AT&T Wireless 30 Day Warranty Replacement Policy Ripoff Internet

AT&T has a policy concerning returns on phones bought within the past 30 days that I find to be very unfair. They are very willing to give you a new phone of the same style but you are unable to get a different phone model or a refund without paying a $35 "restocking fee."

I recently upgraded to a new LG Neon and very quickly noticed that it was having various problems as it had slow reactions, the screen would freeze on occasion, and worst of all making calls was downright impossible. The person on the other line could always hear me but I rarely could hear him/her or the ringing on the other line. This made making calls a huge hassle so I decided to return the phone as it was within the 30 day warranty period.

When I visited the AT&T store where I had purchased the phone the representative immediately offered to replace the phone with another Neon. Knowing that many people have had the same problems with Neons I did not want another one and instead wished to replace it with a phone of the same value. I was then informed that if I wanted a different phone or even just a refund I would have to pay the $35 restocking fee.

I find this policy to be quite unfair as it is possible I will run into the same problems with this kind of phone and am essentially locked into continuously replacing this model unless I'm willing to cough up the money for the restocking fee. My worry is that this new Neon will outlast the warranty period and will have problems later, resulting in a need to either purchase a new phone or file an insurance claim that requires a $50 fee. I see this as an unfair way for AT&T to make an extra bit of money whenever someone has a problem with a phone.