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John Lewis refunds policy

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying the new Bose headphones. Could I return them according to John Lewis 90-days refund policy if I am not satisfied (not because they're faulty)?

In their refunds policy they say "If you're unhappy with your purchase, please let us know. Unless faulty, we'd like this to be within 90 days of purchase" and "It's important that any unwanted item, unless faulty, is returned in a resalable condition. We'd expect this to mean that you've kept all original packaging and labels, and that it's undamaged and unused"

What it worries me is the unused term. Does it mean I cannot open and try them out? In the product page also states this refund right if you're not satisfied, but I'm not sure if opening them invalidate this

Could someone with experience in return this kind of stuff (sealed electronic devices) with John Lewis help me?

Also, do you think it would be ethically right?

Thanks a lot
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Comments

  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,667 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    can you try them out in the store?
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    They have to be resaleable, would you want to buy headphones that have been used by someone else?

    All JL I have been to have a good " tech" department where items can be tested/demonstrated
  • LilElvis
    LilElvis Posts: 5,835 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You asked whether returning a used item is ethically right. My question would be to ask you how you would feel if you bought new headphones only to find that someone had already used them and that, therefore, you had paid the full retail price for a second hand item.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    vcristian wrote: »
    Also, do you think it would be ethically right?
    I'd really like to buy a skanky set of headphones which the retailer sold as new, would you?

    Do you think it's "ethically right" that the retailer should be obliged to give you a full refund and then have to discount the product because it was now second hand?
  • hollydays
    hollydays Posts: 19,812 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's not very hygienic , I wonder if headphones would be excluded?
  • vcristian
    vcristian Posts: 21 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Sorry if I wasn't clear. I am talking about over ear headphones, not the ones that go inside the ear. Their key feature is noise cancelling, which in store works ok, but the reviews I have read are contradictory as people say they don't cancel some noises, so I wanna know if they will work ok in the place where I am gonna use them.

    They are quite expensive, so if I cannot try them where I'm gonna use them, I won't buy them in any case, so from the point of view of the seller I don't know whether this would be better or worse. And also for future sales.

    About how I would feel about paying full price about second hand items, this is not what I am talking about. It would be like trying clothes on. The only difference is that I have to break the sealing, but the package, the quality and everything is new. I'm sure some of the clothes I buy have been used at least once and I am still paying full price. I wouldn't care if all the packaging is new. If they feel used, the cables are without plastics, and it feels like they've been used of course I wouldn't want them. That's not the case.

    Thanks for your answers

    PS: don't be so angry, it was just a question :beer:
  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Unused means not used so i fail to see how you could try them .
  • vcristian
    vcristian Posts: 21 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    JJ_Egan wrote: »
    Unused means not used so i fail to see how you could try them .

    That's my question. Would you apply the same principle to clothes or any other items?

    And in that case, what's the point of saying "you have 90 days to return it in case you're not happy with your purchase" without using it?

    I wonder if the "unused" term meaning is the same as with clothes. That is you can try them on at home but not use them outside or damage them in any way.
  • vc,

    I've been using Bose noise cancelling headphones for about 12 years now and they are very good at damping out constant sound such as aircraft engines, airconditioners or fans etc. They aren't much use for sudden sounds such as people talking, kids shouting or screaming etc.

    If you do decide to get some, I would recommend the QC15's if you can get them as the battery for these is a AAA which can be bought anywhere whereas the newer QC35 have a rechargeable battery which if it goes flat at the wrong time, you are screwed.
  • Spank
    Spank Posts: 1,751 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 5 August 2016 at 10:33AM
    Not the same thing as you can wash clothes.

    I tried some on in Currys (assuming you talking about the QC35's) where they have music playing it worked brilliantly.

    A bit out of my price range so got the Sony MDR-ZX770BN from Amazon for £90 (though have gone back up to £94) Should arrive today or tomorrow
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