No return for you! [question to everyone]

[secret-steve-crumbles]

OK, let's say you buy something that doesn't have any return policy. I guess to spare argument, we'll say it's a PC game, a music CD, or a movie DVD or something. Anything that most stores do NOT allow a return on because of obvious reasons.

So, my question is, at what point do YOU consider it too late to return one of the products above and why?

Do you consider it too late right after you pay for it? Once you make it to the parking lot? Once you make it to your car? Once the product hits the plastic bag after you bought it? When, and why? (there's another question I'm wanting to ask, but I want to start with this first to see where you guys think you're past the point of no return...literally.)

[tokenuser]

OK, let's say you buy something that doesn't have any return policy. I guess to spare argument, we'll say it's a PC game, a music CD, or a movie DVD or something. Anything that most stores do NOT allow a return on because of obvious reasons.

So, my question is, at what point do YOU consider it too late to return one of the products above and why?

Do you consider it too late right after you pay for it? Once you make it to the parking lot? Once you make it to your car? Once the product hits the plastic bag after you bought it? When, and why? (there's another question I'm wanting to ask, but I want to start with this first to see where you guys think you're past the point of no return...literally.)Once it is out of its original packaging. For the case of a CD/DVD/Game ... the minute the security seal is broken. Which is a good reason for making sure its intact befroe buying it.

If the goods themselves are faulty - scratched disc, then it should be a return for exchange of same item policy.

[esophagus]

What Token said. Once its unwrapped and the seal (if one exists) is broken.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Once it is out of its original packaging. For the case of a CD/DVD/Game ... the minute the security seal is broken. Which is a good reason for making sure its intact befroe [sic] buying it.So you feel that if you go to, let's just say Best Buy, and purchase a DVD. You buy it, and you see that the store has a zero return policy on it. You take it home, never open it, then go back to the store a week later to return it. You feel that Best Buy should give you your money back? (assuming that the seal is STILL fully intact and untampered with.)

[esophagus]

So you feel that if you go to, let's just say Best Buy, and purchase a DVD. You buy it, and you see that the store has a zero return policy on it. You take it home, never open it, then go back to the store a week later to return it. You feel that Best Buy should give you your money back? (assuming that the seal is STILL fully intact and untampered with.)No. They have a no return policy, so I wouldn't expect them to take it back at all.

I just don't think they should have a zero return policy for unopened items.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

OK, then at what point would you consider the purchase yours? As in: this is now my property, this belongs to me. After the security seal is broken?

[tokenuser]

OK, then at what point would you consider the purchase yours? As in: this is now my property, this belongs to me. After the security seal is broken?Yep. Works for me ... unless the goods are faulty. BTW - If yo go into one of those zero return places an have someinthg sealed, unopened, etc., go to the service desk. Don't be an ass, and ask to exchange it. You might not get a refund, but you should get store credit.
And then there is Walmart ... if they sell it, they'll take it back ... regardless of if thats where it was purchased. I dont condone that ... but their return policy is amazing.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Yep. Works for meReally? So, let's say I sell you something. You give me money, I give you the product. You wouldn't consider it your property until you've opened it?

Sheesh, this experiment isn't going well... :(

[esophagus]

OK, then at what point would you consider the purchase yours? As in: this is now my property, this belongs to me. After the security seal is broken?This is where I disagree with Token. The product is mine as soon as money changes hands. People collect things and never take them out of their packaging. Are they just on loan from the stores?

[phatlip12]

Really? So, let's say I sell you something. You give me money, I give you the product. You wouldn't consider it your property until you've opened it?

Sheesh, this experiment isn't going well... :(

It's my property once I paid for it. It doesn't matter if I opened it or not. It's my choice to never open it if I please (what if I'm giving it to someone as a present)? What if I'm stupid and decide to throw it away without ever opening it? Who's going to stop me? I paid for it.

Once you pay its yours.

If it wasn't opened you should be able to return it as long as it's within the allotted return period. If they're able to put it on the shelf again and sell it without the next buyer knowing it was returned there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get your money back.

[magunwarrior]

So you feel that if you go to, let's just say Best Buy, and purchase a DVD. You buy it, and you see that the store has a zero return policy on it. You take it home, never open it, then go back to the store a week later to return it. You feel that Best Buy should give you your money back? (assuming that the seal is STILL fully intact and untampered with.)

I work for Circuit City, and we don't really have a return policy for DVDs, games, etc. You can only exchange it for the same title in the event that the disc was scratched, or something else was wrong.

If you take it home and never open it, thats your problem, you made the decision to purchase it.

[therage800]

I've returned an unopened game before to Best Buy and received a full refund... Just as long as it's sealed most places usually will take it back.

[ariastar]

Once the seal is broken, although is you know the policy is no returns, then once you bought it. If a product is defective, then an exchange should be allowed for the SAME product.

Sometimes, if you're nice, stores will make exceptions. My parents bought me the Phantom of the Opera track when I was 17 and it ended up being the wrong one and I didn't know until I'd opened it, and the store, which usually didn't allow returns or exchanges, let us exchange it for the correct version (I wanted the original London recording).

[acidburn]

If I were buy something at a store that has a no return policy then I would expect to not be able to return it to them under any circumstances.

That being said, I wouldn't buy from a store that had that type of no return policy. I expect to be able to return defective merchandise to a store within a reasonable period of time such as 30-90 days after purchase.

If I opened a CD, movie, game, or other type of media I would not expect to be able to exchange it unless it was defective. I consider this type of item unreturnable after I open it.

As long as I have the item and the store has the money I gave them for it, I consider it mine.


So what is this other question you wanted to add to the discussion?

[ariastar]

If it wasn't opened you should be able to return it as long as it's within the allotted return period. If they're able to put it on the shelf again and sell it without the next buyer knowing it was returned there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get your money back.

The reason most stores don't have an open-ended return policy is that, once an item sells, that's one of that item down in their inventory, and one more item to restock. They pay money for this. If they allowed people to return whatever whenever, then they run the risk of having too much stock and having to sell at a discount/loss to make room for new and updated products.

[ariastar]

If I were buy something at a store that has a no return policy then I would expect to not be able to return it to them under any circumstances.

That being said, I wouldn't buy from a store that had that type of no return policy. I expect to be able to return defective merchandise to a store within a reasonable period of time such as 30-90 days after purchase.

Well, very few stores wouldn't allow an exchange of a defective item. I don't know if stores legally can refuse an exchange if an item was bought defective. Whether they will allow an outright return rather than exchange is up to them. These days it's far too easy to copy media, and I don't blame them for refusing to allow returns.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

I guess the reason I was asking, is because I would define that if a store had a zero return policy, that policy would essentially become in effect once the said product was officially your property.

I guess my real question behind this would be when do you consider what you are buying becoming your property? I would consider the second the tender is exchanged. Being money, or whatever else was negotiated.

So, when do you guys consider a purchase your property? At home? In your car? After you hand them the money? When?

[esophagus]

Once money has changed hands.

[ariastar]

I guess the reason I was asking, is because I would define that if a store had a zero return policy, that policy would essentially become in effect once the said product was officially your property.

I guess my real question behind this would be when do you consider what you are buying becoming your property? I would consider the second the tender is exchanged. Being money, or whatever else was negotiated.

So, when do you guys consider a purchase your property? At home? In your car? After you hand them the money? When?

The moment the payment is in the hands of the cashier, you've paid and can do as you wish with the item. No need for a receipt or change, you've handed over the payment in full. It's yours.

[ryudo]

Once it is out of its original packaging. For the case of a CD/DVD/Game ... the minute the security seal is broken. Which is a good reason for making sure its intact befroe buying it.

If the goods themselves are faulty - scratched disc, then it should be a return for exchange of same item policy.

I agree with this.
However within a certain time period.
A week at most,more than enough time.

Also about Wal Mart,it's very true when I used to work at Gamestop we sent people all the time there when we would not take a item back.

[acidburn]

I guess the reason I was asking, is because I would define that if a store had a zero return policy, that policy would essentially become in effect once the said product was officially your property.

I guess my real question behind this would be when do you consider what you are buying becoming your property? I would consider the second the tender is exchanged. Being money, or whatever else was negotiated.

So, when do you guys consider a purchase your property? At home? In your car? After you hand them the money? When?

Once money has changed hands, then the item is now my purchase and property. After I've given the store money, they can no longer arrest me if I take the item off their premises because I own it.

[tokenuser]

Really? So, let's say I sell you something. You give me money, I give you the product. You wouldn't consider it your property until you've opened it?Thats a different question. I would consider it my property the minute money changed hands.

HOWEVER, I reserve the right to return the product if it has been unused, unopened, etc.

[comhcinc]

I guess the reason I was asking, is because I would define that if a store had a zero return policy, that policy would essentially become in effect once the said product was officially your property.

i don't know where you are going with this but i would like to mention that a "zero return" policy is illegal. if a product is defective it can be returned for the purchased price. that is the law. stores don't like it and many of them will try to get around that ( the whole store credit)

i once bought a fishbone cd at the local bestbuy. got in the car popped it in and found out it was a bad cd. i walked back in and went to the service desk and told them what the problem was. at first they didn't want to do anything for me, then after i refused to give in they offered to exchange which i was fine with. turns out i had bought the last copy so they wanted to give me store credit. i refused. we went around a little more i finally got my money and went down the street and bought the cd some where else/

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Once money has changed hands.
The moment the payment is in the hands of the cashier, you've paid and ... [I]t's yours.
I would consider it my property the minute money changed hands.
Once money has changed hands, then the item is now my purchase and property. After I've given the store money, they can no longer arrest me if I take the item off their premises because I own it.

OK, this is more of what I thought everyone was going to answer. This is my thought as well. Once I've paid, thanks, it's now mine. Actually, acidburn hit sort of where I'm going with this with his last sentence.

i don't know where you are going with this...

Here's where I'm going with it.

Receipt checkers. I was in Fry's the other day buying a wireless keyboard for my media center (http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22579) I'm building, and on the way out, some guy was at the exit and said to me: "Hi sir, can I check your bag and receipt please?" I said: "No thanks." and kept walking. The guy FREAKED out, and ran in front of me to block my path and said: "I have to check your bag sir." To which again I said: "No thanks." and walked around him. He ran out into the parking lot and followed me to my car and said he was going to write down my license plate number and call the police on me if I didn't comply. I told him to do what he felt like he needed to do, and kept walking to my car, then drove off.

Now, I know for a fact that wholesale clubs like Sams, BJ's, Costco, etc. have it in their agreement that I sign that they can check my receipt before I leave. I agreed to that and will stand by it.

But what gives them the right to check my personal property on my way out the door? Unless they have evidence of me stealing something, then I don't see why I should just let someone search my belongings for no reason.

Now, I know a lot of you will just say: "it takes no time to do it, why bother..." but come on, do I have at least a valid point here? They cannot detain me in anyway for this.

Thoughts?

[tokenuser]

Wow. 24 posts to get to your point ... planning on a career in politics? Palin could use some help for the ucoming debate :p

I hate that policy. Unless they have a sign at the entrance saying that condition of entry is that they have the right to check receipt and purchases on the way out, then they have NO right. Yeah, BJs have it as a condition of membership ... I have no problem with that either.

If they try to detain you, call a manager over, then call the police, and say that you are being illegally detained, and request that they send a car over.

Tiger Direct tried that on me a couple of weeks back. I told the "checker" that I understand its her job, but that she was standing 3 feet away from the register, saw everything being purchased, and asked her just what it was she was checking. She laughed and said she doesn't know why, "it just part of her job."

[comhcinc]

yeah i just blow past them too. once i had a couple of guys at best buy grab my arm. that is when i flashed the badge and explain how i could arrest them for assaulting an officer, illegal detention and kidnapping.

needless to say they changed their tune.

[gta_bmx]

Just don't be one of those d-bags who buy a 60 inch screen high def TV for the Superbowl or World Cup, then return it the following Monday. Then you have people complaining about restocking fees!?!?