Full Answer
Can a store charge a restocking fee for a return?
Until recently, computer stores, appliance stores, and electronics stores were the only retailers that charged restocking fees. However, over the past few years, more and more retailers have begun charging restocking fees. State law governs whether retailers may charge restocking fees when customers return merchandise.
Can wireless carriers charge restocking fees?
Laws regarding restocking fees in different states can vary, including when and how sellers can charge them. Wireless carriers aren’t alone in charging these fees. A survey from LBM Journal revealed 74% of businesses charge a restocking fee on some items. Another 14% said they charged these fees on every returned purchase.
How do I dispute an unfair restocking fee?
In a situation where the store owner may be charging unfair restocking fees, there are several options. First, if the fee was charged to your credit card you can try to dispute the charge with your credit card company.
Can a class action lawsuit be filed for restocking fees?
Lawyers are now investigating the possibility of a class action lawsuit against companies that alienate their customers by imposing illegal restocking fees. Many states allow restocking fees provided customers are alerted to the charges before a purchase is made. However, some states do not allow restocking fees except in certain circumstances.
Do retailers give refunds?
Can you avoid restocking charges?
Can you return a DVD if the seal is broken?
Does Sears charge a restocking fee?
See more
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Can I dispute a restocking fee?
Items returned in original condition and within policy cannot be charged a restocking fee. You are not required to accept returns beyond the return window....Guidelines for charging restocking fees.Return RequestRestocking FeeThe buyer returns an item they received materially different from what they ordered.No restocking fee.9 more rows
What reasons are restocking fees charged for returns?
Why do many honest companies charge restocking fees? The reason is simple: to keep costs (and thus prices) down when dealing with the return of items that are not defective. There are a lot of costs associated with processing an order.
How do you get around a restocking fee?
The best way to avoid a restocking fee is to find out the policy before making a purchase. Check with the retailer or seller about the following points: How long you have to return your purchase without any financial penalties.
Can I be charged a restocking fee if I never received it?
At many retailers, restocking fees are allowed as long as the fee is clearly disclosed and as long as it isn't charged if you're returning an item because of a defect or missing part, or because it wasn't what you ordered. Although Sears does have a restocking fee for certain items, vacuums aren't among them.
When can a company charge a restocking fee?
The fees can only be charged as a cost of business, and to help offset the cost of restocking a returned item. Generally, the customer must be notified of the store's return policies, and any restocking fees must be disclosed before the purchase is made.
Can a company charge you to return an item?
The answer is “No, it isn't.” As a retailer you can require a customer to pay return costs if: You tell the consumer (pre-contract) they are going to have to pay for returns; and. You don't imply elsewhere that it will be free.
What is a fair restocking fee?
Some retailers only charge a restocking fee on special orders or customized items. Others only apply the restocking fee if the item has been opened. Electronics companies customarily charge between 10 and 25 percent of the item's price for a return, with 15 percent as the most common amount quoted.
Can online retailers charge a restocking fee?
Although an online business is not entitled to charge you a restocking fee, you may find yourself out of pocket for the cost of sending the item back. Unless at item is faulty, not what you ordered or a substitute item, a business doesn't have to pay for return delivery.
Should I charge a restocking fee?
Don't charge a restocking fee. If you do charge a restocking fee, be sure to select a reasonable amount and limit it to instances where the buyer isn't returning the item in its original condition. If you charge a restocking fee for returns, we recommend that you only ask for a reasonable amount.
What can I do if a company won't refund my money?
Company Won't Give You a Refund? Here's How to Get Your Money BackTry to Work it Out with the Merchant First.Option 1: Request a Chargeback.Option 2: Consider Mediation.Option 3: Sue in Small Claims.Option 4: Pursue Consumer Arbitration.FairShake Can Help Make Arbitrating a Breeze.
Is it legal to not accept returns?
Customer Returns and Refunds Under Federal Law While many retailers have decided this makes for the best business practice, they aren't legally required to accept returns. Rather, retailers are required to accept returns only if the sold good is defective or if they otherwise break the sales contract.
Can you report a company for not refunding your money?
You can notify the consumer protection division of your local district attorney's office of any violations, or file a complaint with our office using our online complaint form.
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Is a restocking fee taxable when the restocking fee is a 35% fee on the returned items? - Answered by a verified Tax Professional
Being charged a $100 restocking fee on an order I cancelled immediately ...
As a European, reading this kind of stuff always amazes me. Apart from the obvious, like perishable goods, I can order anything online, and have the right to change my mind for 14 days.
Can a company charge a restocking fee of 20% of the price ... - JustAnswer
When it comes to custom orders, it is traditional for everyone in the chain of supply to charge restocking fees. That doesn't necessarily mean that an item will go back in stock, but its designed to cover costs that cannot be recouped if the order is cancelled.
Restocking fee? Is it legal? — MoneySavingExpert Forum
There's no easy answer to this question. Or to put that another way, the easy answer you were probably looking for -- something to the effect of "oh, no, if you didn't sign something in writing agreeing up front to your potential liability for a restocking fee, you can't possibly have any liability and you're off the hook" -- would be wrong.
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Hi, I have two questions: 1) Will there be a 15% restocking fee if I decide to return the laptop that has not been opened? 2) Under what condition - 7873714
Being charged a $100 restocking fee on an order I cancelled immediately ...
Hello r/Bestbuy,. I need some help. I’m a BestBuy Elite Plus member and have been a loyal customer for years. A few days ago I purchased a camera that unfortunately is defective by design - it overheats after just a few minutes of video recording, which is uncommon nowadays for modern day mirrorless cameras.
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Dear Consumer Ed
I bought a fender for a 1969 Chevelle from a parts store. I got the correct part, but it is defective and won’t line up correctly with the side of the car. When I went to return the part, the parts company charged me a restocking fee. Are they allowed to do that for a defective part?
Consumer Ed says
In Georgia, retailers are allowed to set their own policies regarding refunds and exchanges, including those related to “restocking fees.” A “re-stocking” fee implies, by its very name, a fee imposed to cover costs associated with placing merchandise back into the store’s stock.
Dear Consumer Ed
I purchased four speakers for my husband and paid $911.60 for them. At the time of purchase the store owner told me the item was not in stock and that it would be 1-2 weeks before the product would arrive from the manufacturer. I paid for the product in full. It has been 3 weeks now and I still have not received the speakers.
Consumer Ed says
In Georgia, retailers are allowed to set their own policies regarding refunds and exchanges, including those related to “restocking fees”. Restocking fees have become increasingly common in today’s market, particularly when a return involves an electronics purchase.
Why are restocking fees being charged?
They are being charged because the retailer delivered the wrong merchandise; They are being charged because the retailer failed to deliver the merchandise within the promised time period; They exceed 50% of the purchase price of the merchandise; or. The restocking fees are not adequately disclosed to the customer.
Do electronics stores charge restocking fees?
Until recently, computer stores, appliance stores, and electronics stores were the only retailers that charged restocking fees. However, over the past few years, more and more retailers have begun charging restocking fees. State law governs whether retailers may charge restocking fees when customers return merchandise.
Is restocking fee disclosed?
The restocking fees are not adequately disclosed to the customer. To determine whether your state has consumer protection laws which regulate restocking fees, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.
What Are Restocking Fees and Why Do Companies Charge Them?
While there are some caveats to restocking fees, such as seller disclosure at the time of sale, the charges cover the company’s expenses to prep the item for resale. If your purchase turns out to be defective or the wrong item though, a company generally can’t charge you a restocking fee.
How Can I Avoid Restocking Fees or Negotiate a Lower Cost?
The best way to avoid a restocking fee is to find out the policy before making a purchase. Check with the retailer or seller about the following points:
Restocking Fees Among Wireless Carriers
Wireless carriers will usually charge customers restocking fees since they have to first verify that the phone can be resold. Staff will check and test the device to see if it is in good working order. Then, they will typically wipe any personal data from the phone, including search histories from web browsers and contacts.
Conclusion
From a seller’s perspective, restocking fees are necessary due to the costs involved in accepting returned purchases. Consumers may not appreciate restocking fees, especially if their buying experiences were unfavorable.
How much is restocking fee?
Usually companies charge a restocking fee between 10 percent and 25 percent of the original purchase price. However, some companies charge as high as 50 percent the price of a product. Companies cannot use restocking fees as a penalty or to discourage consumers from returning defective items.
What to do if you have been charged a restocking fee?
If you have been charged a restocking fee on a returned retail item, please contact a lawyer involved in a possible [ Retail Return Restocking Fees Lawsuit] who will review your case at no cost or obligation.
Why do electronics companies charge restocking fees?
For example, many electronics companies charge restocking fees because opened items cannot be sold as new once they are returned. However, if the product is defective or in some way damaged through no fault of the customer there should not be a restocking fee.
Does Seattle charge restocking fees?
Unfortunately, not all companies charge legal restocking fees. Some charge ridiculously high restocking fees while others charge them regardless of whether or not the returned item is defective. Lawyers are now investigating the possibility of a class action lawsuit against companies that alienate their customers by imposing illegal restocking fees.
Do companies have to inform customers of return policies?
However other states require companies to inform customers of return policies including any resto cking fees. Restocking fees must also be a reasonable amount and be related to the expense of restocking an item. They should not be unreasonably high in relation to the purchase price of a product.
Does Hawaii allow restocking fees?
However, some states do not allow restocking fees except in certain circumstances. For example, Hawaii does not allow restocking fees except in very specific situations such as for customized work. Some states, such as New Hampshire, do not require companies to place their policy prominently before a purchase is made.
Do retailers give refunds?
Many retailers offer full refunds on products but still get you with a fee. There are plenty of ads out there that promise a full refund on a product for just about any reason at all. Knowing you get a refund makes it easier to go ahead and make a purchase.
Can you avoid restocking charges?
As we have written before in Consumer Reports, to avoid being hit by a restocking fee: Don’t open a package if you don’t want what’s inside.
Can you return a DVD if the seal is broken?
Items such as computer software, music CDs, and movie DVDs generally aren’t returnable if the seal is broken. You don't have to pay a restocking fee if the item you are returning is defective. Also, if you are charged a restocking fee, try to negotiate a partial refund. Editor's Note:
Does Sears charge a restocking fee?
At many retailers, restocking fees are allowed as long as the fee is clearly disclosed and as long as it isn’t charged if you’re returning an item because of a defect or missing part, or because it wasn’ t what you ordered . Although Sears does have a restocking fee for certain items, vacuums aren’t among them.
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Do retailers give refunds?
Many retailers offer full refunds on products but still get you with a fee. There are plenty of ads out there that promise a full refund on a product for just about any reason at all. Knowing you get a refund makes it easier to go ahead and make a purchase.
Can you avoid restocking charges?
As we have written before in Consumer Reports, to avoid being hit by a restocking fee: Don’t open a package if you don’t want what’s inside.
Can you return a DVD if the seal is broken?
Items such as computer software, music CDs, and movie DVDs generally aren’t returnable if the seal is broken. You don't have to pay a restocking fee if the item you are returning is defective. Also, if you are charged a restocking fee, try to negotiate a partial refund. Editor's Note:
Does Sears charge a restocking fee?
At many retailers, restocking fees are allowed as long as the fee is clearly disclosed and as long as it isn’t charged if you’re returning an item because of a defect or missing part, or because it wasn’ t what you ordered . Although Sears does have a restocking fee for certain items, vacuums aren’t among them.
