Thank You Best Buy...Extended Return Policy!

[MixPlus]

Not for nothing but my receipt from Best Buy allows me to return the entire RockBand kit up until January 31st 2008. :D Based on what I've been told and read on this forum the entire "warranty replacement" scenario is an exercise in futility as the hardware we are getting is likely "old" gear with the alleged magnetic "fix" installed, takes days if not weeks to get and at the end of the aggravating process we end up with the same issues we started with, $250 poorer...temporarily of course...but during Christmas nonetheless.

Therefore...on January 30th I expect I will be at Best Buy returning the entire set in exchange for a new one along with buying an extended warranty for $29.99 because I have zero confidence that EA/Harmonix are going to stand behind this product, while I KNOW Best Buy will. My guitar is broken and my drums are faulty at best and I don't expect the currently shipping "replacements" are going to cut it.

Just for fun I went to BestBuy.Com to see if they had any in stock for Xbox. Interesting...They are completely out of stock in stores and the web site says it ships from their warehouse in one day. I called and asked the rep and was told they are actually back-ordered but the "new" ones will be in stock for Christmas. New Ones?? Interesting...

I would be willing to bet that the time to get "replacements" is going to be in late January since likely by then they'll have the 5th generation hardware in the channel, after of course, loyal early-adopters (like us) have all "unit tested" their equipment for them at our expense and heartache, reported back for free on all the flaws in exchange for a $250 hold on your credit card during the holiday season. Pretty RAW deal if you ask me. I guess if they can weather the PR storm it's a pretty good investment actually - free unit testing? Goes right to the bottom line...

Imagine if this was a start-up company. They'd be out of business already with a stunt like this. Fact is, I would have expected MUCH MORE from the companies involved here - I mean MTV even put their name on this game - EA certainly didn't get into the game business last week and Harmonix - well they thought this thing up in the first place.

You'd think with all the "smart" people they have working on this they'd be able to get it together. Maybe if I am lucky they'll send me 2 or 3 USED guitars by mistake and I'll be able to kluge one together that works from all the parts I'll have laying around... :eek:

It'll be like a real "rockband" using duct tape and bailing wire to hold your instruments together - like my first stratocaster - a pre CBS wreck of a guitar that sounded amazing - but that's another story altogether. :D

[Odwill]

FYI the 2 year replacement warranty at Wal-Mart is only 18.00 bucks instead of 30.00 at BB.

[560sdl]

I would be willing to bet that the time to get "replacements" is going to be in late January since likely by then they'll have the 5th generation hardware in the channel, after of course, loyal early-adopters (like us) have all "unit tested" their equipment for them at our expense and heartache, reported back for free on all the flaws in exchange for a $250 hold on your credit card during the holiday season. Pretty RAW deal if you ask me. I guess if they can weather the PR storm it's a pretty good investment actually - free unit testing? Goes right to the bottom line...:D

Sure, it is totally free. It does not cost a thing to purchase and have thousands and thousands of replacement controllers laying around not to mention the $10-25 shipping charges for each replacement while some people are on their 2nd or 3rd guitar or drum.

How much profit do you think is in a $170 game that numerous large companies are getting a piece of?

[MixPlus]

Sure, it is totally free. It does not cost a thing to purchase and have thousands and thousands of replacement controllers laying around not to mention the $10-25 shipping charges for each replacement while some people are on their 2nd or 3rd guitar or drum.

How much profit do you think is in a $170 game that numerous large companies are getting a piece of?

Thank you for making my point and with such emotion and enthusiasm. Penny smart and Pound foolish... Had the proper testing been done in the first place we'd all be happy now wouldn't we? And there wouldn't be thousands of replacement controllers laying around would there??? And we'd all be singing the praises of Harmonix, et al with "job well done!"

The fact is we're not...

I was being fictitious in my orignal statement. It does go directly to the bottom line - NEGATIVELY - in this case.

[sambao21]

my receipt says that i have till january to return the product, but i have a feeling best buy may not accept returns because:

1. they never accept returns on opened video games, so i dont see why this would be any different. since it came with a fully shrink wrapped game inside the box then they could argue that since the shrink wrap is off they won't accept the entire box.

2. the are stickers on all these rock band boxes now that say to not return to the store, not to mention the pink slip inside the box. the kids that work at my best buy are pretty knowledgeable about this type of stuff, and probably know not to accept returns and instead point us to the written warning, and advise us to follow the directions and go through the warranty process.

i hope that i'm wrong, and that i too can return this box around january, get a new replacement, and also purchase the 2 year extended warranty.

[davidshek]

my receipt says that i have till january to return the product, but i have a feeling best buy may not accept returns because:

1. they never accept returns on opened video games, so i dont see why this would be any different. since it came with a fully shrink wrapped game inside the box then they could argue that since the shrink wrap is off they won't accept the entire box.

Not always true. I was able to return my Wii version of GH3 to Best Buy after owning and playing it for almost 3 weeks. In short, "the audio sucked ass" was my major complaint. They let me return it for a full refund, not an exchange, which is their normal policy on opened video games.

In fact, when I walked up to the return counter with the GH3 box, the guy saw the Wii logo and said "Uh oh, another one of THESE huh? So what was it for you? The audio or the whammy bar?" :)

They understand defective games/hardware. They'll accept returns for things as blatant as that. My suggestion would be, if you're really serious about wanting a refund...try it. If they don't let you, all you've lost is the cost in gas to get to the store.

[MixPlus]

my receipt says that i have till january to return the product, but i have a feeling best buy may not accept returns because:

1. they never accept returns on opened video games, so i dont see why this would be any different. since it came with a fully shrink wrapped game inside the box then they could argue that since the shrink wrap is off they won't accept the entire box.

2. the are stickers on all these rock band boxes now that say to not return to the store, not to mention the pink slip inside the box. the kids that work at my best buy are pretty knowledgeable about this type of stuff, and probably know not to accept returns and instead point us to the written warning, and advise us to follow the directions and go through the warranty process.

i hope that i'm wrong, and that i too can return this box around january, get a new replacement, and also purchase the 2 year extended warranty.

You'll be fine...Best Buy stands behind their return policy and extended warranty - also the return policy on a game is REPLACEMENT for defect - which is what we have here - so unless you flat out just want your money back (which is only going to work until end of January) the warranty will cover you when Harmonix won't long term.

[sambao21]

You'll be fine...Best Buy stands behind their return policy and extended warranty - also the return policy on a game is REPLACEMENT for defect - which is what we have here - so unless you flat out just want your money back (which is only going to work until end of January) the warranty will cover you when Harmonix won't long term.

i guess the main concern of mine is if they would be willing to take the item back when it blatantly is displayed to not be returned to the stores. the product has a clear label from the manufacturer that alerts the buyer and the retailer of what to do when the product is defective. but i guess it doesn't hurt to try. i just haven't had as good of experience with my best buy as you have.

[FultonPub]

The January 30th date is not a RB specific date. It is a date that anything bought at the store can be returned for a full refund with receipt. This is done for the christmas shopping season for people who buy a gift for someone in november but don't find out its a dupe, broken, or just not liked until after a normal 30 or 60 day time period...... Most stores do this nowadays.

[Jaacar]

I said it before and I'll say it again. I'm going to purchase a bundle at Future Shop (Best Buy for Canada basically, expect we now have those too...weird) and buy the extended warranty as well. EA's hardware replacement is a joke (at least from reading these forums) and I'd rather take my chances returning a broken guitar to a local store for the next two years than having to wait for the 'fee-ass-ko' (Thanks maggotbrain!) that is happening here with EA.

[darien87]

Best Buy DOES let you return opened games. I returned GH3 because the PS 3 guitar isn't backwards compatible.

I DARE someone at Best Buy to tell me that I can't return RB. But I'm returning mine because of false advertising, not faulty hardware. I'm returning mine because we can't play with 2 guitars on the PS 3 version.

[Milambus]

Has anyone actually returned their unit to Best Buy?

After reading through the tech support forum before I bought mine, when they guy at Best Buy offered me their extended warranty I couldn't say yes quick enough.

With the extended warranty you are supposed to call up some 800 number have have to ship it to them in return for a gift card. I'm just wondering if I can simply take it back to the store instead since it seems like my guitar is going bad now.

[Jaacar]

Has anyone actually returned their unit to Best Buy?

After reading through the tech support forum before I bought mine, when they guy at Best Buy offered me their extended warranty I couldn't say yes quick enough.

With the extended warranty you are supposed to call up some 800 number have have to ship it to them in return for a gift card. I'm just wondering if I can simply take it back to the store instead since it seems like my guitar is going bad now.

Yeah, you can take it back (at least I've taken extended warranty stuff back to Future Shop (which is the same parent company as Best Buy)) and get it replaced. I believe the gift card option is if you want a 'refund'.

[Milambus]

Yeah, you can take it back (at least I've taken extended warranty stuff back to Future Shop (which is the same parent company as Best Buy)) and get it replaced. I believe the gift card option is if you want a 'refund'.

Excellent. Looks like I may be doing that this weekend.

[keasterly]

Most stores will let you bring items in to customer service to exchange under the PRP - by the book, you're supposed to go to BestBuy.com or call 1-888-BESTBUY to get a replacement, but most stores will let you walk in.

On opened games, the usual policy is that you can exchange it for the same title, even if opened.

FOR UK/AU/NON-US EXPORTERS:
The Service Plan works internationally, you call a number in Minnesota collect, and they setup shipping for you. The PRP might also work internationally the same way - I will double-check on this at work today. This might be a good option for those of you getting bundles sent to you, since EA isn't providing warranty service outside of the US. I'll edit this post and/or make a new thread once I find out for sure.

[AVC808]

Has anyone actually returned their unit to Best Buy?

After reading through the tech support forum before I bought mine, when they guy at Best Buy offered me their extended warranty I couldn't say yes quick enough.

With the extended warranty you are supposed to call up some 800 number have have to ship it to them in return for a gift card. I'm just wondering if I can simply take it back to the store instead since it seems like my guitar is going bad now.

bestbuy allows you to go back to the store after so many days after purchasing a product and still buy into their extended replacement plan. i usually think these "plans" are a scam, but after reading all the horror stories, and no sign that EA would extend their 60-day warranty, i figured $30 was a worthy investment (since most of us were fine with paying $199 for this anyway before the price change). It's great that walmart has a cheaper plan, but I guess it depends where you are able to track down a bundle as some areas still have a hard time stocking these...

anyways, the best buy plan as explained to me is for the first year, you can exchange the product as many times as you need if anything breaks. they'll exchange it for you on the spot, but of course they need to have a new bundle in stock. i never thought about asking if they would replace just the drums, or strat once instruments were sold separately.
in the 2nd year of the plan, once you return something, that officially marks the end of your plan. you will be given the option of buying into another replacement plan (but at that point we'll probably be looking at 3rd party stuff, and possibly rock band2?).
if you dont want a replacement, or it is not available, they will refund you the cost of the product, but i never asked if it was cash or store credit. i bet it's store credit though.

[Milambus]

if you dont want a replacement, or it is not available, they will refund you the cost of the product, but i never asked if it was cash or store credit. i bet it's store credit though.

When I returned my MP3 Player 1 year and 11 months into its extended warranty, they sent me a Best Buy gift card for the purchase price (Including tax if I remember correctly). Which was nice since I was able to pick up a much newer model.

[sambao21]

i think that i'll probably go and get the best buy extended warranty in january to buy myself a years worth of no worries. and then hopefully after a year they make a durable version of all the instruments.

[Jaacar]

i think that i'll probably go and get the best buy extended warranty in january to buy myself a years worth of no worries. and then hopefully after a year they make a durable version of all the instruments.

I hope many others do the same and I'm sure EA is extatic about everyone doing it to (then they don't have to deal with it via customers, only through businesses).

[CENACHAINGANG54]

i guess the main concern of mine is if they would be willing to take the item back when it blatantly is displayed to not be returned to the stores. the product has a clear label from the manufacturer that alerts the buyer and the retailer of what to do when the product is defective. but i guess it doesn't hurt to try. i just haven't had as good of experience with my best buy as you have.

I bought one and returned it to Circuit City. The sticker is EA's way of trying to get you not to return it to the store as they lose money as you got a refund. The EA manager I talked to confirmed this. Plus Circuit City told me that they still have to go by thier return policy if you return it during that time. When I returned mine there was another none working RB behind the counter. I use to work at Best Buy and the receipt they gave you with a January return date is the Christmas return time. They will honor it with that receipt because it could have been a Christmas gift. Trust me you will have no problems returning it. They even take back opened video games during this time of year. Plus if they sell you a warranty they have to honor it for that time frame.