If something you bought broke because of shitty design (like stick drift), buy a new one and return the broken one as defective for a refund with the box and receipt from the new one
In Australia, warranty periods defined by the manufacturer are taken into account. However, our consumer law states that the warranty should match an expectation, based on factors such as price and expected product life.
For example, my Lenovo Carbon X1 had an issue. It had a 1 year warranty.
I was just over 2 years with the machine. I contacted them for repairs. Lenovo said no, it’s out of warranty. I simply sent them the link to Australian consumer laws, and the relevant section. Explained that their crazy expensive flagship laptop has an expected life of longer than a year, and definitely longer than 2, and they simply agreed and sent out a courier to pick up the laptop. They fixed it free, as they should have. Their warranty is artificially low.
People just need to flex on these corporations. We have the law in our favour.
I recently tried to return something, within warranty it’s a fix/replacement. Within 6 months it’s a full refund, but I’ve got no idea how much of that is law and how much was store policy
Nonsense. It’s accurately returned as defective. If it’s placed back into inventory that’s a mistake. No different than the retailer placing a “legal” return due to defect back on the shelf for sale, and that would be obviously fraudulent behavior by the retailer.
They don’t just put the product back out on the shelf. Often its sold to a liquidator. They would have to label it as open box and most brick and mortar retailers don’t sell open box items.
Unless there’s a serial number on the box that matches one printed on the product.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing this to Amazon or Walmart, especially when something breaks just outside of the return period and the warranty would be a pain to deal with.
Yah I wouldn’t be as quick to try this return method if they could see a mismatch between box and controller serial numbers.
And yep, Walmart. I don’t shoplift and I don’t consider return fraud to be theft, but I do genuinely believe it is morally just to shoplift from Walmart. Probably not wise with how loaded up they certainly are with surveillance, but I am all in favor of anyone stealing from that fucking company.
If something you bought broke because of shitty design (like stick drift), buy a new one and return the broken one as defective for a refund with the box and receipt from the new one
Edit: added as defective
In Australia you don’t need the box.
You don’t even need a receipt.
Simply a bank transaction on your phone to show them. They have to match that to their records.
You can choose to go to the manufacturer, or the retailer. They can’t palm you off to each other. You call it. They must act.
Australian people have some of the strongest consumer rights in the world. They just need to use them.
Even if it’s just barely out of 1 year warranty?
In Australia, warranty periods defined by the manufacturer are taken into account. However, our consumer law states that the warranty should match an expectation, based on factors such as price and expected product life.
For example, my Lenovo Carbon X1 had an issue. It had a 1 year warranty.
I was just over 2 years with the machine. I contacted them for repairs. Lenovo said no, it’s out of warranty. I simply sent them the link to Australian consumer laws, and the relevant section. Explained that their crazy expensive flagship laptop has an expected life of longer than a year, and definitely longer than 2, and they simply agreed and sent out a courier to pick up the laptop. They fixed it free, as they should have. Their warranty is artificially low.
People just need to flex on these corporations. We have the law in our favour.
I recently tried to return something, within warranty it’s a fix/replacement. Within 6 months it’s a full refund, but I’ve got no idea how much of that is law and how much was store policy
God I love Australia.
This isn’t a loophole, it’s straight up illegal. And a dick move to the person who buys it next thinking they’re getting a new one.
Nonsense. It’s accurately returned as defective. If it’s placed back into inventory that’s a mistake. No different than the retailer placing a “legal” return due to defect back on the shelf for sale, and that would be obviously fraudulent behavior by the retailer.
They don’t just put the product back out on the shelf. Often its sold to a liquidator. They would have to label it as open box and most brick and mortar retailers don’t sell open box items.
It’s not a loophole if it’s illegal. My guess is this counts as fraud.
Impossible to prove. Functionally unenforceable. But, sure, perhaps not technically a loophole.
Unless there’s a serial number on the box that matches one printed on the product.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing this to Amazon or Walmart, especially when something breaks just outside of the return period and the warranty would be a pain to deal with.
Yah I wouldn’t be as quick to try this return method if they could see a mismatch between box and controller serial numbers.
And yep, Walmart. I don’t shoplift and I don’t consider return fraud to be theft, but I do genuinely believe it is morally just to shoplift from Walmart. Probably not wise with how loaded up they certainly are with surveillance, but I am all in favor of anyone stealing from that fucking company.
unethical life pro tip.
I dunno, it only hurts the corporation and it’s on them for making a crappy product.
Some retailers (Costco) have very relaxed return policies so you wouldn’t even have to do this.