The ethics of returning headphones

[SemolinaPilchard]

When a Head-Fi reader is torn between two models, others often suggest that they buy both sets of headphones, keep the one they like better, and return the other set. I've never done this and I don't think I ever will, but there are times when it's tempting.

This practice strikes me as unethical, since the store then has to either repackage the item in order to sell it as new (if that's even legal), or sell it at a discount as B-stock or open-box. Either way, it seems like my wishy-washiness is costing the company time and/or money, which doesn't seem fair. Especially if, as with most retail businesses, the hi-fi world operates on razor-thin margins.

Do any readers (or better, vendors) have insight into this, or thoughts about the ethics involved? If it's a genuine mistake (I buy only one model after researching it thoroughly, but find that for whatever reason it just isn't right for me), a return seems perfectly reasonable. But using a return policy to help compare models seems like a pretty clear no-no to me.

But maybe I'm missing something?

 

[Debaser86]

If the company has a 30-day return policy, then I see no point in feeling bad because if they cared then they wouldn't have the policy in the first place. Or, you could always sell the cans in the FS forum to one of your fellow head-fiers

 

[Coltrane]

I don;t see how it is unethical to utilize a company's stated, and indeed advertised, return policy. Im sure they'd rather have you test them out with a chance of buying, than not buying at all.

Is Tyll allowed to give his opinion on this?

 

[Nugget]

Though I haven't done this myself, so long as you're honest with the seller (i.e. not telling them that the cans don't work or don't play nice with the rest of your rig) I don't see the problem.

 

[dominickpalella]

While reading many reviews about the headphones you are considering, there are only a few stores you can go to to audition some of the more expensive models. And, it is always better to try out these products on your own equipment, with your music preferences. On-line stores, have return policies to accommodate customer satisfaction, otherwise they could not stay in business. So, if you bought only one item and returned it, would you feel uncomfortable and not order again from the same company? How about trying this: call the company, such as HeadRoom and state why you are buying two or more similar products. My guess is they will have no objection.

 

[kramer5150]

I dont see anything wrong with it. There are many times you really dont know how well something will perform until you get a chance to try it out.

 

[SemolinaPilchard]

Maybe a way of distilling my question is this:

When a customer buys 2 sets of headphones and returns 1, does the vendor make or lose money on the transaction? When thinking about this, you have to take into account the repacking costs and/or the discounted price that the vendor must use to re-sell the returned goods, if applicable.

If it turns out this transaction actually costs the vendor money, then it seems wrong (to me, at least) for a consumer to begin a transaction knowing that they are hurting the vendor.

I'm not taking into account the notion of building a long-term relationship with a vendor, and maybe that's important. It could be that the vendor would willingly lose money on the first transaction with a customer if it means that customer will come back to them in the future, for more expensive purchases.

Also, I'm not trying to cast aspersions on others who have done exactly this in the past. I'm just trying to work out a good policy for myself and don't mean to step on anyone's toes.

 

[billybob_jcv]

The 30 day return policy is the price the 'net retailer pays to have the whole world as their potential customer. Without the return policy, the idea of spending significant money sight-unseen for a product is much less appealing. If the retailer wants to run a local B&M store without a return policy, they are more than welcome to do so...

 

[3x331m]

IMO, if the return policy guarantees customer satisfactions, then I think it's not wrong if you're not happy with the products. I don't see any difference when we buy 2 at the same time, or one at the time.

My brother bought a "B stock" from TTVJ, and he knew it was "Returned stocks".

 

[Purgatos]

I think that all of the free advertising we give to HeadRoom and the like by saying "go there, these guys have this great return policy if you don't like what you bought!" is probably well worth the money lost.

 

[Sordel]

I've never done it, and I'm not sure that I would, but I'm not sure that it's "unethical" exactly. If you buy an expensive pair of headphones on approval and then send it back because, despite your best efforts to make a good choice, it isn't for you, then that seems fair. If, however, you order two simultaneously knowing that you're going to send it back, then I don't think that you're really buying in good faith.

If you're going to behave like that, why not buy ten pairs of headphones and ten headphone amps to set up your own high-end listening session? I think that most people recognise that this behaviour would be taking advantage of the retailer in an unfair way.

The other thing I dislike about sending things back is that you have to make the decision in thirty days, which (bearing in mind the need to acclimatise your ears or burn in the drivers, depending on your opinion) means that you are almost certainly skimping on one product or the other. To take one example, I really think that people running back to take advantage of the thirty day refund are missing out on the Bose ies.

 

[Spyro]

If you do not have the ability to "try first" (as all of us would rather do in the first place), a vendor must have a lenient return policy, period.

But I think 30 days is too long a period of time. You could put 100's of hours on them?? Having them in your possesion for a day or two should be plenty of time.

 

[mbgalg]

to the initial poster, may i ask how old you are?

 

[Oski]

I don't think there's a problem if you have intent to buy something and then the item is returned because it didn't meet your expectations, especially in the situation you've outlined which you will buy one of the two.

What is somewhat unethical is when people who really don't have any interest in buying the product from a particular vendor and is abusing the return policy merely to play around with the equipment.

 

[Pumpkinhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sordel /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've never done it, and I'm not sure that I would, but I'm not sure that it's "unethical" exactly. If you buy an expensive pair of headphones on approval and then send it back because, despite your best efforts to make a good choice, it isn't for you, then that seems fair. If, however, you order two simultaneously knowing that you're going to send it back, then I don't think that you're really buying in good faith. If you're going to behave like that, why not buy ten pairs of headphones and ten headphone amps to set up your own high-end listening session? I think that most people recognise that this behaviour would be taking advantage of the retailer in an unfair way.

Agreed. Glad someone spelled it out well.