PC World selling used items as new?

Lazy_Ike

I purchased a wireless modem router from PC World. At home found all the internal packages was torn open, the router was marked and the adaptor had dust on it. Obviously a used/returned item. I selected it from the shelf of new items; there were no stickers etc to indicate it was used, and I paid the full price. I made an unplanned (20 mile) trip to return it. In store they claimed the item should of I]sic[/I been stickered, the stickers must of I]sic[/I fallen off. Also it was totally legitimate to sell used items as new, at the new price. If I wanted, they were "happy to exchange the item." Surely no one in their right mind would pay the full price for a used item when it is a common stock item, not rare or an antique?
The minion who was delegated to carry out the exchange gave me the same speil that the stickers must "of" fallen off, with the same mangled grammar. Made me think there is a policy to fob off returned items as new, and staff have been lectured on their response in the event some one complains.
They would not accept a formal complaint, but gave me the HO address to write to. I have done that and had a non-reply response, saying (in essence) sh one T happens, you got sorted, sorry. Not even a minor gesture of goodwill regarding my time and money spent.
Interestingly there was no comment to my claim that PC World now have a policy of trying to sell off used as new. Used items placed among the new; no stickers and no bargain/returns shelf anymore - at least not in this PC World outlet.

Jakg

It SHOULD get stickered but mistakes do happen.

It's not intentional...

chipmunk

Lazy_Ike wrote: »

I purchased a wireless modem router from PC World. At home found all the internal packages was torn open, the router was marked and the adaptor had dust on it. Obviously a used/returned item. I selected it from the shelf of new items; there were no stickers etc to indicate it was used, and I paid the full price. I made an unplanned (20 mile) trip to return it. In store they claimed the item should of I]sic[/I been stickered, the stickers must of I]sic[/I fallen off. Also it was totally legitimate to sell used items as new, at the new price. If I wanted, they were "happy to exchange the item." Surely no one in their right mind would pay the full price for a used item when it is a common stock item, not rare or an antique?
The minion who was delegated to carry out the exchange gave me the same speil that the stickers must "of" fallen off, with the same mangled grammar. Made me think there is a policy to fob off returned items as new, and staff have been lectured on their response in the event some one complains.
They would not accept a formal complaint, but gave me the HO address to write to. I have done that and had a non-reply response, saying (in essence) sh one T happens, you got sorted, sorry. Not even a minor gesture of goodwill regarding my time and money spent.
Interestingly there was no comment to my claim that PC World now have a policy of trying to sell off used as new. Used items placed among the new; no stickers and no bargain/returns shelf anymore - at least not in this PC World outlet.

Makes a mockery of their insistance that if you want to return an item (for whatever reason) it must be unopened and in it's original condition otherwise they cannot re-sell it:rolleyes: One rule for the customer and a completely different one for themselves.

I would have requested reimbursement of my fuel costs because I had to travel back there to return the item (probably wouldn't have got one though) and I would vote with my feet and never shop there again (I don't anyway).

snowgirl_3

I work at currys and we accept returns within 7 days if a customer changes there mind and the package is opened as long as its sellable. ANd 28 days for unopened items.

Because of the 7 days to change your mind we do get alot of areials back if they arnt sutaible and alot of routers back because people buy the worng ones or cant install in correctly.

All items should have a preowned sticked on them if they have been brought back within the 7 days. So are sold as pre owned not new but are like new. Think we have to do this by law not sure

We dont give extra discount for preowned items.

snowgirl_3

chipmunk wrote: »

Makes a mockery of their insistance that if you want to return an item (for whatever reason) it must be unopened and in it's original condition otherwise they cannot re-sell it:rolleyes: One rule for the customer and a completely different one for themselves.

I would have requested reimbursement of my fuel costs because I had to travel back there to return the item (probably wouldn't have got one though) and I would vote with my feet and never shop there again (I don't anyway).

Items dont have to be unopened to return them as long as returned within 7 days. If they only accepted unopened items back then they wouldnt have opened pre owned items for sale would they?