Returning an identical item to Amazon
May 22, 2009 11:38 AM Subscribe
Instead of retroactively applying a promotion, Amazon had me repurchase a wristwatch and wants me to return the old one. Should I just return the new one?
Similar to this question, but I'm looking for a bit more info on Amazon policy in particular.
I purchased a new watch for my wife about a week or so ago from Amazon. Two days later, Amazon started offering a $50 promotional certificate with purchases of that brand. I emailed customer service on a lark to see if they'd apply the promotion retroactively, and they instead suggested I repurchase the watch and return the old one. Of course, in those two days I managed to remove the UPC from the box, take a few links off the band, and throw out half of the little tags and whatnot. I've been planning all kinds of elaborate surgery to return it to its default configuration, using the tags and such from the new watch, but is that necessary?
There are no outward indications of the watch's serial number, so I could just return the new one they send me with the old receipt. I don't have to futz with tags and stickers, and Amazon (or Seiko) doesn't have to needlessly absorb the cost of refurbishing the old one. Win-win. (There's also the chance that some overzealous Returns Nazi would decide that my surgery job is inadequate and thus that I'm trying to defraud them.)
What's the path of least resistance here? And what are the consequences of a failed return to Amazon?
Similar to this question, but I'm looking for a bit more info on Amazon policy in particular.
I purchased a new watch for my wife about a week or so ago from Amazon. Two days later, Amazon started offering a $50 promotional certificate with purchases of that brand. I emailed customer service on a lark to see if they'd apply the promotion retroactively, and they instead suggested I repurchase the watch and return the old one. Of course, in those two days I managed to remove the UPC from the box, take a few links off the band, and throw out half of the little tags and whatnot. I've been planning all kinds of elaborate surgery to return it to its default configuration, using the tags and such from the new watch, but is that necessary?
There are no outward indications of the watch's serial number, so I could just return the new one they send me with the old receipt. I don't have to futz with tags and stickers, and Amazon (or Seiko) doesn't have to needlessly absorb the cost of refurbishing the old one. Win-win. (There's also the chance that some overzealous Returns Nazi would decide that my surgery job is inadequate and thus that I'm trying to defraud them.)
What's the path of least resistance here? And what are the consequences of a failed return to Amazon?
Best answer: Return the new watch. No one's going to pick it apart for serial numbers or anything. They just want one of the watches back.
posted by Verdandi at 11:50 AM on May 22, 2009
posted by Verdandi at 11:50 AM on May 22, 2009
Best answer: Yeah, send the new one in the old trappings, which is better from Amazon's perspective anyway, even if a customer service rep won't or can't say so as policy. The rep told you to buy a new one because by leveraging their return policy they found a way to do what you wanted within their system, without creating odd exceptions for you. It seems inefficient but is probably easier and less paperworky from their end.
This is a great example of a 'dishonest' act that benefits both parties, like a social lie.
posted by rokusan at 1:00 PM on May 22, 2009
This is a great example of a 'dishonest' act that benefits both parties, like a social lie.
posted by rokusan at 1:00 PM on May 22, 2009
Response by poster: Much obliged, all. I realize this isn't exactly a burning philosophical dilemma, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.
posted by Garak at 1:04 PM on May 22, 2009
posted by Garak at 1:04 PM on May 22, 2009
Best answer: I have done this with Amazon before. I ordered an EeePC from them and the SSD was broken. The replacement arrived before I sent the broken one back, but the replacement had a defective keyboard. Argh!
A bit of surgery later, Amazon got an EeePC with a dead SSD and keyboard, and I had a perfectly functional one.
The refund went through, and they even refunded my express shipping (as I waited until the last minute to send it back, since I'm embarrassingly lazy about things like that). Amazon is pretty nice about things like this. Especially if they can't actually tell the difference.
posted by jrockway at 1:29 AM on May 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
A bit of surgery later, Amazon got an EeePC with a dead SSD and keyboard, and I had a perfectly functional one.
The refund went through, and they even refunded my express shipping (as I waited until the last minute to send it back, since I'm embarrassingly lazy about things like that). Amazon is pretty nice about things like this. Especially if they can't actually tell the difference.
posted by jrockway at 1:29 AM on May 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by reeddavid at 11:46 AM on May 22, 2009