returning unwanted iphones

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dickytim

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#109322 18-Sep-2012 07:05

On Friday I ordered 2 x Iphone4 8gb but now want to return them to Vodafone (digital Mobile) as they are no longer required. They are in the box and sealed, infact they have not been taken out of the bag that they came in!

As it is with in 7 days don't I have the right of return?

NonprayingMantis

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#687503 18-Sep-2012 07:15

if you orderd them online, from a cold caller, or from a door to door salesman then you have a 7 day 'cooling off period' but if you bought them from a store or otherwise initiated the purchase then you do not.

Vodafone/digital mobile may choose to refund you out of goodwill, but you have no legal right to return the phones.

freitasm

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#687505 18-Sep-2012 07:20

Sorry, unless the store has a return policy, "change of mind" is not a reason to return goods.

Actually you will find that most likely mobile phones are excluded from most return policies as well as DVDs/CDs...

dickytim

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#687519 18-Sep-2012 07:56

bugger, guess I have to rely on the fact that we spend a bucket load with them!

Thanks for your help.

BrowneAction

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#687528 18-Sep-2012 08:01

It would probably help if you mentioned which act you are referring to If it is a law. or which part of the contract it is if this was in the terms of the sale. If otherwise it sounds like you have a binding contract.

Perhaps you now want to wait for the iphone5??

dickytim

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#687711 18-Sep-2012 13:37

in fact Iphone4 8GB have dropped to $599 from Apple, and they will do from Vodafone on the release of the Iphone5.

Do I want an Iphone 5... yes but that is besides the point!

Digital Mobile have made me an offer that is going to keep me happy!

Geektastic

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#689808 22-Sep-2012 10:38

dickytim: On Friday I ordered 2 x Iphone4 8gb but now want to return them to Vodafone (digital Mobile) as they are no longer required. They are in the box and sealed, infact they have not been taken out of the bag that they came in!

As it is with in 7 days don't I have the right of return?

I think that the relatively poor consumer legislation (and unwillingness of many retailers to openly commit to offering more than the legal minimum) will see you stuffed unless they choose to allow it.

US, UK, most EU countries would allow it. Quite a few companies in the US will allow you to return unwanted things within 30 days (most in fact) provided they are unused. Some even allow 365 days for return!!

Byrned

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#690031 22-Sep-2012 22:11

Geektastic:
dickytim: On Friday I ordered 2 x Iphone4 8gb but now want to return them to Vodafone (digital Mobile) as they are no longer required. They are in the box and sealed, infact they have not been taken out of the bag that they came in!

As it is with in 7 days don't I have the right of return?

I think that the relatively poor consumer legislation (and unwillingness of many retailers to openly commit to offering more than the legal minimum) will see you stuffed unless they choose to allow it.

US, UK, most EU countries would allow it. Quite a few companies in the US will allow you to return unwanted things within 30 days (most in fact) provided they are unused. Some even allow 365 days for return!!

Can you point to the legislation that states the legal minimum right of return in NZ, or any of the other countries for that matter?

I know NZ law does not make any statement as to an ability to return something if is not required, nor am I am aware of any legislation in the UK, US, or AU. I don't know about the EU however. I will concede that some companies do so as an act of goodwill and you only need to have a look at some of the customer feedback sites to see how this can be a minefield at times!

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mattwnz

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#690039 22-Sep-2012 22:31

Some retailers will match other retailers if you find a lower price after you have purchased the item. However most will exclude online only stores, and Apple is an online only store in NZ so would be excluded. Some will also refund the difference if they have a price drop. Many will also exclude mobile phones.
But this is why it is important to shop around.

BrowneAction

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#690046 22-Sep-2012 23:09

its hard to know what you're actually saying geektastic. what do you mean UK, US and most EU countries allow it. Allow what? Allow people to return unwanted goods within 7 days like the original question asked? If so then what are the names of the acts in the UK,and USA? As far as I can see, the UK has a sale of goods act like NZs which doesn't appear to cover people changing their minds (unless bought online). Which companies has a 365 day change of mind policy for phones in the USA (or anywhere)?

Geektastic

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#690059 23-Sep-2012 00:20

BrowneAction: its hard to know what you're actually saying geektastic. what do you mean UK, US and most EU countries allow it. Allow what? Allow people to return unwanted goods within 7 days like the original question asked? If so then what are the names of the acts in the UK,and USA? As far as I can see, the UK has a sale of goods act like NZs which doesn't appear to cover people changing their minds (unless bought online). Which companies has a 365 day change of mind policy for phones in the USA (or anywhere)?

Many companies in those countries offer far greater return options than what the law requires: they treat it as a way to claim point of difference in a competitive market.

Yes they will mostly allow return of goods in unused condition for periods well in excess of 7 days - some as long as 30. And yes most of the time they won't want to know why you are returning them neither will they do the 'restocking fee' thing that is so popular here!

Zappos (see zappos.com)in the US gives you 365 days to return unwanted goods in saleable condition. This is their policy:

"With Zappos Retail, Inc.'s 365 day return policy, there are no special catches or exceptions. All we ask is that you send the items back to us in the original packaging, and make sure that the merchandise is in the same condition.

Return With Zappos.com - It's Easy:

You can return your purchase for up to 365 days from the purchase date. If you purchase on 2/29 of a Leap Year, then you have until 2/29 the following Leap Year to return those orders. That's four whole years! Woot!
Products must be in the condition you received them and in the original box and/or packaging.
Return shipping is absolutely FREE."

Amazon allow 30 day returns in the US too. Their website:

"You may return most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery for a full refund."

My point is that our laws in NZ are not particularly good and that few companies realise the undoubted benefit of going above and beyond what is required by law to set themselves apart from their competition.

I should add that in 38 years of living in the UK I took stuff back to many, many shops for reasons such as changing my mind, wanting a different model or product or what have you. Not once can I recall ever having been refused by any shop regardless of the product type or the law provided the products were unused and I had the receipt.

Here, for example, is the return policy of iconic UK department store chain John Lewis (from which you could buy anything from a $10,000 TV to a teaspoon and be covered by this policy):

"Hence, in an effort to give consumers more confidence when shopping, the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has scrapped its long-standing 28-day returns policy.
Instead, the iconic department-store chain -- which, as a mutual, is owned and operated by its staff, known as 'partners' -- now offers a never-ending refund policy on returned goods.
With immediate effect, customers can return unwanted purchases and gifts to John Lewis at any time. However, they must be unused, unworn and accompanied by receipts as proof of purchase."