As the title indicates, this is more of a way to vent than anything else. Seeing as how the members of this forum seem to be a lot more reasonable than most I've been a part of, I figured why not vent here...

My best buddy bought me a 40k Imperial Knight for my b-day that recently passed a couple days ago. For those that don't know they run about $140. and needless to say I was stunned (however I think it was more of a ploy or escalation on his part because he knows I have to pony up something good for him now too lol)

Here is the venting part, he bought it at our local gaming store; a store where our group of friends have spent roughly $5k over the years. And he bought it because I play IG and Space Marines and the IK would be a cool addition. We have been playing X-Wing however a lot more than we have been 40k. With all of the new releases X-Wing wise, I thought to myself and asked my bud; "hey $140 would go a long way to building our fleets for the game and he said heck yes it would, see if you can exchange the knight for $140 worth of X-Wing stuff... the manager, a guy I've known for probably 5 years said "uh I have 3 of em on the shelf, so i wouldn't need one right now, if I was down to 1 I would do it for you." Their store receipts have no exchange policy on them... and no policy is displayed in the store, I am just shocked a local mom/pop store won't go the extra mile and I think I might be done with'em.

I can buy the stuff on Amazon for cheaper, I choose to go to that store because I like to support the locals... but with other stores nearby and Amazon I wont anymore.

Am I overreacting, or would you do the same?

To get into this game I actually sold 4 shock lands from MTG at a local game store for 10$ a pop. However, a 140$ kit might be different than a few cards, especially if their stock is full / or they are not selling well.

I guess I'm not to judge, but I can see why they declined.

I don't know, in my country you have the right to be able to give it back in 15 days.

And no, you are not overreacting, even tho you should tell the store owner about how you feel about it. I did it in the past, he apologized and we haven't had a single problem afterwards, he understood he was crossing a line (he probably wasn't on his best moment) and i forgot about it.

While it's understandable to be upset, these small stores run on very small profit margin. For them to accept something like this back and to give you further stock would likely put them in a really poor position. I looked into running a store and it really has to be a labor of love for the owner.

I don't think your overreacting at all. Any locally owned gaming store relies on it's customers for support and should take care of them, otherwise said customers will head (as you have stated you will) to the internet. I love my local stores, they all have some policies concerning returns, but as long as nothing is broken or trashed they are willing to exchange it for me, even for store credit. If one of them did something like this, especially to loyal customers, I'd probably leave too. It's also weird because you didn't want money back, you were going to sink it all into more product of their's.

There loss though, head to some 40K forums or groups and try and sell it for as close to the original price and get your X-wing minis for a discount from the internet. The number of minis should be the same if you buy them online.

I'd do the same and tell them to their face that I plan to. Remind them how much money you've spent there, how much your friends as well have spent. Remind them how many years you've been good loyal customers.

You could even go as far as to contact the BBB, or I forget what it's called but most towns have something like that as well. See if yours does and go to them about it too maybe. I'm pretty sure if they don't have any signs up saying they do not accept returns then they have to accept it, as long as it's unopened and all that. See if your friend bought it with a credit card and take it up with them as well that the store won't accept a refund/exchange.

Well, coming from a different perspective, you do already have the 40k armies and models, and the gift was given with the idea that you would build and play it. Even if nothing more than a display model, it would probably help your friend more seeing paint on it than another 8-10 star wars ships. Unless there is a rush to get said ships, just wait for his birthday to come around and dump them all on him.

At the very least, talk with the owners privatly, don't make a scene, and explain your case. Even go so far as to tell them you buy from them to support them when you can buy elsewhere for cheaper. People can be reasonable

That was what irritated me the most to be honest, my buddy just bought it 3 days ago from them. It is still brand new upopened in the box...

That was what irritated me the most to be honest, my buddy just bought it 3 days ago from them. It is still brand new upopened in the box...

Are you sure you can't enforce the return? I guess it's on the US, how does the return policies work there ?

The economics of running a game store are brutal but I will say Amazon and other on-line sellers don't give a **** if you have no where to play or can't find anyone to play with once your order arives. No one gets rich running a game store and if a big product line goes bust then that store will probably be gone before you ever get your boycott on. If it were Barnes & Noble or Walmart then I'd be pissed but a guy who is probably just living day-to-day then I'd give a little leeway.

The economics of running a game store are brutal but I will say Amazon and other on-line sellers don't give a **** if you have no where to play or can't find anyone to play with once your order arives. No one gets rich running a game store and if a big product line goes bust then that store will probably be gone before you ever get your boycott on. If it were Barnes & Noble or Walmart then I'd be pissed but a guy who is probably just living day-to-day then I'd give a little leeway.

If somebody buys me a t-shirt as a present, i can go and return the t-shirt for something else, like some pants. This is no different. The guy is being a prick, and a bad manager, because he is treating like **** customers whom are already loyal.

The economics of running a game store are brutal but I will say Amazon and other on-line sellers don't give a **** if you have no where to play or can't find anyone to play with once your order arives. No one gets rich running a game store and if a big product line goes bust then that store will probably be gone before you ever get your boycott on. If it were Barnes & Noble or Walmart then I'd be pissed but a guy who is probably just living day-to-day then I'd give a little leeway.

If somebody buys me a t-shirt as a present, i can go and return the t-shirt for something else, like some pants. This is no different. The guy is being a prick, and a bad manager, because he is treating like **** already customers who you have already built loyalty towards your store.

That is what bothers me the most. I know the guy, we are on a first name basis and it was just a flat "no, I have three already".

Man that is just a bad feeling everywhere. In a way it's too bad your friend didn't just buy you some xwing stuff.

I bet the imperial knight is a little sad too. .

Seriously though. How is that piece worth that much??

And running a store is pretty brutal too. But if you want to talk to them about it I think the better business deal for them might be to accept the exchange

If the item was bought at the store and you're going to return for different items from the same store, I can't understand why they won't want to do it on good faith alone. It's better than losing a customer.

You might be able to trade for it. Or just build it. The Imperial Knights are awesome. Almost makes me want to play 40k again. Almost.

Looking at it from the store owner's perspective, letting you return it kind of seems like it could lead to a slippery slope.

That being said, I would definitely inform the store that they should make their return policy public.

I think you're overreacting just a bit. You got a killer gift. Yeah its unfortunate you can't make the return but its only 140$ which isn't really that much in the grand scheme of things.

This situation is why gift certificates to game stores are the best way to go...

I'd be done with them. It's not like you didn't plan on spending the money in the store, it's unopened, and it's only been a few days, so he hadn't replaced the stock.

Those stores rely on their customers having good experiences. If he wants to sacrifice future income for the moment I don't think he has a long future even if you kept buying. Best start optimizing your purchases now and use him as a play location until he goes away. He clearly doesn't mind using you in a similar fashion.

If it was opened or something then I could see it. But getting one item back and then having the same dollar value of some other item taken is a wash for him. So I don't see the issue. It's not like he'd have to sell the IK at a discount, not if the package has never been opened.

Only reason I could see it being an issue is if he ordered a replacement already. But it sounds like he had 4 on the shelf, and now thinks that having 4 again is too many.

Man that is just a bad feeling everywhere. In a way it's too bad your friend didn't just buy you some xwing stuff.

I bet the imperial knight is a little sad too. .

Seriously though. How is that piece worth that much??

And running a store is pretty brutal too. But if you want to talk to them about it I think the better business deal for them might be to accept the exchange

Don't get me wrong it was an awesome gift. But I have one now, and its not really a main part of my armies. My bud and I are really cool about gifts, we do this kind of stuff all the time. I even asked him, "dude no x-wing"? And he was like uhhhh crap lol.

Sorry, having been in sales and on both sides...if it is a brand new product and not against published store policy (which apparently isn't) as a store owner you eat the cost. $140 is not a lot in the grand scheme of things...but a bad review on Social media or say...these forums will cost you far far more than the $45 margin of that sale. And yes it sucks being on the store side exchanging product that sits for product that flies, but that's better than losing a ton of future sales from him and everyone in his circle of influence and it certainly isn't a cash/credit refund.

Now if were are talking against published policy and repeat try before you buyers...sure. But that is made up clear up front.

And for those who do not think it was a matter of import that is also a valid opinion...I would only point out that said person felt a need to express his disappointment here. So I think it mattered to the customer.

I would be thrilled that my buddy thought to spend $140 on me and build / paint the knight... but I probably have a different relationship with my friends than you do with yours.

Personally, I know I would be pretty upset if I bought my friend say, a Stompa, and he traded it in for magic cards, even if we played magic together.

It does seem a bit sucky that you cannot exchange them for a more desirable item which you want, because he already has 3 and does not want another one (do you know how long he has had them on display as that may show a motive if they have been there for a while?), its interesting that his policy is on the receipt and not displayed near the point of sale.

Topic allowed me to do a bit of law surfing, which was interesting

Returns and Refunds: Federal Law

Most retailers allow customers to return goods if they change their minds or receive an unwanted item as a gift simply because it makes good business sense. But they are not required to do unless there is an obvious defect with the product.

Merchants also may require a receipt in order to accept returns, which helps prevent return fraud (see discussion of this below).

Legally, it is a matter of contract law: If the merchant's policy (or sales contract) clearly states "all sales final" in a way that is not confusing to customers, then it is not required to accept returns on otherwise saleable goods.

Federal law governing refunds is fairly simple and straightforward, applying to online as well as in-store sales. Merchants do not have to provide a

full refund on returned goods unless one of the following conditions is

true

The goods were defective (or, more generally, the merchant broke its sales contract)

Refunds are part of the merchant's stated return policy

EDIT to add

Some states have laws addressing consumer refunds, although not all of them offer guidance on how the laws apply to their residents who purchase goods from out-of-state merchants over the Internet. Below are some examples of state laws governing refunds:

California: Merchants are required to clearly post their refund policy unless they offer full cash refund, exchange, or store credit within seven days of the purchase date. Failing this requirement, customers may return goods for a full refund within 30 days of the purchase.

Florida: Merchants that do not offer refunds must post this fact where customers can see. Failing this requirement, customers may return goods for a full refund within 20 days of the purchase.

Illinois: Illinois citizens may cancel consumer transactions (and get a full refund) within three business days for door-to-door sales, campground memberships, and gym memberships

Oh, here you are forced to allow the customer to return. But i guess in the united states it is different.

I don't think you are overreacting. Maybe explain things a bit more and give them another chance? If they don't fix it, I wouldn't buy from them again. To many good options out there these days. I try to buy 1-2 of everything from my LGS as I like them and play there quite a bit. But, if I didn't, I wouldn't buy there any more.

EDIT: In the absence of a posted policy, I'll bet there is some sort of law that would allow you to return. I wouldn't go there, but it's just another reason the store's behavior is annoying.

It's been a long time since I ran a game store, but when I did I know that GW product had the lowest profit margin. With that in mind, as a business owner, if a customer wanted to return it in exchange for something with a better profit margin I'd be pleased. If the guy was sitting on 4 of an expensive product he can't move it does suggest that it's not being run ideally anyway.

Well its not your fault he ordered in so many of said item that doesn't sell.

I'd definitely go back with it and with a level head try working something out.

Maybe thought you wanted cash back?

Sounds pretty shady business, especially to someone who has spent his share.

By losing one customer he can be stuck with more than 3 of whatever it was you got