Return Music I Didn't Like?

October 8, 2007 11:41 AM

ShoppingFilter: Return music that you don't like?

I recently purchased Regina Spektor's "Soviet Kitsch" from iTunes after thoroughly enjoying "Begin to Hope" and in preparation for seeing her in concert. After three listens, I realized I hated it. So I deleted it from my computer today and a tear ran down my face because I just put $9.99 in my trash bin.

This got me thinking: has anyone experienced a music store that will let you return music because you don't like it? You can return clothes because they don't fit properly or changed your mind about the style; a Nissan ad on local radio suggested you can return you car within a week if you hate it; you can even return a box of Cheerios to the market if you open them and they're stale. Why not music?

I understand that, in the age of piracy, it's suspicious to return a CD when you could easily rip it to your computer and return the physical disc.

I get the "why." But, not taking that into consideration, why not? Has anyone found a store that will let you return your bad purchases?

posted by sjuhawk31 to media & arts (18 comments total)

I have never heard of such a store, but I've worked out a system. I buy used CDs from Amazon wherever possible; if I don't like them, I sell them used on Amazon. I only lose a couple dollars. Occasionally I even make money.
posted by ROTFL at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2007

Waterloo Records allows returns for store credit within 10 days. Very useful.
posted by grouse at 11:57 AM on October 8, 2007

We have something akin to Waterloo, with a seven day window. Check around your town for an independent/second hand record store.
posted by Roman Graves at 12:17 PM on October 8, 2007

I'm surprised any record store (especially nowadays) would let you return music. (I'm also surprised you didn't like the Spektor CD)

Maybe I'm biased because I used to work at a record store and I am familiar with resources that enable you to hear the majority of a record for free. But I see no point for a retailer to allow you to return music. It's an experience, and you can't refund that.
posted by blastrid at 12:24 PM on October 8, 2007

blastrid - I know Napster streams them for free for five listens....what else is there.

As for the "experience" angle - without getting too chatfiltery - movies are also an "experience" and if I go to a theatre and don't like the experience, I often ask for a refund and get it.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 12:26 PM on October 8, 2007

CDNOW used to allow this.
posted by mkb at 12:34 PM on October 8, 2007

I've seen it mostly for store credit only. The most generous are usually at used record stores.

The fundamental question is what are they selling you? A grocery store is supposed to sell the Cheerios experience—if the box you got deviates from that you get a refund. A car dealership is selling a car, yes, but they're bringing you in based on their car-buying experience—a refund policy makes the consumer feel more at-ease. Additionally, you're expected to test-drive the car to make sure that it is actually the thing you want. The clips on the iTunes store are supposed to function similarly, but, as you've found, they don't really.

As to why you can't return music to a record store, it's basic business sense: they can't sell the opened product for the same amount they sold it to you for. Other places allow open-box returns, but, like the auto dealership, they're selling a buying experience.

The movie analogy doesn't work, unless you ask for a refund when you see a bad movie. And you don't ask for a refund because you didn't like the color of the carpet, or the guy who sold you popcorn was wearing an awful shirt. You ask for the refund when they fail to deliver what is expected—decent food, good sound, a focused movie, etc. Your expectations—and, more importantly, your taste—viz. the Spektor album are not the record store's problem.

And Soviet Kitsch is a fantastic record that, as they say, rewards repeated listening. But if you are into her more, erm, normal, stuff you might have more luck with Songs and 11:11. I recommend visiting your nearest P2P network for a test drive.
posted by wemayfreeze at 12:36 PM on October 8, 2007

Good point. Let's disregard the "why can't I return the music" and the "I didn't like Soviet Kitsch except for Ode to Divorce" parts of the question and focus in on the "where have you found a friendly, non-corporate record store that will let you return records that you don't like" part, lest the mods close off the comments.

Philly-specific examples would be appreciated. Points also awarded for the creative answers like "sell on Amazon."
posted by sjuhawk31 at 12:46 PM on October 8, 2007

Cellophane Square did this in Seattle for a long time with their used inventory but they charged a "restocking fee" when you returned it and would only give you store credit for the rest. They referred to it casually as their music rental program. Most places won't let you return open box software either.

The difference between Cheerios and going to the movies and buying a CD/software is that you can't make an exact copy of what you bought and return the original item. I'm sure you know this. I don't really understand this question anymore.
posted by jessamyn at 1:20 PM on October 8, 2007

Way back in the day, HMV in Toronto allowed you to return unsatisfactory music. I remember special ordering Japanese Beatles remasters by Toshiba/EMI, and they even let me return one of those..
posted by Chuckles at 2:52 PM on October 8, 2007

to avoid this in the future try shopping at places that have the ear phones so you can listen before you buy, Borders is one example.
posted by estronaut at 3:17 PM on October 8, 2007

It probably doesn't help you, but in Australia JB Hi-Fi lets you return opened discs (because they don't have facilities to listen to them in-store).
posted by Lucie at 5:22 PM on October 8, 2007

Jessamyn, the question was really a way of trying to find a precedent for stores that allow you to return music. Thought it was a long shot that I'd find someone who knew of one, but that's why I tapped the hive. The leadup to the question left open branches, which people were more than happy to hang from.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 6:10 PM on October 8, 2007

My library loans out CDs... it's a limited selection though.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:37 PM on October 8, 2007

Not exactly a music store, but Costco does sell a small assortment of CDs. (And their return policy is essentially "yes".)
posted by trevyn at 11:35 PM on October 8, 2007

Way back in the day, HMV in Toronto allowed you to return unsatisfactory music.

HMV in the UK and Ireland still does. We seem to have different (i.e. more in favour of the consumer) statutory rights on this side of the pond.

Last time I checked, HMV operates a good-faith policy: you have 21 or 30 days to return an item in a resaleable condition, provided you have the receipt. Of course you could rip the CD, but it doesn't happen as frequently as one might imagine (it's easier for people just to find it online, rather than traipse into the city and go to the store twice).

I actually found it a shock when I was in Toronto and discovered that you can't return a CD even if you've done as little as take the shrink-rap off! To me that's ridiculous. Many CDs here don't even come shrink-wrapped.
posted by macdara at 11:49 PM on October 8, 2007

It wasn't that long ago that HMV (as far as I know, anywhere in Canada) let you return opened CDs. No more than 6 or 7 years.
posted by ssg at 4:38 PM on October 9, 2007

It wasn't that long ago that HMV (as far as I know, anywhere in Canada) let you return opened CDs. No more than 6 or 7 years.

When I was there in 2002 (HMV on Yonge, the one beside Sam's) they definitely didn't take opened returns. It said so on the receipt. It was a good job I liked what I bought!
posted by macdara at 8:39 AM on October 10, 2007