Beware Circuit City closeout deals: No refunds on broken gear

Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:49PM EST

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Stories are pouring in from outraged shoppers who thought they could get a great deal on equipment from Circuit City as part of its fire sale liquidation. The problem: Circuit City won't let you open sealed boxes to inspect merchandise before you take it home -- and all sales are final. No returns. No exchanges. That's not so great if the gear is hopelessly broken.

One Minnesota family spent $1,500 on a 50-inch plasma TV and found the glass shattered once they got it home. The store refused to take back the TV and instead referred the issue to Circuit City headquarters, where no one answered the phone. The family is checking with Panasonic, the manufacturer, to see if it's covered under warranty.

A similar problem happened to a Boston customer, who paid $1,100 for what turned out to be a totally busted Samsung TV. She got a refund from her credit card company, but only after a local TV station made inquiries on her behalf. Be warned: Consumerist says that getting credit card companies to help you out may be difficult in cases like this where a bankruptcy is involved. (As I understand the specifics of the Circuit City case, normally your credit card company will just "charge back" the merchant in question, but in this case the merchant is going out of business and has federal bankruptcy protection during the process.)

It's not just big ticket items that can be dead on arrival. Consider this $7.50 "bargain" video game purchased from a Circuit City store, which appears to have been chewed up by a robot.

No doubt there are still some good deals to be found in these liquidating stores, but remember that, now more than ever, "buyer beware" is the rule of the day.

Comments on Beware Circuit City closeout deals: No refunds on broken gear

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  • 26 Posted by emolsky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is actually not a factual story. A customer CAN check there merchandise in the store once they purchase it. If product is opened up and found to be defective it can be refunded and/or exchanged. However if the customer leaves the store they are stuck with the product and will have to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer typically will cover defective items.

  • 27 Posted by ronjb441960 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    lousy company see why they are going out of business....

  • 28 Posted by mva5580 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    You know, those gigantic "ALL SALES FINAL" signs posted all around the store should probably make people realize that sales are indeed, Final. Common sense? Anyone?

  • 29 Posted by dcsoccer25 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got a good Pinnacle TV Tuner PCI card from them here a few weeks ago. Perfect condition.

  • 30 Posted by nelbettar2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Are you kidding me, Circuit City has always been a croc company. Even before they filed for chapter 11, beaware of them. DO not fall for this even if you think they have bargins. We don't need companies like that.

  • 31 Posted by eileen_dicker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just purchased a TV on 2/ 20 from Circuit City. At the counter they explained they were not responsible once we took the TV home if there were any problems. They had a counter set up behind the check out where you could unpack your merchandise and inspect it and even plug it in an outlet to turn it on. Sure if may be a hassle, an extra 20 minutes on a huge TV, but worth it.

  • 32 Posted by jakescollision1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I say you should open the box before you give your credit card number. I don't feel sorry for those people as I worked for Circuit City and most of the customers were jerks anyway. I guess the last laugh is on you.

  • 33 Posted by willie0343 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thats good for them, how STUPID can you be to buy anything without the right to be able to check the item. The sad part is the people think they are getting a good deal....What you are really getting is SHAFTED JUst like a the web site Sonic Cameras they are claiming to give you a deal on cameras that really cost 1500.00 for 700.00 dollars NOT TRUE wake up people.. Sucker City was not and has not given consumers a good discount since going out of business.

  • 34 Posted by evelyntaylor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    First there were signs all over the stores indicating "No refunds"; however, there were a few stores in TX that actually had a testing area prior to leaving the store. If you purchased an electronic equiptment from one of these stores and didn't test it well....that was on you. I purchased a TV and XBox and tested them both before I left the store. They are both working great and I couldn't be happier. Also, remember that many of the items have a manufacture warranty.

  • 35 Posted by walling_m_i on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I went to the store near me, the stuff was pretty much picked over, and the bargains weren't very good. Forty percent off on electronics goods is about the same as full retail. There are better bargains on EBay from merchants who have their Feedbacks posted, and where your purchases are pretty much safe. I feel sorry for the sales people at Circuit City who are losing employment in a rotten time to find a new job.

  • 36 Posted by jameschaconas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    THERES NOT ONE ITEM AT CIRCUIT CITY THAT IS NOT SO OVER PRICED!!!! THERE ARE NO DEALS EVER AND THATS WHY THEY ARE BANKRUPT

  • 38 Posted by assimov_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well as is would be fine if you had a chance to make sure that it works or is in working condition. Paying 1000$ for an item that does not even work that is just plain wrong. I guess that is the sign of the changing times just steer away from such bargains that are probably too good to be true.

  • 39 Posted by cclark2012 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have also noticed the big items where marked up and then after the discounts you can but the same thing at any other store for the same price. Also glad to see them go their customer service has always been terrible.

  • 40 Posted by lilith_morrbid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    my freind bought a gps, and all he got was an empty gps box, they wouldn't give him a replacement and sadly he used his debit card instead of credit card. so he lost $200 for nothing

  • 41 Posted by litmajor2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I understand that all sales are final, but it is pretty cruddy that they will not let you inspect the merchandise. That would have sent me running for the door :)

  • 42 Posted by pacmanut1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Buy the product. Open it in the store to see if it is ok. If it is not tell them you have changed your mind and don't want it. You haven't left the store with the product so most of the time they will let you return it. Also the Circuit City I went to did let me open the box to check the item out.

  • 43 Posted by hillbilly13arky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    I purchased a T.V. that was defective and samsung exchanged themselves

  • 44 Posted by calvin_psu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree and disagree... Yes its a liquidaton sale, so all sales should be final and no refunds should be given. But on the other hand if you are buying a TV, they should at least open it up and let you inspect/test it before you take it out of the store. When I bought my TV from CC, I was given a chance to inspect for initial damage or scratches before I left the store. I even had to sign a form saying that I've been given a chance to inspect it.

  • 45 Posted by hotelcalifornia@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Check with your credit card compay if you were smart enough to not buy w/cash or check. IF shortcut City doesn't respond, simplest of all you can file a dispute with the credit card company that you "did not receive the goods as described" (there are a number of dispute categories to choose from), the form is usually available of your credit card companies website. Some cards provide warranties for items purchased using the card, you may some recourse there as well. If your card company agrees, in many cases they do... they just yank the money out of the merchants account and that's the end of the story and debate with Shortcircuit City itself.

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