When is a re-stocking charge a good idea?
 

I've been a customer of AES for years. Spent THOUSANDS with them,
usually buying at least a couple of different rigs a year.

Just got a call from one of the fellas there. I just returned a little
2/6/70cm HT in which I couldn't see the little keypad very
well....among other technical problems with the HT. Only had it a
couple of days. I requested the substitution of another HT and a 2
meter beam...resulting in them receiving $100 additional.

The gentleman was very polite, but said because there was some type of
wear on the beltclip (and I certainly didn't see any. But there could
have been since I did use the clip.), they couldn't resell the device
as new...so they would have to charge me a 15% re-stocking fee. ($39)

As a ham businessman myself, I KNOW the cost of doing business. But I
know I wouldn't go as far as to possibly alienate a customer in long
standing. In fact, I have several customers in long standing and have
had to "bite the bullet" on a couple of returns from them....just
because I DID NOT want to alienate them from doing further business
with me. I felt the greater need to keep these people as customers.

I'm not really mad. I understand both points. There probably isn't a
big profit margin in this gear. But would you risk loosing further
business from a long time customer? Or would you write it off??? (And
we all know, that's exactly what you can do with damaged
merchandise...write it off.)

What's your opinion???

73, Bill - WA8MEA
NEAT STUFF! DWM Communications - http://qth.com/dwm

In article ,
says...
I've been a customer of AES for years. Spent THOUSANDS with them,
usually buying at least a couple of different rigs a year.

Just got a call from one of the fellas there. I just returned a little
2/6/70cm HT in which I couldn't see the little keypad very
well....among other technical problems with the HT. Only had it a
couple of days. I requested the substitution of another HT and a 2
meter beam...resulting in them receiving $100 additional.

The gentleman was very polite, but said because there was some type of
wear on the beltclip (and I certainly didn't see any. But there could
have been since I did use the clip.), they couldn't resell the device
as new...so they would have to charge me a 15% re-stocking fee. ($39)

As a ham businessman myself, I KNOW the cost of doing business. But I
know I wouldn't go as far as to possibly alienate a customer in long
standing. In fact, I have several customers in long standing and have
had to "bite the bullet" on a couple of returns from them....just
because I DID NOT want to alienate them from doing further business
with me. I felt the greater need to keep these people as customers.

Even without the large profit margins, the store can and does send the
unit back to the manufacturer in many cases. Plus, if they take a loss
on an item it gets recorded as an expense on their part. Lowers their
overall tax liability.

Even without the large profit margins, the store can and does send the
unit back to the manufacturer in many cases. Plus, if they take a loss
on an item it gets recorded as an expense on their part. Lowers their
overall tax liability.

I can vouch for that from personal experience. But perhaps AES doesn't
want to take the time to send it back to Icom for a re-pack. Probably
easier for them to sell as a demo.

Another scenario I almost brought to AES's attention was calling Icom
and requesting a new belt clip. I doubt this piece of plastic was
worth $39. But then again, parts have been known to cost 20 times more
than they are worth.

I think they saw an opportunity to make a little extra cash on the
transaction since I didn't use my charge card this time around. When
you use a charge card, you protect yourself against re-stocking
charges.

I think buying/selling is a give and take proposition. I purposely
didn't return the $13 coax adapter I bought with the rig, figuring I
could use it at some later point. I am aware of the cost of doing
business, and didn't want to "pile on" when returning the items. But
after their re-stocking fee, I figured I'll return it and get my $13
back. I will also use their toll free number from now on. I use to
foot the bill for phone ordering, using the toll number. Don't think I
will from now on.

73, Bill - WA8MEA

Neat Stuff! DWM Communications - http://qth.com/dwm

"Bill" wrote in message
m...
I've been a customer of AES for years. Spent THOUSANDS with them,
usually buying at least a couple of different rigs a year.

The gentleman was very polite, but said because there was some type of
wear on the beltclip (and I certainly didn't see any. But there could
have been since I did use the clip.), they couldn't resell the device
as new...so they would have to charge me a 15% re-stocking fee. ($39)

So....AES is now doing the old "restocking fee" scam eh?
What a load of BULL SHI+. They really *love* their customers. : (

Re-stocking involves nothing more than inspecting the
item, issuing a diffrential credit if applicable and punching
a few keys on the computer inventory database and
putting it back on the shelf for sale - albeit "slightly used".

But 15%? I could understand a 5% fee!
Guess I'll make that next purchase at HRO instead.

I also seem to recall, during a visit to AES 15 years ago,
them pulling another clever 'scam' during Icom or Yaesu day.
Midway thru the day they got on the PA and announced
that the "..prices were going up tomorrow" because of
the **currency exchange differential** between the Dollar
and the Yen (!!!)

Needless to say I ain't been back to any AES since
and wouldn't give them 1 red cent of my business after that
crass display of high-pressure marketing BS, that even the
used car dealers (the skunks that car dealers are) even wouldn't
have the balls to try and pull off....











As a ham businessman myself, I KNOW the cost of doing business. But I
know I wouldn't go as far as to possibly alienate a customer in long
standing. In fact, I have several customers in long standing and have
had to "bite the bullet" on a couple of returns from them....just
because I DID NOT want to alienate them from doing further business
with me. I felt the greater need to keep these people as customers.

I'm not really mad. I understand both points. There probably isn't a
big profit margin in this gear. But would you risk loosing further
business from a long time customer? Or would you write it off??? (And
we all know, that's exactly what you can do with damaged
merchandise...write it off.)

What's your opinion???

73, Bill - WA8MEA
NEAT STUFF! DWM Communications - http://qth.com/dwm