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Has anyone returned their iPad to Best Buy? Did you get a restocking fee?

dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,477
537
I'm just curious. My wife used her iPad for only a few days and decided it sucked because it can't print directly to our networked printers.

I went to the Best Buy webiste and here's what it says regarding the return policy:

Restocking Fee

A restocking fee is applicable in some product categories, unless you are a Reward Zone Program Premier Silver member, the item is defective, or the fee is prohibited by law. The restocking fee charges are:

* 25% for Special Order Products, including appliances
* 15% for opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS navigation and in-car video systems
* 10% for Apple® iPhone


Now, I had assumed that the iPad would have a 15% fee per many comments of the forum, but does it really fall under any of the above categories? Go to the best buy website. Click on the computers button, then laptops, then Apple. There are only actual laptops listed and no iPads!

Do I have a valid argument when I go there to return this thing if they try to hit me with the 15% fee?
 
I purchased an iPad at Best Buy, upon attempt to return it the same day they informed me of the 15% fee.

I told them that the sales person did not tell me about the fee.
They said the iPad is a computer a subject to the fee; the employee them showed me a 15% fee label on an iPad box.

I countered with the "well the iPod Touch is not a computer is it?" I then told them my iPad box did not have that label.

I politely asked them to waive the fee.

None of this worked so I kept the iPad and informed them I would never shop at any Best Buy again.
 
Returned mine on day 14. I just told them I wanted to wait for the 3g. They basically said no worries and didn't even mention at 15% fee. Great customer service.
 
dschultz said:
I purchased an iPad at Best Buy, upon attempt to return it the same day they informed me of the 15% fee.

I told them that the sales person did not tell me about the fee.
They said the iPad is a computer a subject to the fee; the employee them showed me a 15% fee label on an iPad box.

I countered with the "well the iPod Touch is not a computer is it?" I then told them my iPad box did not have that label.

I politely asked them to waive the fee.

None of this worked so I kept the iPad and informed them I would never shop at any Best Buy again.
Click to expand...

Well that sucks. I know my shrink-wrap did not have any re-stock sticker on it (since I still have that shrink-wrap). So they said that it is a "laptop computer"? It would have to be since a desktop computer is not on the re-stock list.
 
norymeoreason41 said:
Returned mine on day 14. I just told them I wanted to wait for the 3g. They basically said no worries and didn't even mention at 15% fee. Great customer service.
Click to expand...

That's more encouraging. Today IS day 14 for me which is why I am asking.

I'm gonna have to at least try tonight I think.
 
ob81 said:
Yeah at least try. The official policy is 15% though, so if they don't budge on it, don't get too pissed.
Click to expand...

I still haven't found though where this "official" policy of 15% applies to iPads.
 
Samething with me. On the day, i was gonna return my ipad. They didn't inform me of the 15% and I even brought it up and they didn't say it would apply to my Ipad.

It depends store to store. Some stores know while other stores don't. Just hope you are in a lucky store.

Luckily, I decided to keep my 32GB Ipad.
 
I returned my AppleTV after a weeks of use. No restocking fee.

Sorry this may seem off topic but I thought for Apple products there is no restocking fee.
 
dschultz said:
I politely asked them to waive the fee.

None of this worked.
Click to expand...


Thats your problem. Politeness does not work and never will work, if you want something you have to play hell till they damn well give you what you want lol. I don't mean a public outburst that will get cops involved but basically being polite just says I am a doormat feel free to walk all over me. I always always get my way when I want a refund e.t.c e.t.c
 
christall109 said:
I returned my AppleTV after a weeks of use. No restocking fee.

Sorry this may seem off topic but I thought for Apple products there is no restocking fee.
Click to expand...

That is EXACTLY what the best buy employees said....No restocking fees on all Apple Products. Do we go to the same Best buy? LOL
 
norymeoreason41 said:
Returned mine on day 14. I just told them I wanted to wait for the 3g. They basically said no worries and didn't even mention at 15% fee. Great customer service.
Click to expand...

I think you only have to pay the restocking fee if you return it for a refund. I just bought a 16GB model to test out and see if I really even want one. In 13 days I will exchange it for a new 32GB or 64GB model and then sell it on eBay for a profit. (which I've already done with two iPads. Since you can't get them overseas they are selling for a premium.)

But I will say, after spending the last 24 hours with it, I'm in love. After I sell this one I will be getting the 3G model.
 
dmk1974 said:
I still haven't found though where this "official" policy of 15% applies to iPads.
Click to expand...

Of course you don't see it. You want your money back for your impulse buy. The iPad falls under the "computer" category. Handheld device.

You opened it and used it. If this was an apple store I could see your point. This is a store that sells these units, and take a loss if they let everyone open things and return them for full refund.

It is hit or miss. Take ur iPad back and try to get all of your money. If it doesn't work, don't pull the "stupid" card.
 
Reser said:
Thats your problem. Politeness does not work and never will work, if you want something you have to play hell till they damn well give you what you want lol. I don't mean a public outburst that will get cops involved but basically being polite just says I am a doormat feel free to walk all over me. I always always get my way when I want a refund e.t.c e.t.c
Click to expand...

I think it helps to start out polite. Then, if the customer service rep is an ass/doesn't budge, then elevate it. The last thing they want is an irate customer, struggling with a return, right next to the checkout line.
 
Dillenger said:
I returned my 32 gig on day 12 for a 64 gig and no fees at all.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the difference is that you exchanged (this time for something more expensive), rather than returned. I don't see many stores complaining about returning an item to get something better, especially when they know they can turn around and re-sell the 32 GB.

CleverNameHere said:
I think you only have to pay the restocking fee if you return it for a refund.
Click to expand...

I think noryme did return it. The 3G he wants wasn't available, and I'm not sure there would be anything Best Buy could do to hold him to buying a 3G from them.
 
dmk1974 said:
I'm just curious. My wife used her iPad for only a few days and decided it sucked because it can't print directly to our networked printers.

I went to the Best Buy webiste and here's what it says regarding the return policy:

Restocking Fee

A restocking fee is applicable in some product categories, unless you are a Reward Zone Program Premier Silver member, the item is defective, or the fee is prohibited by law. The restocking fee charges are:

* 25% for Special Order Products, including appliances
* 15% for opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS navigation and in-car video systems
* 10% for Apple® iPhone


Now, I had assumed that the iPad would have a 15% fee per many comments of the forum, but does it really fall under any of the above categories? Go to the best buy website. Click on the computers button, then laptops, then Apple. There are only actual laptops listed and no iPads!

Do I have a valid argument when I go there to return this thing if they try to hit me with the 15% fee?
Click to expand...

Return policies by state and stores varies. When I lived in MA, it is state law that they have to have a sign in the store that tells the customer what their return policy is. Some states also require it to be in writing.

I am not a big fan of BB, sorry you were refused! :(
 
Well, I called the 888 number while driving from the one BB to the one I bought it from to complain. Then when at the BB that I bought it from, they also tried to apply the 15% restock fee. I called for the manager and politely discussed with him that I disagreed. He was very nice actually and tried to waive the restock if I bought something else (unfortunately, I didn't have a need for anything else at this time). The ultimately gave me the full refund and indicated that he didn't want a dissatisfied customer. I thought it was very cool of him and even called that same 888 number to give him a compliment. Even though all BBs are part of the same corporation, I'll definitely be sure to continue to shop at that one as my first choice due to his helpfulness.

Here's the link that I also directed him to from the Best Buy site. CLEARLY filtering by computers>laptops>Apple there are NO iPads listed! Therefore, to me, it CAN'T be considered a laptop, right?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemp...terSP&sp=+currentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000
 
Reser said:
Thats your problem. Politeness does not work and never will work, if you want something you have to play hell till they damn well give you what you want lol. I don't mean a public outburst that will get cops involved but basically being polite just says I am a doormat feel free to walk all over me. I always always get my way when I want a refund e.t.c e.t.c
Click to expand...

People like you are the reason I hated working retail. I was far more willing to go out of my way to help someone that was polite and respectful than someone that acted like a child.

It's one thing to not know of a restocking fee but it's a completely different thing to know that it might have one and not confirm it when buying. And if you do confirm and then throw a fit bc you want it waived when it gets returned... I could care less if the person walked out and called corporate HQ.
 
dschultz said:
I purchased an iPad at Best Buy, upon attempt to return it the same day they informed me of the 15% fee.

I told them that the sales person did not tell me about the fee.
They said the iPad is a computer a subject to the fee; the employee them showed me a 15% fee label on an iPad box.

I countered with the "well the iPod Touch is not a computer is it?" I then told them my iPad box did not have that label.

I politely asked them to waive the fee.

None of this worked so I kept the iPad and informed them I would never shop at any Best Buy again.
Click to expand...

I'm sure the company will go bankrupt now. Not their employees' fault that you didn't ask questions/do your homework before making a purchase.
 
GaresTaylan said:
People like you are the reason I hated working retail. I was far more willing to go out of my way to help someone that was polite and respectful than someone that acted like a child.

It's one thing to not know of a restocking fee but it's a completely different thing to know that it might have one and not confirm it when buying. And if you do confirm and then throw a fit bc you want it waived when it gets returned... I could care less if the person walked out and called corporate HQ.
Click to expand...

+1

Acting like a spoiled brat may get you what you want on occasion, but it will never gain you respect.
 
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