Getting charged for returns?

I've been trying to compel Dell to issue a return authorization for an item, but they've been evasive for over a week now. I looked up some posts on the subject, and it got me to wondering if I should even continue to pursue it.

If they were to eventually allow me to return the item, what happens? Do they give me a shipping label and arrange for a pickup themselves? Is it possible they will charge me for shipping outright, or if I can't be available at the pickup time they schedule, will they charge me for shipping then? I guess, basically, if they offer the return, can I still decide not to return it, or will they penalize me somehow?

The item really isn't worth that much for me to have to pay for shipping, or anything, so if there's any chance they might charge me for something, I'd rather not take the risk. Is there any chance they could slap me with an extra charge just for requesting to return something?

 

You need to pay for shipping it back yourself. I'm guessing they just tell you to print something out to tape on top of that box. You will not be reimbursed for initial shipping costs or the cost to ship it back (their policy that you can read online). They will more than likely charge you a 15% restocking fee (the way their online policy is now written, its virtually a guarantee unless you prove you got a lemon or the wrong product). You only have a 21 day window to return the product.

If the product was not worth much, you are much much much much better off just keeping it.

 

That's outrageous, considering they're entirely responsible for this. Will they charge me the restocking fee immediately upon issuing authorization, or will they wait until they actually receive the item?

 

If it is an error on their part, you can argue it and possibly avoid the restocking fee.

(Now I'll go off on a tangent. I was chalking this up as some crazy conspiracy theory, but I am beginning to believe it more and more: They were smart and eliminated the online chat for order purposes. Now you can only get into their online chat once you physically have their products in your hands (which means for them they get their 15% "bonus" aka restocking fee)- smart business move since they can eliminate any written trails and will feed you anything verbally by phone until they can ship their product out, at which point they are free to collect their due and keep at least 15% no matter what happens unless they made some mistake or sent you something defective)

 

I've been "arguing" with them for over a week and haven't even got the return authorization yet.

I'm worried that if they do allow me to return it, but tell me I have to pay for shipping and/or restocking fee and I refuse, that they will charge me anyway even if I choose not to return the item.

I've got a lot of time vested in this now ( six emails to and from returns), so even if I have to decline the refund, I'd at least like the satisfaction of being offered one, but NOT if they're going to find some other way to stick it to me.

 

I know what you mean. I don't know what is going on with Dell lately

Edit: oh, I didn't recognize that you posted that other thread too. You should seriously consider contacting the BBB

 

Here's my dilemma. The latest email they sent me says that if I still want a return, I should let them know (because filling out the return request form and repeatedly explaining why in six emails isn't sufficient; SEVEN is the magic number.) If I ignore it or tell him "no" at this point, is the BBB going to take my complaint seriously? Maybe I should just say I still want the refund, but not if he's going to charge me for anything.

 

At least you actully got them to reply your E-mail.

I tried E-mail support twice. Never heard back from them.

 

My guess is that you're going to probably have to pay for at the very least the return shipment

 

What if I just don't send it back then? Do I get charged a "made us set up a return then didn't return it" free?

 

They hold on to your money until you return the product to them.

 

So no return, no refund, that's it? Status quo is preserved?

Sounds perfect, thanks to all for your help!

 

I returned a DOA earlier this year and don't remember having to pay anything extra. I just used the shipping label they gave me.

 

FYI, Dell did (finally) accept the return, but said that it wouldn't be necessary to ship the item back; I can only imagine this is because the cost of shipping and restocking the item exceeded its present value. Even in this scenario, where they stood to take a loss, Dell did not require that I finance the return shipping and/or restocking. My guess is that if you can demonstrate that the reason for return is Dell's error, then you should expect to not have to pay for shipping or restocking. Just my guess, and their policies could change anyway.

Thanks to all for your help!