when you are not at the store, and cannot touch/feel/try the item, a liberal return policy goes a long way...
and I do the same for Home Depot / Lowes, I am a software guy, when it comes to hardware, I usually buy everything that might work, and return the rest.
I do believe that both Amazon and brick-and-mortar stores re-sell the unused items.
Hey how bouts carrying a green laser pointer too. I use it all the time when the local Woodpecker lands on the vent pipes on top of the house and starts going at it! Damn man, before I found out it was a Woodpecker doing all that rumbling knocking sound, I thought it was the plumbing or something. Days going around flushing the toilets and turning on the faucets. })
I always aim around the bird. Never occurred to me to shine in their eyes. My idea is if the bird is happy, then I’m happy too. But that pecking/ rumbling noise has gotta go!
I’m talking about items that the customer has used and then decides they don’t want it. If it’s correctly advertised and works as intended, if not, then of course a return is within their rights.
I’m not referring to unused products that are still in their box.
I test everything when I receive it and again before shipping. All flashlights are inspected, I tighten retaining rings, add lube, clean contacts, test usb charging on my tester, and test lumen output to make sure it’s performance is accurate to my given spec. Only had 5 returns in 6+ years
when you are not at the store, and cannot touch/feel/try the item, a liberal return policy goes a long way…
and I do the same for Home Depot / Lowes, I am a software guy, when it comes to hardware, I usually buy everything that might work, and return the rest.
I do believe that both Amazon and brick-and-mortar stores re-sell the unused items.
-avi
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There are very few flashlights that you’re going to be able to test in any store and almost never at night in the dark. There certainly are costs to businesses and therefore other customers when people are returning things for no damn good reason. And some items can’t simply be put back on the shelf although some can be. When I see objects on shelves that have had packaging opened or resealed in some manner I am reluctant to buy it because I don’t know if all of the components were put back into the package by some clown that didn’t know what he was buying or doesn’t care about the next guy that may buy it. I have returned items to Amazon twice. One was because the item was damaged probably at the factory and the other was because it was some unknown unidentified thread that is not used in this country. And when I went back and looked at the wording of the description it was clear that they knew it was a problem and worded things in such a way as to deceive. Edit, added more.
you are correct about flashlights, which is why I ordered from Amazon, so I can try it out. btw, it was much cheaper to get the same light direct from the manufacture, so I am paying for the privilege of "might need to return"
I do not abuse their liberal return policy, and if I do suspect that I might return, I very carefully open the package, make sure that whatever I return is in brand new condition, and I pack it exactly the same, with all components and accessories.
Not really about returns but how about the old “I did not receive my items yet” trick with Ali, BG etc. You know how it goes. Received the items but maybe, just maybe I can get another one for free lol.
Another one is where you just msg them because you really did not get it and it’s taking longer than usual… Then the next couple of days it arrives. Ahhh good times.
Is this a cultural thing in the US? I often see comments online to the effect of ‘I’ll buy both and return the one I don’t like’ but I don’t think I could bring myself to do that even it was an option.
In Australia you have the right to a replacement, repair, or refund (generally at the discretion of the retailer) if the item is defective. Many retailers also allow you to return items for change of mind, but I think it’s often only for exchange or store credit. I think large, high-volume retailers tend to have more generous policies. Despite this, I think most people I know generally only return things occasionally - mostly items of clothing that don’t fit or gifts that don’t suit (e.g. a book that the recipient already has).
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with taking advantage of generous return policies - I just think it’s an interesting cultural difference.
On CPF, there is a "New Posts" button, But.... once you read the post/thread, the thread disappears from the New Posts list, until another post is added. :(
On this forum, the post/thread does not disappear from the Recent Posts list after it is read. You can still easily find it, after you read it. :)
Kind of. People have gotten used to abusing Amazon’s return policy and now accept it as the norm. The fact that Amazon doesn’t really care or can’t audit the volume of returns they receive only exacerbates the problem.
I will only return items to any storefront if they are unused and unopened unless they are damaged or defective in some way. If I open and test/use the item and decide I don’t like or want it, that’s not the store’s fault and they shouldn’t be liable for the cost of return shipping, restocking, and reselling the item as used. If I don’t want it, I can resell it myself.