When you return a camera

I often read threads here where someone buys a brand new camera or lens and either decides they dont like it, or they they think it's a bad copy. They send it back! Sometimes they've even used it for a few weeks. Often I get the impression there's nothing actually wrong with the product, they just change their minds. I am curious, do they get charged for this, or is the item just happily changed for another. Upon reading this forum it seems to happen alot in the US. I dont think you can do it in Australia.
It's even hard here to get a refund or replacement if the item was faulty, certainly it wouldn't happen on a whim.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=865086

It doesn't answer my question. Do you have to pay, or do you just get a refund or a new item?

In USA, you just return the item. You don't have to pay any fees unless some stores state it like BESTBUY who might charge you a 15% restocking fee if the item isn't defective. But you even then you can easily say there is a defect even when there isn't. They don't check.

And then you usually have a choice whether you want a refund or to get a replacement for a brand new item.

They usually sell it again as "refurbished" or "open box" items.

Canon doesn't really lose a lot of money out of this. The cost of making the items are not that expensive, it is the research and development that goes on towards making the product that costs money.

So as long as they keep their huge customer pool (which they do), they aren't losing a lot of money.

So does Canon let mindless idiots keep returning products that are 100% full functional until they find one they are happy with in order to keep their business? Sure.

edit - And since you're not familiar with how things work in America, most stores have a 7day to 90day window in which you can either get a full refund or a replacement.

It depends where you bought it from...

Some places only accept returns before 7 days, some 10 days, some places charge a 10% restocking fee, some don't, etc...

Wow, that's amazing, and thanks guys for actually answering my question.

Whippeticious wrote in post #10084781
Wow, that's amazing, and thanks guys for actually answering my question.

I'm really shocked that Australia doesn't allow you to do that. Or at least that it's not common.

Whippeticious wrote in post #10084781
Wow, that's amazing, and thanks guys for actually answering my question.

Some people will probably pay $1699 to buy a Canon 7D at COSTCO (a large store), and then 90 days later return it for a full refund. So essentially it is a free 90 day rental.

HuePhoto wrote in post #10084791
Some people will probably pay $1699 to buy a Canon 7D at COSTCO (a large store), and then 90 days later return it for a full refund. So essentially it is a free 90 day rental.

Ahhh.... Costco

Costco has really been cracking down on their return policy over the last few years. A lot of their electronics now have a 3 month return policy. It used to be 12 months before!

No way!!! How do they get their money on it! it's second hand then. and what if the packagings damaged.
the mind boggles. Nup, it certainly doesn't happen here.

Buy at B&H or Adorama. Test the equipment for 7-15 days, I forget who has what policy. If you don't like it or it's a lemon, they both have a no-questions-asked refund policy. I have dealt with B&H for twenty years, without one problem, with Adorama for just about that time without an issue.

I don't know about Adorama, but all of B&H's phone and store salespeople are moonlighting photographers or photo enthusiasts, and may be able to steer you to the right piece of equipment so that you won't have to return it for reasons of it not being what you expected.

It helps to deal with the best, and I think they are that.

I'm also amazed you can do that in the US. Like has been said that simply doesn't work in Australia, and TBH I don't see why they allow it unless it is generally defective. And typically if you take it back to a store more than a few days after you've bought it they'll tell you that you need to contact the manufacturer for a warranty claim (although I think there may be a legal requirement for the retailer to handle this for you if you request that).

WesM wrote in post #10084804
Ahhh.... Costco

Costco has really been cracking down on their return policy over the last few years. A lot of their electronics now have a 3 month return policy. It used to be 12 months before!

TVs were good up to 2 years, and you'd be credited for the purchase price. Yeah, that got abused.

Whippeticious wrote in post #10084813
No way!!! How do they get their money on it! it's second hand then. and what if the packagings damaged.
the mind boggles. Nup, it certainly doesn't happen here.

Ahhhh what are you talking about? It happens everywhere in Australia. I havn't come across a 90 day return policy but I can't think of a store that doesn't have at least 2 weeks.

Have a read of this sets it out quite well

https://mybrc.com.au …_Law_Returns_Re​funds.aspx