This is a shame that they have to do this; re: Staples return policy

[NFS4]

I bought a Netgear Wireless-G router and USB adapter yesterday from my Staples B&M yesterday. Didn't end up needing them so I returned them today. Items were still wrapped, I hadn't even taken the UPC off for the $60 rebate.

So I return the items today. I handed the cashier my receipt, rebate receipt and rebate form that printed out along with the merchandise. She called the manager over and she gave her the OK to CUT THE WRAPPER off and check the merchandise to see if I had taken stuff out and resealed it. I was like WTF, I ain't no damn criminal and I'm not trying to rip you guys off. She said that they HAVE to do it b/c people have been ripping them off...taking stuff out, replacing it with fake items, then resealing with a plastic cellophane sp? machine.

So I stood there like a criminal being strip searched while about 4 people were in line behind me looking at me like I'm some kind of crook

Naturally, everything checked out and I got my money, but still...

 

[blakeatwork]

Sounds like Costco Syndrome...

When I worked there in College, we had a myriad of people who weren't satisified with the generous return policy, so they would resort to that exact trick.. We caught most of them, as we have to open everything that comes in.. Needless to say, they weren't members afterwards...

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: blakeatwork
Sounds like Costco Syndrome...

When I worked there in College, we had a myriad of people who weren't satisified with the generous return policy, so they would resort to that exact trick.. We caught most of them, as we have to open everything that comes in.. Needless to say, they weren't members afterwards...

What kind of stuff did they try to pull?

I'd be glad if all stores started doing that, but they'd have to hire people who can tell the difference between a video card and a network card.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: NFS4
I bought a Netgear Wireless-G router and USB adapter yesterday from my Staples B&M yesterday. Didn't end up needing them so I returned them today. Items were still wrapped, I hadn't even taken the UPC off for the $60 rebate.

So I return the items today. I handed the cashier my receipt, rebate receipt and rebate form that printed out along with the merchandise. She called the manager over and she gave her the OK to CUT THE WRAPPER off and check the merchandise to see if I had taken stuff out and resealed it. I was like WTF, I ain't no damn criminal and I'm not trying to rip you guys off. She said that they HAVE to do it b/c people have been ripping them off...taking stuff out, replacing it with fake items, then resealing with a plastic cellophane sp? machine.

So I stood there like a criminal being strip searched while about 4 people were in line behind me looking at me like I'm some kind of crook

Naturally, everything checked out and I got my money, but still...

Its a shame, but it's good they're doing that. Too many horror stories of people who plunk down $500 on a video card to find out they just bought a re-sealed ATI Rage 3d

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Shoulda pulled the race card.

- M4H

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Its a Good thing staples is doing that, some stores don't even check.

Sometimes here at work we get weird stuff returned by stores like compusa and bestbuy and because they didnt check they dont get credit.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Shoulda pulled the race card.

- M4H

I've never pulled out my race card. Never really needed it.

 

[RossMAN]

Brandon, same thing happened to me returning stuff to Fry's Electronics.

Hard Drive and 802.11g PCMICA cards were BRAND NEW STILL SEALED.

They opened them up to verify the contents, seems like a waste

 

[Vic]

I think it's a good thing, and have always considered it Standard Operating Procedure. Lots of people are always trying to rip off these stores. In return though, I always inspect the contents of the box at the check-out counter before I buy.

 

[Aquaman]

It's good that they checked but they could have done it in a better way I think (ie. maybe helped you at the customer servicee desk instead of in a lineup of people).

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: blakeatwork
Sounds like Costco Syndrome...

When I worked there in College, we had a myriad of people who weren't satisified with the generous return policy, so they would resort to that exact trick.. We caught most of them, as we have to open everything that comes in.. Needless to say, they weren't members afterwards...

What kind of stuff did they try to pull?

I'd be glad if all stores started doing that, but they'd have to hire people who can tell the difference between a video card and a network card.

The worst incident I recall was a Stereo Receiver.. The box was marked Sony, and inside was an old dusty LP player.. I'm not BS'ing.. I had to call someone else to verify that it was indeed an LP player and not a new product or something from another store.

Mostly little things that you'd think people wouldn't check.. I worked in the "Majors Dept" which was electronics, Paints, furniture etc.. Once received a PC back that didn't boot.. well no duh numbnuts.. it helps if the CPU is still in it..

 

[NogginBoink]

Sad, but yes, it's necessary. I worked at Kinko's and learned of a coworker who bought a high-end software package, took out the contents, replaced it with a few cans of soup, used Kinko's shrink-wrap machine to seal the package up and take it in for a refund.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Stores should also if they open an item or if it was already open return them to the companies, but if you saw with bestbuy in the lawsuit against them, they sell used stuff as new.

so everything i buy software now or hardware i double check the box make sure the seals are not broken, and if there is several boxes i try to take a box from the back.

 

[SuperTool]

I bought a carpet on clearance at Ikea for $4, and returned it the next weekend. The retard working customer service, didn't even look at my receipt, and I didn't look at the receipt he gave me until I got home, and boom I see he credited me $40 full price for it. I didn't complain

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Sad, but yes, it's necessary. I worked at Kinko's and learned of a coworker who bought a high-end software package, took out the contents, replaced it with a few cans of soup, used Kinko's shrink-wrap machine to seal the package up and take it in for a refund.

What a moron. Why not just copy the software and return the contents.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Sad, but yes, it's necessary. I worked at Kinko's and learned of a coworker who bought a high-end software package, took out the contents, replaced it with a few cans of soup, used Kinko's shrink-wrap machine to seal the package up and take it in for a refund.

Haha, soup? Hilarous.

 

[ElFenix]

fry's does that. they treat everyone like criminals there. i saw some dude get chased and then taken into the office once. was awesome.

 

[NFS4]

When the cashier got done checking everything and seeing that everything was in order, she said that all they would just take it in the back, re-wrap it and put it back out on the shelf.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I tried to search for it, but couldn't find it.

That big ass thread a year or so ago with the guy who bought an Ipaq at Office Depot and when he got it home it was just a bag of sand inside.

Lawlz

Poor dude.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I tried to search for it, but couldn't find it.

That big ass thread a year or so ago with the guy who bought an Ipaq at Office Depot and when he got it home it was just a bag of sand inside.

Lawlz

Poor dude.

I did a search for "ipaq" and "sand" and found this:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...keyword1=ipaq+and+sand

 

[dethman]

this is definitely a good thing. i don't want to be the guy who buys sand.

 

[CFster]

Bought a Sandisk 256MB CF card from Staples. Upon getting it home, I noticed that the sticker on the front was falling off. Then I noticed it said Canon on the back, with a small Sandisk on the corner. I plugged it in only to find out that it was a 32MB card, not a 256MB.

So, I brought it back. Since it said Canon on the back and the front sticker was already off in my hand they wouldn't take it back. They said it wasn't the same card that came in the package. I pointed out that even though it said Canon on the back, there was still a Sandisk logo below it and that they must make the Canon cards on the same assembly line and this one just got mislabeled, or an employee did a switch.

They didn't want to know, and basically called me a liar. I guess they were willing to risk losing a customer over $38.

 

[Rufio]

sucks

 

[Hammer]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
fry's does that. they treat everyone like criminals there. i saw some dude get chased and then taken into the office once. was awesome.

hahaha. how long did they hold you?

 

[TranceNation]

well i've been on the other side and let me tell you it sucks. A long time ago I bought a sound card from crapusa. Paid something like $30-$40 for it. When I got home and opened it up (it was packaged as new), it wasn't the vid card that it was supposed to be and it didn't work. Looked like someone or crapusa repackaged an old vidcard and passed it on as another one. So when I tried to take it back, they thought I was trying to scam them. So now everything you buy from these shady places(like crapusa, frys, best buy) that repackage anything is to always open it up at the cashier immediately or even before buying it.