• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

When is a sale "final"?

W

wgliradio

I recently had to purchase a part from a major manufacturer of broadcast gear. Turns out it the part did not solve the problem so I asked for an RA number to return it. It was at THAT POINT that I was told all sales were final.

There was no mention on the reciept that this was a "final sale". What recourse does one have? This was a $400 item that I have no use for.
 
Personally, I feel any recourse would cost more money, not counting time and emotional distress, than what you have already spent. Try to get rid of it thru ebay or boards such as this...any recovery is a plus to you...and , of course, you will be morewatchful in the future...just the way I see it....JBI
 
It's always worth it to ask about return policies from any parts vendor before placing an order.

For instance, some places that sell radio tubes, sales are often final on such items, unless it's a flat-out dud (in which case you then return it, and they test it...bla bla bla)

If you bought the wrong tube type, then you're stuck, because ... think about it, how does the seller know you're not trying to slip him your old tube and get your money back or a "free" tube in the process?

At least that's been my experience. Another item where sales are usually final: phonograph needles.
 
StephanieNYC said:
It's always worth it to ask about return policies from any parts vendor before placing an order.

For instance, some places that sell radio tubes, sales are often final on such items, unless it's a flat-out dud (in which case you then return it, and they test it...bla bla bla)

If you bought the wrong tube type, then you're stuck, because ... think about it, how does the seller know you're not trying to slip him your old tube and get your money back or a "free" tube in the process?

At least that's been my experience. The same would apply with something else you can't visibly detect wear: phonograph needles
Click to expand...
 
Harr-Ass or someone else?

I had some fun with their restocking fee on a part they recommended to fix my transmitter several months ago. Too bad they aren't going to get any more new biz from me...
 
On their subject, I recently had a lightning strike on a current model Harris Digit exciter and sent in in for repairs...they were "so busy" it took a month to repair, and the bill was astronomical. Luckily, I had a reasonable spare. But, next time I lay down major dollars for a transmitter, you can be sure I will remember this fiasco...anybody had a similar experience?
 
Ok, the first thing you do is go back to them and ask for a copy of their terms and conditions of sale.

EVERY company has one, and if they say "We don't have one" then you have a chance of returning it.

Note I say "a chance".

I don't know what the laws are in the USA, but here in New Zealand, if you change your mind
after purchasing something or want to return it for a similar reason that ISN'T the seller's fault
(wrong size item and you did not check etc) then they don't have to refund you.

If the item proves to be faulty, or it was supplied in error (ie you asked for a 2BY and when you get home and open the box it's a 2BK)
then the seller is required to refund or replace - AT THEIR DISCRETION.

A lot of companies these days will refund on things, simply because it is good customer relations to do so.
Some will charge a re-stocking fee of perhaps 10 - 15% of the value of the item to cover the staff time used in checking the
goods, putting them back on the shelf and adjusting their computer records.

This is a tricky situation and one that no doubt many readers will empathise with.

You are faced with something that's not running properly and are sure it's a particular part that's at fault - but the replacement
is a fairly dear part and you know that if you buy it and use it, and it turns out NOT to be that part, then you've just cost yourself
a lot of money as in many cases, once a part has been inserted into a board or fitted to a unit, they won't take it back under any conditions
as it is now "used" and they can't resell it with any kind of guarantee.

This is particularly true with semiconductors.

I usually try, in situations like this, to find a similar or identical machine to compare with, or borrow known good parts from to test
with.

If I have to go and splash out on a new part, I ALWAYS ask them before I purchase if I am able to return it should it not solve the problem.
 
Yeah, unfortunately it's on you to determine terms first. That said, it sure doesn't do their company any good to be treating customers like that. And although I admire your prudence in not posting the company's name on this public forum, I'm sure that in person you'll say it out loud :eek: Not good for business.

- Doc
 
Best advise is to find a home for it and get most of your money back. Hindsight is always 20-20 but after years of experience whenever I find myself needing to buy something when I am not 100% certain it will be my solution I always ask and get it written on the invoice that I can return the undamaged item should I need to. If they refuse then I have to evaluate my situation and decide if I can justifiably afford to buy it anyway.

In this day of swapping modules or pieces of equipment to track down problems it is not like the good old days when you could trace it down to a 50 cent resistor or capacitor. Even the pro repair people usually swap boards to fix something, the deal being they can afford to stock spares. Also they can send in the defective items for refurbishing and return to stock.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom