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restocking fees

More high end manufacturers are selling direct and offering home auditions, and many are charging restocking fees of up to 20%. I absolutely respect the right of any manufacturer to charge whatever he sees fit. It's expensive to have product in the field, and companies want to discourage tire kickers, but I see no reason to risk paying a restocking fee when the market offers me so many other choices. Do restocking fees discourage you from trying a product, or is the risk worth taking.
84audio
mechans
2,999 posts
 
When that much absolutely. You can't audition these brands, other's opinions are just that opinions, so its absurd and discouraging. 99% of the time thread answers are "your ears are the only ones that count" when choosing a product you haven't heard. Reviews mean little if it doesn't suit your taste.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
restocking fees should discourage one from returning products. as far as discouraging the in-home trial itself, it certainly weeds out tire kickers. a 30 day trial from a small struggling company(manufacturer or retailer) is worth something.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Restocking fees discourage me from trying products I'm not serious about buying, and that's the point as far as I can tell. I have paid restocking fees once, and another time I negotiated away a restocking fee.

20% is excessive, IMO, and that fee would keep me away even if I was serious about the product. I'd rather wait for a used model to show up in the classifieds and take my chance with a resale.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
I won't pay restocking fees! I believe this practice is illegal in some states. This may be true even if your forwarned of this policy, no merchant has the right to usurp the law.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,355 posts
 
I think we pay enough $$$$ already, luxury taxes being one of them, what a joke.

I'll wait and buy a demo or used through here.
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