New vacuum just broke... can I take it back?

[disneybound31]

On January 3rd I bought a Bissell Healthy Home vacuum at Home Depot after extensive research. Tonight I pulled it out and pushed the red on button. As soon as I removed my thumb from the button the vacuum quit. The mechanism is supposed to remain depressed until pushed again to turn off the vacuum. It seems as though something inside the mechanism has broken off and of course I cannot find my receipt! I found my January Chase credit card statement online and printed it off. Can I take it and the vacuum to Home Depot this weekend and get either a replacement or store credit towards another vacuum?

The vacuum WILL work, but only if you keep your thumb pressed firmly on the button and believe me, that makes for really uncomfortable cleaning. My thumbs were about to fall off after 5 minutes.

Any thoughts? TIA!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

It's probably too late to return it to Home Depot. I'm not sure, but they probably have a 90 day return policy. If it's too late to do a store return, you should still probably be within the warranty of the vacuum. There should be warranty information in or on the box. It's probably also online.

 

[DaisyLynn]

If you were able to find the actual store receipt, it might be worth a shot. I'd suggest making a phone call and speaking with the manager on duty, explain what happened and see what he/she might suggest you do.

I have a feeling that the credit card statement showing the charge from Home Depot will not be enough. Since it is not itemized showing exactly what was purchased, I don't think they would accept that as a proof of purchase. I don't believe they keep receipts on record like that (in a database or something like that), but again...I'd call and speak with the manager. I know for my local Home Depot, their customer service has improved greatly since some pretty hefty competition has moved in down the road. It never hurts to give the store a quick call and ask those questions.

Good luck!

 

[stars75238]

not sure of the return policy - but lost receipt isn't going to be a problem.

hope this helps.

 

[disneybound31]

If you were able to find the actual store receipt, it might be worth a shot. I'd suggest making a phone call and speaking with the manager on duty, explain what happened and see what he/she might suggest you do.

I have a feeling that the credit card statement showing the charge from Home Depot will not be enough. Since it is not itemized showing exactly what was purchased, I don't think they would accept that as a proof of purchase. I don't believe they keep receipts on record like that (in a database or something like that), but again...I'd call and speak with the manager. I know for my local Home Depot, their customer service has improved greatly since some pretty hefty competition has moved in down the road. It never hurts to give the store a quick call and ask those questions.

Good luck!

That's the thing- I can't find the reciept. I could have sworn I saw it in the 'junk' drawer last week or so. I have searched the whole house all evening. And someone else suggested I take the box- I threw that away after a month of holding onto that huge thing when I became convinced that the vacuum was going to be a keeper.

I appreciate the opinions. It really helps. I will search more tomorrow and see about going up Sunday. The closest Home Depot is 20-30 minutes away. It would be a good idea to call first... thanks everybody.

 

[dawnbu40]

My DH is in retail and most stores have a max return of 90 days. I think your best bet is to contact the manufacturer.

 

[ambgoph]

Another thought is to check with your credit card company. They often extend the manufacturer's warranty. It would be worth a call.

 

[Normangirls]

Kind of

A few weeks after having DD3, I was feeling very hormonal (imagine that). I put the baby in her swing (which we had bought a few months earlier), and the swing wouldn't work. I got her to sleep anyway, and went to vacuum the living room, and the vacuum (which we had bought three weeks earlier) wouldn't work.

I had gotten both of them at WalMart, and could not find my receipts. Which is crazy because I am OCD-like organized about that kind of stuff. We had also, of course, gotten rid of the boxes they came in.

Well, I absolutely lost it. LOST. IT. I loaded up the baby, the swing, and the vacuum (with no boxes, remember), and stormed into WalMart like a CRAZY woman stitch. I was not rude and didn't use any inappropriate language (out loud), but demanded a Manager.

The poor guy who drew the short straw came out to see me and I went off -- I shop here all the time, I'm here almost every day, my family spends more money here than we do anywhere else, we don't ask for anything except that when we buy something it should work, and now look at me, I have a new baby and no money and no swing and no vacuum, and I know they won't do anything for me, but I wanted them to know how horrible they were, and if they wouldn't at least sell me things that last longer than a twinkie at a Weight Watchers convention they should at least have to look me in the face and tell me they won't help me, and I swear I am not taking this stuff home with me so I'll just leave it here so you people can at least throw it away for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, you get the general idea. The poor guy didn't know what hit him. He just stood there, shocked at the crazy lady with the baby.

When I finally wound down, he called back to each department, had them bring up the pricing info, and refunded my money, IN CASH, on the spot.

Seriously, I never expected it, and was feeling so post-partum I think I just really wanted to face off with them. Everything I told them was true, and that manager probably just wanted me to GO AWAY (did I mention the crowd of people at the Service Desk? Oh, yes, I had quite the audience).

SO, to get a bit back on topic, after making a short reply ridiculously long, you never know until you try. And don't take no for an answer from the clerk -- get a manager if you have to.

 

[Soon2B4]

I know this is somewhat dishonest, but you could go to the store and buy another one. Take the broken one back with the new receipt and tell them it is broke and you would not like another one. I know it doesn't solve the problem if the new one brakes, but if worse come to worse, it's an idea.

 

[TaraPA]

I don't know what Home Depot's policy is (I've had NOTHING but problems with Home Depot) but my friend is a manager for Lowe's & he said they take anything back - and he means anything. Used for 5 years & broke - they take it back. No receipt & bought it 6 months ago? Take it back. So I know this doesn't help you specifically with HD but in this economy I'd think companies are trying to keep everyone happy. I work in retail & while we will not give cash back without a receipt, we have loosened the return policy a bit to make our guests happy.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I used to work at Lowe's (in returns, of all things) and DH used to work at Depot. THey take pretty much anything back. You bought it there, it broke, they should take it back. It's really worth a shot. (But not a guarantee of course!)

 

[ceroarty]

On January 3rd I bought a Bissell Healthy Home vacuum at Home Depot after extensive research. Tonight I pulled it out and pushed the red on button. As soon as I removed my thumb from the button the vacuum quit. The mechanism is supposed to remain depressed until pushed again to turn off the vacuum. It seems as though something inside the mechanism has broken off and of course I cannot find my receipt! I found my January Chase credit card statement online and printed it off. Can I take it and the vacuum to Home Depot this weekend and get either a replacement or store credit towards another vacuum?

The vacuum WILL work, but only if you keep your thumb pressed firmly on the button and believe me, that makes for really uncomfortable cleaning. My thumbs were about to fall off after 5 minutes.

Any thoughts? TIA!

Oh my, the same exact thing happened to my Healthy home vacuum. I thought i did something but maybe it is a defect. Luckily i was able to return it to Target because it was barely under the 90 days. I am now going to be pissed if it happens again. ugh

 

[maddiesmom0116]

On January 3rd I bought a Bissell Healthy Home vacuum at Home Depot after extensive research. Tonight I pulled it out and pushed the red on button. As soon as I removed my thumb from the button the vacuum quit. The mechanism is supposed to remain depressed until pushed again to turn off the vacuum. It seems as though something inside the mechanism has broken off and of course I cannot find my receipt! I found my January Chase credit card statement online and printed it off. Can I take it and the vacuum to Home Depot this weekend and get either a replacement or store credit towards another vacuum?

The vacuum WILL work, but only if you keep your thumb pressed firmly on the button and believe me, that makes for really uncomfortable cleaning. My thumbs were about to fall off after 5 minutes.

Any thoughts? TIA!

This is a well known problem with the healthy home. It happened to me too. I think it happens with most of them based on what I was reading on Amazon and the QVC website. I took mine back to Target and they said this happens all the time and they should recall them. I bought another brand after that.

 

[dogodisney]

This is a well known problem with the healthy home. It happened to me too. I think it happens with most of them based on what I was reading on Amazon and the QVC website. I took mine back to Target and they said this happens all the time and they should recall them. I bought another brand after that.

I've had mine for about 1 1/2 - 2 years and I haven't had any problems with mine.

 

[disneybound31]

OP here-
Update...

I never found the reciept. Called Home Depot and they said sorry, but after 45 days even WITH reciept they will not take back, refund or exchange. Nice to know. Prob'ly means no more Depot for us. I then called the 1800 # on the tiny sticker on back of vacuum. The nice Indian lady showed no surprise or shock at all at my problem and said to expect a package from Bissell in 7-10 days which would contain the handle part along with on/off switch and power cord. Told me to throw broken part away and how to attach new part- no charge, no shipping.

Seems like she found my solution in two seconds flat so I totally believe the pp who talked about this being a common problem. I never, in all my months of research, read anything about that defect tho.

And the postpartum story- HI-LAR-I-OUS.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just be aware that at some stores, even the manager cannot give you cash back. I know that is the case where I work. Corporate office has set the registers up so there is no possible way to give cash back, unless you have a receipt which shows you paid in cash.