Newegg 15% restocking fee plus cost of return shipping?

[Chosonman]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: Chosonman
I remember when I first started ordering from them they would email you a UPS label for returns. And 15% restocking fee? WTH?

I must have place about 100 orders through them. I never realized this until now. They're prices aren't that great either. I'd rather go to my local MicroCenter it's not worth all the hassle anymore.

Discovered this change in policy and attitude a year ago - when the economy was going gangbusters. I've purchased many items from them over the years. I purchased several items mistakenly (brain fart) and since I was rma'g a couple of other pieces, thought it would be no big deal to stuff the unopened, mis-ordered pieces also. This all went as planned except they charged the restocking fee. I felt like this should be forgiven being a returning customer and the fact that the items were still sealed (I've gotten obviously previously opened product from them but never complained). Through email, they effectively blew me off. Oh well, it's their business. It was only about $30 restocking fee but they've lost ~ $4000 in sales since then. Priorities change. There is no other defense. I don't care if some abuse them - I don't and never have.

So now instead of blindly always going to newegg to buy computer/electronics, I shop around first. I've found several more attractive deals at buy.com and amazon. So, really, I should thank them.

The egg religious fervor has faded.

That's exactly what I was talking about.

 

[alcoholbob]

Newegg even in its heyday was never that great to start with. The prices were never great and their return policies/defective policies have always been below par. The only thing that ever went for them was large selection and fast shipping times. I don't think I've ever bought from newegg in the last 10 years with the the understanding of getting a great deal or great service--I just needed something FAST.

Whenever I've had to return new orders--even defective, newegg would tell me its not their fault for manufacturing defects, consult the manufacturer, or eat 15% restocking fee. This was circa 2001. This would be illegal in retail stores.

If my local best buy has the product, chances are it'll be the same price as newegg, and I can return it with no hassles within 30 days. Retail overhead, indeed.

I've spent 20K+ online in electronics the last 10 years and I always meticulously read through return/defective/RMA policies for all the etailers I use. Newegg gets a lot of publicity and I think people assume it MUST be good because its the place to go for consumer satisfaction. Sometimes word of mouth suggestion overrides basic sensibilities (and research).

 

[0roo0roo]

its a business that probably deals with a lot of pebcak

 

[Blain]

Ok Mods,
This thread has played itself out...
Time for the lock down. :laugh:

 

[seemingly random]

Interesting that critiquing some retailers so threatens some - and that the critique of certain other retailers is perfectly acceptable.

This is a forum where people come to express their opinions and read the opinions of others. Some opinions are more useful than others to different individuals. When people give their opinions about the certain models of ram, mb's, routers, etc, it is just their opinion - maybe right, maybe wrong - maybe biased, maybe not - maybe hubris, maybe not.

 

[Chosonman]

Newegg was gracious enough to provide a UPS shipping label and waive the restocking fee based on my account history with them. As I mentioned several times. They didn't have a 15% restocking fee and they offered UPS returns before. They don't anymore.

I feel obligated to thank Newegg for stepping up on this occasion, but now I realize their changed return policy (from when I first ordered with them many years ago) I will be more critical when placing my future orders through them.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
When did they "change" their return policy? I don't know exactly, but I know it's somewhere in the neighborhood of when they began business. They just didn't always follow the policy in the past, but a restocking fee was always the policy.

Why not just make it complete and complain that Newegg doesn't ship via FedEx anymore.

LOL.

Online retailers that do NOT charge restocking fees are the exception, and are rare beasts indeed.

Actually, just to clarify the restocking fee at Newegg does not cover 100% of the returns. They only cover returns for a refund (regardless of reason). If the item is defective and you want a replacement, then they will send you a replacement after receiving the defective item. The only charge would be to ship the item back to them. What HAS changed in their policy is more and more items aren't covered by a Newegg warranty at all, plus Open Box items are no longer returnable as anything but for a refund.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: cubby1223
When did they "change" their return policy? I don't know exactly, but I know it's somewhere in the neighborhood of when they began business. They just didn't always follow the policy in the past, but a restocking fee was always the policy.

Why not just make it complete and complain that Newegg doesn't ship via FedEx anymore.

LOL.

Online retailers that do NOT charge restocking fees are the exception, and are rare beasts indeed.

Actually, just to clarify the restocking fee at Newegg does not cover 100% of the returns. They only cover returns for a refund (regardless of reason). If the item is defective and you want a replacement, then they will send you a replacement after receiving the defective item. The only charge would be to ship the item back to them. What HAS changed in their policy is more and more items aren't covered by a Newegg warranty at all, plus Open Box items are no longer returnable as anything but for a refund.

And not likely to be in business for long. There are always going go to be aholes that abuse the system - buy a product, use it, and return it for a full refund. Once a customer has a track record, latitudes can be given at the representatve's discretion.

Good to know about changes in policies though. Most don't think to read a retailer's policies each time they visit.