What is a reasonable return policy?

[Denial]

What do you think is a reasonable return policy for a retailer to offer on a bass?

I've seen everything from various retailers on return policy for basses, sometimes different for new, used, or vintage.

Options I've seen are no returns allowed, exchange only, 3 days, 7 days, 30 days. I understand why the merchants have these policies.

I've also seen what I think are abuses of the policies. For example, getting a bass and you don't like the color but wait the full 30 days to return it. If the return policies are too liberal, those of us that don't use them often end up paying higher prices to cover the cost of those that return items often.

So have at it.

[TheSuzie]

I like the long limits but I never would return something that was not in the exact condition I received it in unless it failed. The couple of times I returned things out near a long time limit, the item had been boxed and ready to go back for quite a while. I just had logistic problems like illness or being snowed in by a blizzard that pushed things out to the limit.

There is a bass I would like to buy someday but the only outlet for it give a three day return and it does give me pause.

Peace,
S

[GladToBeBack]

Most retail establishments are 30 days, it is somewhat of an industry standard. Buying online is really the only time someone needs to use it. My experience buying an amp or guitar the sales person encourages me to try it our first. I even had a girl at a local GC open the tuner she was showing me, grab a guitar, and demo it in front of me. That being said, returns on store bought items should be minimal.

Online is different though. I bought a case for my bass cause it looked like a really good deal and they didn't have it in the store. When it arrived it felt like thick cardboard covered in fake leather. I returned it 2 days after I got it, which was 8 days after I ordered it. A 7 day return policy would have left me stuck with it, but GC's 30 day policy helped me.

I understand that there are some people that will take advantage of 30 days, use something and return it. It is my belief that it is a minority of consumers doing that and the vast majority of people honestly return stuff for legitimate reasons.

[Rockmusician]

I think 7 days from the date you receive something is more than enough time to know if you want to keep it.

[OldDog52]

I've returned, um, 3 basses to GC. In all 3 cases they were in better condition when I returned them than they were upon purchase: Spotlessly cleaned & polished and correctly set up. One of them was near the end of the 30 days. A 30 day return policy is awesome for the bass consumer because sometimes you have to live with an instrument for a while to get to know it.

[GM60466]

I think 7 days on an instrument is more than enough time.

[Aspidites]

30 days, anything less is not acceptable.

[Unrepresented]

Minimum lowest advertized prices will keep the major retailers (the ones offering 30 day exchange policies) from being able to drop prices any lower than they already are, meaning that a decrease in that abuse probably won't lower prices for those of us who play fair. Their economy of scale will allow for profits to continue until abuse hits critical mass (which I don't expect to happen so long as kids dream of rockstardom).

[Denial]

OK, I hinted at my view in the OP, but I think 7 days is plenty. And I strongly to prefer to "play before I pay", especially with instruments. However, for the used market, if you get it at a reasonable price you can almost always recoup your purchase price if you don't like it. With the vintage stuff, it can get scary what sellers describe as "mint" or great condition. With that stuff, I want an absolute steal or a return period (thought short will work - I only need 24 hours to know if what I got matches with what was represented).

I think 30 days is a bit much. There's no way the smaller retailers can do this, especially if they have unique inventory. While your trying it out for 30 days, how many other potential buyers have they lost? GC can do this, but in general they sell mass merchandise product.

Bottom line: I think 7 days is enough. Fair the buyer, fair to the retailer. Buyer pays shipping both ways, but retailer eats the credit card fees for the purchase and the refund. People shouldn't buy stuff just to try it out.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Denial

Bottom line: I think 7 days is enough. Fair the buyer, fair to the retailer. Buyer pays shipping both ways, but retailer eats the credit card fees for the purchase and the refund. People shouldn't buy stuff just to try it out.

The credit card fees don't change after seven days those are the same if they're 30 seconds or 30 days. The extra 23 days do nothing to benefit the selling company except keep its stock slightly more centrally located.

[Denial]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

The credit card fees don't change after seven days those are the same if they're 30 seconds or 30 days. The extra 23 days do nothing to benefit the selling company except keep its stock slightly more centrally located.

But the item is off the market for 30 days.

[darkstorm]

Minimum of 1 week from date of ups/fedexe delivery or walk in store carry out purchase date of purchase. And in like new condition. A small restocking fee of no more then 10% of bought for price. Restocking fee waived for defective merchandise or one time exchange for same price or higher priced other instrument from them you decide you want more.

Though I prefer the 30 day no hassle policy of places like musiciansfriend. Lol.

[GladToBeBack]

To keep abuse of the return policy low retailer often charge a restocking fee. Usually 15-20% of the price of the item.

[fenderhutz]

I don't think you should return a bass to retailer just because you don't like the way it sounds.

I only use the return policy at places like GC for defects or they didn't describe a used piece of gear correctly when I bought it.

"Borrowing" gear for 30 days to see if you like it isn't what the return policy is for IMHO. Don't drive up prices for other people because you have buyers remorse.

[KsPiNeSh]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Minimum lowest advertized prices will keep the major retailers (the ones offering 30 day exchange policies) from being able to drop prices any lower than they already are, meaning that a decrease in that abuse probably won't lower prices for those of us who play fair. Their economy of scale will allow for profits to continue until abuse hits critical mass (which I don't expect to happen so long as kids dream of rockstardom).

MAP has nothing to do with how low prices can actually go - it sets the limits on advertised pricing and that's it. Unless there is some kind of pricing policy (Bergantino, Mesa, Roscoe, etc.) a retailer is generally free to sell however cheaply they want, and that number indicates how confortable they are with their margins given frequency of returns and capital involved.

I personally think that 7 days after receipt is long enough. I lean towards "If you think you might not like it, you shouldn't buy it", but I also understand that instruments are a very subjective thing. Wouldn't fault a retailer for having one policy for instruments (7 days post receipt, 30 days post receipt... whatever they're cool with) and another for everything else like amps and cabs.

[GladToBeBack]

Maybe the restocking fee should be whatever profit the retailer made on the item. Then whatever they refund on the item would be the warehouse cost, it'd be the same as if they were buying it from the warehouse. Potentail abusers knowing that returning it would result in only a partial refund could minimize attempts at renting non-rentable items. Even if it didn't lower returns, the amount of returns wouldn't hurt the business at all. I would have no problem if someone told me that was their policy.

[VincentSalizeri]

30 days sounds good, at least for online sales. Shipping takes a bit sometimes. I fully support a restocking fee, barring returns for damaged items or other things that could be dealer error (e.g. sent the wrong item).

[sqadan]

I'm sorry - but 30 days is a bit absurd in my view - and it's only the big retailers that have set that precedent and can afford to honor it. After 30 days - an instrument is used and IMO it's dishonest for the retailer to take it back and sell it again as if new. Most small shops that i have dealt with offer a 48 hour approval period unless there is a defect or other issue. I can understand 7 days with a restocking fee... but 30 days?

Maybe GC can do it because they can afford to take the hit - or they just turn around and sell it to some other poor schmuck without the case candy and all scratched to hell (since that's how they sell new stuff anyway) But I think most small retailers would be destroyed by this kind of policy.

Be an adult - you bought it... if you can't figure out if you like it after a week... sell it. You should not expect your money back on what is now used merchandise.

[Denial]

Interesting comments so far.

I'm glad to see that many so far are thinking don't buy it if you aren't sure you want it. Returns should be reserved for defective/damaged merchandise and stuff that is not accurately described. It drives me nuts to see some of the comments on the MF website where people just buy stuff to try it out knowing they can return it. That's why I'd never buy open box stuff from them - it is most likely used.

I'm still thinking 7 days is good. Sometimes 3 is too short if you're busy or out of town. But 7 certainly gives you time to find any issues or flaws.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

MAP has nothing to do with how low prices can actually go - it sets the limits on advertised pricing and that's it. Unless there is some kind of pricing policy (Bergantino, Mesa, Roscoe, etc.) a retailer is generally free to sell however cheaply they want, and that number indicates how confortable they are with their margins given frequency of returns and capital involved.

MAP decreases the ability of the retailers to lower the price without sales or haggling. MAP keeps the average consumer paying closer to MAP.

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

I personally think that 7 days after receipt is long enough. I lean towards "If you think you might not like it, you shouldn't buy it", but I also understand that instruments are a very subjective thing. Wouldn't fault a retailer for having one policy for instruments (7 days post receipt, 30 days post receipt... whatever they're cool with) and another for everything else like amps and cabs.

If you'd like to return all of your items within 7 days, you're absolutely allowed to, that's well within the 30 day period.

Internet retailers absolutely need to do something to get people to feel comfortable with their purchases. You can't try before buying with an internet purchase. They have the lack of overhead that a brick and mortar does, and by eliminating that expense, they should have more room to be flexible about us thoroughly testing a product. Seven days is probably realistic for most people, but 30 days is a good selling point for them to offer, and it might work in their favor too.

For every person that may "game" the 30 day system on a product, there's probably a good number who may have otherwise returned an item promptly after a first exposure if a short return policy was included, but had enough time to give it a second chance, let it grow on them, and ultimately ended up keeping the item after they'd explored it a bit more.