistake has to help pay for it.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, I have to agree there, but Im glad I know best buy is like that now so I can stay away from there...haha

 

[SamSpade]

Do you think that what your friends do at Lowes is honest? Lowes has chosen to absorb the losses from dishonest people. It is unfortunate that other stores choose to protect themselves from dishonesty and the person making an honest mistake has to help pay for it.

It seems to me that offering in-store credit for the full purchase price - which is what most stores have done all my life - is a reasonable middle solution. It discourages "loaner" sales (but won't eliminate them), because in the end, they DO get their money - it's not "paid" back. They may get a loss from returns, but most of those will be from honest returns. Like you said - they're punishing everyone to discourage the few rip-offs, who may still do it anyway and incur the re-stocking fee as the cost of the "loan".

 

[K_Jo]

I have a friend who impulse-buys large ticket items, then returns them within days. I'd charge him $20 just to walk in my store.

Vrai!

 

[girliegirl]

I know people who have pulled that at Lowes. Buy a tiller etc., use it and return it. Lowes has no restocking fee. So why does BB? I'll shop somewhere else.

You may want to check again. Bought 3 large ticket items in September from our Local Lowe's (California) and was told if returned there would be a 15% restocking fee on each returned item...That meant had I returned all three items Lowe's would have been able to keep $600 bucks of the $4000 I spent...

 

[Steve]

You may want to check again. Bought 3 large ticket items in September from our Local Lowe's (California) and was told if returned there would be a 15% restocking fee on each returned item...That meant had I returned all three items Lowe's would have been able to keep $600 bucks of the $4000 I spent...

Hmmm...I just read Lowes' return policy and it only says that shipping costs are non-refundable; no mention of restocking fees. Home Depot charges 15% if the item(s) was special ordered.

 

[Cletus_Vandam]

Hmmm...I just read Lowes' return policy and it only says that shipping costs are non-refundable; no mention of restocking fees.

Not sure but does that apply to special order goods as well?

 

[Steve]

Not sure but does that apply to special order goods as well?

Lowes does charge for special orders too, not sure how much. It says "may apply".

 

[Cletus_Vandam]

Lowes does charge for special orders too, not sure how much. It says "may apply".

That WOULD make sense. If you order it, you better damn sight make sure it's what you really want and need...

 

[Steve]

That WOULD make sense. If you order it, you better damn sight make sure it's what you really want and need...

 

[Cletus_Vandam]

I have had little to no trouble with anything purchased or returned for cash, credit or exchange at Target. Just returned a small 'fridge I had for almost three months that never cooled very well. Didn't have the packing and they took it back with no questions. Gave me a new 'fridge and a fresh receipt with that day's date on it.

New 'fridge is cooling fine.

What more could one ask for?

 

[vraiblonde]

I don't think any of that is particularly unreasonable :shrug:

 

[vraiblonde]

Who I buy from is based on their return policy.

Relax. I told you I wasn't talking about you.

 

[SamSpade]

I don't think any of that is particularly unreasonable :shrug:

Understood - but - the *receipt* isn't the place I should FIRST come across it, because it's a little *late* in the purchasing process to address it.

It's like that scene in "Death Becomes Her" when Isabella Rosselini says "..and now, a *warning*" (AFTER Merrill Streep has taken the potion). Merrill's character comically (but correctly) pipes "*NOW* a warning?".

Warnings are BEFORE something occurs. You don't wait until AFTER a purchase to tell someone "oh by the way, you're screwed if you don't want this". You do that BEFORE - and they didn't do that.

 

[j2thaose]

reply

We had a fun time last night - this time, at Best Buy.

My wife's 35mm camera died a few years back - so I ponied up some big bucks to get her a new one this year (among other things) with the whole thing - zoom lens, etc. Anyway, turns out she learns her old camera is actually NOT BROKEN - so she decides she wants to return the camera. I dig around and find the receipt, and gleefully - NOT - stand in the very long line for returns. I watch patiently - NOT - as the three attendants do just about anything but actually wait on people.

I learn that - regardless of who returns the gift - they will charge a *RESTOCKING* fee for certain big ticket gifts - unless they are defective (in which case, it is implied, they will refund the full price).

WORSE - it's 15% of the item cost. This means to return a 350 dollar camera - they're gonna CHARGE me 50 bucks to put it back on the shelf!

What's ironic is, if I'd just gone out to the parking lot and dropped the thing on the pavement - there'd be no argument. "Defective" items are refunded without argument.

What's the deal with this crap? If I'd actually bought the *900* dollar camera I'd planned to buy, and it was being returned - I'd be paying 135 bucks "re-stocking" charge. This is ridiculous. Of course, it IS written in the fine print on the back of the receipt, but until they change this absurd policy, I don't intend on EVER returning to Best Buy.

I actually do not agree with anything you said. It is not the cashier or best buy's fault that you opened the camera and wanted to bring it back even with the circumstance you explained. Best Buy does honor a 14 day return policy, just in case you have to bring it back for some reason. Secondly, you came after Christmas. Everyone and their cousin is trying to return something, so you cant complain about the line, just because the cashier isnt actually talking to a customer doesnt mean they are not doing work. And the restocking fee is put in place because it covers the cost of the discount we have to apply since it was opened. If a customer has 2 choices to pick a opened or unopened camera at the same price 100% of the time they are going to pick the unopened camera and never pick the opened camera at the same price. If you had dropped the camera that is not considered defective, that is considered physical damage in which case best buy would not have been able to return the product at all. And if you spend sooo much money at best buy you should have had a reward zone silver membership card, its free and if you spend over 2500 in a calendar year, you get it and would not have even had to worry about a restocking fee and your return policy would have been longer. It just sounds to me like you are whining. Good day.

 

[huntr1]

I actually do not agree with anything you said. It is not the cashier or best buy's fault that you opened the camera and wanted to bring it back even with the circumstance you explained. Best Buy does honor a 14 day return policy, just in case you have to bring it back for some reason. Secondly, you came after Christmas. Everyone and their cousin is trying to return something, so you cant complain about the line, just because the cashier isnt actually talking to a customer doesnt mean they are not doing work. And the restocking fee is put in place because it covers the cost of the discount we have to apply since it was opened. If a customer has 2 choices to pick a opened or unopened camera at the same price 100% of the time they are going to pick the unopened camera and never pick the opened camera at the same price. If you had dropped the camera that is not considered defective, that is considered physical damage in which case best buy would not have been able to return the product at all. And if you spend sooo much money at best buy you should have had a reward zone silver membership card, its free and if you spend over 2500 in a calendar year, you get it and would not have even had to worry about a restocking fee and your return policy would have been longer. It just sounds to me like you are whining. Good day.

check the date dummy.