Do you return nonworking/defective items to the store?

[vishenda]

I have had this discussion several times with a friend so thought I would post it here for general conversation.

I return any defective product to the store. In fact, I have a pair of yellow light bulbs ($3.50 value) in my SUV which I will return on my next trip to Home Depot. It's not so much the money as it is the fact that you send a message to the manufacturer when you return an item. They always ask for the reason why you are returning the item. The manufacturer would be wise to keep track of these reasons in order to correct problems. If you don't return the items, they may not be aware of any problems.

Any other comments? opinions? deep thoughts? not-so-deep thoughts?

[markio26]

yeah we return items.. we returned a defective electric heater to wmt... we returned an energy saving bulb to discount drug mart....

[Ima saver]

We take things back to home depot almost everyday. We are going to quit buying their light bulbs as they blow almost immediately. We bought a 4 pack saturday and all 4 are defective!

[tinapbeana]

i return defective items whenever possible. this is actually part of why i no longer shop at walmart: they tried to replace a weed whacker with the same model, which would have had the same flaw in design (making it hard if not impossible to use).

[bjl584]

yeah, I return things. Most stores these days will take back merchandise without too much hassle.

[fairy74]

Always, I figure the store should deal with the junk not me! I agree that it probably does send some message to the manufacturer if the product is being returned frequently.

[veronak]

Of course I return these defective items...even items that are not and I don't need. I bought a pair og gloves from walart wednesday for our trip to GA ($1.45) it was not cold I did not use them I won't use them in FL so they are going back

[kunoichi]

I also return items. Infact, I just returned some frozen lasagna to Kroger! It was by far the worst meal I have ever had, yikes. If I pay for it and there is an issue, I will not hesitate to take it back.

[sakigt]

Depends, If I dont like it because of my personal taste and they can resell it, I return it.

Although junk items go back asap, with or without a receipt.

In fact, my 2 month old alarm clock fell off my nightstand onto carpet and broke! What a piece of junk! But no receipt, no box...what can ya do?

The alarm on my cell phone is working out so far.

[nanamom]

I return anything that isn't working.

[disneysteve]

I try to return things, but it doesn't always happen. We tend to get around quite a bit and sometimes find ourselves shopping a good distance from home. Returning an item may be impractical if it was purchased 75 or 100 miles away.

Also, maybe we've just been lucky, but I can't remember the last time we bought something that didn't work or broke soon after buying it. Of course, we aren't huge shoppers, so we aren't out buying stuff like that very often anyway.

We do most of our typical shopping at Wal-Mart and Target, but we don't buy appliances and such there. We'll stick with quality items from better sources for those things.

[frugalmomof1]

DH returned an air conditioner with a defective fan to Home Depot this summer...with a receipt, 2 days after it was purchased . He wanted a refund so we could buy a different type from Sears, and they gave him a very hard time. They even plugged it in and started it up so they could verify it was defective.

This is the only time he has ever had trouble there. Maybe they thought he bought it just to use it for the hottest day of the summer and then return it.

[rduell]

Yes, I take things back that are defective. Otherwise I feel I've wasted good money.

[PRICEPLUS]

I take things back. I also check out a stores return policy before I buy anything there!

[vishenda]

Originally Posted by PRICEPLUS

I take things back. I also check out a stores return policy before I buy anything there!

This is my problem, Im tired of checking out stores' policies for returned goods.

[gptmca]

I always bring defective things back to the stores. While most stores seem to take things back without a problem I always hang on to the receipt and the packaging it can make it easier at some shops.

[Mabuisakura]

I always take it back if it is defective with or without a reciept. I hate wasting money!

[PRICEPLUS]

vishenda, it is a pain at times but in the end it saves you a lot of grief!