AVOID HMV - NO REFUND POLICY!

Anya

Tried to take a DVD that I got for Christmas back to HMV today. It was sealed in shrink wrap and I had the receipt which was still within the 21 days, only to be told that they DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS!!!
If it was unsealed then fine, an exchange would be acceptable, but in a sealed packet. HOW STUPID?! I don't know of any other shops that do that nowadays.

In store and on the back of the receipt it says that goods which are still sealed and are accompanied by a receipt can be exchanged blah blah blah, but there is nothing in black and white that says that HMV Do Not give refunds!!

GRRRRRR!! >:( I eventually managed to get a refund but only after arguing the toss with the sour-faced manager who couldn't give me a decent reason for that being the policy!

Anyway be warned- HMV only exchange sealed DVD's etc for their overpriced stock.

Feel alot better now for getting that off my chest!!!

Addy

Isn't this Tesco policy too?

TBH no store HAS to refund/exchange unless goods are faulty. Most do, in order to maintain customer satisfaction.

Argos have a 16 day refund policy but also have exceptions to it - I have a feeling DVDs are such an exception.

Anya

It just doesn't make any sense. I have seen people take back unsealed dvds and exchange them no probs. I take back a sealed one and can't get a refund - they aren't losing anything. It is beyond me! ???

Addy

To offer a full refund, they are losing - they're losing the profit on the sale. With an exchange, they're only adjusting the original sale.

I'm not so sure about exchanging unsealed DVDs though - are you sure this wasn't in Blockbusters?

Just kidding....that one's a new one on me!

Anya

Cheers! But definitely in HMV coz it was my mum!!! Haha!
They'll be able to sell the game again though and remake their profit!
It's a rip off in there anyway, I was taking it back coz I could by it for a tenner cheaper online! Another dig at HMV while I'm at it!!!! Feeeels Gooood!! ;D

SaraSeahorse

to be fair the back of the receipt you say stated that they would exchange if unsealed

by law a retailer does not have to give refund if goods are not faulty

Bossyboots

My daughter took back a DVD before Christmas as a newer version with more features had been released. She found a CD she wanted but that left £6 balance. They gave her the balance back on a gift card with no quibble at all. They would have refunded her card if she wanted but the gift card was used as a present anyway so it suited her.

There is a notice up in our local store that they will accept back items bought before Christmas but I am not sure whether it does say refund or not. I will go and check it out in the next couple of days when I am in town.

sloppychops

Must admit never had a problem returning goods to HMV.Always been given a refund or exchange

Anya

We'd never had a problem before, but we were always exchanging or getting a credit note. Apparently they've had this no refund policy for about 2 years now but they need to state that clearly on the back of receipts and around the store.

student100

Argos have a 16 day refund policy but also have exceptions to it - I have a feeling DVDs are such an exception.

Yep, and PS2 games and the like are also exempt.

The companies that make music, DVDs, games etc. don't like stores doing refunds because people can buy a CD, make a copy then take it back for a refund.

In Argos all items which are exempt from the normal 16-day money back guarantee have a message (or symbol) to that effect in the catalogue next to the item, and you will be read a message at the till saying that they are exempt from the 16-day moneyback guarantee, and "* EXEMPT FROM 16 DAY GUARANTEE" is printed next to the item on the receipt.

Retailers don't have to refund or exchange an item unless it is faulty or incorrectly advertised etc - the "you can change your mind within X days and we'll exchange it"-type policies are additional to your legal rights.

Unless it explicitly states that you can get a refund for these items somewhere then I don't think HMV have done anything wrong.

Poppy9

We all pay the cost of stores having a generous returns policy. They will factor in the cost of people bringing back unwanted items into the original selling price.