Quote:
Originally posted by dhamsaic
Now, if I buy something and it is marketed as a "compact disc", then it supposed to meet a certain set of criteria. If it does not, it is defective, even if that defect is intentional. If I sell you a computer with no processor, but still label it as a "computer", you are getting a <b>defective product</b> and I am <b>cheating you</b>.
|
Again, is the product being marked as not-compatible on Macs and Linux? Also, read my post again regarding the gap in dates between this new technology and the original release of the CD.
Quote:
|
Regardless of policies, if a store is willing to bear the responsibility of selling you an item, they're going to have to take that responsibility - like when it goes bad. Because this specific situation is a new one, Universal is offering to eat the cost of it themselves. But it applies in any situation - if you are a business, you understand that there are risks involved, and you're willing to take them. It is the <b>cost of doing business</b>.
|
But if the store is not being properly informed by VivendiUniversal, how can they fairly assume responsibility? As far as they know, it's just another CD.
Quote:
|
But as a business, your job is to make sure that the customer receives what they want (within reason, of course), because without them, <b>you are out of a fucking job</b>. If they are willing to sell defective merchandise (or if they are so ignorant as to not know what is going on), then they must also accept responsibility when that defective merchandise is returned for a full refund. Period.
|
You hit the nail on the head--"within reason." Let's say I'm Joe Schmoe running the Customer Service desk at Best Buy. I know nothing of this CD from either the internet or from any notice sent by VivendiUniversal. And then you come in and feed me some "spiel" (this is just an example...obviously, we know that this situation with the CD is true) about how this CD won't work b/c it won't play on a Mac. Could you really fault me if I smiled and politely said, "I'm sorry, but we are unable to take opened CDs back"? Is that service within reason? Certainly...b/c as far I as know, you're on crack trying to con me out of store money and committing a possible violation of US copyright laws.
And realistically, am I overly concerned about losing your business? In the long run, not really. You're returning a $15 CD, on which Best Buy is making little or no money. Sure, you may want to buy a computer or HDTV down the line, but there are millions in front of you that are still going to come in. Would a complaint to the Attorney General or the BBB hold up? Nope...especially when shown that the store had no knowledge of this situation. Does that attitude suck? Certainly...but that is ALSO a cost of doing business. You can't please all the people all the time.