Best In-store return policies?
#1
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Best In-store return policies?
Which store has the best in-store return policies for DVD's and CD's? I have a few of each still in the shrinkwrap but no receipts. They were gifts that were bought some time ago. And, the person who bought them can't remember where he got them. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
#2
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Two months ago I tried to return a sealed dvd without a receipt and was told that Best Buy had changed its policy and will not take back anything without a receipt now.
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Borders will give you no problems as long as they have the titles in their inventory at that particular store. You can go to www.bordersstores.com to check the inventory at a specific store. The good news about Borders, besides their no hassle return policy, is that you can use the gift card at www.borders.com, which is Amazon. So, you'll practically get list price for your returned items(since Borders prices are so bad) and you can then use the store credit to get discounted items at Amazon.
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It's not right to go to Wal-Mart and return items they stock for store credit just because they have flexible return policies. It's similarly not right to take advantage of the post-Christmas return season to do so at a wide variety of stores that relax policies for a month or so.
#5
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Originally Posted by Jimmy James
It's not right to go to Wal-Mart and return items they stock for store credit just because they have flexible return policies. It's similarly not right to take advantage of the post-Christmas return season to do so at a wide variety of stores that relax policies for a month or so.
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Originally Posted by Sweet Baby James
Borders will give you no problems as long as they have the titles in their inventory at that particular store. You can go to www.bordersstores.com to check the inventory at a specific store. The good news about Borders, besides their no hassle return policy, is that you can use the gift card at www.borders.com, which is Amazon. So, you'll practically get list price for your returned items(since Borders prices are so bad) and you can then use the store credit to get discounted items at Amazon.
-p
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by pedagogue
Have you been able to confirm this? I have Borders credit from a textbook debachle last year, and would LOVE to use the $180 on amazon stuff (HELLO new flash for my camera)
-p
-p
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Originally Posted by Jimmy James
It's not right to go to Wal-Mart and return items they stock for store credit just because they have flexible return policies. It's similarly not right to take advantage of the post-Christmas return season to do so at a wide variety of stores that relax policies for a month or so.
Remember, morals are not 'one size fits all'.
#11
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by Sweet Baby James
Borders will give you no problems as long as they have the titles in their inventory at that particular store. You can go to www.bordersstores.com to check the inventory at a specific store. The good news about Borders, besides their no hassle return policy, is that you can use the gift card at www.borders.com, which is Amazon. So, you'll practically get list price for your returned items(since Borders prices are so bad) and you can then use the store credit to get discounted items at Amazon.
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Borders will also check and see if they have sold a particular item within the last 6 months. If they haven't (even if they have it in stock), they will probably turn you down.
#13
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by leeta
Borders will also check and see if they have sold a particular item within the last 6 months. If they haven't (even if they have it in stock), they will probably turn you down.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by SterlingBen
damn I was hoping, I really hate dealing with ch's cs
Here's a link to Borders official return policy-
http://www.bordersstores.com/care/ca...page=4#returns
#16
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by Sweet Baby James
What's the title that you want to exchange? If it's a fairly popular title, then I'm sure that Borders has sold a copy in the past few months. Borders can be a YMMV. I've experienced some difficulties at the Danbury, CT location, but the Fairfield store couldn't have been easier(I've also returned some obscure titles to Fairfield and they gave me a gift card-I highly doubt that they had sold a copy of these titles in the past few months). Since you are just looking for an exchange and not store credit, I would wager that they would be more lenient with you. You also might want to wait until after Xmas when stores are more forgiving.
Here's a link to Borders official return policy-
http://www.bordersstores.com/care/ca...page=4#returns
Here's a link to Borders official return policy-
http://www.bordersstores.com/care/ca...page=4#returns
#17
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Seemed relevant to post this article in here... even some of the "easy" stores are beginning to crack down on receipt-less returns.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/06/news...120615?cnn=yes
Holiday gift returns: Still nothing easy about it
Best Buy, Circuit City will charge restocking fees; No returns at Target without a receipt; Plus: Tips for happy returns.
By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com staff writer
December 7 2006: 8:31 AM EST
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If you're dreading your aunt's gift again this year, here's what you should do to ensure a seamless return - don't open it, don't shake it and definitely don't kick it around.
Eager to curb gift return, retailers are continuing to make it more difficult for consumers to return holiday presents and get money back for unwanted and opened gifts. In fact, shoppers may be in for some nasty surprises the day after Christmas as stores continue to use strict policies.
Retail industry experts point out that too many people are making the basic mistake of taking an unwanted gift out of its original packaging and worse, using it, before attempting to return it.
"We are are own worst enemy," said Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and editor of Consumerworld.org.
"One common example is when consumers buy a camcorder on a Friday, use it for a weekend wedding and then return it on Monday," Dworsky said.
"As a consumer, if I'm buying an electronic item, I want the box to have the factory seal on it, otherwise I don't think of it as a fresh product," he said.
For that reason, retailers lose money reselling opened returns. "They're usually forced to discount the products," Dworsky said. "I'm not surprised that Best Buy (Charts) and other electronics stores impose restocking fees for opened items," he said.
Restocking fees, charged to customers for returning opened items, are a percentage of the selling price, usually about 15 percent.
Retailers are cracking down on returns to prevent abuse. They are are also trying to protect their profits during the crucial November-December gift-buying months, which account for as much as 50 percent of their sales and profits.
Blacklisting serial returners
So what should consumers expect this year?
More complicated return policies, a "blacklist" of "serial returners," and restocking fees, Dworsky said.
For instance, some retailers including Home Depot (Charts), Wal-Mart (Charts) and Sports Authority already use a computer database to track the number of returns that individual customers make.
Typically, stores swipe the shopper's driver's license when a return is being made, and if the store's return limit is exceeded, the return is denied, explained Dworsky.
While some stores' posted policies do not warn shoppers of a cap on frequent returns, he said other stores, like specialty apparel seller Express and The Limited, are for the first time explicitly disclosing these return limits at their stores.
Consumer expert Jennifer Litwin advises consumers to be aware of restocking fees.
"Don't open your present unless you're planning to keep it or you may get a restocking fee," she said. This usually applies to furniture, bedding, computer equipment, and camcorders and other electronics.
"Over the last few years, 30 percent of electronics and home furnishings returns have occurred after Christmas. So retailers are clamping down hard with returns to not lose profits," Litwin said.
Restocking fees can be as high as 15 percent of purchase price at stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple, Pottery Barn and Target (Charts), she said.
Besides restocking fees, some stores are imposing shortened return periods, or offering no refunds at all.
Target won't accept returns without a receipt. Amazon deducts 20 to 50 percent off the selling price for certain returns after 30 days.
J.C. Penney (Charts) requires special occasion dresses to be returned with the "return tag" still in place. "This thwarts shoppers from 'wardrobing' for a one-time wearing," Dworsky said.
Both Dworsky and Litwin said the onus is on consumers to educate themselves about stores' return policies, even though retailers are doing a better job of featuring return disclosures more prominently.
Their No. 1 tip for consumers is to hold on to the sales or gift receipt.
"It is not unreasonable [for retailers] to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price," Dworsky said.
This is also relevant for gift cards, Litwin said. "When buying gift cards, keep receipts and give them to the recipient. That way, if it gets lost, they will have a record of it."
"The days of converting [gift cards] to cash are over. It can be exchanged for merchandise only. While most gift cards won't expire, some stores, like Bloomingdales, still put a [two-year] time limit on card use," she said.
Daniel Butler with the National Retail Federation (NRF) doesn't think retailers are being stricter. "They're just being smarter," he said. "It's in retailers' interest to take care of legitimate returns. What they're doing differently is using new technology to discourage incidents of fraud, which does impact their business."
Best Buy, Circuit City will charge restocking fees; No returns at Target without a receipt; Plus: Tips for happy returns.
By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com staff writer
December 7 2006: 8:31 AM EST
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If you're dreading your aunt's gift again this year, here's what you should do to ensure a seamless return - don't open it, don't shake it and definitely don't kick it around.
Eager to curb gift return, retailers are continuing to make it more difficult for consumers to return holiday presents and get money back for unwanted and opened gifts. In fact, shoppers may be in for some nasty surprises the day after Christmas as stores continue to use strict policies.
Retail industry experts point out that too many people are making the basic mistake of taking an unwanted gift out of its original packaging and worse, using it, before attempting to return it.
"We are are own worst enemy," said Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and editor of Consumerworld.org.
"One common example is when consumers buy a camcorder on a Friday, use it for a weekend wedding and then return it on Monday," Dworsky said.
"As a consumer, if I'm buying an electronic item, I want the box to have the factory seal on it, otherwise I don't think of it as a fresh product," he said.
For that reason, retailers lose money reselling opened returns. "They're usually forced to discount the products," Dworsky said. "I'm not surprised that Best Buy (Charts) and other electronics stores impose restocking fees for opened items," he said.
Restocking fees, charged to customers for returning opened items, are a percentage of the selling price, usually about 15 percent.
Retailers are cracking down on returns to prevent abuse. They are are also trying to protect their profits during the crucial November-December gift-buying months, which account for as much as 50 percent of their sales and profits.
Blacklisting serial returners
So what should consumers expect this year?
More complicated return policies, a "blacklist" of "serial returners," and restocking fees, Dworsky said.
For instance, some retailers including Home Depot (Charts), Wal-Mart (Charts) and Sports Authority already use a computer database to track the number of returns that individual customers make.
Typically, stores swipe the shopper's driver's license when a return is being made, and if the store's return limit is exceeded, the return is denied, explained Dworsky.
While some stores' posted policies do not warn shoppers of a cap on frequent returns, he said other stores, like specialty apparel seller Express and The Limited, are for the first time explicitly disclosing these return limits at their stores.
Consumer expert Jennifer Litwin advises consumers to be aware of restocking fees.
"Don't open your present unless you're planning to keep it or you may get a restocking fee," she said. This usually applies to furniture, bedding, computer equipment, and camcorders and other electronics.
"Over the last few years, 30 percent of electronics and home furnishings returns have occurred after Christmas. So retailers are clamping down hard with returns to not lose profits," Litwin said.
Restocking fees can be as high as 15 percent of purchase price at stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple, Pottery Barn and Target (Charts), she said.
Besides restocking fees, some stores are imposing shortened return periods, or offering no refunds at all.
Target won't accept returns without a receipt. Amazon deducts 20 to 50 percent off the selling price for certain returns after 30 days.
J.C. Penney (Charts) requires special occasion dresses to be returned with the "return tag" still in place. "This thwarts shoppers from 'wardrobing' for a one-time wearing," Dworsky said.
Both Dworsky and Litwin said the onus is on consumers to educate themselves about stores' return policies, even though retailers are doing a better job of featuring return disclosures more prominently.
Their No. 1 tip for consumers is to hold on to the sales or gift receipt.
"It is not unreasonable [for retailers] to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price," Dworsky said.
This is also relevant for gift cards, Litwin said. "When buying gift cards, keep receipts and give them to the recipient. That way, if it gets lost, they will have a record of it."
"The days of converting [gift cards] to cash are over. It can be exchanged for merchandise only. While most gift cards won't expire, some stores, like Bloomingdales, still put a [two-year] time limit on card use," she said.
Daniel Butler with the National Retail Federation (NRF) doesn't think retailers are being stricter. "They're just being smarter," he said. "It's in retailers' interest to take care of legitimate returns. What they're doing differently is using new technology to discourage incidents of fraud, which does impact their business."
#18
The Return Exchange
Here is some very helpful information on (The Return Exchange) the company that is keeping track of all our returns and how you can check what info they have on you so far..
How can I find out if The Return Exchange has information on me in its files?
You can contact The Return Exchange by sending us email at:
[email protected]
Please include your name and a phone number where we can contact you. When we call we will ask for your driver’s license number and state so we can see if we have you in our database. We prefer to call you so that you can avoid sending this information via email.
===========================
For more info.. Check out their FAQ page:
http://www.returnexchange.com/faq/
* What is The Return Exchange?
* What is return authorization?
* How does The Return Exchange's return software benefit the consumer?
* What information do you retrieve from my ID?
* Why do you need my identification number?
* What is a Return Activity Report?
* How does my return history affect me?
* How can I find out if The Return Exchange has information on me in its files?
* What can I do if my Return Activity Report is incorrect?
* Where is my information kept?
* Is it legal to capture and store customer return data?
* Does The Return Exchange share data among retailers?
* Does The Return Exchange set retailer return policies?
* What are some of the reasons that my return might be refused?
* What factors does The Return Exchange use to determine if a retailer should accept my return?
* How is a return authorization model developed?
* If I am denied a return, when can I return again?
* What stores are you contracted by?
* How can I learn more about a retailer's return policy?
* Will my Return Activity affect my credit report?
* Is my information sold or used for any other purposes?
* Isn't returning merchandise a right?
* If a consumer's return is denied, does that mean he or she is committing fraud?
* What constitutes fraud? What constitutes abuse?
* How can I get my information removed from The Return Exchange's database?
How can I find out if The Return Exchange has information on me in its files?
You can contact The Return Exchange by sending us email at:
[email protected]
Please include your name and a phone number where we can contact you. When we call we will ask for your driver’s license number and state so we can see if we have you in our database. We prefer to call you so that you can avoid sending this information via email.
===========================
For more info.. Check out their FAQ page:
http://www.returnexchange.com/faq/
* What is The Return Exchange?
* What is return authorization?
* How does The Return Exchange's return software benefit the consumer?
* What information do you retrieve from my ID?
* Why do you need my identification number?
* What is a Return Activity Report?
* How does my return history affect me?
* How can I find out if The Return Exchange has information on me in its files?
* What can I do if my Return Activity Report is incorrect?
* Where is my information kept?
* Is it legal to capture and store customer return data?
* Does The Return Exchange share data among retailers?
* Does The Return Exchange set retailer return policies?
* What are some of the reasons that my return might be refused?
* What factors does The Return Exchange use to determine if a retailer should accept my return?
* How is a return authorization model developed?
* If I am denied a return, when can I return again?
* What stores are you contracted by?
* How can I learn more about a retailer's return policy?
* Will my Return Activity affect my credit report?
* Is my information sold or used for any other purposes?
* Isn't returning merchandise a right?
* If a consumer's return is denied, does that mean he or she is committing fraud?
* What constitutes fraud? What constitutes abuse?
* How can I get my information removed from The Return Exchange's database?
#19
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Originally Posted by Sweet Baby James
Well, you're only supposed to be able to use Borders gift cards at Amazon for things that Borders' sells-books, DVDs and CDs. I have never had a problem in using a Borders gift card when buying DVDs at Amazon(remember that you have to go through www.borders.com, not amazon.com). I once was able to use a Borders gift card at Amazon for a DVD and a Kitchen Aid blender and the gift card paid for the blender as well as the DVD. I would advise caution if you try to use a Borders gift card for anything other than books, DVDs and CDs. Amazon has great customer service though, so if you try to order that flash and Amazon charges your credit card instead of the Borders gift card, you'll most likely be able to get a full refund(including return shipping). Good luck.
-p
#20
DVD Talk Hero
CostCo is by far the best - if they have it in stock (or have a SKU for it), you can return it (even if it's been opened), no reciept needed, for either cash back or an exchange - even if you just want an exchange, they still just give you your money back, and you can then rebuy it. I'm ashamed to say that I've exchanged a couple items that I didn't buy from there...
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by slop101
CostCo is by far the best - if they have it in stock (or have a SKU for it), you can return it (even if it's been opened), no reciept needed, for either cash back or an exchange - even if you just want an exchange, they still just give you your money back, and you can then rebuy it. I'm ashamed to say that I've exchanged a couple items that I didn't buy from there...
#22
DVD Talk Hero
It was a boxset I had bought online that was banged up pretty bad in shipping, and instead of going through the hastle of shipping back-and-forth, I just took it to CostCo, and they only checked to see if they had it in their system as a stock item, and they just gave me cash back - not only did I not have a reciept, it was also opened.