Returning after opening a gift?

[beavereater]

I'm still trying to figure out the law here in Japan, but I'm wondering, where everyone else is, is there a law that says a shop must take back and refund ANY product (That would not be a health code violation) within 30 days of purchase?

I heard about this law here in Japan, but can't find anything on it. The reason I ask is because I want to buy a printer...uh...for my girlfriend BUT if it doesn't work on the English O/S then I want to be able to return it. The shop says they wouldn't take it back although they said it would work. AND the maker Canon said they wouldn't do anything about it even though they said it would definitely work.


EDIT: The reason for the law is because of impulse buys, and for people who buy stuff while under the influence. From what I understand so far!!

[jimmalenko]

Without knowing for sure, I would think that the Trade Practices Act would have to provide people with a reasonable "cooling off" period, although individual manufacturers/retailers probably have licence to impose their own conditions under which this Act is satisfied.

Adam's the man for this one IMO ....

[mrtristan]

I've heard about that before. Some stores say that they don't accept any returns, so I wonder about what the real deal is. I bought a rapid charger for my cell phone around Christmas time, last year. It was broken out of the box, so I decided to return it. I took it back within 30 days, but the store told me they don't accept any returns. I told them it was broken out of the box, so they offered to replace it. I was cool with that, but I would have rather had my money back. I'm way to shy to make an issue out of it, but I'd like to know if you can force a store to take back a return within 30 days.

[rhegedus]

Just take it back and say there's a driver conflict or something. They won't take the time to check it themselves and you then have the get out option from being given a replacement.

[Capmaster]

I believe most states here have a 5-business-day return period. They have to accept it in that time, If I remember correctly. I returned a new car we purchased by quoting that law several years ago, and the dealership had no choice but to take it back ...not as "used" but as "new" for the full sale price.

Some stores can have longer times, like Circuit City and their 30-day no questions asked policy. But I believe 5 days is common.

[pacmania_2001]

The return policy will differ depending on the country and in some cases the state which you purchased the item in. Like jimmalenko said, it'll fall under a piece of legislation commonly called the Sales of Goods act or the Trade Practices act so it's best to look that up to see your exact rights.

If the situation you described happened in Australia you'd be able to return the item or if they didn't accept the return, sue them, under the Trade Practices act because it is unfit for purpose. I'm guessing that Japan probably has similar legislation so you should be right.

[shoozleboy]

interesting.... I don't know about the specifics of any law concerning it, but I did see that something like 90% of shoppers in the US will shop at stores that have liberal return policies, where as something like 85% avoid shopping again at stores that hassled with returns.... That could kill business real fast so most chain stores will take just about anything back.

Was at Costco last night exchanging a coat for my mother in law for a larger size of the same. This coat had all the tags still on it and looked just as good as the day we bought it - an easy return for any store.. they gave us the cash back to go and get another one from their sales floor.

The guy in front of me had a 17inch LCD that was obviously used for some time, it had dust all over it and he had no box for it, he brought it in with just the cable that was attached to it, no manuals - nothing. They took it back anyway without a hassle.... but they would only give him a store credit. I saw him over playing with the laptops when we came back through with another coat....

[beavereater]

Just take it back and say there's a driver conflict or something. They won't take the time to check it themselves and you then have the get out option from being given a replacement.

That's the thing...they do have PC's setup for such cases...and if it works, on their PC's then I have to keep it (Or so the sales people say). The reason, because the fault lies with my machine or my O/S...therefore my responsibility.

Just to add to this story...about 2 years ago I was contemplating buying some speakers (I wanted new ones bad) BUT...I didn't buy them (And it was torture) BUT...afterwards my girl and I went and had some beer with dinner...I had a few too many. THEN I was set to buy the speakers. I was happy, but a few days later I found better ones. DAMN

[pacmania_2001]

In Australia being drunk would warrant a contract void due to the person entering the contract not having the capacity to understand what they were signing.

[beavereater]

In Australia being drunk would warrant a contract void due to the person entering the contract not having the capacity to understand what they were signing.

Could you prove that you were drunk!?

[pacmania_2001]

If you had witnesses or other evidence such as security camera footage.

[vitualis]

In Australia, a shop only has an obligation to accept a return (i.e., refund) if the item was not of merchantable quality (i.e., broken/faulty) or not suitable for the purpose of the purchase (e.g., I tell the sales clerk that I want to edit digital video and he sells me a laptop without in-built firewire --> by law he is obligated to offer and accept a refund if I ask).

Regards.