The Wholesale Forums

[mrhmartin]

Hello. I'm starting to get returns from customers. I sell electronics, but am not an "Authorized Dealer." I'll buy in bulk if I find something cheap at B&M stores or whatever. I was wondering if I send multiple defective items back to a manufacturer (say more than 4), is there anyway they can stop accepting returns from me at some point? I always have receipts. Also is it safe to give my receipt to customers so they can return the item themselves? Thanks

[Pete]

Seldom do you actually deal with the manufacturers. You will end up sending the units to a contract depot that does repair and exchanges. Sometimes they even have someone local to you. My grandson was swapping out PS2s for years without a problem. Probably never sent them back to the same place twice.

I've had both Canon and Brother printers just swapped over the counter at local shops. Not big box retailers, but smaller repair shops who contract their services. Same with phones, etc.
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[Andy777]

Pete is right - you'll deal with local repair shops not manufacturers.

[mrhmartin]

I don't quite understand. Are you saying that when I call the manufacturer to send an item back, and get an RMA #, it's actually getting sent to a repair shop?

[Pete]

That's how it usually is. Just like the stores getting returns and bundling them off to the pallet sellers, the manufacturers don't want to see the stuff back, either.

All they are interested in is keeping the production lines running and the goods moving out. Their shipping doors only swing one way.

You get an RMA from a contractor and you send it back to another contractor. Once the original hits the container it never comes back to it's place of birth.

I'm sure there may be an exception or two, but most will just be done "locally."
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[lemonwonder]

Ring them up and simply ask the question you asked us... Not the manufacturer, your LRA.