PSA: Returns at Frys

[Gulzakar]

I purchased an X800 XL PCI-E from Frys. I had opened it to test it out but decided I wanted to stick with Nvidia. BTW, this is perfectly ok to do with frys, they allow you to do returns based on this.

I get to the return counter and they proceed to tell me the serial numbers don't match...

and no, I didn't switch them, the box was unopened when I purchased it, I didn't do anything wrong...I'm not that kind of person.

I was told that they could not accept it...they even went as far to see if another x800xl had reversed serial numbers... and this little girl (late teens) manager tells me that I can't return it., my reply?

"I purchase things here all the time...Are you proceeding to tell me that in the history of this store, there hasn't been one single item sold that *may* have had mismatching serials?"

her reply:

"no"

I then say:

"Well then, let me be the first...and if you don't take this return, I'm going to get pissed, loud, and very, very mean".

her reply...with a great sigh and pause:

"ok, this time only"

my reply:

"no, if I ever have this same problem again, I'm going to do the exact same thing...actually, I'm going to open the item at the counter and if it's a mismatch, I'm going bring it over and make you understand that I'm not here to cheat you out of your money. Don't give me attitude for something that isn't my fault"


lesson learned?

check the serials...I' never had this problem before.

 

[Kelvrick]

I don't get it. I want to flame you for being a bitch at frys but you didn't really bitch at them. Yes, I check my higher priced things at the register when I buy now too.

 

[Baked]

Friend bought some wireless network thumb drive (you know the kind I'm talking about). Tried it, didn't work, returned to CrapUSA. Mismatch S/N. Service rep was nice enough to give refund.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Actualy I had a good experience returning some memory that died to Fry's after the 15 day time limit was up.
They were very freindly about the matter. Makes me happy to shop there instead of Worst Buy or CompUSSR.

 

[Maximus96]

how often do these mismatches occur?

 

[HonkeyDonk]

So the s/n on the outside of the box was not matching the s/n on the video card itself?

 

[Gulzakar]

thats exactly what happened.

 

[BooGiMaN]

i dont blame you for doing what you did but if i had been in her shoes i would have said 'go right ahead and yell and get very very mean sir' as i dialed 911...

 

[Stark]

returns @ fry's = hell on earth

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
"no, if I ever have this same problem again, I'm going to do the exact same thing...actually, I'm going to open the item at the counter and if it's a mismatch, I'm going bring it over and make you understand that I'm not here to cheat you out of your money. Don't give me attitude for something that isn't my fault"
lesson learned?
check the serials...I' never had this problem before.

Yes. Unless I'm giving something as a gift or unsure that I might keep it, and especially if it's an open-box item that I'm purchasing - I *always* open up the item at the store itself and throughly check it, that way, if there is any mis-match, I can walk straight to the CS counter without even leaving the store, and force them to take it back or make it right.

OTOH, for items that I purchase but consider that I might return, and are shrink-wrapped, I leave shrink-wrapped until I'm certain, just so that if I do have to return them, they: 1) will be able to easily re-stock the item, and 2) I won't get hit with a restocking fee, most likely.
(Yes, I worked in retail for a little while, and I do understand the store's POV. If I'm returning something because I don't want it, I don't want them to have to incur any added expense because of me. It's kind of a mutual respect thing.)

But I've also had the unpleasant experience of purchasing several NIB shrink-wrapped electronics items, notably both at BestBuy, and upon taking them home and opening them, I discovered that they had been previously opened and re-shrink-wrapped. Not cool. I know that BestBuy doesn't (or didn't, at that time) charge a re-stocking fee on opened electronics/computer items, but - here's a rule of thumb - if a store doesn't charge a fee, they're re-shrink-wrapping items. If they do charge a fee, they likely re-sell them at an "open box discount", and don't re-shrink wrap them. One or the other, you simply can't have it both ways, and expect them to eat the costs regardless. (Well, unless they are Sears, anyways.)

 

[Vic]

Normally, I find returns at Frys to be a breeze, but I did have a similar problem once. I was returning a DOA motherboard for exchange (always a pain in the ass) and they told me the serial numbers didn't match. I was pretty shocked at the implication, but they were polite and cool about it, eventually determined that the CSR at the counter at point-of-sale had transposed a couple of the serial numbers, and allowed the return.

Remember, all's well that ends well.

 

[imported_Mike]

hmm, sounds like you were being a top notch a hole. Or was attitude exchanged by both parties?

 

[AkumaX]

Originally posted by: Vic
Normally, I find returns at Frys to be a breeze, but I did have a similar problem once. I was returning a DOA motherboard for exchange (always a pain in the ass) and they told me the serial numbers didn't match. I was pretty shocked at the implication, but they were polite and cool about it, eventually determined that the CSR at the counter at point-of-sale had transposed a couple of the serial numbers, and allowed the return.

Remember, all's well that ends well.

happened to me once too. the mismatched serial # could have quite possibly happened from the Cashier putting it in wrong (if they do it manually, usually they scan the barcode)

the one i had was a motherboard, and when i returned it, mismatched. but then i pointed out the serial # on the receipt matched up perfectly w/ the PLU#. go figure

 

[Gulzakar]

I wasn't an a-hole until the little mgr. simply said "no"...the cs rep talked to her and thats all she did... I basically went from my usualy nice self to "no way, no how, I'm getting my money back".

I could see why they would say no, but I was hoping to be able to speak to a cs mgr and at least explain myself before turning into an a-hole.

remember, sometimes when your being nice it doesn't always work, sometimes you have to be an a-hole to get something done.

 

[jbaggins]

u guys are right.

I have just had a Fry's open near me, my God, these people are so unprofessional.

1) I ordered a fridge 2 months ago. just got it delivered. I had to write a complaint letter to Mr. Fry for anything to happen with that.
2)When you want to return something, they take like 20 minutes. Then, they do it in separate transactions, leaving you with all these pages upon pages 8.5x11 full size mind you, of "Gift Certificates" I asked the lady why when every other major company gives gift cards (Home Depot, Dillards, Folyes, Electronics Boutique, etc.), and she said that PEOPLE COMPLAINED THAT THEY WOULD LOSE THE GIFT CARD, and that people PREFER having 20 sheets of paper than ONE plastic card. Makes sense to me :roll:.
3) Then, i have heard somone bought some computer parts, and they were USED, and were sold as new condition.

Quite frankly, on most items, they are really not worth the trouble. Many things have Mail in rebates, but then they tax you on the list price. Their return policy is very tight too. Most of the sales clerks are not familiar with the computer keystrokes (could be a regional thing because ours is new - but still, you would expect a million dollar corp. to get their act together).

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Stark
returns @ fry's = hell on earth

Yep, I bought an inexpensive item from them and it was defective.

Taking a look at the line in returns caused me to toss the item in the nearest trash can.