For big purchases like appliances and furniture, some major retailers are reducing the return window, which leaves customers with few options if flaws are found within a few days.
This was personally experienced by Brenda Reynolds, who had spent a considerable amount of time on a motion couch.
She and her husband found a flaw in the footrest a week after the baby was delivered.
“When we were both sitting on the couch is when we noticed there was a problem,” Reynolds explained. “He went to push the foot rest back in and it would not stay in.”
Reynolds tried to return the furniture over the phone but was turned down.
“They declined. “They said we had to have it fixed because we didn’t report it within three days,” she claimed.
After checking, we found that the sales contract did, in fact, include a three-day return window—a practice that is growing more and more prevalent in the retail industry.
Three days later, it told her to try to mend the broken couch by calling a repair company.
See how a woman tries to get assistance for a damaged couch:
More and more retailers are cutting back on return windows.
This pattern is confirmed by Kristen McGrath of The Krazy Coupon Lady.
“Overall, we have seen a pattern where retailers are getting a little bit more strict about it,” McGrath stated.
Lowe’s and other home improvement storesHome Depot has even more stringent restrictions now; big appliances have a 48-hour return window, while many smaller items have a 90-day window.
Larger items are too expensive for businesses to return, according to McGrath.
She did, however, provide guidance for customers who find issues after the return window has closed.
“Contact the manufacturer directly and say, hey, this isn’t functioning as advertised, or this feature isn’t working, or the thing is defective, or this part isn’t working, and work with them,” she stated.
Customers should be aware that some big purchases have sales contracts with more clauses than a simple transaction, McGrath advised.
“Don’t pay attention to the retailer’s claims of quick and simple returns. She said, “Look at what you’re specifically purchasing.”
A vacuum cleaner from the same stores can have a considerably longer return window than a refrigerator.
It’s worth checking merchants for return policies as well as costs because some stores, like Costco, still accept appliance returns up to 30 days after purchase.
Reynolds intends to make more careful purchases in the future.
“They basically can sell you something that’s broken, and if don’t know it within 3 days, you’re stuck with it,” she stated.
To make sure nothing is missing or broken, attempt to do a complete inspection of the couch, dishwasher, or refrigerator within the first 24 hours of ordering.
By taking this one step, you can avoid getting trapped with a defective purchase and having to rely on a repairman to fix it.
In this manner, you avoid wasting your money.
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