Need to Vent: Got Scammed at a B&M!

[beat mania]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: chrisg22
ANd why doesn't Costco do this... I know that Wal-mart does, or at least they did when I bought/returned a PSP and when my brother bought a 360.

You can switch serial numbers on some consoles. The Nintendo Gamecube is extremely easy to get the serial off of not to mention it had no tape that showed that the console was opened or not (if I remember correctly).

xbox's serial number and computer scan bars are printed onto the console itself. You would have to swap the shell without breaking whatever stickers MS put all around the thing.

 

[Kirby64]

Originally posted by: beat mania

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: chrisg22
ANd why doesn't Costco do this... I know that Wal-mart does, or at least they did when I bought/returned a PSP and when my brother bought a 360.

You can switch serial numbers on some consoles. The Nintendo Gamecube is extremely easy to get the serial off of not to mention it had no tape that showed that the console was opened or not (if I remember correctly).

xbox's serial number and computer scan bars are printed onto the console itself. You would have to swap the shell without breaking whatever stickers MS put all around the thing.

Actually, no, it just LOOKS like they're printed on. It's a sticker, just a really really sticky one. You could get it off with a heatgun fairly easily.

Also, to those hoping the scammer's old PSU won't work: Old PSUs work with new (HDMI) 360s.

Good luck getting yourself a new box, the 360 is a treat 😀

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: bmwme
Before this gets out of control I understand this isn't Costco's fault (unless this was done by an employee). Just venting.

it IS cosco's fault. I was under the impression that every retailer was required to verify the contents of returns in order to receive credit for such return. I suppose they just try to resell it as new without even checking it out.

IT IS THEIR FAULT! They should never have used merchandise out there for sale as new ever.

Say what you want about their "consumer friendly return policy".

Next time someone tries to make it difficult to return an open & used product you know why.

Perfect example of what that would likely prevent from happening.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
When I bought my 360 I remember Circuit City had to scan it or something along those lines. And no, I am not referring to the normal UPC, I am referring to something like a unique identifier. If that is the case then what is the purpose of that original scan other than to help insure this type of activity is avoided?

I could be wrong about what the second scan was for and perhaps they stopped doing it. I guess it could have been a CC specific (smart) idea as well.

Every retailer scans out the serial number of the console they have sold. Or at least, are supposed to. in order to get the manufacturer's warranty.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: CKDragon
It's crap like this that will eventually make Costco change it's return policy and ruin it for all of us.

Pretty much. I read that when the video iPod came out, Costco sold 25,000 in the first week and in that same week people returned 15,000 older iPods. :Q That's really not what their return policy is intended for, and it's unfortunate that people don't realize that THEY are killing one of the most consumer-friendly return policies. And then those same people probably bitch and moan about restocking fees and other policies that stores implement to reduce that crap. :|

I guess it would require more effort but why can't they just compare serial #'s on receipts to the actual 360's to make sure someone is returning the right one.

And damn, that's crazy that there were that many iPods returned. Some people really are idiots.

Electronics stores usually do, but general merchandise stores like Costco/Walmart/Target don't. I guess the cost to implement is the deciding factor?

Wal mart and Target do, most definately.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: bmwme
Before this gets out of control I understand this isn't Costco's fault (unless this was done by an employee). Just venting.

it IS cosco's fault. I was under the impression that every retailer was required to verify the contents of returns in order to receive credit for such return. I suppose they just try to resell it as new without even checking it out.

IT IS THEIR FAULT! They should never have used merchandise out there for sale as new ever.

That's what I was thinking. Unless OP bought an 'open box'. Or it was an employee that switched it out.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: bmwme
Before this gets out of control I understand this isn't Costco's fault (unless this was done by an employee). Just venting.

it IS cosco's fault. I was under the impression that every retailer was required to verify the contents of returns in order to receive credit for such return. I suppose they just try to resell it as new without even checking it out.

IT IS THEIR FAULT! They should never have used merchandise out there for sale as new ever.

That's what I was thinking. Unless OP bought an 'open box'. Or it was an employee that switched it out.

People mentioned they don't even check returns and just take it back without looking at it. That is Costco's fault. There is no other blame. I flat out asked Best Buy if they take returns that "look new" without opening it. They said yes. I asked for the manager and pointed out to him that I could open the box, take out the product, slap in an old POS broken thing and reseal it with a shrinkwrap machine and then would be allowed to return it because his employees won't check contents.

This occured when I found that a HDD I had purchased had a different drive inside and they game ME a hard time about it just trying to get the drive I paid for. Now I always open products like this inside the store near the security area if I do indeed buy something from these stores.

I don't have any problems buying online for the reasoning that newegg isn't going to credit someone back their money until they are 100% sure it's the exact product purchased.

 

[bigpow]

Sad but true, I hate to say this but most of the people I know, that shop there - have some morale/ethics issues.
I personally don't shop there, but some of my friends and co-workers do.

You wouldn't believe how they always boast about beating (read:cheating) Costco by returning old products, or getting a free rental (buy and return), or even stealing (taking parts/accesories then returning).
Most of the time, I told them: "er.. you know that's stealing, right?"
but other times, I just walked out.

If there's a benefit, it's that I get to put a score on my mental notes - on how to watch my distance and stay away from these "friends" of mine.


I do hope you will get a new replacement 360, it's the best!
Download Puzzle Fighter HD... my wife & I are always playing that arcade game.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: bmwme
I look at the manufacter date on the console, F'ing 10-08-2006! WTF!!!!!!!? So I think the Costco must have gotten the shaft and is getting a wierd supply of old or refurb'd units. But as the wheels turn I try the psu plug, doesn't fit. I look closely at the console and notice dirt and finger prints! Some LOSER bought this before and swapped it with there old console!

You wrote that you knew that it was 175W in-store, which implies that it was printed on the box label. If you could read 175W off the label, you should be able to read the lot number, which should match a portion of the serial number. If the numbers don't match (they probably won't, given the manufacture date), it is likely that the console sticker is intact - and you know the previous serial number of the thief. If the thief had registered the old console, that SN is linked to the thief's information at MS.

Costco and MS probably don't care, but there exists enough information to nail the thief. I believe I read that Costco does track returns and flags those who repeatedly make unreasonable returns, so they may care, assuming the thief purchased and returned the console.

Originally posted by: mugs
3. Oh yeah, I remember what 2 was - does this mean the idiot scammer ended up with a power supply (his original) that was incompatible with the 360 that he essentially stole? 😕

Originally posted by: Kirby64
Also, to those hoping the scammer's old PSU won't work: Old PSUs work with new (HDMI) 360s.

I'm pretty sure that the 203W and 175W PSU console connectors are incompatible - which is why the 175W PSU wouldn't fit into the launch console for the OP. This makes me think that there's a higher probability of an employee thief who stole it in-store under time constraints. Someone who understood the desirability of a Falcon and the meaning of the 175W on the box would be less likely to forget to steal the PSU also.

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Every retailer scans out the serial number of the console they have sold. Or at least, are supposed to. in order to get the manufacturer's warranty.

MS knew my purchase date when I registered my 360 for service (just a button on the controller, as I posted in another thread).

 

[syn0s]

Partially Costco's fault, partially the scammer's fault. The scammer shouldn't have returned it in the first place, and when he did Costco should have checked the serial number / DOM on the console.

Then, Costco SHOULDN'T have taken it back. Then, in addition, when they did take it back they should have returned it to Microsoft, who would have noticed the problem.

/end

 

[bmwme]

UPDATE:

Well I had to spend an additonal $22 to ship it from their online store. I'm still a bit sore about that. I got my system yesterday and I'm pretty pissed I had to stop playing because of stupid work! I love it!

FWIW, the Holiday bundle says "HDMI Compatible" and it is in fact the HDMI output system. So that was great, I got the newer one with HDMI...cool! But this box clearly stated the 203w version and infact the system and PSU inside was infact the older 203w system. So no Falcon for me 🙁 Definately chaps my ass that I found a Falcon in the store but because of some a-hole I have to pay more and get less.

Oh well, 360 is too great to whine too much!

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Flatscan

MS knew my purchase date when I registered my 360 for service (just a button on the controller, as I posted in another thread).

That's because the retailer scanned the serial number out when they sold it. Every console I've every purchased has had this done at the point of sale.