Update (10/31): my story is featured on consumerist.com! Link. See the story in the article for more updated details (which are also chronicled chronologically in this thread).
Original post below:
I recently ordered an iPhone 4S that arrived on 10/14 (launch date of the iPhone 4S). I activated it after work, and had decided to return it. i was planning on returning it yesterday (10/27), but ended up staying late at work (returns number and store closes at 9PM PST).
I called today (10/28) at 5PM, and was told everything was fine, but that I would need to go to a Sprint store to return it. Then, I went to an official Sprint store at 7PM to return it, where I was told to call Sprint and request a "return kit."
Then, I went home and called Sprint to request the return kit, when I was told that the 14 day Satisfaction Policy starts the day it was activated (10/10!, before i shipped it). Then, I was told that the 14 day policy begins on the day it ships out, which was (10/12). I argued this, and then was told that it includes the day of activation (10/14), making the 14 day window end on 10/27.
While I was arguing my case, the manager had the audacity to tell me that Sprint would be willing to buy back the phone at a discounted rate. He also told me that I shouldn't have waited until the last minute. I somewhat understand, but i genuinely stayed late at work (i'm a physician working in the Intensive Care Unit. no joke), and isn't that the downside to shortening a return policy from 30 to 14 days?
While I was speaking, the phone lost signal (After 1 hour of solid signal), and then the number was no longer active as it was after hours. I'm quite upset. It's somewhat reasonable that perhaps the 14 days included the first day of activation (which is unclear on the official terms page), but am still frustrated that I was given the runaround, and then not offered any sort of grace, despite a recent change from 30 to 14 day return policy.
any idea what i can do to avoid the $350 ETF?
Original post below:
I recently ordered an iPhone 4S that arrived on 10/14 (launch date of the iPhone 4S). I activated it after work, and had decided to return it. i was planning on returning it yesterday (10/27), but ended up staying late at work (returns number and store closes at 9PM PST).
I called today (10/28) at 5PM, and was told everything was fine, but that I would need to go to a Sprint store to return it. Then, I went to an official Sprint store at 7PM to return it, where I was told to call Sprint and request a "return kit."
Then, I went home and called Sprint to request the return kit, when I was told that the 14 day Satisfaction Policy starts the day it was activated (10/10!, before i shipped it). Then, I was told that the 14 day policy begins on the day it ships out, which was (10/12). I argued this, and then was told that it includes the day of activation (10/14), making the 14 day window end on 10/27.
While I was arguing my case, the manager had the audacity to tell me that Sprint would be willing to buy back the phone at a discounted rate. He also told me that I shouldn't have waited until the last minute. I somewhat understand, but i genuinely stayed late at work (i'm a physician working in the Intensive Care Unit. no joke), and isn't that the downside to shortening a return policy from 30 to 14 days?
While I was speaking, the phone lost signal (After 1 hour of solid signal), and then the number was no longer active as it was after hours. I'm quite upset. It's somewhat reasonable that perhaps the 14 days included the first day of activation (which is unclear on the official terms page), but am still frustrated that I was given the runaround, and then not offered any sort of grace, despite a recent change from 30 to 14 day return policy.
any idea what i can do to avoid the $350 ETF?
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