'Cause Best Buy takes returns on thousands of SKUs and incurs serious costs to manage them?


'Cause people buy expensive stuff who don't know how to handle it and mess with it too much?


Infocus has neither of these problems, I'd imagine.

 

Gee no one goes to best buy and gets a new 65" wide screen for the super bowl and then decides they "dont like it", and wants to return it. I consider the 15% restocking fee the "rental" fee. "rental" as in there is nothing wrong with it, you just tryed it out and didnt like it, not its been asking up and you dont trust it. If it was me i wouldnt charge 15% until around the 30 day mark. Maybe first week would not have a charge (exept during sporting events) if they paid for delivery, then paid for pickup. Dont know what i would do with a projector. I know i would be pissed if i sold a projector for 5k and they wanted to bring it back with 50 hours on it, and i know the customer would be pissed if I charged him $750 to take it back.


The thing I like is when they "wont" demo a display or audio device in the store. then charge you a 15% restocking fee when you dont like it, even though they said it would be what you needed. If you cant demo it then there should be no restocking fee for a short time.

 

I think the need for restocking fees would not be so great if margins on projectors weren't so razor thin. With today's margins a returned projector almost always will result in an out of pocket loss to a retailer. Additionally the retailer losses another 4-6% from the credit card transaction. The credit card processors charge the retailer a 2-3% fee on both the sale and the return.


Lenny Eckian

 

well if they made a perfect product no one would return.

We all know X1 has problems mainly rainbow. So if the

product is not perfect they will have to expect returns.


I think BB customer service sucks. I most probably will cancel

the order and order it direct from Infocus

 

When I bought my X1 from BB, the manager told me that he will honor a 30 days tryout with no stocking fee. He told the salesman that he should treat this as a computer item. I would agree to restocking fee if they have a demo for this unit in their store which they don't.


I kept my X1 so there were no issue.

 

"Perfect" is a relative term when it comes to projectors and because in your opinion, it's not, it's a pretty weak argument for getting a full refund on a projector you used for any amount of time.

If you had inquired about it and they had been deceptive about the restocking fee by telling you it would be fine to use it all you wanted and just bring it back for a full refund anytime you like and THEN they charged a 15% restocking fee, you would have a legitimate complaint.

If their policy is clearly stated and/or if you would bothered to ask if you could take it home and use it for a month or so and then bring it back for a full refund and they explained there would be a 15% restocking fee, you are really out of line when you use that as a basis for saying their customer service sucks. Maybe it sucks for other reasons, but their 15% restocking fee is completely understandable and reasonable with an expensive piece of equipment.

We don't have a Best Buy here and I don't even know what kind of store that is, but it seems to me you can sell it at a loss, just as well as Best Buy and use the money to buy a different projector.

 

Here is the resocking fee policy from the web site for BB.


A 15% restocking fee will be charged on returns or exchanges of any opened notebook computer, camcorder, digital camera or radar detector, unless defective.


Note sure how they fit the X1 in there.

 

I asked several times if a digital projector is included. Each time I got a different answer. One guy said it comes under camcorder. What? How can you clasify a PJ under camcorders. One guy said no it isnt?


Anyway...if anyone returned X1 to BB and got charged restocking fee

please let me know. lets not digress into a discussion on BB's policy. Sorry for the initiation of the digression.

 

My dealer hand wrote on the sales ticket 15% restock. I haven't returned in though. for what It costs, it can keep me going until the more expensive units start dropping in price (which I think they are going to do soon!)

At that time, I'll get a better unit, but probably keep the X1 as a backup, since it seems even the most expensive units need repairs, and must be sent somewhere for several weeks.

 

I think they're on thin ground charging the fee if the don't specifically include projectors in their return policy.

 

Quote:

Originally posted by Mupi well if they made a perfect product no one would return. We all know X1 has problems mainly rainbow. So if the product is not perfect they will have to expect returns. I think BB customer service sucks. I most probably will cancel the order and order it direct from Infocus

A problem with your logic here: Best Buy doesn't make the product. They let you know up fron about the restocking fee. I see no reason for anyone to complain about it. They don't specify digital projectors on the list obviously because they haven't updated it. If you buy one and return it, they can't sell it as new. It gets sold as an open box item at a discount.


If the product isn't perfect...Who the heck makes a perfect product? There's no such thing as a perfect digital projector

 

well I dont want to argue with you. You can go see BB's web site and it doesnt mention PJ in the list. only note books, camcorders, radar detector etc. They just assume PJ comes under camcorder which I can dispute.

 

I think their return policy is very clear. The X1 is sold out of the computer department as a presentation device and there is no way it can be reasonably classified as a camcorder or anything else that has a restocking fee. I don't see how there is any room for interpretation.


I would absolutely not accept a restocking fee.


-Dylan

 

Quote:

Return Policies Best Buy will fully refund most items within 30 days of receipt. This return policy may vary slightly from the store and catalog policies. All returns, exchanges and price adjustments must be made in the country of original purchase. Please adhere to the following return policy: 14 days from date merchandise was received Refunds available on these products: • Computers • Monitors • Printers • Notebook Computers • Camcorders • Digital Cameras • Radar Detectors A 15% restocking fee will be charged on returns or exchanges of any opened notebook computer, camcorder, digital camera or radar detector, unless defective. 30 days from date merchandise was received Refunds available on the remainder of our merchandise. Exceptions • Computer Software • Video Games • Prerecorded Videos • DVD Software • Music In order to receive credit for these items, they must be unopened. If defective, you may exchange these items for the same title. Delivery, installation and other fees for services performed are nonrefundable after the service has been completed. Special items Please call Customer Care at 1-888-BESTBUY (1-888-237-8289) or e-mail us if your return is: • A major appliance delivered via special delivery that requires a delivery pickup • A big-screen TV (25" or larger) delivered via special delivery that requires a delivery pickup • Furniture delivered via special delivery that requires a delivery pickup • A computer that you plan to mail back to our return center for a refund • A performance service plan • A Gift Card: All Gift Card returns are credited to the purchaser's credit card. Gift Cards may also be returned via mail; see below. Returning items by mail Follow the simple directions below to make your return or exchange by mail. • Include all original packing materials, manuals and accessories with the product to avoid any additional fees. • Include the return label (which was included in the original shipment) with your product and indicate reason for return. We recommend items be returned via UPS or insured parcel post for proof of delivery. We also recommend that you reuse the original shipping carton and packing materials. • You are responsible for all freight charges. However, you will be credited all reasonable and customary freight charges relevant to that item if product is damaged or defective, or the wrong item was shipped. Please include the postal receipt in your return package. • Items received past the return period plus reasonable shipping time may not be processed. Only items purchased from BestBuy.com are eligible for return credit. Returned items must be shipped in the original product packaging. Notification will be sent to the e-mail and/or billing address provided should your return not be accepted. Items will be resent to you upon receipt of your payment of freight charges. Items will be deemed abandoned if we are not contacted within 30 days. • Ship items to: BestBuy.com Return Center 14405 County Road 212 Findlay, OH 45840 We will do our best to process the return quickly. Please allow 14-21 days for processing. Refunds will be credited to the original purchasing credit card account number only.

From the BB site on returns. They don't mention projectors. That would seem to me to suggest that you have 30 days to return without a restocking fee.


If they tell you it is their policy say: "So your policies are more important than my customer satisfaction?". It has always worked for me.

 

Jeez, then don't buy it from Best Buy. They don't mention projectors because up until recently they didn't sell them. Obviously they need to update their policy on their website because a projector doesn't necessarilly fall under any of those categories.

 

The manager at my BB said that I could return mine within 30 days and no re-stock fee since projector is not on there exception poilicy.

 

You'll find very few retailers that don't take a restocking fee on projectors. Similar to a copier or printer that uses toner, using a projector puts time on the bulb which can't be sold as new after the return. If you want to avoid the restocking fee, take more time to view and research before you buy.

 

I purchased mine at BB. I asked about a restocking fee and was told I would not incur one if I returned the pj within 14 days. I asked that this be written on my invoice and the manager did so. I'm not returning it.


BTW, I noted yesterday that they were asking $900 for a returned pj.

 

I was told by a BB sales person that there is no restocking fee on projectors. If I bought the projector from him and then took it back, they would have to honor what their sales rep and their stated return policy says. Mupi, maybe you should just go to a store and ask/buy there (assuming you have one to go to).

 

How many times have you read on this forum (and others) where someone has "demo'd" a projector from a B&M, planning all along to buy it from a cheaper online source. Or they'll pull some other scam on a B&M to try to weasel the lowest price or some such thing. We have those a@$holes to thank for policies like this. At least in part...

 

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryan M I was told by a BB sales person that there is no restocking fee on projectors. If I bought the projector from him and then took it back, they would have to honor what their sales rep and their stated return policy says. Mupi, maybe you should just go to a store and ask/buy there (assuming you have one to go to).

Make darn sure you get it in writing though. On your receipt with a manager's sig would be the best I'd guess.

 

I bought an open box X1 from BB hoping to try it out. They didn't have a demo machine. The sales guy asked me if I really wanted an open box. I said I don't want to add them another open box if I don't like the machine. They had some discount for the open box (with about 10 hours on the lamp). It worked well for me so far and I am not going to return it. I did ask two persons there about return policy and they went through the special list said PJ is not on it, so full refund should be warranted within 30 days. I even asked them if PJ is considered as a kind of monitor, they said no. So, if they are a decent company, they should not charge a stocking fee, or you can go to court to fight them .

 

I would be curious as to what the "official" national rule on this is, as every Best Buy seems to make up their own rules as they go. Some say 30 days, no restocking fee, others say 30 days: 15% fee, others say 14 days no restocking fee.


Damn, the evil, cynical side of me is coming out.....aggggggg


Evil Walt here, B&M stores are having a bad time? Boo hoo. They ripped us off for years! If internet shops can sell stuff for 40% off and STILL make a profit, then maybe all the B&Ms should just go out of business. If there is not a high enough margin on certain items, then maybe Wal Mart should just get bigger and sell EVERYTHING. While I have never bought something at a B&M to try it out with the intention of ordering it online later, I have used B&Ms as 'showrooms' to look at and try out stuff in store. If I decide I want an item, I try to work out a deal with the salesman, maybe at a halfway point between retail and net prices. If the arrogant a$$ refuses, I go home and order it online. Some stores just deserve to go out of business. When Store A charges full retail and Store B is known to deal, where would you buy an item? The average AVSer knows tons more than the average salesman, so there is no help there. If it ever breaks both places just send it out, so there is no difference there. What REALLY pisses me off is when Denon or Marantz decide not to back warranties on items sold online. Obviously they sold the item to the online merchant in the first place. On the other hand, there is one store in my area that I don't mind paying for, but they actually know what they are talking about; that is so rare these days. Too bad they don't carry everything I want. The only shops that deserve to survive are the bargain basements of the world and the small professional instalation shops. The middle line electronics stores have always been useless. I will be getting my X1 from Best Buy for 2 reasons


1) its the same price no matter where you buy it, and

2) my local stores offer the 30 day, no restocking fee deal.


I am getting tired; I have to go back to sleep now.....


Wow, I had a headache for a minute.... What was I saying?


Walt


How about we refund the purchase price, give you a free projector, shoot the salesman, sell his children into slavery, put the owner in an Iraqi prison, and burn down the store, WILL THAT BE SUFFICIENT?

 

There should be no restocking fee if they have no demo since this is a DLP projector.

It is a fact that a small percentage of people will have problems with DLP.

 

I returned my X1 to Best Buy after 2 days, maybe 4-6 hours on the bulb (I didn't check).


No restocking fee.