Returns, what to expect?

I have very little experience with returning my online purchases. I recently purchased a pair off the shelf SS exhaust tapered transitions. It not important at this time their name, it is a well known vendor.
The transitions were approx $80 ea, they were in stock, I paid by credit card, they were pictured in their offering, but it is understood by me pics are often only representative, they were shipped by my choosing US priority (2-3 day) mail from Calif to Florida in a "if it fits, it ships" box, for $32. They arrived in 6 days, and they had an abrupt IMO transition going from 2.5"D to 3" Oval, which for my application/use defeated the whole purpose. I called them, and my opening comment was to the effect, "you sent me what I ordered, but its not really what I wanted or thought the pic represented". They replied basically in my words, "Oh Well". 5 days later I called and said I'd like to return them. They said there is a restocking fee, which in this case is not exciting, and its in the fine print, and they can decide what the real cost of restocking is vs the potential loss of a future disappointed customer. So I shipped the transitions back, same method as I received them, and PO charges me $15.05. Additional fine print from vendor says there is a 3% fee of credit card restocking purchases.

So is a 25% restocking fee normal in the above?
Does the 25% fee apply to the doubled? shipping cost?
Is it normal to more then double the USPS shipping cost?
Does the 3% Credit card fee also apply to the shipping cost?
I hope I haven't put too much Spin on this, and included enough Tech that is appropriate to get a heads up on what to expect.

I think the 25% and 3% are reasonable. Did the shipping cost include handling?

Companies rarely give you anything back for shipping just the product itself. 25% seems on the high side of normal.

If you paid for parts based on the picture shown on the vendor's website, you should receive what is pictured.

Personally, I would have approached it from that angle, I ordered based on your picture and what I received isn't what was pictured.

I understand pictures can be representative but that's getting weak these days with online sales. The vendor should have an exact picture online of what they are selling. Yes, it's a pain to setup but that's part of doing business online.

I'd call the vendor back and have another conversation.

Mike.

I know first hand that it stinks getting a return, and I go out of my way to avoid it by having accurate pictures or answering questions, but in today's "I'll leave bad feedback" climate a restock fee is a bad idea.

I agree the picture should show the ACTUAL part else that would be a deal breaker.

I have learned most places just dont care.

Weather there pic is wrong or the description, at least you got to talk to someone.


Ive learned the hard way too so I now always google the part and part number to see the real item and people using it and there application, then if it fits my needs being an unknown purchase I buy.

Looks like you might have to eat it, but hey, you spoke of how to spend or share your stimulus check, BAM, there ya go, take it form that 1200 and your still up in the game.

I hate generic pictures of specific parts for that very reason.
Often, I need to know what the damn thing looks like.
I would think a seller would provide that if asked.
25% restocking fee is fairly common, though I think it's a bit offensive.
3% covers the CC fee, of course; not a fan of that either, but I understand to an extent.
$15.05 is the medium flat-rate box & shipping, which used to be 3 days max within the US.

So the padded the shipping, have a crappy picture, charge a 25% restocking fee, and they are charging you 3% to credit your credit card. Unfortunately, its sounding more like "normal" online sales and more are going this route all the time. The most you can do is leave bad feedback, but a lot of places are no longer posting bad ratings either.

Guess its part of saving all that money by buying stuff on line. Sending back "cores" fits in the same boat. They love to collect for them, but most are pretty slow returning the core charge. A couple of advantages of brick and mortar businesses are that you get to hold the part in your hand before its yours, and they hand you back money when you return a core. I've arrived at the point that until the cost difference between buying local and buying on line exceeds 40%, including the core charge, I'm buying local. If I'm buying something online that just has to fit, I will see a real picture of the item, or I'm going to pass. I already have to many things in my "thought they would work" collection, I'm not adding any more if I can help it. Gene

I had a similar case one time. Disputed it with my credit card company and got all my money back including shipping.

I am pretty sure when I credit customers credit cards (rarely happens) that I receive the fees back too.

Restocking fees on shipping is egregious. Maybe on the handling part but it is not something I will do.

Worst is when someone doesn't know exactly what they need and buy more and return what doesn't fit. I try not to play that game. The issue is some items you only sell two a year so I replace the stock immediately. They come back in a week and I am stuck with two years of inventory. Not the best model but my inventory is Just In Case Vs. Just in Time.

Thank you!

Kevin

I purchased a pair of halo lights for my D150 from a place called Top Gear Auto . The halos don't light all the way around so I want to return them for a credit on my card. I have emailed them 5 times and called four times and left a message and they haven't got back to me and its been a few weeks. I finally called my credit card company to remedy the situation that was two weeks ago and the update I received from them yesterday is that it takes awhile, meanwhile I have the lights all ready to go back but don't know where to send them. Weird!

My experience has been that the real good ones ONLY charge me the return shipping, if that. A lot of them have a return label, shipping paid, included in the package so that if I do have to return the product it's free. That said, there are still some who are so short sighted, they don't realize they'll never have a customer again by making you pay for return shipping, restocking, etc.

I think you're probably stuck now that you've already completed the return, but certainly no harm in calling and asking for a supervisor.

This is the item, I really wanted a straight transition, I consider this abrpt for my application, when I have to modify it .

And the 3% I mentioned, its not perfectly clear, but it seems to imply there is a 3% added charge or deducted on the credit when returning, which sounds rather strange as compared to the often mentioned extra % charge for credit cards upon purchasing .

$80 bucks for that. You got ripped off big time.

jcc, I think the vendor gets charged 3% by the CC company, and some pass it on to customer, and some don't. I've been told by some companies they have to charge me 3% if I pay by CC because they are charged that. So that may be a legit charge, but the most definitely could take back the product and eat the b.s. restocking fee to keep a customer happy. Again, they are being shortsighted.

I guess the pipe is visible when installed, therefore you want a gradual transition? Seems like a local shop could do that.

Most shops around here that do exhaust work could make that up pretty easily.
On the 3% thing and card charges most businesses absorb that as the cost of doing business.