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Home Depot return policy

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Stormin Mormon

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May 28, 2009, 6:53:25 PM5/28/09
to
I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.

The returns desk refunded me my original $198 or whatever it
was (including the tax). Gave me a store credit "gift" card.
And sent me to go buy another water heater. Which was $388.
So, it cost me about $190 to replace a WH that was in
warranty.

I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
policy.

Does anyone know?

Oh, it's nice to have hot water, again. And yes, I did
install a shutoff.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

William Munny

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May 28, 2009, 7:18:46 PM5/28/09
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Depending on what the warranty said, you might have been able to get your
money back rather than accept a gift card. That being said, it crapped out
during the warranty period so they "refunded" you what you paid. What's your
beef?

Andy

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May 28, 2009, 7:40:05 PM5/28/09
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On Thu, 28 May 2009 18:53:25 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
>heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.
>
>The returns desk refunded me my original $198 or whatever it
>was (including the tax). Gave me a store credit "gift" card.
>And sent me to go buy another water heater. Which was $388.
>So, it cost me about $190 to replace a WH that was in
>warranty.
>
>I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
>a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
>policy.
>
>Does anyone know?

The old heater was probably "Old Design," while the new one is "New
Design," which costs a lot more.
<http://www.prlog.org/10213896-bw-plumbing-and-heating-water-heater-warranties-simplified.html>

Stormin Mormon

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May 28, 2009, 7:49:14 PM5/28/09
to
I expected them to replace the WH at no charge to me. That's
my beef.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org

.


"William Munny" <w...@jbigwhiskey.org> wrote in message
news:gvn64o$ggt$1...@news.albasani.net...

Red Green

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May 28, 2009, 7:51:25 PM5/28/09
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org:

Understand you had to uninstall and install new one prematurely which
stinks. Look at the bright side and take into consideration:

You got 5 years of use for no charge.
At least it wasn't pro rated.
It didn't fail just after warranty was up.

Was the replacement a truly equivalent heater which cost 190 more?

Was it a GE/Hotpoint? <careful, I'm settin' you up here!>.

Oren

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May 28, 2009, 7:56:11 PM5/28/09
to
On Thu, 28 May 2009 18:53:25 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
>a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
>policy.
>
>Does anyone know?

Don't think while in HD?!!

David Nebenzahl

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May 28, 2009, 8:18:27 PM5/28/09
to
On 5/28/2009 3:53 PM Stormin Mormon spake thus:

> I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
> heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.
>
> The returns desk refunded me my original $198 or whatever it
> was (including the tax). Gave me a store credit "gift" card.
> And sent me to go buy another water heater. Which was $388.
> So, it cost me about $190 to replace a WH that was in
> warranty.
>
> I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
> a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
> policy.
>
> Does anyone know?

No, but I could be like that other guy here--you know, the one who tells
everyone to just Google it--and tell you to look on their web site,
which has some information about returns:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=Return_Policy&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

But I wouldn't do that.

Interesting that they don't say anything about returns made more than 90
days after purchase, even though you obviously did just that.

Here's the info from that page:

========================================================================

Our Store Return Policy Basics

Returns within 90 days of purchase and with a valid sales receipt will
be exchanged, refunded in cash, credited to your account or refunded via
The Home Depot store credit.

Return and Product Exceptions

- Purchases made with store credit, gift certificates and gift cards
will be refunded as store credit. Store credits cannot be used to
purchase gift cards.
- Gasoline-powered equipment may be returned within 30 days of purchase
with a valid sales receipt. After 30 days, item may be sent out for
repair at the customer�s expense, unless covered under warranty.

Sorry, Returns Not Available on the Following Products:

-Custom made products and custom tinted paint
-Gift cards, gift certificates and store credits
-Utility trailers

-Special Order returns are subject to 15% restocking fee. Cancellations
may be subject to 15% restocking fee**

-Cash and cash equivalent purchases, exceeding $1,000, may be refunded
as mail check. Checks are mailed from The Home Depot�s Store Support
Center in Atlanta, GA

-Receipts for purchases made with credit, debit or check within the last
90 days may be located in our system. Ask about receipt look up

-The Home Depot reserves the right to limit or refuse to accept the
return of merchandise at any time and for any reason

-Purchases made at homedepot.com or other The Home Depot Companies may
not be returned at a The Home Depot store, unless the item is stocked or
sold in the returning store.

-Items purchased at The Home Depot US, The Home Depot Canada or The Home
Depot Mexico may not be returned across borders

-Returns of merchandise after 90 days in Massachusetts and Connecticut,
and after 120 days in Rhode Island from the date of original purchase
with a receipt: Sales tax will NOT be refunded. Customers will be issued
credit for the purchase price of the item(s) only. NOTE: Even exchanges
of merchandise are not affected by this rule.

-Customer Agreement purchases must be returned to the same store
location where originally purchased

**See Special Services Desk at your local store for details.


--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

Malcolm Hoar

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May 28, 2009, 8:20:46 PM5/28/09
to
In article <gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
>heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.

This wasn't a "return". It was a warranty claim.

Gemerally speaking it's a warranty offered by the
manufacturer (not the retailer).

And they normally promise repair or replacement
(at their discretion).

You should check the original documentation and/or
contact the manufacturer. You may be entitled to
a better deal.

--
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Malcolm Hoar "The more I practice, the luckier I get". |
| ma...@malch.com Gary Player. |
| http://www.malch.com/ Shpx gur PQN. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David Nebenzahl

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May 28, 2009, 8:24:07 PM5/28/09
to
On 5/28/2009 5:20 PM Malcolm Hoar spake thus:

> In article <gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, "Stormin
> Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water heater,
>> today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.
>
> This wasn't a "return". It was a warranty claim.

Doh! Why didn't I think of that? Of course it is.

DerbyDad03

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May 28, 2009, 8:31:06 PM5/28/09
to
On May 28, 6:53 pm, "Stormin Mormon"

Yours is not a question on HD's return policy, but on how the warranty
for your GE water heater works. These are 2 very different things.

Before I took my water heater back to HD, I would have called GE and
found out exactly how the warranty worked. I'm not sure I'd put a lot
of faith in the guy/gal at HD to know the warranty terms.

I suggest you call GE anyway and explain the situation.Oh yeah...don't
be surprised if you call GE Customer Care and they give you a number
for HD. They sell their water heaters exclusively through HD and may
refer you to them fro warranty questions. If the store did something
wrong, they may be able to make it right. It's worth a shot...

BTW Are you sure it's a Hotpoint? My GE Profile is made by Rheem.

Stormin Mormon

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May 28, 2009, 8:54:50 PM5/28/09
to
I didn't think of it, either.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"David Nebenzahl" <nob...@but.us.chickens> wrote in message
news:4a1f2aa8$0$2695$8226...@news.adtechcomputers.com...

Stormin Mormon

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May 28, 2009, 8:56:39 PM5/28/09
to
I'm going to bed a bit early, today. As it happens, I do
have the original paper work. I'll try to remember to read
that, tomorrow. It is very possible that the original paper
work will clear up the confusion.

Perhaps I got screwed over, and perhaps I got what was
coming to me. Tomorrow, after a night sleep, we'll see.
Thanks for the good idea. Tonight, I'm not thinking as
clearly as I should be.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message
news:441038f0-50fd-42bb...@z7g2000vbh.googlegroups.com...

Cal

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May 28, 2009, 8:59:36 PM5/28/09
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

If you checked the warranty, I believe you would find it a limited (read
prorated) warranty. Basically on the 6 year, it's a 5 year tank & 1 year
parts. Unless, you bought the higher end 6 yr. But for the original price
of 190, I doubt very much it's a higher end with a 6 year tank & parts
warranty.

_If_ this was a limited warranty, count your blessings you got anything.


Colbyt

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May 28, 2009, 9:10:22 PM5/28/09
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

I would not have thought they would refund anything after that long. The
MFG provides the warranty.

And yes they have gone up that much in 5 years.


Colbyt


benick

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May 28, 2009, 9:20:36 PM5/28/09
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"Colbyt" <colbyt@-SPAMBLOCK-lexkyweb.com> wrote in message
news:rPudnRpoL4xiqILX...@insightbb.com...

Here in Maine there is an "implied warrantee" law that is for 4 YEARS...How
does that work..In any other states????

tra...@optonline.net

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May 29, 2009, 7:30:46 AM5/29/09
to
On May 28, 9:20 pm, "benick" <ben...@fairpoint.net> wrote:
> "Colbyt" <col...@-SPAMBLOCK-lexkyweb.com> wrote in message
>
> news:rPudnRpoL4xiqILX...@insightbb.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spambloc...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> >news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
> >> I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
> >> heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.
>
> >> The returns desk refunded me my original $198 or whatever it
> >> was (including the tax). Gave me a store credit "gift" card.
> >> And sent me to go buy another water heater. Which was $388.
> >> So, it cost me about $190 to replace a WH that was in
> >> warranty.
>
> >> I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
> >> a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
> >> policy.
>
> >> Does anyone know?
>
> >> Oh, it's nice to have hot water, again. And yes, I did
> >> install a shutoff.
>
> >> --
> >> Christopher A. Young
> >> Learn more about Jesus
> >>  www.lds.org
> >> .
>
> > I would not have thought they would refund anything after that long.  The
> > MFG provides the warranty.
>
> > And yes they have gone up that much in 5 years.
>
> > Colbyt
>
> Here in Maine there is an "implied warrantee" law that is for 4 YEARS...How
> does that work..In any other states????- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Just curious, what size water heater was this? I'd be amazed that
you could buy a 40 gal one for $198 5 years ago. I replaced mine
with one from HD maybe 7 or 8 years ago and paid a lot more than that
for one that was nothing special.

Stormin Mormon

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May 29, 2009, 8:53:19 AM5/29/09
to
I would not have thought of that. I do have the paper work
that came with. I'll have to read that, see what it says.
Thank you.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"Malcolm Hoar" <ma...@malch.com> wrote in message
news:gvn9ou1380...@news.sonic.net...

Kuskokwim

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May 29, 2009, 8:57:01 AM5/29/09
to
On Thu, 28 May 2009 19:49:14 -0400, Stormin Mormon wrote:

> I expected them to replace the WH at no charge to me.

Is this meant to be a joke?

dss

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May 29, 2009, 9:05:10 AM5/29/09
to
I just replaced my late mother-in-law's 40-gallon water heater that
died on year seven of the six year warranty. I would have loved to
have gotten the original price ($180) back to offset the cost of the
new one ($340 + parts, taxes and inspection fees).

Both should have lasted longer. Anyone want to buy a town home in
Minnesota (It's got a new water heater)?

dss

Malcolm Hoar

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May 29, 2009, 9:41:19 AM5/29/09
to

Only if the advertized claim of 6 years warranty was a joke.

mkir...@rochester.rr.com

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May 29, 2009, 1:19:39 PM5/29/09
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On May 29, 9:41 am, ma...@malch.com (Malcolm Hoar) wrote:

> In article <va58zw632zlz$.cy8idpnpdi8d....@40tude.net>, Kuskokwim <nos...@ak.net> wrote:
> >On Thu, 28 May 2009 19:49:14 -0400, Stormin Mormon wrote:
>
> >> I expected them to replace the WH at no charge to me.
>
> >Is this meant to be a joke?
>
> Only if the advertized claim of 6 years warranty was a joke.

Just 'cuz it says "warranty" doesn't mean "free replacement." You
gotta read the fine print.

It was probably a "refund" warranty. The words "original purchase
price" were on the warranty card somewhere.

I expect the girls to fawn all over me when I walk in a bar. Hasn't
happened yet, and I'm pissed too.

sligoNo...@hotmail.com

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May 29, 2009, 1:28:45 PM5/29/09
to
On Thu, 28 May 2009 19:49:14 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I expected them to replace the WH at no charge to me. That's
>my beef.


That would be nice, but it appears they are replacing what was
defective and if you read most any warranty, that is the best you can
hope for.

rossdoug

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May 29, 2009, 2:15:04 PM5/29/09
to
On May 29, 12:28 pm, sligoNoSPAM...@hotmail.com wrote:
> On Thu, 28 May 2009 19:49:14 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
>
> <cayoung61**spambloc...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >I expected them to replace the WH at no charge to me. That's
> >my  beef.
>
>         That would be nice, but it appears they are replacing what was
> defective and if you read most any warranty, that is the best you can
> hope for.

I have to say something. After reading all these helpful responses, I
hope that
the next time I have a failed item that it fails in the warranty
period and the store
is so happy and cooperative to just give my money back,
After 5 years there probably is no direct replacement. I think you
should take
the store manager out for a nice steak dinner.

Stormin Mormon

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May 29, 2009, 7:59:33 PM5/29/09
to
No, it was serious. It was within warranty.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"Kuskokwim" <nos...@ak.net> wrote in message
news:va58zw632zlz$.cy8idpnpdi8d.dlg@40tude.net...

Malcolm Hoar

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May 29, 2009, 8:07:46 PM5/29/09
to

>> Only if the advertized claim of 6 years warranty was a joke.
>
>Just 'cuz it says "warranty" doesn't mean "free replacement." You
>gotta read the fine print.

Warranty: : "a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a
product and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or
replacement of defective parts"

Now, yes, I am aware that lawyers have been nibbling away at
bits of this for quite a while through ever more complex fine
print. But there reaches a point where the implied promise
becomes a joke. And, at that point, sellers should not be
describing their worthless bit of drivel as a "warranty".
Let them invent some new marketing speak to describe the
thing -- "non-binding customer assurance certificate" sounds
pretty darn good to me ;-)

mm

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May 29, 2009, 9:05:29 PM5/29/09
to

Just for the record, the last sentence here is, I'm certain, wrong:
"If the tank leaks or fails with any �Old Design� gas water heater and
it still has a tank warranty, then the homeowner can replace the the
water heater replaced under warranty. The homeowner will have to pay
for installation and an upgrade charge for the �New Design� water
heater. The good new in this scenario is that with the upgrade
charge, the the water heater�s warranty will extend another six (6)
years."

He doens't mean *another* 6 years. He means 6 years from the time of
installation, which is definitely less than 6 years from the first
installation or it woudln't be covered by the guarantee at all, maybe
as little as one month afterwards. So it's not 6 years and another 6
years but 6 years and whatever it gets extended to.

Ed Pawlowski

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May 29, 2009, 9:51:02 PM5/29/09
to

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gvpsvm$98m$2...@news.eternal-september.org...

> No, it was serious. It was within warranty.
>
> --

I'd expect one of two things to happen. A new unit, or my money back.
Replacement price aside, you did get six years of use of a water heater for
free. Since you went back to HD, you took what they offered but I wonder if
you went directly to the manufacturer if things would be different.


z

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May 30, 2009, 12:04:38 AM5/30/09
to
On May 29, 9:51 pm, "Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote:
> "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spambloc...@hotmail.com> wrote in message


lucky they didn't prorate the warranty for time, like they do with
tires or car batteries. battery dies within warranty, after what's
left of the warranty you have to pay more for a new battery than what
they are selling the same battery for on that week's sale.

my favorite though is that infinity razor they sell on tv. "Want a
replacement for your $10 shaver? Then spend a few bucks mailing the
razor back to us, include a check for $7 to cover shipping and
handling, and watch your mail in a couple months."
http://www.courant.com/business/hc-ontv0803.artaug03,0,3537773.story

Stormin Mormon

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May 30, 2009, 10:25:13 PM5/30/09
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Natural gas, 29 galons.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


<tra...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:d8352733-26ce-469f...@z5g2000vba.googlegroups.com...

Doug Brown

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May 31, 2009, 12:31:01 AM5/31/09
to
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gvn4mv$48g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> I'm guessing someone on this list knows. I returned a water
> heater, today. Purchased Jan 26, 2004. Six year warranty.
>
> The returns desk refunded me my original $198 or whatever it
> was (including the tax). Gave me a store credit "gift" card.
> And sent me to go buy another water heater. Which was $388.
> So, it cost me about $190 to replace a WH that was in
> warranty.
>
> I thought they would say "sorry, sir" and send me home with
> a new WH, at no charge. They blamed GE / Hotpoint for that
> policy.
>
> Does anyone know?
>
> Oh, it's nice to have hot water, again. And yes, I did
> install a shutoff.
>
> --
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> www.lds.org

I know that many of us who frequent here do or should know where your are
but............

What jurisdiction do you live in?

What are the warranty requirements there?

What does your local/state/province/ federal law say about warranties?

Inquiring minds want to know.


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