Radioshack ripoff New York New York

Bought a couple of 2 line DSL filters for my shop last week from RS. After the tech came out and put a whole house filter ?, didn't need either one. Now, I was very careful about how I opened the packages because I didn't know if I would have to return them. I ended up doing so and the RS guy was very nice about it and remarked about how he liked the way I opened the boxes. He said most people just tear open the boxes and chuck 'em. I told him I thought I might be returning them and tried to be careful and it would be easier for them to sell them in the original box. IF RS put merchandise IN user friendly packaging it would make everyones life easier. Didn't have a problem getting a cash refund with receipt. I try and keep the packaging if at all possible for as long as the warranty.

First, I'd like to respond to the customer who received the poor customer service & put some of the ex-employees claims to rest: RadioShack, as a company, has never told their employees to avoid returns (specific unethical managers might do this, but it is not a practice that is tolerated & should be reported to the RadioShack corporate headquarters in Ft. Worth, TX).

RadioShack policy isas follows:
"Any item purchased at RadioShack may be returned for exchange, credit or refund within 30 days of purchase. In addition a defective item may be repaired or replaced within 90 days of purchase under RadioShack's Warranty Policy, or within the manufacturer's warranty period, whichever is longer."

"Merchandise must be returned in like-new condition (except for damage caused by any product defect) with the original packaging materials (including the barcode/UPC label), accessories, instructions and the original sales receipt, otherwise your product may not be eligible for return or its return may be subject to a refurbishing fee...."

What the policy is trying to state is that, should you wish to return a purchase you have made, the product must be in a condition equal to that in which you purchased it; this is because it will be refurbished & resold (with an extended warranty to offset the fact that it was previously sold and/or displayed).

Should the item be defective, in most cases the packaging is required so that RadioShack can return the merchandise to the manufacturer. In the case where no packaging/barcode is available, the consumer has the option to exchange the damanged product for an equivalent model. The packaging (along with any accessories, manuals, etc. that are missing from the defective unit) will be maintained by the store & used to return the defective item back to the manufacturer. If no replacement unit is available, the consumer may opt to have the unit serviced under RadioShack's warranty policy (note: if the repair center finds that the unit is not repairable, a replacement may be shipped directly from the warehouse).

In no way does RadioShack attempt to mislead their customers in regard to return policies and/or exchanges. There are only a few ignorant (if we give them the benefit of the doubt) or unethical (if we don't) managers and/or associates in the company, but they can make a BIG impact, as can be seen on this website. However, they are not representative of the company as a whole.

As for the former employee who mentioned the "saved commissions" earlier in this thread: if you think that you saved ANY commissions whatsoever by turning away a valid return/refund/exchange, then you can go ahead and include yourself in the ignorant/unethical classification I mentioned earlier. What customer would ever come back to buy from you again? Whereas had you taken the return with no fuss & actually attempted to make the procedure a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE for the customer, think how much more commissions you would have made from their future loyalty.

And as a final aside, the wireless cell phone warranty never has been, nor was it ever implied to have been, a replacement for product insurance. Physical damage is not covered under any warranty unless otherwise explcitly stated. What the warranty DOES cover is whatever the manufacturer's warranty covers, but for an extended period of time (ie: 2 - 3 years, vs. manufacturer's 12 months) AND replacement batteries for the life of the RS warranty (maximum 2 per year - a approximate total of $230 in savings) AND the convenience of not having to bring the unit to the store for servicing: you simply call an 800 service center number for the phone to be services - replacement units (if necessary) are second day aired to the customer.

RadioShack is NOT the best place in the world to work or shop, but it's a hell of a lot better than many other electronics stores: who the hell wants to buy a $1,000 plasma TV from a teenager at Best Buy who still doesn't have his license?!? Or sign a 2-year cellular contract at Circuit City with a salesperson who doesn't know the coverage areas and/or specific terms of the agreement?!? RadioShack employees are better trained & better suited for the job. Period.

I am a former employee of radioshack, and I have heard this same story. People would always come in with a broken phone or some other item. About 90% of the time people were the cause of the problem. They would buy a phone and not connect the battery. They would buy an rc car and put the batteries in backwards, then come in all mad like it was our fault.

We would fix the problem and save ourselves the lost commission. As a RadioShack employee you are trained to check the item before returning it, because most of the time it isn't broken. When a customer wants to return an item anyway, you can chalk it up as buyers remorse, or a special return code we used, T.S.T.U. (too stupid to use). Because most of our customers are elderly, our job could be verry difficult. Have you ever tried to help a 90 year old with a computer problem. I had a lady call me on day with a computer problem, she said "I just bought a computer from you guys and It wont turn on".

Then she got mad at me and wanted to return it. This lady actually cussed me out. I asked her to look at the plug and see if it was pluged into the wall. She said "I can't see it" I asked if she had a light to shine back there, and she said "No, THE POWER IS OUT". I had to try to keep from laughing my a## off as I told her computers don't work without electricity. To make a long story longer, you can not return something without the package, but you can exchange it. You can get a refund within 30 days (with package). You can do an in store exchange within 90 days, and the will send it in to their repair center (free) within one year. Cell Phones also have a 1 year warrenty (manufacturer defects only)

PS Dont buy the warrenty on cell phones. It dont cover much EXCLUDED DAMAGES ARE: water damage, drops/breaks, lost/stolen, antenna.

I am a former employee of radioshack, and I have heard this same story. People would always come in with a broken phone or some other item. About 90% of the time people were the cause of the problem. They would buy a phone and not connect the battery. They would buy an rc car and put the batteries in backwards, then come in all mad like it was our fault.

We would fix the problem and save ourselves the lost commission. As a RadioShack employee you are trained to check the item before returning it, because most of the time it isn't broken. When a customer wants to return an item anyway, you can chalk it up as buyers remorse, or a special return code we used, T.S.T.U. (too stupid to use). Because most of our customers are elderly, our job could be verry difficult. Have you ever tried to help a 90 year old with a computer problem. I had a lady call me on day with a computer problem, she said "I just bought a computer from you guys and It wont turn on".

Then she got mad at me and wanted to return it. This lady actually cussed me out. I asked her to look at the plug and see if it was pluged into the wall. She said "I can't see it" I asked if she had a light to shine back there, and she said "No, THE POWER IS OUT". I had to try to keep from laughing my a## off as I told her computers don't work without electricity. To make a long story longer, you can not return something without the package, but you can exchange it. You can get a refund within 30 days (with package). You can do an in store exchange within 90 days, and the will send it in to their repair center (free) within one year. Cell Phones also have a 1 year warrenty (manufacturer defects only)

PS Dont buy the warrenty on cell phones. It dont cover much EXCLUDED DAMAGES ARE: water damage, drops/breaks, lost/stolen, antenna.

I am a former employee of radioshack, and I have heard this same story. People would always come in with a broken phone or some other item. About 90% of the time people were the cause of the problem. They would buy a phone and not connect the battery. They would buy an rc car and put the batteries in backwards, then come in all mad like it was our fault.

We would fix the problem and save ourselves the lost commission. As a RadioShack employee you are trained to check the item before returning it, because most of the time it isn't broken. When a customer wants to return an item anyway, you can chalk it up as buyers remorse, or a special return code we used, T.S.T.U. (too stupid to use). Because most of our customers are elderly, our job could be verry difficult. Have you ever tried to help a 90 year old with a computer problem. I had a lady call me on day with a computer problem, she said "I just bought a computer from you guys and It wont turn on".

Then she got mad at me and wanted to return it. This lady actually cussed me out. I asked her to look at the plug and see if it was pluged into the wall. She said "I can't see it" I asked if she had a light to shine back there, and she said "No, THE POWER IS OUT". I had to try to keep from laughing my a## off as I told her computers don't work without electricity. To make a long story longer, you can not return something without the package, but you can exchange it. You can get a refund within 30 days (with package). You can do an in store exchange within 90 days, and the will send it in to their repair center (free) within one year. Cell Phones also have a 1 year warrenty (manufacturer defects only)

PS Dont buy the warrenty on cell phones. It dont cover much EXCLUDED DAMAGES ARE: water damage, drops/breaks, lost/stolen, antenna.

I am a former employee of radioshack, and I have heard this same story. People would always come in with a broken phone or some other item. About 90% of the time people were the cause of the problem. They would buy a phone and not connect the battery. They would buy an rc car and put the batteries in backwards, then come in all mad like it was our fault.

We would fix the problem and save ourselves the lost commission. As a RadioShack employee you are trained to check the item before returning it, because most of the time it isn't broken. When a customer wants to return an item anyway, you can chalk it up as buyers remorse, or a special return code we used, T.S.T.U. (too stupid to use). Because most of our customers are elderly, our job could be verry difficult. Have you ever tried to help a 90 year old with a computer problem. I had a lady call me on day with a computer problem, she said "I just bought a computer from you guys and It wont turn on".

Then she got mad at me and wanted to return it. This lady actually cussed me out. I asked her to look at the plug and see if it was pluged into the wall. She said "I can't see it" I asked if she had a light to shine back there, and she said "No, THE POWER IS OUT". I had to try to keep from laughing my a## off as I told her computers don't work without electricity. To make a long story longer, you can not return something without the package, but you can exchange it. You can get a refund within 30 days (with package). You can do an in store exchange within 90 days, and the will send it in to their repair center (free) within one year. Cell Phones also have a 1 year warrenty (manufacturer defects only)

PS Dont buy the warrenty on cell phones. It dont cover much EXCLUDED DAMAGES ARE: water damage, drops/breaks, lost/stolen, antenna.

radio shack is like any other company they have return policies in place to protect them from "ripoffs". As stated above use there policy agaisnts them. managers tell there employee's to avoid return (money out of there pocket) but an exchange should be no problem. just dont be rude and act like you are interested in something else to purchase they will be much more helpfull. as for packaging the thing to look at is would you purchase something for full price looking the way you are returning the product?(excluding defective products) Now looking at RECEIPT keep it keep it keep it. If you know your going to misplace it make a effort to have them put your name in there computer it will stay there for 10 YEARS saves you a lot of hassel they look it up,cant fight you , and thank you sir/ma'am have a nice day.

When you get a situation like this with stubborn employees you have to use the return policy to your advantage.

Returns CANNOT be accepted without original packaging, BUT defective merchandise must be exchanged within 30 days regardless of packaging.

If it is over 30 days then the warranty must be honored for repair. In the case of telephones there is a One Year Warranty.

NO MATTER WHAT method is approached A RECEIPT IS REQUIRED to prove the date of purchase.

Radioshack Employee

When you get a situation like this with stubborn employees you have to use the return policy to your advantage.

Returns CANNOT be accepted without original packaging, BUT defective merchandise must be exchanged within 30 days regardless of packaging.

If it is over 30 days then the warranty must be honored for repair. In the case of telephones there is a One Year Warranty.

NO MATTER WHAT method is approached A RECEIPT IS REQUIRED to prove the date of purchase.

Radioshack Employee

When you get a situation like this with stubborn employees you have to use the return policy to your advantage.

Returns CANNOT be accepted without original packaging, BUT defective merchandise must be exchanged within 30 days regardless of packaging.

If it is over 30 days then the warranty must be honored for repair. In the case of telephones there is a One Year Warranty.

NO MATTER WHAT method is approached A RECEIPT IS REQUIRED to prove the date of purchase.

Radioshack Employee

When you get a situation like this with stubborn employees you have to use the return policy to your advantage.

Returns CANNOT be accepted without original packaging, BUT defective merchandise must be exchanged within 30 days regardless of packaging.

If it is over 30 days then the warranty must be honored for repair. In the case of telephones there is a One Year Warranty.

NO MATTER WHAT method is approached A RECEIPT IS REQUIRED to prove the date of purchase.

Radioshack Employee