Strange Adorama Return Policy

I know. I know. Not one of these again. But here me out. When you buy an item in-store in NYC, the return period is 7 days. When you buy online, it's 30 days. Yeah...OK.

I saw the "new" 30 day return policy advertised on their website so I thought it was for everyone. Last night I went to return a lens I bought a 2.5 weeks ago and the guy at "register #6" told me that it's past the return period in the typical not-so-friendly fashion. So I told him about the 30 day policy that I saw online and he insisted that it didn't apply for me. Of course this just didn't make sense to me despite showing me the receipt that sure enough said 7 days to return an item. I would figure they would want to take care of local NYC customers. We went back and forth. I was polite at first but then wasn't going anywhere with the guy so I told him I was ready to proclaim to never, ever buy anything from there and they finally backed off and gave me a refund. Sheesh.

So to our resident Adorama CS person, Helen, you should look into that b/c I think that's a pretty stupid policy. Again, way to take care of your local NYC customers. Unless I need to buy something that B&H doesn't carry, I'll stick with them. They are the lesser of 2 evils, and if you've ever been to the stores, you'll know what I mean.

According to http://www.adorama.com …FAQ#Our%20Retur​n%20Policy, it's 30-days with nothing about it being different for in-store purchases.

Even more curious is right above that section is http://www.adorama.com …og.tpl?op=FAQ#O​ur%20Hours which lists store hours, so one would expect ALL info on that page applies to online AND store stuff.

Maybe when you bought the item it was 7-days?

What lens were you returning?

i just read the topic about BH's 14 days return policy. and now this

strange indeed but my guess is they dont have it in store because there are so many people that will just "buy" it and return it before the 30 days are up, I guess they figure its more of a pain if its done online so people wont do it

maybe 30 days because of shipping wait times.

tekkie wrote in post #10916132
strange indeed but my guess is they dont have it in store because there are so many people that will just "buy" it and return it before the 30 days are up, I guess they figure its more of a pain if its done online so people wont do it

i know, but 7 days, seriously? and you're paying tax too

Yep. 7 days. Says so on the receipt. Anyways, I got the refund so I don't really care as I usually order the big ticket items online and only go to them for cheaper items like bags, paper, etc. I just thought it was rather strange that's all.

Never a pleasing experience going to either one of these shops. Just a very strange vibe they have and you'll only know what I am talking about if you go there in person.

egordon99 wrote in post #10915314
According to http://www.adorama.com …FAQ#Our%20Retur​n%20Policy, it's 30-days with nothing about it being different for in-store purchases.

Even more curious is right above that section is http://www.adorama.com …og.tpl?op=FAQ#O​ur%20Hours which lists store hours, so one would expect ALL info on that page applies to online AND store stuff.

Maybe when you bought the item it was 7-days?

What lens were you returning?

That's what I told the guy, that I saw it on the website and assumed it applied for all purchases. Seems like smiling to customers is against their policy too. Very strange operation they have. Can say the same about B&H too. Very systematic. They make you take a number then the usually not so friendly guy at the counter "helps" you.

A few weeks ago I went there looking for a camera bag. I wanted to see how a 70-200 would fit so I asked him to bring me one from the shelf. The guy flat out told me no. I thought that was an a-hole move. I've done the same at B&H and they helped me out.

Anyways, just confirms why I buy my expensive stuff online.

nicksan wrote in post #10917852
Yep. 7 days. Says so on the receipt. Anyways, I got the refund so I don't really care as I usually order the big ticket items online and only go to them for cheaper items like bags, paper, etc. I just thought it was rather strange that's all.

Never a pleasing experience going to either one of these shops. Just a very strange vibe they have and you'll only know what I am talking about if you go there in person.

And then there is my shop staffed with extremely friendly working pros with a laid back environment where you are free to play with gear..... and then they went and made a zero return policy. That's right, no returns, period.

It's like these stores want you to just shop at Amazon.

Zero return policy is kinda ridiculous!

nicksan wrote in post #10918118
Zero return policy is kinda ridiculous!

Not that unusual in B&M stores, or at least no returns without paying a 15% restocking fee.

nicksan wrote in post #10915118
I know. I know. Not one of these again. But here me out. When you buy an item in-store in NYC, the return period is 7 days. When you buy online, it's 30 days. Yeah...OK.

I saw the "new" 30 day return policy advertised on their website so I thought it was for everyone. Last night I went to return a lens I bought a 2.5 weeks ago and the guy at "register #6" told me that it's past the return period in the typical not-so-friendly fashion. So I told him about the 30 day policy that I saw online and he insisted that it didn't apply for me. Of course this just didn't make sense to me despite showing me the receipt that sure enough said 7 days to return an item. I would figure they would want to take care of local NYC customers. We went back and forth. I was polite at first but then wasn't going anywhere with the guy so I told him I was ready to proclaim to never, ever buy anything from there and they finally backed off and gave me a refund. Sheesh.

So to our resident Adorama CS person, Helen, you should look into that b/c I think that's a pretty stupid policy. Again, way to take care of your local NYC customers. Unless I need to buy something that B&H doesn't carry, I'll stick with them. They are the lesser of 2 evils, and if you've ever been to the stores, you'll know what I mean.

On the one hand it is correct; we introduced a 30-day return policy for online and 'phone purchases, but retained the 7-day return period in-store.

What's the difference? The product is still the product, right?
I guess it's a cup half-full or half-empty scenario; we extended the policy for online customers - we didn't intend it to be seen as penalizing in-store customers - for 2 reasons. We wanted to take account of the fact that there isn't the opportunity to examine the goods before purchase. The other is that through my involvement on the many forums and websites, I'm in contact with photographers whose work takes them travelling, often at short notice, and they weren't getting the opportunity to test equipment before the returns period was up.

We’d love a blanket 30-day return policy, however, you all know as well as I do that we’d be opening ourselves up to becoming an extension of the Adorama rentals department! eg
https://photography-on-the.net …=922995&highlig​ht=Adorama

On the other hand, if an item appears 100% new, and you ask for the store manager, he will make a judgement on whether to extend the time limit on a case-by-case basis.

Does this help?



BTW please don't forget that we are in the midst of our Fall holiday period. Our Holiday Schedule:
Adorama NYC Retail Store: The Adorama Retail Store will be closed during the following days

Yom Kippur: We will close on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 1:00pm and will reopen on Sunday September 19,at 9:30 am
Sukkoth: We will close Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 2:30pm and will reopen on Sunday October 3 at 9:30 am

Adorama phone-sales department
Yom Kippur: Friday, September 17, 9:00am—1:00pm

Thank you for your understanding
NB I'm only an email away for advice and after-sales support with any order from Adorama Camera: HelenO@adorama.com

Can this 30 day return policy apply to orders placed via Amazon.com? Currently item must be returned within 14 days on Amazon.com.

andytaro wrote in post #11023344
Can this 30 day return policy apply to orders placed via Amazon.com? Currently item must be returned within 14 days on Amazon.com.

I hadn't realised - will check and come back to you.

Thank you very much for clarifying the return policy.