Lowes reselling returned merchandise

     Last April DH and I bought a light fixture at Lowes, along with a few
other things for our bathroom remodel.  We put the items into the pile of boxes
in the garage - the toilets and sinks and other fixtures that were waiting for
the end of the project when they could be installed.  Our mistake was to not
check in all the boxes immediately to make sure nothing was broken.  We also
screwed up by not keeping the reciept for that Lowes purchase, but I thought my
husband was.  So we know that we screwed up.
    However, the electrician broke open the boxes on the light fixtures
this week and installed them.  Except for the one we bought at Lowes.  Despite
being in a sealed box; it was a different finish, a different style, and it was
broken.  Clearly somebody had bought it previously, shoved their old fixture
into the box and took it back to Lowes as a return.  And Lowes promptly put it
back on the shelves to be resold, just like Fry's electronics is known to do.
    We're going to see if we can return it this weekend, but since we made
the above screwups, we know we might just be out $50 or whatever it cost.  But
at the very least, I wanted to warn you guys here, and also we can let the
store manager know that his people are not checking returned merchandise before
putting it back out to be resold.  (Assuming it's not a managerial policy to
begin with...)

 - Sharon
"Gravity...  is a harsh mistress!"

  I bought a computer component at Best Buy years ago.  When I opened it
I found a box of chocolates and a roll of masking tape.  Someone had
bought the orignial product, put miscellaneous stuff in to give it the
right "weight and rattle", re-shrink wrapped it, and returned it.  I
can't blame Best Buy too much as someone obviously was being dishonest.

Bought a cordless tool set at Home Depot last year.  Got it home and
found the bags were filled with saw dust.  Not sure if someone returned
it for being defective or finished their job and did not need it.  This
I blame HD for as it was clear the package had been opened.

I would take it back to Lowes and explain what happened.  They might be
able to trace the previous buyer.  They also might still give you a
replacement.  I'm sure it is not the first time it has happened to
someone.

 tev9999@hotmail.com writes:

Lowes has a 30 day return policy, under normal circumstances.

-Mike

 Lowe's also is big on keeping sales receipts...the store where I go has
a big sign over the returns desk outlining policy.  I returned
something a few months back, had followed all the rules, and the clerk
did not want to accept it because it was a markdown.  I had to ask for
the manager and he said okay right away....she said, "but we were told
yesterday....." and he cut her off and said it's okay.  I think they
have too many cooks stirring the soup down there sometimes.

hubcap wrote:

 
I worked part time in the electrical department at HD for about a year.  I
remember one time where someone returned a 100' extension cord.  It was a big
rat's nest, with mud on it, having clearly been used.  HD gave the customer a
credit, and our department just tossed it.  I also people returning fans at
the end of the summer, and generators after the ice storm, saying they
wouldn't start.

I can understand the stores trying to resell an item if it appears in like new
condition.  For example, someone opens a package only to realize the item is
the wrong size.