What is a Normal Return Policy for a brand new, $1700 airgun ?

[Airgun-Al]

Im think about purchasing  a brand new , $1700  FX product, right  here in the USA.
However, I am concerned about the dealers 3 day return policy.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Should I advoid, and order a different brand, perhaps an Evanix product, from a dealer that offers a better return policy?
Please advise!

[uncle paulie]

I too would be concerned with a 3-day return policy, unless you're buying at the store around the corner, it's almost impossible to do. Returning to the manufacturer would take a month or two. Sounds like a no-win situation.

pv

[TOM aka critter99]

Go to the VISA site look for document "chargeback-management-guidelines-for-visa-merchants.pdf"

merchants must pay for return shipping on defective goods regardless of their normal policy

check out the extract from the document if you do some reading and dispute it and they screw up they can end up losing the $$$ and you end up keeping the item....so once a dispute is filed I think you will find most merchants want to HELP and get it resolved quickly

I don't agree with the 3 day thing its hard to get a item out of a box during the work week and really checked out that fast.  Its just a way to make you think you have no recourse
I don't think their 3 day policy would survive a charge dispute action IF you needed to play hardball

[RedFeather]

Are you buying from a dealer here in the US or online auction site?  Most of the auction site sellers will stipulate a three day inspection period.  (Some don't even offer that.)  If a dealer, then I think that might be a little short.  Still, having dealt with a lot of auctions, seventy-two hours seems to be enough time to at least take a few test shots, etc.  If you won't be able to do this, say because you are still shopping for a tank and compressor, you might want to let the seller know that up front.  At $1700, they should be reasonable about it.

[Airik]

Wow. $1700. You folks are about as bad as I am when it comes to fricking bicycles. lol. But anyways, most stores have at least a 30 day guarantee - and if not - and with that kind of cash, I don't know if I could commit to that kind of purchase. 3 days - that's kind of low, in my opinion.

[TOM aka critter99]

if he talkin FX that would most likely be AOA....but if he uses a charge card a 3 days return policy means nothing

Check out the document their policies are over ridden by their merchants agreement...to include return shipping

They will follow the merchants agremeent with VISA etc to lose the ability to accept credit card payment would effectively PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS real quick

[Nathan]

I looked at A of A website and didn't see anything stipulating a 3 day policy(if that's the dealer he's referring to)(it maybe there and I missed it). Now I would assume that if you got a factory defective/damaged FX they would repair or replace it, although that is unlikely with a FX. Now if you, for some reason just don't like it, and want to return it for credit or exchange, they may have a time limit. If you're concerned about a return policy, call the retailer and ask them for the specific details. I agree, you should feel comfortable with the dealer/retailer you are sending a large some of money to. As Tom mentioned, many credit card companies allow you to dispute a payment, so that's another option to investigate.

Nathan

[Airik]

@ Airgun-Al,

Those FX guns are kind of serious business with quality. And I understand what it's like buying something that has rave reviews w/ cruddy return policy. Besides my last post here, I'd say go for it, if it's a good deal. Just inspect the product first for fingerprints/dust/etc. Chances are, 900 out of a thousand, you'll be pleased with the product. I'm betting not many people have laid hands on that actual gun that you're looking at. But first, Google review, Google review, Google review.

[ac12]

Well
Look at it from the other side.

If someone is buying a high end rifle from me.  I don't want them shooting it a bunch to "try it out" then returning it "it isn't what I wanted."  As the dealer, how do I know how much the rifle was shot; maybe a little, maybe a LOT.  Now as the dealer I'm stuck with a "used" rifle that I can't sell as new for "new" price.   I might have just lost a few hundred dollars on that rifle.

A short time also means that you the customer opens and inspect the goods when received.
A long time allows the customer to USE the rifle.  Is the cosmetic or other damage due to manufacturing problems, shipping damage or did the customer damage the rifle during use and is claiming defective product?

Read the entire return policy, not just the number of days.   
example 1 - "Defective product only, returns not accepted for other reasons. Exchange or repair only, no cash refund.  If product is not found to be defective, it will be returned to you at your cost." 
This policy is so that you make sure you want it, and do not order to "try it out." 
example 2 - Gee, I want to "try" a $2,000 rifle, I will just return it after I shoot it for a few weeks, and get my money back. 
Many vendors have been burned by that, and the small guys cannot afford to be burned many times before they go out of business.

As for the 3 days.
You are going into the transaction with that info up front. 
Contact the dealer and get WRITTEN clarification of exactly what is covered by the 3 day policy and what (if anything) is acceptable beyond the 3 days.  And if any exception is granted to you, make sure that it is IN WRITING.

If you don't like their policy, go to another dealer.
If that is the ONLY dealer in the country selling that rifle, well, then you are stuck.  You either buy from him, or don't buy the rifle.

[OldmanJunky]

I just wanted to chime in as I bought an FX from AoA recently.

First, make sure it's the gun you want.  They are an actual brick and mortar store.  They don't want people using them like amazon or walmart to "rent" equipment out.  They deal specifically in seriously high end guns.  If you are willing to shell out that kinda cash, be sure you want it.

Now, if you are concerned about problems with your rifle, they are OUTSTANDING in dealing with you.  I had to ship my gun back to them because of drooping issues and they really bent over backwards to make sure the gun was perfect.  This was all outside the "3 day" range.  They aren't jerks about their products or policies.  Darren, btw, is a frickin awesome dude to deal with.

From where I stand, they don't want to be treated like a store that makes most of its money from lay-away plans.


Another very reputable dealer is Jim at precision air guns.  Again, brick and mortar so make sure you want the gun before you buy it.

[SAADE]

+1 to junkyspace comments and... if you are anywhere near AoA or can be (a cheap SW Airline ticket?) they will let you handle any of their inventory to see if you like the fit, feel, weight etc however... you have to do a lot of homework on a $1700 gun to be sure of the brand, the basic platform and operating systems etc etc. In other words, you need to be sold on FX guns as a design concept with the features they offer. The individual models can then be handled for personal fit and appearance etc.

Stores like AoA have had so many issues with "test drive returns" over the years that they have to stand firm on this stuff. An FX gun is like a Corvette is among sports cars, you have to love and understand Corvettes first, then you go pick the color you want. Bringing a Corvette back because "it's loud inside" won't cut it, any knowledgeable Corvette person must know that before they purchased the car.

Same would apply to an FX of any type that was returned because "I don't like the bolt action". Any FX lover should already be sold on their bolt action systems which are on all their guns.

[BenjiHunter]

3 days? It almost sounds like a typo.A zero missing.

[grumpy]

I am sorry but 3 days is just unreasonable. When does it start ? From the day you get it ? If so thats not even enough time to ship it back the same day you received it, if you live on the east coast. I would think the minimum should be 10-14 days for a return.

[BenjiHunter]

From where are you getting it?
Edit: Never mind, I figured it out.

[daveshoot]

No idea who it is, myself, but I don't think 3 days is reasonable. If it arrived on a Monday, I would not get to shoot it until Saturday. In the admittedly unlikely (but possible) event of a defect, I would not know until out of the return period.

During the week, I could shoot it out the back door into the night, but that is not a real function check. Anyone, FX, Daystate, whomever, could ship one with a problem, and for $1700 I would want the chance to try it out within a reasonable time.

Everyone is free to make their own policies, and we are all free to choose whom to do business with. Just my .02.

[QVTom]

I believe junkyspace and ac12 have it right.  A 3 day policy is not intended to stick you with a defective product, if there is a defect the dealer will warranty to the full extent in accordance to their arrangement with the manufacturer.  This is why you buy from authorized dealers.

I certainly don't want the gun that someone shot for 3-30 days, returned because of buyers remorse, sold to me as new. Even if it is still flawless!  So a reputable dealer now has a used gun to sell, probably at a loss. 

The only exception might misrepresentation, unlikely with FX.


-Tom

[OldmanJunky]

Yeah .. I literally had the gun over a week and they fixed it no problem.  They replaced the entire breech block and made SURE it was a perfect shooter.

Preventing buyer's remorse is definitely what that policy protected them against.

[grumpy]

I am not advocating that people can try a gun for a month and then return it cause they don't like it. No one wants to buy someone else's used gun as new. 

What I'm saying is why only give someone 3 days to return if there is an issue. Yes they took Terry's back but was it under warranty or due to them extending the 3 day period. Only they can answer that.

Either way I will not make large purchases from a place that has an unclear purchase policy

Grumpy

[TOM aka critter99]

Your credit card agreement protects you bigtime over the merchant if you get a dud they will make it right.

No business can risk losing the ability to take credit cards for payment it would put them out of business

[RedFeather]

Once again, a three day inspection period is pretty much SOP on the firearms auction sites.  You take delivery and have 72 hours to open the box, inspect for damage and test fire it.  For most buyers, that is sufficient time.  Even for some high dollar guns.  And it starts when you have it delivered into your hands, too.