What to do?

[doughtdawg]

Where to start?... While I was surfing online I came across this hand held portable fish finder which seemed like a great deal at 68 dollars.  After shipping it ended up being nearly 80.  I received this POS in the mail on wednesday and tried it out saturday and it hardly worked.  When it was reading the depth it wasn't reading any fish, and there were obviously fish under me since I caught two fish while it said there were none.  Today I called the manufacturer itself and talked to tech support, the guy told me to turn it upside down on a hard surface and push the connector in as hard as I could... (Doesn't seem like that could be too good an idea, but I did it anyways.) after about standing on it I finally heared a click of the cord clicking into place.  After this I decided I didn't want this peice of junk cluttering up my house so I emailed them requesting a return number.  This lady called me and said it was not returnable since I opened it.  I looked on their webiste a few minutes ago and said any order is guranteed 100%, any item can be returned for ANY reason.  I am going to call them again tomorrow... Any ideas on what to do if the lady has the same response?

[PigShanks]

Remind her of the guarantee and then tell her your brother is a lawyer.

[doughtdawg]

Haha, I just hate having a "run around" with a peice of junk merchandise that they sold.  It's one thing to have a great return policy like that, but not if it doesn't stand... It would be nice if I really did have a lawyer for a brother, but my best friends dad used to be the senior project manager at Richard P Waltz, (pretty smart guy) and he LOVES to write letters to companys and make them change thier minds... Close enough to a lawyer to me

[auger_elbow]

I would call again and if you get the run around state to them you need their company business address, # so on and so forth so you can file a proper complaint with the BBB.  I did this recently with Metrocast concerning a  faulty install and got three months free internet!

[doughtdawg]

Great idea, never even thought of notifying the BBB!

[1TIGGER]

Remind them of  ***their *** guarantee and be nice .
If she still wont back the guarantee ask to speak to someone who really gives a sh#t because youre next call will be to the states attourney generals office . Also remind her that a guarantee that they have in writing also posted on the internet  that they wont honor is known as false advertisement .
Good luck and let us know hoe you make out .
P.S. LET THEM KNOW YOU BELONG TO ONE OF THE LARGEST FISHING ORGINIZATIONS  IN THE WORLD AND IM SURE YOU WOULDNT WANT ALL MY FISHING BUDDIES TO KNOW HOW YOU OPERATE .

[doughtdawg]

Thanks for the help guys, Ice shanty is truely one of the best sites anybody could ever come across... This is my second or third year on the site and I don't think anything else has helped me out as much as this site and the great members of the maine board, THANKS GUYS... and by the way, here is "their" gurantee in writing, directly from their website...

No Restocking Fees!!! As long as the item is returned in NEW condition you will NOT be charged a restocking fee.

Your Satisfaction is our top priority! We understand that sometimes you just aren't happy with something you purchase, whether in a physical store or online. You can return any item for any reason for a refund within 10 days of receipt. Returns must be in salable condition, with ALL original materials and packing and require a Return Authorization Number.  You are responsible for return shipping and any shipping charges are not refundable except in the case of defective merchandise. (Please note...we do NOT resell returned merchandise here on our web site). Special order items, Software, Charts, Marine Heads, Closeout Items and Inflatable Boats are not returnable. Email us at [email protected] with specific questions.

[1TIGGER]

Doughtdawg
I dont see a problem with the return . As long as you meet their requirements listed at the bottom of their guarantee . Good luck ..Keep us posted

[ifishhi]

looks to me like you should be able as long as you have all the parts and paper work and it's not been mors then 10 day.

[doughtdawg]

Well... I just called the company back and spoke with the manager himself, and he told me it was non returnable because it was not in "re-salable" condition because it had been opened.  I than asked him how I was supposed to know it was going to be a peice of junk and not work for what I had intended it for, before I opened it and used it?!  He said if there is an equipment related problem than I need to contact the manufacturer.  The thing obviously doesnt work right since I caught two fish at seperate times of the day and it didn't even recognize that there were fish underneath me... I don't know what else to do since its pretty much a dead end with their company and if I contact the manufacturer and tell them that it wasn't reading fish under me, and they send me a new one, than when I try to turn around and return it to boaters island where I got it, it will be past the 10 day period... SO... what to do now?

[weav11]

Is it a hawkeye portable?

[TaterSalad]

Well... I just called the company back and spoke with the manager himself, and he told me it was non returnable because it was not in "re-salable" condition because it had been opened.  I than asked him how I was supposed to know it was going to be a peice of junk and not work for what I had intended it for, before I opened it and used it?!  He said if there is an equipment related problem than I need to contact the manufacturer.  The thing obviously doesnt work right since I caught two fish at seperate times of the day and it didn't even recognize that there were fish underneath me... I don't know what else to do since its pretty much a dead end with their company and if I contact the manufacturer and tell them that it wasn't reading fish under me, and they send me a new one, than when I try to turn around and return it to boaters island where I got it, it will be past the 10 day period... SO... what to do now?

You might be out your money but not out of options.  Call the BBB.  Also notify the Attorney General where these people do business.  Make copies of their policy ASAP incase they change it.  Chances are, if they are doing this to you they have or will do this to someone else.  Good luck.

[Bluefinforme]

what's the brand name?

[ccotenh]

I'd say keep bugging them.  The policy says the PRODUCT itself must be in "salable condition."  It does not say the packing it came in needs to be intact per se as long as it's included; "packing" has not been clearly defined in their policy.  The word they seem to keep telling you which is NOT specifically mentioned in their policy is "unopened."  Remind them that the word "unopened" was not in their policy.  Let them know that you know what you're talking about...be persistent.  And if they do refuse a refund again, tell them that you are associated with an enormous network of fellow fisherman who WILL be notified about the kind of service to expect from this company.  And make out a report to the BBB, you can do it online.  Draw their attention to Principle 1 of The Better Business Bureau's Code of Online Business Practices: 

Principle I: Truthful and Accurate Communications.
Online advertisers should not engage in deceptive or misleading trade practices with regard to any aspect of electronic commerce, including advertising, marketing, or in their use of technology.

Online advertisers should adhere to the Better Business Bureau’s Code of Advertising. Online advertisers should engage in truthful advertising. They should not make deceptive or misleading representations or omissions of material facts.

Sometimes you gotta stand up for the principle of something.  Sometimes you gotta be a pain in the arse.  Good luck!   

[doughtdawg]

Yes it was hawk eye portable!!   

[hardwatergrampa]

if you purchased it with a credit card call the card holder and tell them you want to stop payment they will tell you what  to do and they will investergate you may get your money back that way

[weav11]

Yes it was hawk eye portable!!   

sorry you had to find out after the fact....someone started a link a few weeks back asking about them...most comments were negative....I bought mine through Ebay a few years ago...it was a marine supply co. down south....they dumped a bunch on Ebay for a quick sale.....after realizing it sucked I called the co. and they did refund my money...i'm guessing your working with a different outfit.....

[spoonfed]

 try contacting the maker of the product.

[doughtdawg]

Well I have contacted the tech support becuase it wasn't working... Seems like a very poorly designed peice of equipment, as for paying for it, i used a debit card so im not sure if stoping payment is an option now... It's business like this that make online shopping a hassle instead of an ease...