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Viewsonic at Sears outlet?

Has anyone bought one from their outlet center? Apparently they are customer returns. My question is, are they open box or refurbs?

Breakthecycle2 said:
Has anyone bought one from their outlet center? Apparently they are customer returns. My question is, are they open box or refurbs?
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Yes, people have bought them. And I think they are mostly just returned items. Probably all are good, just people hated the way they work out of the box.

Everytime I see one on the outlet website they are only available for store pickup. Has anyone gotten sears to ship them a "reconditioned" one?
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

I have an Outlet device - they are customer returns. As such, they could have scuffs and scratches depending on how the inital owner treated them.
I believe that these are "Closeouts" that you would see in the Clearance area in their Electronics section. As such, you have to pick it up in the store that you bought it from.
I bought mine online, got an email an hour later that it was ready for pickup, and then drove over to get it at Merchandise pickup. Mine was a first run, the previous owner had taken off the screen protector, but it was in good cosmetic shape. The previous owner actually had Androot on it, as well as Launcher Pro!

I've ordered one at sears.com and I haven't got a time to pick it up yet.
What do you mean it's returned items?
I wasn't able to see anything about returned item on the web site.
Please point it for me.
TIA.

Unlike roebeet, I had a pretty horrible experiences with the sears outlet. I to make about 10 phone calls to different departments and different stores. I waited for a week because they kept telling me the item will be "ready" in couple days. They all give me the run around. Even when I confronted them that me calling someone else will not help because I called that number already, they kept repeating what they just said untill I hung up. Half the time they could not find my order even after I gave them my order id, sale check number, my name, address, and phone number.
I kept calling the sears outlet customer service till I got someone useful that actually wanted to help me. I found out the reason that half the the people could not find my order was because they never check the "sears outlet" box when they searched with my order id. Because the last guy who helped said he had no trouble finding my order. He actually called the sears store that i was suppose to pick up the item from for me.
He got hung up twice by the sears store then came back to me and told me he will try again because he wants to get to the bottom of this. It took him 5 more calls to actually get to the manager of the sears store. This took him about hour and half. In the end he found out my order been canceled but nothing was updated and my credit card was still charged. I got my refund back but wasted a lot of time.
I guess the moral of the story is if you do not get a email in one day when the store are open. You should cancel your order to save yourself the trouble. If the sears outlet customer service cannot find your order by the order id ask them if they have sears outlet checked. Because there should be no reason for them to have to ask you sale check number, your name, address, and phone number to find your order.

Do the Android said:
I've ordered one at sears.com and I haven't got a time to pick it up yet.
What do you mean it's returned items?
I wasn't able to see anything about returned item on the web site.
Please point it for me.
TIA.
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sears.com (or a regular Sears store) is not a Sears Outlet store which is being discussed here.

Absolutely check your local store in their electronic clearance area....
All returns will go to the floor at a reduced price if it's just a return.
If the item has a problem, it might end up at the Outlet center.
I bought 2... 1 brand new at the black friday price and 1 returned.
Sammie

samielowe said:
Absolutely check your local store in their electronic clearance area....
All returns will go to the floor at a reduced price if it's just a return.
If the item has a problem, it might end up at the Outlet center.
I bought 2... 1 brand new at the black friday price and 1 returned.
Sammie
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When you say black friday price do you mean $379.99? The price on the sears outlet is $279.99. Because I would not buy this product unless its under $300.

This is actually interesting. I work for Sears and I'm in charge of processing high value returns between electronics/hardware. Our Sears Outlet site is simply a database of our 991 items ( clearence ). All sears outlet does is show you what stores in your area have that item at a discounted price, but it does also show what we have in our actual outlet stores as well. The only reason electronics get marked down is because they are last years models, or because they were returned/have physical damage/missing something.
One thing I can tell you for certain is that they are not refurbished. We do not refurbish computers ( or any device that stores personal information ) on a store level ( regular full line store, not a physical outlet center ). If the box has been opened and the customer has used it, it's not to be sold in stores, and frankly, even if it hasn't been opened, it's not to be sold either. It's supposed to be sent to a return center to be properly processed - and no, it will never come back to the store.
I mean, correct me if I'm mistaken but you guys have picked up these tablets at a discount at a regular store? They would absolutely not go back on the salesfloor at my store.
I'm not trying to spill secrets here, but it's a heads up for you guys. Frankly I'd love to know what stores are doing it, if I'm following this correctly. This is not only wrong for the previous owners but wrong for the second buyers. Which is why it's against policy. And like Roebeet said - how those programs were left on it - means it was blatantly processed incorrectly. This actually bothers me quite a bit...

I ordered a second gtab from Sears outlet @ 279. Picked it up at the Scranton pa store still I'm the shrink wrap. Looked unopened to me and not a fingerprint to be seen. The lady said it came from a pile in the back...? So I'm pretty sure I got a brand new gtab for 279.

This thread has probably ruined our chances of ever getting another G-tab for $279.

phfaty said:
This thread has probably ruined our chances of ever getting another G-tab for $279.
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Wait until after 12/25....

Just last night I found them online in the "Outlet". I was going to place order but I fell asleep studying. This morning, I wake up to place the order and...they are no longer showing up on the outlet website! Like at all! Do disappointed. I guess now I am stuck with the 101 as it was in my price range, but 2.2 runs like crap on it, so I read, and it will probably never see 2.3 or 3.0.

I hope searsoutlet is only sold out of them. I have been looking on the site everyday for about a week and nothing...
Anybody else know where to get them for this cheap?

localfinesse said:
I hope searsoutlet is only sold out of them. I have been looking on the site everyday for about a week and nothing...
Anybody else know where to get them for this cheap?
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They put them on the outlet site every morning (if available).....check often and purchase asap when you one near you...they gtab scooped up fast

phfaty said:
This thread has probably ruined our chances of ever getting another G-tab for $279.
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Mods, quick, delete this thread!!

harpua1980 said:
They put them on the outlet site every morning (if available).....check often and purchase asap when you one near you...they gtab scooped up fast
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Thanks for the tip.

Viewsonic Tablet: Say No to Sears Restocking Fee

I've never had a problem returning anything at Sears except once. I bought a floor model once and returned it to store pick-up area. Then went to cashier to get refund. Cashier wanted to charge a restocking fee. I said no. Cashier calls down to pick-up they say it requires a restock fee. I tell them it's a floor model and what's to restock just set it back on the floor. They say only manager can over rule pick-up receiver. I ask for manager. They call manager who tells them by phone to not charge restock fee.
Read policy below and notice the "MAY, BUT NEED NOT BE" in the policy. The restocking fee only applies if they determine the item was "used". If everything is in perfect condition including the box and manual etc., no restocking free would be charged. This means everything in the box including enclosed coupons if any, English manual, Spanish manual, ever single thing. Box needs to look new so open it and everything carefully. Put everything back together perfectly. Should look new and ready to resell. If anything is missing they will only exchange it for the same or like item. Be nice during return, even if you need the manager.
From Sears website as of today 11/30/10
Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back
Restocking/Cancellation Fee Policy (Not applicable in HI)
A 15% restocking fee is charged on Home Electronics returned without the original box, used, and without all of the original product packaging and accessories; Mattresses, built in Home Appliances, and special orders on Hardware, Sporting Goods, Lawn & Garden, and Automotive merchandise. Home Electronics returned in opened boxes may, but need not be, determined to have been used. Special orders cancelled after 24 hours of purchase are subject to a 15% order cancellation fee.

My receipt on the 27th had wording about the return policy and the 15% restocking fee. I returned my gtab for another on, and never paid the restocking fee. It was clearly opened, and the returned item marked for clearance. So yes they may have this policy, doesn't mean they enforce it, maybe because I wasn't returning but exchanging....i'm not going to complain. Just wish I could have gone back and gotten the item on clearance knowing now how to unbrick these things. Live n learn, someone hopefully got a great deal.

Where was that? Which sears?

Bought a second G Tablet as a gift.. Should I have bought insurance on that?

Whenever I buy an electronic devices I always purchase insurance. Very rarely do I use them as my devices never really mess up. LOL! I still have an original PSP from when it came out, never used the warranty/insurance on that one.
Being as this is the second G Tablet I have bought(one for me and one as a gift), I did buy insurance for mine(2 years).
I asked the Sears cashier if I theoretically owned two and one had insurance, can I use the insurance for the one I have? He was puzzled at my question and responded with? "No because it is one insurance for one item" I asked him that when people return items, do they go by serial number or item number to verify an item? His response was "We go by stock number, but if something happens and the screen doesn't respond or it wont turn on anymore you can ship it to us for free and we'll exchange it for a new one if it is covered" So again I asked him my questions but a little bit differently this time and asked "So if I bring one and its messed up and have insurance on one of them, does it matter which one I bring?" He was perplexed and could not respond to that question and just said "Well try it, just make sure one of the items is not opened(sealed) and try and return it using your insurance. But if there isn't a problem we cannot exchange it for a new one, you can only get a refund.". I ended up topping my questions with the manufacturer's warranty and thats when he said "Well for those are when the serial number is required, but we don't handle that. Well if you are unsure or it turns out you cant use the insurance on both, bring the unopened within 30 days for a refund, they just rebuy it again with insurance"
IDK if the guy knew exactly what I was talking about because his smile turned upside down when I rejected the insurance and asked him about the loop hole. So gain, I would love some personal experience on this matter. Should I have bought the other insurance too? Or should I test and exploit this possible loophole. I am just saying because $57 is $57 and I have been duped lots of times for insurances that I never really used (except on my old G1 and Xbox 360-RRoD). I know that on the 360 they go by serial and that's probably because its Micro$oft.
Sorry for the wall O' text! and thanks for any answers!

I never, EVER buy insurance on electronic items. The way I see it, if the item lasts through the first 30 days without issue, it's likely to go a long, long time. I also use a credit card which automatically doubles the manufacturer's warranty at no charge.
If you had saved what you have likely spent on extended warranties for every item you have ever purchased, wouldn't you have plenty of money to replace any of those items by now? The reason why retailers push extended warranties so hard is because they are virtually pure profit. Heck, I usually get the itch to upgrade an item long before it quits working, so again, all of that money would have been wasted for me. To each his own.

I just bought my G Tablet at Office Depot for $369. Insurance would have been $119.
At that rate, I'll take my chances.
I like your chances of "splitting" the insurance as well. They'd never go by serial number to check.

Wow that's some pretty expensive insurance! Well I was looking over my insurance receipt and it looks like I was right! They only use the UPC number(item number) for exchanges and insurance. On the insurance policy it just ask for my receipt # and UPC# on their website. I saw no reference to the serial number anywhere. Win for me. I know I'll probably never damage or mess up my tablet, but the gift recipient might.
Thanks anyway, I might look up into those credit cards you guys mentioned.

I worked in both Tools and Electronics at Sears from 2000-2005. They changed registers since then, so I'm not sure how much has changed (based on the menu's I've seen, not much), but other than consoles (as mentioned) everything is strictly based on stock numbers, so in theory it should work.
Now, I think in part to combat this, and to combat construction workers from abusing this, you actually can only use the warranty once.
http://www.searspurchaseprotect.com/tnc/tnc_national.aspx
"This Plan will be fulfilled and the Term shall expire as to each Covered Product when a product reimbursement or product exchange is made for that Covered Product after the beginning of the Term"
Horray for lawyer speak. Honestly I would be surprised if many register jockey's knew anything of this. I only recall this coming up once in my 5 years there.

Avoiding Customs when Shipping from US to UK?

Hi all
I wanted to buy a phone from the marketplace here on xda. However I have read that you have to pay a customs duty and VAT on the item, which would be about 23% of the items value.
I was just wondering whether anyone has ever shipped an item (preferably a phone) from the US to the UK without incuring customs charges, and if any had any tips for me so I that I don't get ripped off?
Thanks

Yes I have and gotten away with no tariff but I called it gift under 50 bucks. I am guessing as long as it is used and not a computer........ it flew under the radar.

Technically, what you are asking is help on how to break the law, so I'd be careful
Personally, I've found that things sent by USPS (i.e. regular mail) rather than a courier can sometimes get through without charges, although most things are caught these days. If the sender uses UPS, DHL, Fedex etc. you'll almost certainly be charged.
Note that marking something as a gift makes no difference (unless it's under something like £28 - not sure of the exact figure). Second hand items are charged based on their market value, so that doesn't help either. If the sender uses an insured service, the insured value is usually marked on the package, so it will be easy for customs to place a value on the item.

Thanks for the replies. I know its technically against the law but it is quite a ridiculous law, since you have already paid for the item and all your doing is just paying some customs officer for sitting there opening packages.
So basically USPS, not insured, at a price of under $50. Any recommendations as to which service of USPS to use? Priority Mail, Express Mail etc.

Teclast warning - do not buy

Here is a warning to those of you considering Teclast product. Bought my Teclast X98 Air II in the end of November on Aliexpress from Anna Fang Shenzhen OKQI Electronics Mall. The tablet arrived and worked well for about a week. After the initial testing and usage the digitizer started playing up. Basically it was registering touch all over the screen when none was present, the tablet would be idle and the touch clearly seen appearing. That would result in pages opening and closing, applications starting and shutting, etc. After a day of such unruly behavior I contacted the supplier and informed them of the digitizer problem, asked to post a video, which I did, clearly showing the tablet having a life of its own. I asked for the promised 12-month warranty replacement. Was told I have to sent the tablet back for assessment and repair, but advised it will take a few months. I asked to just be sent a replacement digitizer - they said NO. The postage would cost me $45, not cheap from NZ, so I eventually forked out for a new digitizer, it being the same price as postage alone.
A few days ago the tablet has suddenly just died - not charging, not turning on, no signs of life whatsoever. This time, being a repair shop, we had tested the components and the main board is no longer. Sure enough, I am contacting Teclast themselves for the warranty repair/replacement and OKQI as an authorized supplier for the same. NO REPLY FROM TECLAST, despite 2 emails being sent to every contact listed on a website. OKQI very reluctantly agreed to provide details for sending the tablet back, but not their address, after trying to basically talk me out of sending it back altogether. Here are the suggestions from them - to take the tablet to a local repair shop, maybe they can fix it (not sure why I should, it being on warranty), even after I told them that we are an electronics repair business and should not incur any extra expense, again, see warranty! Finally, after much back and forth we got to the postage. Again, a warning that it will take months with no guarantee, that they don't even know what will happen when I send it back, that i should not send by DHL or any other such carrier etc. HERE IS THE BEST PART - according to the warranty, THEY ARE ONLY LIABLE FOR THE LABOUR COSTS AND ALL THE POSTAGE AND PARTS COSTS ARE TO BE MET BY CONSUMER. Now, there is absolutely no guarantee it will be repaired and not cost me the price of a new tablet, after all I don't even have a say. The price can be anything, but if I refuse to pay it, who is to say they won't just keep my tablet until I do, or even after, as I said, there is no agreed amount, even after I provided the fault diagnostic. So $250 later here we are - a SHODDY PRODUCT AND EVEN SHODDIER SERVICE. STAY WELL AWAY, I WISH I DID.