Circuit City extends trade-in policy for HD DVD players

Bought an HD DVD player from Circuit City in the past 90 days? If so, you can bring it back for store credit and trade up for Blu-ray, according to a company spokesperson.

Both Gizmodo and High-Def Digest have been reporting that individual Circuit City stores have been quietly taking HD DVD returns as late as 90 days after purchase—a good two months longer than the typical 30-day window.

I just got off the phone with a Circuit City PR rep, and yes—the policy applies to all the retailer's U.S. stores. You'll have to bring your receipt, of course, along with the original packaging. You will then get full store credit, which—if you so choose—you can apply toward the purchase of a Blu-ray player (although good luck finding one for less than $250).

So far, I haven't heard of any other of the big electronics retailers extending their exchange policies for HD DVD players—surprising, given that going from HD DVD to Blu-ray would essentially be an up-sell for them.

What about you? Would you return your HD DVD player and apply the credit toward a Blu-ray deck, even if you have to cough up more cash to make the trade? Or would you rather stick with HD DVD (for now, at least) and wait for Blu-ray prices to drop?

Related:
Shhh! Circuit City Trading HD DVD Players for Blu-ray [High-Def Digest]