"satisfaction guaranteed" products

B

BigAl3

New member
i was wondering if "satisfaction guaranteed" products help in your purchasing decision, knowing if you aren't fully satisfied you can return it, etc...
 
Heh heh, when I returned over $300 worth of stuff to Griot's (for a credit, not a refund too), *at the rep's insistence*, and included extensive "field test" documentation as to why I was returning, they quit sending me catalogs! This is despite the fact that I've spent many thousands with them, going back to the days when Richard answered the phone himself. I still do business with them (gallons of car wash at a time), but they just won't send me catalogs despite my frequent complaints about it.



But more on-topic, nah, I don't let the guarantees influence my decision. Number of reasons-



Many good vendors will make sure I'm happy even without an "official" satisfaction policy (the Autopia store and TOL come to mind).



Anybody can *say* guarantee, because they know that most people won't bother hassling around (and paying for shipping) to take advantage of it.



Similarly, just because the maker/vendor is *so sure" :rolleyes: I'll be satisfied, that doesn't get much traction with *me*. I know that I can be hard to please and I'm gonna do whatever research I consider necessary before I buy. Then I'll just accept responsibility for the purchase.
 
I think some people might be less likely to try a new companies products without some kind of guarantee vs someone buying a new product from a company they've done business with before that has a guarantee.
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, when I returned over $300 worth of stuff to Griot's (for a credit, not a refund too), *at the rep's insistence*, and included extensive "field test" documentation as to why I was returning, they quit sending me catalogs! This is despite the fact that I've spent many thousands with them, going back to the days when Richard answered the phone himself. I still do business with them (gallons of car wash at a time), but they just won't send me catalogs despite my frequent complaints about it.
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You're a good man.



It may seem like a little thing, but to me that would be

almost an intolerable slight. It shouldn't matter if you asked

for a refund or credit. if I were in your shoes, still spending

a good chunk of money with that place, and they can't even

send me a catalog(even after complaining about it), I'd be

very tight.
 
No, usually returning things is a hassle.... I usually give the stuff I dont want to anybody who wants to try it out. Now, I dont often wind up buying things in need of return, thanks to these fine educational forums. I get to learn from others....If a product makes a claim, I can, after reading about it, mainly avoid buying things that I dont want in my collection. I hate hassling with returns, credits, rebates.... I also never try new unrated things in bulk.:xyxthumbs
 
usdm said:
It may seem like a little thing, but to me [the way Griot's won't send Accumulator any more catalogs] would be

almost an intolerable slight...
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Yeah, I'm not too happy about it....but I really like some of their products and I *like* to think that if Richard and I ever sat down and talked he'd be cool about it. I spoke with him at length a few times back in the early days and he really did seem like an OK guy.
 
Originally posted by Accumulator

... nah, I don't let the guarantees influence my decision. Number of reasons-



Many good vendors will make sure I'm happy even without an "official" satisfaction policy (the Autopia store and TOL come to mind).



Anybody can *say* guarantee, because they know that most people won't bother hassling around (and paying for shipping) to take advantage of it....
Click to expand...



Dang it Accumulator! If I don't get my post in before yours, mine are no more than a "Yeah that!" :) Keep up the good work

:up :D
 
No, because regardless of whether or not a company has a written guarantee, the good ones will take reasonable steps to make things right if you are not satisfied.
 
usdm said:
It may seem like a little thing, but to me that [not sending Accumulator a catalog] would be

almost an intolerable slight.
Click to expand...



Good lord, I wish I could get them to STOP sending me a catalog every two weeks. For those of you who've gotten samples from me, you might notice I use their crumpled catalog pages as packing material.



I like their stuff, but a catalog every two weeks is too much. I called and got them to put me on a different schedule, every 6 weeks, but it still seems like I have two or three a month. I probably get one as "Tom", one as "T", and one as "Thomas".





Tom
 
The trouble with the guarantees is that all they do is refund your money. You're right back where you started from, less whatever time and effort you've invested trying the product.



Not much satisfaction to be had then.
 
Check your state laws, many force mail or phone order to give a 30 day money back guarantee whether they like it or not. Getting a refund is as simple as contesting it with your credit card company who is obligated to follow state laws, and of course proving you sent it back with in 30 days is essential.
 
I like to read that there is a "guarantee," but I feel that they should re-word it to "warranty," since there is no way of them ensuring that you will like it. When they say "Guaranteed to work as stated or your money back" that's just saying there is a warranty.

Also, as already mentioned, most don't cover return shipping charges, or even initial shipping charges, so for me, the shipping would be about as much as the product.

Now, if it's at a local store, there isn't the shipping, so I'd get a full refund. On that type of sale, I'd like the "guarantee."
 
Not to hijack this thread...but I cannot imagine why Griot's would make you jump through hoops to make a return. Your job is not doing their R&D.



I have never purchased from Griot's partially due to the shipping costs that I find to be a bit much. If I had made a return...then could not even get a catalogue..I'd sure spend my money elsewhere.
 
Mosca- Griot's *used* to send me (and my wife) multiple catalogs too. Maybe you need to return a bunch of stuff :D



Matt M said:
...but I cannot imagine why Griot's would make you jump through hoops to make a return. ... If I had made a return...then could not even get a catalogue..I'd sure spend my money elsewhere.
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The return went smoothly enough, it's just the getting spanked with the "no more catalogs for you" that irritates me.



I still give them business because I can't find some of their products elsewhere (their Car Wash and some of their BHBs, for instance).



Their satisfaction/return policy *did* work well when the fancy floor jack I got from them crapped out on me. They even paid the shipping and quick-shipped the replacement.
 
Mosca said:
Good lord, I wish I could get them to STOP sending me a catalog every two weeks.
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Amen to that :bow



I ordered ONCE and returned EVERYTHING but a wheel brush and they STILL send me catalogs.



I'm sick of that catalog. I don't read it anymore. It goes straight to the recycle bin along with the Herrington catalog that I get at the same time evry 2 weeks.
 
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