If you have shopped at a Kmart, or even a Best Buy, lately, you will have been offered a product replacement on some items that you purchased.  Do you know what a product replacement is?

Well, it is quite sad to say that not all stores that offer the product replacement actually have the same terms.  I can understand that, but if you are not going to replace my product 100%, then don’t sell it to me in that manner.

I was recently at Best Buy here in Sheboygan, which is a nice store, and made a purchase of about $100.  The clerk offered me the “product replacement” for $16 or so.  I took it, and let me tell you why, because I have had these types of things before from products purchased at Kmart.  THEY replace the product no matter what happened to it.  You have proof of purchase and that whatever broke, you get a new one.

It’s nice for large items like lawn mowers or even video game consoles, etc.  But, I was told by Best Buythat my products were to be replaced at no cost if something broke.  I was NOT told that it only covers everything BUT accidental breakage.  So, if you were to buy an Xbox and when you take it out of the box, it slips and smashes to the floor, I guess you couldn’t get it replaced.

Well, my product did break and it was an accident.  I call them up, “sure bring your item in with proof of purchase”.  Excellent, we do have a store around that isn’t out to screw the customer.  WRONG!

AFTER I get there, I am told the “product replacement” does not cover accidental anything.  Pissed off of course, I left the store without any satisfaction and Best Buy was $16 richer for doing NOTHING.

Now, I do not expect to get a brand new item for NOTHING, but shouldn’t I expect it when that’s how the warranty is sold to me?  I was misled by Best Buy (in my opinion) and skewed by my past purchases at a Kmartthat honored their warranties.  I know that extended warranties are junk and foolish to purchase, but I do not think of a product replacement as an extended warranty at all.

Nevertheless, I am steaming over the whole thing and after I go to the Best Buy website, this is what I find about product replacement.

Full Replacement
You get comprehensive coverage, with no deductibles or other hidden charges. If your product is found defective under normal usage, we will provide for a replacement.

Oh well, if it was sold to me this way, I wouldn’t have purchased it I guess.  Has anyone else fallen into this trap or even had a good experience with a product replacement purchase?

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