Stop the Shenanigans, Best Buy

Your failure to read the return policy on your receipt is what screwed
you over, not Best Buy. You and you alone are at fault here.

I have to echo what others have pointed out below. You were clearly
outside of the 30-day return policy, so you're lucky that they even
gave you store credit for something that's been at your house for 49
days.

As for the economy, yes things are rough for the consumer. But the
economy is just as rough for many businesses right now, so it works
both ways. I think they actually did you a favor, considering the
economy, as well as being beyond the return period.

I don't think having a clearly defined returns policy (which is
printed on the back of the receipt that you still have) can be defined
in any way, shape or form as "shenanigans". Sorry, but the rules apply
to everyone - even you.

The problem was on your end, as you were not in compliance with the
clearly states policy. You were undoubtedly in the wrong.

I think it was nice of the employee by offering you something in an
attempt to defeat the system. This is going above and beyond. They
didn't have to process it a different way, they could have turned you
down.

It clearly states on the receipt "30 days". You could have gone to any
Best Buy to return that item within that time period.

are on your part.

I'm sorry you waited so long to return it and failed to understand
that 30 days is 30 days, but I don't see how this is poor customer
service.

Our Best Buy receipts from almost two years ago clearly have the
return policy stated on the back. As does the one from less than two
weeks ago.

And the boxes containing a laptop CLEARLY indicated a restocking fee
if the seal was broken.

Nice try.

You might try to sell the unopened game on your work's e-mail system,
if there's such an option. (You didn't break the seals, did you?) Or
ask your friends if they'll split the difference with you.

Or try e-Bay.

From what it sounds like from your post, at least BB tried to offer
you something. And you were clearly, clearly outside the returns
policy. Shame on you for trying to pull the "economy" card.

Think of that $20 as rent for the game you had in your possession. Why
should you get to keep their merchandise past the return time? They
couldn't sell it while it was in your possession.

is exactly what I would expect if I did. A lot of stores have
policies such as this.

I don't see anything wrong in what you experienced, other than for
some reason you didn't adhere to the advertised return period.
Therefore you have to pay the penalty.

I just wanted to point out, Kathy, that many retailers have a policy
of refunding the current price of the item when you don't have a
receipt. Target does it, Walmart does it, Kohls does it... the list
goes on. And many, if not all, will refund the item as a store credit.
So, Best Buy is not alone in this.

Oh, and I pulled out a Best Buy receipt of my own. Right there, on the
back, is the return policy. So, sorry, but I think you're out of luck
here.

Return/exchange policies are on the receipt of just about any store
you go shop now. But you tried to return it anyway and you were not
happy that they would take it back less the $20 more you paid for it
even though it was past the time alloted for returning merchandise.

And the economy has NOTHING to do with this. They are not ripping you
off as you claim they are trying to give you an option that they do
not HAVE to do to begin with.

It also amazes me how people only want what they demand and never see
anything else but their own view.
I have returned many an item, well within the time listed and with the
reciept. I have never had an issue or problem doing so.

They tried to work this out with you but you are much smarter than
they and figure writing a letter of complaint will help your
situation.

Oh, and by the way...the former competitor you cannot write the name
of was Circuit City. And yes they already filed for bankruptcy and
closed all their stores so its no big secret to anyone.

I just am at a loss when people still claim ignorance about return
policies and act like this is all news to them. These people are the
Rip Van Winkles of the consumer market.

If I read this right, it sounds like you live nowhere near a Best Buy,
which is why you were unable to make the return earlier. Is that
correct?

It sounds like they bended their rule on having an expiration date on
returns. However, in doing so, they offered you a less customer
friendly policy of only giving you some of your money back.

Why did you wait so long to return it? You didn't have to return it
to the store by grandma's. A quick check of their website shows a
store about 20 miles from you.

In a very quick search of their website, I find the 30 day return
policy clearly stated, and I've seen it posted in their stores. So,
while you did do the right thing and keep the receipt, that was only
one of the conditions for making a return there.