Random Thoughts Thread

[RCBH928]

Americans are so lucky to have the return policy. You buy something, use it for sometime, you don't like it? You have 30 days to bring it back. No questions asked. I just looked up Walmart and they give 90s days! I don't think this is practiced else where.

[alienjesus]

Americans are so lucky to have the return policy. You buy something, use it for sometime, you don't like it? You have 30 days to bring it back. No questions asked. I just looked up Walmart and they give 90s days! I don't think this is practiced else where.

This is a right under EU law as well: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/c ... dex_en.htm

[Ziggy]

Americans are so lucky to have the return policy. You buy something, use it for sometime, you don't like it? You have 30 days to bring it back. No questions asked. I just looked up Walmart and they give 90s days! I don't think this is practiced else where.

This is a right under EU law as well: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/c ... dex_en.htm

USA doesn't have nearly as good of consumer protections laws that the EU has. There is no "30 days no questions asked" law, and you certainly cannot return items for no good reason that were clearly used. Return policies are set by the companies, not the government. While there are certain protections like lemon laws, there are also plenty of "all sales final" situations. Some giant retailers like Walmart might be more lax with return policies, but even they have limits. Electronics, for example, Walmart will not allow you to return with no questions asked. If it's defective they will refund/replace, but outside of being defective they do not allow returns on electronics. Smaller retailers, like privately owned companies, it's not uncommon to see an "all sales final" policy (not including defective items) or offering only store credit for returns.

[o.pwuaioc]

Americans are so lucky to have the return policy. You buy something, use it for sometime, you don't like it? You have 30 days to bring it back. No questions asked. I just looked up Walmart and they give 90s days! I don't think this is practiced else where.

This is a right under EU law as well: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/c ... dex_en.htm

USA doesn't have nearly as good of consumer protections laws that the EU has. There is no "30 days no questions asked" law, and you certainly cannot return items for no good reason that were clearly used. Return policies are set by the companies, not the government. While there are certain protections like lemon laws, there are also plenty of "all sales final" situations. Some giant retailers like Walmart might be more lax with return policies, but even they have limits. Electronics, for example, Walmart will not allow you to return with no questions asked. If it's defective they will refund/replace, but outside of being defective they do not allow returns on electronics. Smaller retailers, like privately owned companies, it's not uncommon to see an "all sales final" policy (not including defective items) or offering only store credit for returns.

I mean, that EU link says the law only covers faulty products. It's certainly not "no questions asked."

[alienjesus]

Actially, it very specifically says you can return for any reason if bought online:
“ If you bought a product or a service online or outside of a shop (by telephone, mail order, from a door-to-door salesperson), you also have the right to cancel and return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification.“

[SamuraiMegas]

I currently mix vape juice at a shop and was thinking of what to apply for that's closer to where I live. I'm pretty great at my job and realized I could probably do pretty good as a bartender while I'm in school, I think I might look into it once things calm down a bit more.

[RCBH928]

USA doesn't have nearly as good of consumer protections laws that the EU has. There is no "30 days no questions asked" law, and you certainly cannot return items for no good reason that were clearly used. Return policies are set by the companies, not the government. While there are certain protections like lemon laws, there are also plenty of "all sales final" situations. Some giant retailers like Walmart might be more lax with return policies, but even they have limits. Electronics, for example, Walmart will not allow you to return with no questions asked. If it's defective they will refund/replace, but outside of being defective they do not allow returns on electronics. Smaller retailers, like privately owned companies, it's not uncommon to see an "all sales final" policy (not including defective items) or offering only store credit for returns.

I don't know, I hear a lot of Americans talk on the internet saying "They will just return item X..." without it being particularly defective. They just don't like it. I understand it might not be the law but its just as good if many retailers practice it. Returning for defects is global right and many/most stores allow returns un-opened items for 3-14 days.

For example This site says Costco will accept any returns and Costco's website seem to agree.

The EU says you can return it if it is defective, this is pretty much standard. Anything of the opposite is fraud plus you are covered by a guarantee usually. I am not sure why they give "cooling off" period just for online items.

[o.pwuaioc]

Actially, it very specifically says you can return for any reason if bought online:
“ If you bought a product or a service online or outside of a shop (by telephone, mail order, from a door-to-door salesperson), you also have the right to cancel and return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification.“

Yes, for online only, but for the Wal-Mart example, their return policy also covers in-store purchases. Most big box stores and larger chains are happy to take returns no question asked usually within 30-90 days.

[marurun]

Costco is a specialized retailer. You have to have a paid membership to get their generous return policy. Some other stores have their own policies, but In the US it is largely up to the retailer to craft their return policy, subject to state laws. The only US Federal rule is that buyers have 3 days to return things which cost over $25, and there are specific rules for key items like cars and cell phones.

As for a special return policy for online purchases in the EU, it is probably because you cannot see and examine a product the same way you can in a brick and mortar store, and also because you cannot go to the location for point-of-sale support. Online purchases do function differently than in-person transactions

[RCBH928]

Yes, for online only, but for the Wal-Mart example, their return policy also covers in-store purchases. Most big box stores and larger chains are happy to take returns no question asked usually within 30-90 days.

See, this is what I am talking about. They go all the way to 90 days!!

Costco is a specialized retailer. You have to have a paid membership to get their generous return policy. Some other stores have their own policies, but In the US it is largely up to the retailer to craft their return policy, subject to state laws. The only US Federal rule is that buyers have 3 days to return things which cost over $25, and there are specific rules for key items like cars and cell phones.

It doesn't have to be the law so long as the offering exists willingly by major retailers. I will gladly with a big grin pay Costco $60 as a safety net to any purchases I make. I recently bought Orbi Router for like $300 which I was not pleased by its software performance(drops, disconnections), its not faulty so I can't return it. its a flawed product and sold as is, kind of like Windows '98 that suddenly gave you blue screens of death. Plus, I think I will make up that $60 from my savings buying all year long from Costco and using their(guessing!?) cheaper services like auto repair and fuel station.