so irritated with Walmart!!

[simonsmom]

I ordered 2 digital cameras for Christmas presents on Thanksgiving weekend.
My daughter opened hers and used Christmas day -the pictures were not very good. The other one was for my sister. we celebrated Christmas on New Years -so I went out and bought a better camera for my sister. I tried to return the unopen camera intended for my sister at the store. They won't let me because I purchased it more than 15 days ago. Yes- their return policy on cameras is 15 days! unless you seek that informantion out you would never know- it's not stated on the screen when you purchase or on any paperwork/receipts. Beware!! I am now stuck with a $90 camera that doesn't take good pictures

 

[leadfootlevi]

That stinks! Maybe you can try selling it to recoup some of your costs.

 

[simonsmom]

a friend just suggested I try to return it without a receipt- so I just might try that!

 

[trustknoone]

I would contact store manager and go from there up the chain. Most stores have a Christmas grace period. I have found with Walmart that if you keep talking someone will be able to help you.

 

[heathernfrankie]

You woudl think they would have a grace period b/c of the holidays. I would call and ask a manager and if all else fails, take it back without the receipt like your friend suggested.

 

[msmayor]

Actually, they DID have a grace period, which ended January 10th for any items purchased between November 15 and December 25th. Its stated in red letters right on the Returns page of their website.

Pretty easy to find.

Most every single website has a link to explain their return policies, and anyone who purchases items on line should always seek out that information before they click "buy" and assume something otherwise.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Same thing with Best Buy, for the record. I bought an SLR that had an issue. I discovered it on Day 16 (the day I tried to upload pictures for the first time), and they wouldn't take it back.

 

[leahjade]

per a friend who works in retail, that policy is because you wouldn't believe how many people buy cameras, use them for holiday or wedding etc. to get the pictures then return them!

 

[trustknoone]

Thanks to pp for posting the return policy for Christmas. I take back my previous post. Sorry OP as much as it sucks unless someone decides to bend the rules for you I think you are stuck. It's happened to me before too. If trying without receipt doesn't work you should try selling it on ebay or amazon. Good luck

 

[azdizzymom]

per a friend who works in retail, that policy is because you wouldn't believe how many people buy cameras, use them for holiday or wedding etc. to get the pictures then return them!

Was going to say exact same thing!!

Years ago when I was working at Broadway (department store) in Arizona I was in housewares department. A lady came up and said she had an iron to return (the store didn't sell irons). She pulls an obviously OLD, USED iron out of a bag and says she wants her money back. Pitched a hissy and manager would NOT return that iron!

OP I am not saying this is what you are trying to do....good luck with trying to return it. It is sad that so many people who take advantage of returns in the past have made it difficult for those of use with legit returns. I do know when my son returned a small flip video at Walmart they had to call a CSR from that department to come up and inspect it (this was last year).

 

[cathie1327]

I think you should talk to a manager. The 15 day period makes sense (as pp said, people returning after an event) but since it was a Christmas gift, and they weren't going to open it until that 15 days was far over, that doesn't really seem fair.

I used to work in returns at Walmart. Seriously--- I'd ask to speak to a manager and explain the situation. If nothing else they may be able to give you in store credit.

 

[Marionnette]

I ordered 2 digital cameras for Christmas presents on Thanksgiving weekend.
My daughter opened hers and used Christmas day -the pictures were not very good. The other one was for my sister. we celebrated Christmas on New Years -so I went out and bought a better camera for my sister. I tried to return the unopen camera intended for my sister at the store. They won't let me because I purchased it more than 15 days ago. Yes- their return policy on cameras is 15 days! unless you seek that informantion out you would never know- it's not stated on the screen when you purchase or on any paperwork/receipts. Beware!! I am now stuck with a $90 camera that doesn't take good pictures

Can I ask why you waited almost 2 weeks after purchasing the new camera for your sister to return the first camera? Or did you try to return it before new years and just got around to posting this today?

If its the latter, I would definitely be on the phone with walmart customer service. According to their holiday policy, you had until 1/10/11 to make your return. If you tried to return it before then and got static, you have a legitimate complaint. Walmart takes customer complaints seriously (in my experience at least). I would definitely kick this one upstairs as many flights as necessary if that's the case.

 

[msmayor]

I think you should talk to a manager. The 15 day period makes sense (as pp said, people returning after an event) but since it was a Christmas gift, and they weren't going to open it until that 15 days was far over, that doesn't really seem fair.

I used to work in returns at Walmart. Seriously--- I'd ask to speak to a manager and explain the situation. If nothing else they may be able to give you in store credit.

WalMart already DID extend the return period. Their website clearly states that purchases subject to the usual 15 day return period that were purchased between November 15th and December 25th could be returned all the way up until January 10, 2011. That's 16 days after Christmas, in effect giving the recipient the standard return period.

It sounds like the OP tried to return the item AFTER January 10, in which case WalMart is perfectly within their right to refuse to take the item back. They have already provided more than sufficient time to allow for a return of a Christmas gift.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I dont shop at Wal-Mart much if at all, but this happened to me as well. I purchased a LCD TV on Black Friday a few years back for Christmas gift. I was going to have it wall mounted after the holidays so did not open right away. We opened and it worked for 20 minutes. Wal Mart refused to take it back citing their 15 day Electronic policy. Right or wrong, I stopped shopping at WalMart and prefer to deal with those that treat me honorably. I dont buy things use them and take them back, so dont treat me like that.

I fought the manufacturer for over a year to get my money back.

Friends purchased several BF DVD players the same day and Christmas morning, none of them worked!

I would rather pay the membership fee at Costco for better service and terms on electronics.

I would pursue it with WM Mgmt.

 

[cvjw]

I look at the return policy of any big item that I purchase right after buying it. Every store is different - you have to be diligent of the return policies if you plan on returning anything! I don't expect a store to bend their rules for me if I didn't take the time to find out the rule - just saying.

 

[Dismom55]

Believe it or not Walmart has one of the most liberal return policies. Some stores simply do NOT accept returns, especially without a receipt. My daughter works at Walmart, both as a cashier and at times in the customer service desk area. She has such horror stories, to include woman filling a cart with linens, blinds and other household items then marching them right to customer service for a return. The did not purchase them, but wanted the money. Over $200 in items. This happens all the time at Walmart and I wonder how they can keep the prices low with so much stealing, but they do and I for one enjoy it when my budget is tight.

That being said I sure would hate to take a $90 hit, try talking to the manager, or like one poster said try it without the receipt.

Good Luck!

 

[cathie1327]

WalMart already DID extend the return period. Their website clearly states that purchases subject to the usual 15 day return period that were purchased between November 15th and December 25th could be returned all the way up until January 10, 2011. That's 16 days after Christmas, in effect giving the recipient the standard return period.

It sounds like the OP tried to return the item AFTER January 10, in which case WalMart is perfectly within their right to refuse to take the item back. They have already provided more than sufficient time to allow for a return of a Christmas gift.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree to an extent.

However, I think that if the item is unopened, it shouldn't be a problem. They're just going to put it back on the shelf if it's entirely unopened. A policy's a policy, but like a pp just said, Walmart has a very liberal return policy, and really, most of the time, it is up to interpretation of those working at the time.

I'm simply saying to explain to the manager-nicely-the situation that you would just like to return the unopened, unused camera. It can't hurt to try. Just trying to help the OP out.

 

[msmayor]

I understand what you're saying, and I agree to an extent.

However, I think that if the item is unopened, it shouldn't be a problem. They're just going to put it back on the shelf if it's entirely unopened. A policy's a policy, but like a pp just said, Walmart has a very liberal return policy, and really, most of the time, it is up to interpretation of those working at the time.

I'm simply saying to explain to the manager-nicely-the situation that you would just like to return the unopened, unused camera. It can't hurt to try. Just trying to help the OP out.

I disagree. Just because something is unopened doesn't make it returnable.

Following that logic anyone should be able to return anything to WalMart as long as it is unopened and unused regardless of how long they've had it. Some stores WILL take it back - WalMart is not one of them.

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

What about contacting the manufactor? they surely have a warranty on it.

 

[simonsmom]

items are completely unwrapped- batteries and camera still shrink wrapped within box. I did contact Walmart.com customer service and got a nice surprise! they will let me return it as long as I ship it back! I bought it ahead of time because it was a good deal. I didn't even try to return the opened camera(wouldn't even think about it) and of course I didn't open them and try them out- they were gifts! anyways -I received a happy ending. Thanks for your support and letting me vent