Great experience w/Walmart return policy for PS3 bundle

[j0rd4n]

So, since the PS2 bundle date keeps jumping around, depending on the store, I went ahead and bought the PS3 bundle and PS2 game.

Well, we got it home, unpacked, set up, and played our first song. My buddy didn't do too well, but we thought it was just because we weren't used to the drums. We switched, and I tried drums, and I notice that the bass pedal doesn't work at all.

After taking it apart, we can't figure out if it's the pedal or the drum set which is broken (since we removed the magnet from the orange part and put it directly on the pad). Through encouragement from my buddy and his wife, they convince me to pack it up and try to exchange it (even though it says on the box not to take it there).

We took it back, and they had no problem exchanging it. Really, I don't even think they noticed there was a label on the box saying not to take it back.

So, if you want to buy it in store, I'd highly suggest getting it from Walmart because of my experience. I also got the 2yr warranty for $18 that I would've thrown in their face if they would've denied me the exchange, but it never came to that.

[RogerTarin]

you can return it anywhere, the sticker was put in there by EA because they don't one to lose the money that you paid for your copy, when a company defects an item off they always get the money back for it, that's why they ask you to have everything (including manuals and all paperwork) EA wants you to keep the bundle they can repair it, and the money that you paid for it won't cut their budget.....

[Bluvox]

you can return it anywhere, the sticker was put in there by EA because they don't one to lose the money that you paid for your copy...

Pretty much, although there are 2 other things to consider - first, if you take the product back to the store, you are more likely than not to just get a refund and not keep the product (this is what I'm assuming you meant by what you stated). Second, if a swap is done, then there is another consumer that is unable to purchase the product, thus reducing the revenue for both the retailer and the supplier.

At least EA is doing their best to be responsible with issues, and they are shipping equipment out as quickly as they can. And if you are unfortunate enough to have an extended issue, they are giving out free games to help make up for it.

Considering they could have said "it could take 4-6 weeks with the holiday season", they are really do a lot more than most companies I've seen to take care of the issues as the arise.

[monoxidehektik]

also that 2-year warranty you bought kicks in AFTER the manufacturers warranty, aka 60 days.

[makalaka]

I went to walmart today and all they had was the ps3 version but it was for 200 bucks....

[Bakkster]

Second, if a swap is done, then there is another consumer that is unable to purchase the product, thus reducing the revenue for both the retailer and the supplier.

More importantly, if you do a swap, you're more likely to get another 1st revision hardware set, which means your replacement will also be likely to fail. If you go to EA Support, they will give you better hardware, which WalMart might not have yet.

[j0rd4n]

They wanted $200 just for the bundle? Can an individual Walmart change the price of merchandise? I wonder if maybe that's the price after the 2yr warranty, because mine was like $199.40-something after tax.

In hindsight, I may have been over-paranoid, but I think I saw the sticker that says "don't take this back to the store" printed on the box and it made me think that the store wouldn't take it back. I was too much in the mood of "I bought it NOW, I want to play it NOW."

Thanks go out to EA as well as being so helpful with being able to cancel my RMA request for the drum kit (this was before I decided to return it to Walmart and exchange) and making sure that my card wouldn't still be charged accidentally since they would never receive hardware back (since it never went out).