WWYD? (open box item)

[sam_gordon]

My family needed a new universal remote control because ours started having buttons "dying" (specifically the 2, 5, 8, and 0). So, I do my research and settle on the Harmony 650. I price it online (Amazon as well as brick & mortar stores Best Buy & HH Gregg). I decide to get it from HH Gregg.

So I go to the remotes, they have three on a (locked) hanger, and one immediately below. I grabbed the one below so I didn't have to find an employee to unlock the hanger. I pay for it, get it home and unwrap it.

First red flag... the batteries aren't wrapped together. hmmm. oh well. I put them in and the remote fires up.

I get it programmed (all told about an hour or two), and everything is fine. I keep the box around for a day or two "just in case". Since everything is working fine, I go to throw the box out and decide to look through the manual. Second red flag... the manual has someone's notes on what they tried to setup (manufacturer & model number of equipment... what you need to program the remote).

So, obviously I got an "open box" item. I was charged "new" price however. I see three options...
1) Do nothing. The remote works, it's programmed, no big deal.
2) Take everything back to the store and ask for a new remote (since that's what I paid for).
3) Take everything(? maybe just the user manual) and ask for an "open box" discount (10% 20%?)

A couple odds and ends in case it factors into the decision...
1) The store is just slightly out of my way home from work. Maybe 5 minutes.
2) The "new" price was only $70.

So what does the budget board say?

 

[Gillennj]

Reading through the post, I kept waiting for some horror story about peanut butter stains on the remote and buttons sticking, and I was prepared to say definitely take it back. SInce it works, and you didn't mention any remnants of toxins on it or anything, I would keep it. It's not worth the hassle.

Most likey, whoever had it before couldn't get it to work and returned it.

BTW, "only" $70?

 

[SunnieRN]

I say call and ask to speak to the manager. Tell him/her what occurred. Ask them what they can do to help you. If you feel like you need to do more than that, go to the store to return it and see if they offer you a discount. A 20% discount would be worth the hassle to me!

 

[EllenFrasier]

If you call the store, they will tell you to return it and they will give you a new one. If this one works, what is the problem?

 

[walkdmc]

I would call them and ask for a discount but only if you can do it at your convenience. If you really had to waste gas and go out of your way, I'd let it go.

I would be very annoyed to set the thing up only to realize it had been an opened item. However, this same thing happens to me all the time at Kohls. I suspect Kohls has A LOT of serial returners as almost every electronic item I purchase there has been opened, and they don't offer a discount. Scales, irons, vacuums, etc have all been opened and probably used before I bought them. It's annoying but I've put up with it as long as the item works as specified.

Hmm...maybe I'd just let it go but I still think it's BS.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I would let it go - do you really want to go through the hassle of programming it again?

I thought it wasn't going to work when I started reading your post - since it does - you got what was promised

 

[disneyfreakk]

How are you going to prove that it was opened when you got it?? Since you got the one that wasn't locked up, didn't you wonder *why* it was not locked up like the others?

As long as it works, I don't see the problem.

 

[Traveliz]

I think since you yourself said you didn't want to go through the hassle of waiting on someone to come unlock the cabinet for you - and you got one that indeed works just fine - I would think you would want to avoid the hassle of returning/contacting/management/finding a time this can all work out for you etc.

I say keep it and move on.

Liz

 

[sam_gordon]

BTW, "only" $70?

Actually, that's a cheap one. While I know you can get remote controls for cheaper, this style allows you to set up 'one button' programming. Want to watch a DVD? Press one button. It sets the TV to the right inputs, the stereo to the right input, and turns on the DVD player.

Want to watch satellite? Press one button, it changes the TV & stereo, turns off the DVD player and turns on the satellite.

This makes things much easier on the wife and kids who now don't need to worry about setting the correct inputs and stuff.

The next step up is $150, and "custom" remotes can be upwards of $300-$500!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I thought those remotes were ridiculous - until I set one up for my parents and now they just push the button - I don't have to worry about them calling anymore and asking how to switch to a DVD or TV etc.

 

[Ephany]

I gave my DH a hard time when he bought our first Harmony remote (a 620) and now I can't imagine having to deal with the dvr, wii, dvd player, tv etc... without it. Everything is just one press of a button, and if something's not right it'll walk you through and ask you questions to fix the problem. We also have a 650 in the bedroom, and it really helps keep everything simple. It's one of those things you can't imagine why you'd buy it, and then once you have one, you don't want to let it go.

As for the OP's question, honestly as long as the remote is working fine, I'd probably just keep it and not bother going back to the store. Too much hassle unless the discount was 20% or more.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I say call and ask to speak to the manager. Tell him/her what occurred. Ask them what they can do to help you. If you feel like you need to do more than that, go to the store to return it and see if they offer you a discount. A 20% discount would be worth the hassle to me!

 

[disneychrista]

I have never heard of getting a discount for an opened item.

 

[Leajess99]

Honestly, since you said it works fine than I would do nothing. At this point it becomes a he said she said as you really can't prove it was already opened prior to your buying it. From some of my friends and personal experiences HH Gregg isn't really customer service friendly.

 

[ceecee]

If you call the store, they will tell you to return it and they will give you a new one. If this one works, what is the problem?

I agree!

 

[sam_gordon]

I have never heard of getting a discount for an opened item.

It's not unusual for electronic stores (Best Buy, etc.) I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to sell an item as "new" if it's been opened. You can use this to your benefit sometimes as the store will have a shelf or two of "open box" items, often with a steep discount.

 

[walkdmc]

I've seen "open box" discounts for years at electronics stores. Once an item is opened, how do you know if it's been used? And if it's been used, it's lifespan is affected....hence the discount. Since there's no way to tell how much time was shaved off the remote's longevity, it's hard to argue for a discount.

To the OP, now I want one of these remotes.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've seen "open box" discounts for years at electronics stores. Once an item is opened, how do you know if it's been used? And if it's been used, it's lifespan is affected....hence the discount. Since there's no way to tell how much time was shaved off the remote's longevity, it's hard to argue for a discount.

To the OP, now I want one of these remotes.

I highly suggest it. It's my second Harmony. My first was a 659, this one is a 650. You will need a computer with internet connection in order to program it. However, the download of the software takes longer than it does to set up the remote.

One note... the 650 only controls five devices. My five:
TV
Stereo Receiver
DVD Player
Sat Receiver
VHS (for legacy, rarely used).

You can also program 'favorite' channels into the remote, so when I'm (or the family) are watching 'satellite', there are ICONS (you'll need to download to your computer) for Nick E & W, Disney E&W, Toon Disney, etc. I put ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery, & History channel in for me. VERY cool. I programmed my local stations so if I'm watching TV (locals), there are the icons for my local stations.

 

[walkdmc]

Sam,
I hope you check this thread.

Can you use the Harmony controller with a cable system? I'd like to use it for channel changing on the cable box and TV (if needed)
DVR
DVD player

Thanks!