Are Richer Sounds allowed to charge me a restocking fee?

Brodel

I purchased an amplifier from them 3 days ago (in store). I have come into a money problem and need the money more than the amp now. The amp was used for about an hour and the only packaging opened at all is the one that had the mains cable in it. The packaging for the remote, handbook etc is as it was when purchased and so is the box as it doesn't have anything like sticky tape covering it to show that it was opened.

They want to charge me a 15% restocking fee, which works out at £30. I can understand a small fee, but £30 seems very disproportional. Is there anything I can do about it?

peter_the_piper

Why not? They have lost money as they cannot sell it as new only "refurbished" at a lot lower price. Had it been damaged or faulty then a refund would have been in order.

Brodel

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Why not? They have lost money as they cannot sell it as new only "refurbished" at a lot lower price. Had it been damaged or faulty then a refund would have been in order.

It just seems like a lot for a plastic bag. How am I supposed to know if it's an item that suits my needs and sounds right with my setup without taking it out of the box? Yes they have a listening room, but it's never the same.

DatabaseError

the listening room is your answer, not perfect but better than nothing.
restocking fees are quite common, and, as Peter says, it's not the shop's fault that you changed your mind, why should they lose out?

Brodel

DatabaseError wrote: »

the listening room is your answer, not perfect but better than nothing.
restocking fees are quite common, and, as Peter says, it's not the shop's fault that you changed your mind, why should they lose out?

I understand they shouldn't lose out, but considering it's just a plastic bag it seems like a lot.

Also, the item I wanted was out of stock and it retailed for £169, so the assistant said he would sell me the next one up (which costs £200) for the same price. For arguments sake, say a person in front of me has the same item, 3 days old but paid full price and pays £30 restocking fee and richer sounds sell it as opened box for £170 so as not to have made a loss and break even. I come in, pay my £25 restocking fee for an item that I paid £169 for but retails for £200.. they are clearly going to stick it on the floor as opened box for £170 just like they did with the guy in front of me and then make a profit from my £25 for nothing. It would be nice if they could see that and wave the restocking fee because they are still not going to make a loss.

wonka

The shop will not be able to sell your item at the original price as it has obviously been opened, and future customers would simply reject it. They can only sell it as refurbished stock, and will lose money on it. That is why they charge a re-stocking fee.

To be honest, you should be mighty grateful that they have accepted the product - they have no obligation to do this, since it is not faulty. They are well within their rights to tell customers to go forth and multiply when functioning goods are returned.

Just move on and get over it.

sco0ter

Comet now have notices about charging a 15% restocking fee as well

Brodel

wonka wrote: »

They are well within their rights to tell customers to go forth and multiply when functioning goods are returned.

Just move on and get over it.

So it makes more sense not to shop at richer sounds and to buy online then really, at least you have the distance selling regulations in that case.

nice sig btw.

sco0ter

Brodel wrote: »

It just seems like a lot for a plastic bag. How am I supposed to know if it's an item that suits my needs and sounds right with my setup without taking it out of the box? Yes they have a listening room, but it's never the same.

Would you use the same excuse for a washing machine, TV, Fridge... Its sometimes a risk you have to take.

Brodel

sco0ter wrote: »

Would you use the same excuse for a washing machine, TV, Fridge... Its sometimes a risk you have to take.

Personally no, if it comes in a big box that needs destroying to open or is something that gets a lot more physically worn like a washing machine with soap suds for example then I would be more understanding. Like I said, I agree with the principal, I just think 15% is quite high in this case. At least I know for the future.

sco0ter

Brodel wrote: »

I just think 15% is quite high in this case. At least I know for the future.

But to remember that they may well take a bigger hit when selling. They might have to reduce it by 50% to sell it again. Whos going to believe them if the salesman says "It was only opened and tried for about an hour then brought back"