Return policies for major electronics stores

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Recently, I bought a camcorder at Target for business. Interesting enough, Target was not my first choice to buy the camcorder. I originally went to Circuit City to look. Since the camcorder costs a great deal of money, I immediately wanted to know the return policy, as it’s always good to know.

Circuit City had a very tight return policy. They wanted all electronics to be returned within 14 days and charge a restocking fee of 15%. I was floored! What if I didn’t like it? What if there was a problem? It didn’t matter. That was the policy.

So it got me to thinking. What if I bought it somewhere else? And should I start buying based upon return policies? Now, I am definitely not afraid to return anything for any reason. My wife would attest to that. I work hard for things, and I expect them to work and want to be comfortable with them. And a return policy is a sign that a store stands behind what it sells. So the question becomes, can I find the same product with a comparable price and a better return policy?

Here’s what a found for some popular electronics retailers:

Circuit City: 14 day return policy with 15% restocking fee for digital cameras, camcorders, desktop PCs, notebook PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, projectors, PDAs, mobile video, GPS and radar detectors (meager).

Best Buy: 14 day return policy with 15% restocking fee for digital cameras, camcorders, desktop PCs, notebook PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, projectors, PDAs, mobile video, GPS and radar detectors (meager).

Office Depot/Office Max/Staples: 14 day return policy fee for digital cameras, camcorders, desktop PCs, notebook PCs, monitors, printers, scanners, projectors, PDAs, mobile video, GPS, etc (above meager – no restocking fee?).

Wal-Mart: Between 15 and 45 days depending on which type of electronics you buy. Can’t find a restocking fee (not bad)

Kmart: 28 days on all returnable items (very good)

Sears: 30 days and 15% restocking fee if not returned “as is” (very good)

Costco: Unlimited on all returnable items, except electronics has a 90 day return policy (excellent)

Target: 90 days on all returnable items. I have seen a restocking fee, but never had a problem with returns (excellent)

**All return policies can change. Check before you buy!

Target and Costco are clearly the best big box retailers for returns. However, there is a downside to both stores - selection. I may not be able to find as much selection in Costco or Target as I would at a Best Buy or Circuit City. But I can always search online for greater selection and return the item at the store.

What about going online in the first place? Normally, that would be the place I start. But if I am not ultra-committed to purchasing, I will stick with stores I know so I won’t have trouble returning products, as long as I know the return policy beforehand.

Quick Tip: I also like to use a site called Price Protectr (and yes… that is spelled right!) that monitors your purchases for free, and alerts you if your item goes down in price. Many stores will honor price adjustments. So hang onto your receipts.

The next time you are in search of electronics, where you get it from may be just as important as what you get. If I encounter problems, the last thing I want to experience is a restocking fee or worse yet, not being able to return the item.

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