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Brookstone

Brookstone review: crappy return policy 11

J
Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Received $250 wireless speaker from Brookstone as gift from company I work for, exchanged with gift receipt for tool set and a gift for my wife. Wife wanted me to exchange the gift I got her but I left the receipt in my pants which ended up in the wash. The Manger at Brookstone (looked all of about 19) said she couldn't let me exchange it because I didn't have the receipt (I didn't want money back, I just wanted to exchange it for something else) as this was against their "Return Policy". I won't shop at Brookstone ever again and will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

11 comments
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thom kinkade
Jan 04, 2008 7:49 am EST

Why do the employees get the flack? If you dont like the policy, call BROOKSTONE. you guys need receipts everywhere you go. That... why... you get... recepits. If brrokstone exchanged everything and took back everything, how would they stay in business?

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Steven Newyork
Jan 05, 2008 5:44 pm EST

Brookstone truly does suck. Not only won't they take back merchandise without a receipt which most stores including Target will do, their product quality is lacking.

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Lindsay
Feb 03, 2008 9:16 pm EST

All stores require a receipt... especially small stores like Brookstone. Big box stores like Wal-Mart may not require a receipt because they do way more business! Items can be purchased on E-Bay and elsewhere... so that's why you need a receipt! Even if it says Brookstone on the box... it still could have been purchased online or stolen. Hence needing a receipt!

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Jamblue
US
Mar 07, 2008 7:09 am EST

All stores do not require receipts. Just crappy little stores who know nothing about customer service and consumer confidence. I had the SAME experience as everyone else with their stupid receipt policy. I purchased a travel hair dryer and within 2 months the switch stopped working. I tried to exchange the dryer in a different state and was told I need a receipt. WHO TRAVELS WITH THEIR STUPID RECEIPTS. I personally will let EVERYONE know that from now on I will stick to NORDSTROMS, COSTCO, SAMS and other stores who bend over backwards for customer service. I look forward to the day that Brookstone goes the way of other garbage retailers. DON"T PURCHASE FROM BROOKSTONES BECAUSE WITHOUT A RECEIPT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN OR REFUND ANYTHING AND AGGRAVATE THE HELL OUT OF YOU

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t. thomas
Mar 14, 2008 11:52 pm EDT

people always think jus because their the motherf@$%%kin customer their always right...brookstone need proof of purchase because you could of found it r like the othe guy said bought on ebay...u cant always satify everyone...and who shops at walmart? lol...hehehe BROOKSTONE SHOPPER FOR LIFE!... I LOVE THAT STORE AND RECOMMEND IT 100%

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Anonymous
Jul 16, 2008 11:34 am EDT

Brookstone has seriously gone downhill in the terms of quality customer service. You ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS used to be able to exchange a defective product.

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Lacey
US
Feb 18, 2009 1:14 pm EST

YEAH, ALWAYS AND THAT'S WHY IT HAD TO BE CHANGED! Why do you think they are still in business when retail stores are dropping like flies? Because they are smart. It is COMMON SENSE to keep your receipts!

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None
US
Mar 11, 2009 11:15 am EDT

I have a receipt but the item was purchased over 30 days ago and Brookstone won't allow me to return or even exchange my purchase. It was a Christmas gift that was purchased over 30 days before Christmas, so there was no winning here. Terrible policy when you HAVE a receipt.

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asdf1234
boise, US
Sep 30, 2009 1:12 am EDT

I have an idea. Instead of whining about bad customer service from retailers, why don't we stop being bad customers. Why is it a shops fault if you didn't take the time to understand the return policy. Returns are in the customers interest, therefore it is the customers responsibility to know the policy and go about finding it (asking an associate) if they don't. Why is it that a policy is only "unfair" if you don't adhere to the rules of it. Having worked retail I was amazed at what customers want. A return window is for 30 days, they want 60. You do it for 60, they call it unfair when they cant have 90. Lines have to be drawn and that's why return policies exist. What's unfair is when a customer stands screaming at an associate expecting them to risk their job and cater to their ignorance. Just admit YOU (or the gift giver if they failed to maintain the reciept) messed up and instead of making a scene, lamenting, or coming onto these forums and blasting these establishments, use it as a chance for growth and realize that you just need to take a little more time to understand the return policies when you make a purchase. As with any partnership there are expectations from BOTH parties, the bond between corporation and consumer is no exception. Getting ready for the upcoming holiday season, here's to wishes of both good customer service and good customers. Ciao

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Dave Huber
US
Jan 28, 2018 3:13 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

More photos from David Huber's Headphones that broke last night during adjustments..

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JessJessJess
US
Feb 02, 2018 6:40 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

All of the “multiple people” covering for Brookstone, I HAD my receipt. I purchased a 3Doodler2 and within a few weeks, the entire metal tip had broken off. Brought it back in the box, receipt in-hand, for an exchange only to be all but laughed out of the store. The young clerk who was initially helping me seemed sympathetic, but then the store manager’s ears perked up when she sensed a transaction-in-the-works and she came swooping down to thwart it. “We can’t exchange that. It’s been USED!” Defend that. I attempted multiple times to contact customer service to no avail. Terrible company, and I have no doubt they are still around based on their principles of selling crap at top dollar and running off with the cumtomer’s money. From what I can tell, they have very little return business.

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    One Innovation Way, Merrimack, New Hampshire, 03054, United States
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