In what New Jersey’s Courier Post newspaper calls “the retail equivalent of poor sportsmanship,” both Best Buy and Circuit City allows returns of TVs within 30 days of the Super Bowl. It’s a practice called “wardrobing,” which the National Retail Federation frowns upon, calling it “fraud.”
According to NRF statistics, 66 percent of retailers reported falling victim to wardrobers, although no statistics were released as to how many TVs were returned after the Bowl.
Have you noticed this phenomenon? Talk about it in the Dealerscope forums.
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the stores should have a 50% restocking fee for tv purchases 3 weeks prior to the super bowl. thats what my local electronics store does
I agree with the good Dr.
It will take educating the BB & CC kid salespeople, but that is their responsibility.
The manufacturers need to take a large responsibility with this. They need to hold BB & CC responible. Otherwise we all pay the price in higher costs.
As a former employee of Best Buy, there is only one way to attack this problem. During the Super Bowl period, stores like Best Buy should implement an exchange for same or another model program. No refunds during this period. Very simple.
Any thoughts?
Anthony
Montreal, Canada
too bad that consumers abuse the system.
I recommend that TV's purchased within 2-3 or less before the "Super Bowl" must be returned up to one day before the "Super Bowl". this would certainly discourage wardrobing.
Recommend in anticipation of "wardrobing" that all sets purchased within a week of Super Bowl may only be returned following the Super Bowl based on manufacturer defects. All others purchased during same time may be returned two weeks hence. Refunds will be submitted to consumer within 60 days of return. That oughta stop some of the frauds...What do you think?
Dr. Pj