That is why I prefer to purchase at Best Buy. Full refunds, few questions asked. More salespeople and they are more helpful too. Also better prices. But CompUSA has a greater selection.
I now order everything off the Web (Ubid.com has good prices but expensive shipping -- remember to factor that into your bid, and ZDNet's Computer Shopper will point you to low-cost retailers). Since I'm going to have to go to the manufacturer for repair/replacement anyway, I may as well save $50.00 - $100.00.
I avoided buying high-dollar items on line because I felt that I should support the local merchants in my area, but if I get no support in return, why bother? I've had few problems with on-line merchandise (I've purchased everything from digital cameras to PDAs to Epson cartridges to eggplant caviar), and certainly nothing to compare with the outright disdain shown by Best Buy.
If you'd like some links to good on-line retailers (places I've personally used more than once), FReepmail me and I'll send you the URLs.
Went back and they said we bought the display....... we said, sure, but we were told the battery was in there......it isn't a disposable battery - you HAVE to have the one that comes with it to work!
After two months of calling and leaving messages that were never returned - I gave up......I hate to admit that but I did.......I ordered a battery on line, and I will never step foot in a CompUSA again...........
Anyway - the shortened return period is a growing policy industry wide. More and more retailers are turning to the factory warranty for problems, instead of just taking back everything. It costs the retailer serious $$ when they take back a product that either A - isn't actually defective and is user error, B - is a fraudulent return (more below), or C - is a borderline warranty issue that the manufacturer may not cover.
Is this fair to the consumer? Not really, but I can see the retailer's point of view.
Now - for an explanation of my above reasons:
A - User error- probably the biggest reason for returns in the industry. Users, like me, tend to have a go at their new toys without reading instructions (sometimes the instructions are more complicated than the item!). Other users just should stay away from high-tech items altogether, while still others simply don't have the patience to deal with it. I also group in this category consumers that just plain chainge their mind or have buyer's remorse - either way they cost the retailer lots of $$ because most manufacturers won't accept returns of non-defective merchandise - therefore leaving the retailer "holding the bag" for a used item - often taking a loss to unload it as an "open-box" item.
B - Fraud - You would be surprised how many times I have read posts on message boards telling of how they got an out-of-warranty item replaced for free, or even got defective items at an auction and returned them to a retailer....
For example, you could go buy an identical camera from CompUSA or another retailer - swap the camera for the new one, and return the broken camera to the new retailer - within the 14 day return period and will likely have no problem getting your money back....
Another case is where someone may buy a recent model electronic or other item on ebay or otherwise second hand for cheap - find that it is defective (or know already) and pull the same swap as in my first example. Very dishonest, illegal, and just plain wrong - but it's done all the time. Who gets left holding the bag here? Yep - the retailer.
C - Borderline warranty issue - sometimes these also could fall under category "A". maybe the item was dropped - no outward sign of damage, but still broken. How about an item that just doesn't do what the consumer expected it to do (even though it's technically working according to specs? In this case, a 14 day return period should be adequate to determine if the product is appropriate for the consumer's use.
Granted, products fail. More often than not, defects usually show up pretty quickly, thus the reason I always give my new toys a thorough workout soon after purchase. Otherwise, you may be stuck working with the manufacturer.
And no, I don't work for CompUSA, although the majority of my experiences with that company have been quite positive.
A word to the wise - if you are concerned with the return policy of a given company - check it out before you buy. Many online retailers now charge major restocking fees if they don't find a defect, some also charge you for the return shipping charges, even when you receive an item "DOA". Again, check with a retailer's policy before you buy.