Change of Mind Returns. What to do?

Lodb on 03/04/2019 - 09:10
Last edited 03/04/2019 - 18:38 by 1 other user

Not sure where to post this question as there seems to be no general forum for the actual act of shopping online and issues related to it. But the product is part electronic/part household.

The story is, my girlfriend purchased me a gift. She is certainly not an online shopping expert.

Her avenue to search for the gift was on facebook. Which led her to a seller in oz that retailed a bunch of general categories of products you see on ebay (imported from china and then resold).

So i am annoyed she bought an electrical good from this small seller who has a small website and the only shopping feedback is on facebook and the comments suggest the "reviews" are made by relatives or friends, not true shoppers.

I am annoyed that the sellers website does not detail a returns policy and you need to ask them.

I am annoyed the the seller sells this particular item at 30 to 40 percent higher than other more established shops do. Eg 140, sellers price 240.

I am annoyed that after she asked to return the item the seller is saying they can refund but will charge the initial shipping as 20, restocking fee as 40, and reurn shipping as 20. So the refund is 240 - 80= 160 refund.

Currently the item is at our post office and we have not picked it up.

I was thinking along the lines of not picking it up and having it returned to the seller by aus post automatically? Is this viable?

The only potential hood thing about this story is my girlfriend paid via PayPal so i think that entitles us to a few benefits?

Is it possible we can open a dispute or claim?

Anyway i have not dealt with this sort of thing as i buy from the right sellers, so your help is appreciated in this uncharted territory.

Does hearing this story annoy the thrift conscious people on here as much as it annoys me? :)

Thanks for your help

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Tech5 on 04/04/2019 - 15:58
    +1

    I find you annoying. Ever read that saying about "If you run into an (profanity) in the morning, you ran into an (profanity). If you run into assholes all day, you're the (profanity)"

  • cyrax83 on 04/04/2019 - 16:12
    +4

    Man what a clown

  • Marrk on 04/04/2019 - 17:21

    1. Just be thankful that your partner purchased you a gift, tell her nicely that you appreciate it though don't want her paying more than she has to / she should join OzBargain!

    2. The seller can sell items for a million bajillion dollars if they like, they haven't done anything wrong, your partner made the purchase with no research.

    3. A refund for the shipping fee is out of the question, a $40 restocking fee beats no refund at all (could be worse) and you could always look at posting the item back yourself if it would work out to be less than $20.

    4. Deliberately not picking up the item is not cool

    5. Trying to do a PayPal reversal is not cool - they are a small business, overpriced doesn't make them scammers etc.

    6. Your post has way too much "I am annoyed" - some of the comments on here are a bit harsh, though seriously, just keep the gift and enjoy it. Give your partner some tips on researching prices in the future - for her own benefit.

  • iTaco on 04/04/2019 - 17:31

    Shop around for a new GF?

    • Stphen on 04/04/2019 - 19:25
      +4

      Next thread:

      Change of Mind Return. What to do?

      I recently bought meals, movie tickets, drinks for a girlfriend, but after shopping around I found some cheaper ones and realised she is too expensive.

      She is waiting for me to pick her up for a date, I was thinking along the lines of not picking her up and having her realise she has been returned automatically? Is this viable?

      I am annoyed that there is no detailed returns policy on her Facebook page.

      I am annoyed that after I asked for my money back for the meals etc., that she only gave me the finger :)

  • dbun1 on 04/04/2019 - 19:25

    OP is one annoying whinging numb nut.

  • Zachary on 04/04/2019 - 19:36
    +1

    What was the item? Would you kindly tell, please?

    • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 18:57

      My money is that is some toaster oven or mixer. These are often sold by unscrupulous sellers and do not meet safety standards of Australia. It is especially important that the OP mentions that the website sells stuff imported from China and then resold. There is no mention that any of these products are available locally. (Reasoning for this statement is that you wouldn't write that if it was like a Delonghi Kettle, even though it is made in China, you don't write it is imported from China and resold… Read what the OP is writing, make a decision on it)

      For all we know the store could be gshopper because they are selling electrical products without proper insulated plugs. (See xiaomi kettle deal in deal posted recently)

      So you're all wondering why are some sellers cheaper than others. Well, because there is a margin and these products are sourced dirt cheap and don't have to pass any electrical safety standards. It might not even have China's CCC stamp (For example those power adapters which state for export only - These are not certified for use in China). These other sellers may also be doing the wrong thing, albeit selling at a lower price. We don't know without the name of the store and the product listing.

      Who really knows. It is pretty reasonable, to assume an 80% probability that the electrical item the OP has purchased is not compliant with Australian Standards. Especially since it's an electrical household product, probably some white-label unbranded junk.

      It's especially more important that if the GF thought it was a deal because it was $240 but in fact the item is valued somewhere around $140, and even sub $100 when purchased directly. This swings it in the favour that the product is too cheap for its price. Meaning it has likely cut corners somewhere, probably safety wise.

      You can buy $100 toaster oven on Taobao shipped, but believe me they are prone to exploding.

      The other question is why does the OP's GF buy an appliance that costs $240 and not get a local branded product from Harvey Norman or somewhere? That suggests the cost of the item is probably way above this price. Estimating that suppose it costs around $300 locally for a good brand (Could even be higher), and the actual item is sold at $140 online at some unknown probably cheapo sellers. That swings it in the favour that it is a really dodgy item.

      Either way my opinion on this is even if the OP decides not to get a refund. Make bloody sure you are watching the appliance when it's in use. My Chinese neighbour's house caught on fire just recently because they were using a steamer they bought off taobao.

      The OP should try get the SAA certificate from the seller where possible. As I mentioned below, maybe your product has been modified for use in Australia. That would explain the price differential. Not sure why it was downvoted, but I think you'll see the full reasoning behind why I wrote what I did below.

  • No ONE on 04/04/2019 - 19:59
    +1

    Just list the product link then we will talk. Otherwise don't even bother discussing about it.

  • brokenglish on 04/04/2019 - 22:01

    I just hope the GF sees this…

    • luffyex2010 on 05/04/2019 - 12:08
      +3

      lol he showed it to his GF based on his confidence level. Arrogant to the bone.

      I bet he probably brags about it that he is always right and that he posted on ozbargain.

  • kazozza on 05/04/2019 - 07:54

    Sounds like it's time for the girlfriend to return the overpriced boyfriend. Did she keep the receipt?

    • Cletus vandamme on 05/04/2019 - 18:35

      She should just leave him at the post office.

  • whorishmouth on 05/04/2019 - 10:33

    Time to put Prodigy on and smack my bitch up.

  • FloatingPoint on 05/04/2019 - 12:02

    You should consider gf sentimental value as well. She would not buy it if she thinks it's not worth it (or you're not worth it).
    In other words: If I'm your gf and seeing this thread, I'd dump you instantly.
    Just accept the gift thankfully and tell your GF nicely to check OzB before making purchases next time. Move on and learn.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 15:48
    -3

    Can we find out more about what type of item this is?

    There are a lot of people reselling electrically non-compliant products in Australia. You may have other avenues of return.

    e.g. NSW Fair Trading can help. I recently helped someone get a refund for non-SAA approved appliance; I should also have reported the store selling it, but they seemed nice enough and didn't try to weasel out of the refund.

    Do note, your product may be more expensive because it has been modified to meet the appropriate electrical standards. Getting that certification for the product + modifications can be an expensive part of making a product suitable for sale in Australia. That might go some way to explaining the price differential.

    Without knowing the actual product and the competitors, we aren't able to make a determination about why a certain store costs more than another.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 19:11

      See reply to Zachary above for more information and further reasoning.

  • Xiaomi on 06/04/2019 - 00:06

    Entitlement seems to be born in people these days like a child with an iPad

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