Comment by swozey | Hacker News Reader

Comment by swozey | Hacker News Reader

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B&H absolutely has their own problems. About a decade+ ago I thought they were also my savior from newegg, whom I really dislike.

They are often pulling stuff like this, tax evasion, LOTS of discrimination complaints, etc https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-owned-bh-photo-accused-...

Their return policy isn't great by any means. I buy a $2000 49" Monitor that arrives not working and I can't return it because I opened and tried to turn it on? Yeah, ok.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/ReturnExchange....

> Nonreturnable Items

Opened TVs, combos and monitors 37" and larger — original packaging cannot be unsealed Opened computers and computer software — original packaging cannot be unsealed Electronic software downloads Opened consumable items (e.g., film, tapes, paper, bulbs, CD, DVDs, ink cartridges, etc.) Any computers built or modified by B&H to customer specifications Select special-order merchandise, or any item indicated on the website as nonreturnable Underwater equipment that has been submerged Opened or unwrapped educational tapes and books

> LOTS of discrimination complaints

> A US Labor Department lawsuit filed in 2016 accused B&H, the largest non-chain photo and video equipment store in New York City, of heavily discriminating against Hispanic employees by forcing them to use separate, unsanitary bathrooms.

Man, I had no idea. Forcing an ethnic group to use separate bathrooms? Whoever thought that was a good idea?

> Their return policy isn't great by any means. I buy a $2000 49" Monitor that arrives not working and I can't return it because I opened and tried to turn it on? Yeah, ok.

I know some consumer protection laws aren’t as strong as others – I’m blessed to live in Australia in this regard – but surely this just isn’t legal?

I suspect they didn't say "you're SOL", they probably said "file a warranty claim".

Retail stores aren't usually on the hook for items that arrive non-functioning from the manufacturer -- the manufacturer is.

Bestbuy etc take opened items like that back up to 30 days. I think it used to be much longer in the past but I would 100% expect to be able to return a dead tv/monitor/electronic of any sort to a big box store take my broken item back even if I opened it and plugged it in to use it.

I rarely buy from box stores but when I do that and being able to test things in person is the only reason I ever go near a bestbuy/etc.

Microcenter for instance- https://community.microcenter.com/kb/articles/28-what-is-the...

> Products not eligible for return *

Opened software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Server, and Microsoft Windows Server clients Electronic software downloads Point of Sale Activation Cards that have a dollar value Micro Center Gift Cards (except as required by law) Products with customer-induced damage such as, but not limited to, aerial drones with damage due to pilot error. So let’s be careful out there! Microphones and microphone accessories * VR Headsets, Headphones, including AirPods, Earbuds, and Over-the-Ear Products

* Hardware items deemed defective are eligible for exchange

Which is bad, from a consumer protection perspective.

The retailer should absolutely be on the hook. They are the ones with a working relationship with the manufacturer, and hence are best positioned to be able to hold the manufacturer accountable.

As an Australian who lives in the US atm, they are right to be grateful for the ACCC (consumer protection watchdog). I certainly am now. In the US you have to rely on retailers who treat good consumer protection as a competitive advantage like Costco, REI, Best Buy, sometimes Amazon, etc. In Australia you can easily hold any retailer accountable (and they’re all just generally better behaved with this stuff anyway, so you rarely have to force them).

> In the US you have to rely on retailers who treat good consumer protection as a competitive advantage

For the most part, credit card chargebacks serve a similar purpose, though of course the retailer may ban you from their store afterwards.

Absolutely agreed that the retailer is on the hook. The customer is not making a deal with the manufacturer to buy the good; the customer is making a deal with the retailer. Along the same line, I dislike it when retailers try to weasel out of shipping issues by blaming it on the parcel carrier. That's only valid if the customer went to ups.com and created and paid for a shipment themselves!

> Retail stores aren't usually on the hook for items that arrive non-functioning from the manufacturer -- the manufacturer is.

One of the great things about Australian consumer law: the retail store is responsible.

Crap. Guess it's Microcenter.

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