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Me Too Wireless: AT&T Follows Verizon, Shortening Returns to 14 Days

Phillip Dampier October 15, 2012 AT&T, Competition, Consumer News, Wireless Broadband 1 Comment

AT&T has finally gotten around to following Verizon Wireless’ footsteps to fewer customer returns as it joins Big Red cutting “no hassle” returns to just two weeks.

Starting this month, if you return a phone to AT&T within 14 days, the company will charge you a $35 restocking fee or 10% of the purchase price for accessories over $199. Return it after 14 days and you may not be hassled, but you will be out as much as $325.

Consumers (including Individual Responsibility Users) – Device/Accessory Returns

Days after activation	Amount of refund	Fees, except where prohibited
0-14 days	Full refund less any applicable fees	Restocking fee: up to $35 for devices. 10% of purchase price for accessories over $199Apple devices: No restocking fee if device returned unopened
15 days or more	Return directly to manufacturer. Refund subject to manufacturer warranty policy as follows: Refurbished devices carry a warranty from the manufacturer of 90 days after purchase date. New devices carry a warranty of 1 year after purchase date.Apple devices: Refund subject to Apple warranty policy. New Apple branded equipment covered by Apple’s one-year Limited Warranty. Refurbished Apple branded equipment covered under Apple’s original Limited Warranty and will have at least 90 days or more remaining under warranty when sold.	AT&T early termination fee: Smartphone: $325 minus $10 for each full month you complete under the service commitmentBasic Phone, Mobile Hotspot, USB Modem: $150 minus $4 for each full month you complete under the service commitmentGaming and other devices without a service commitment: None Other fees: Subject to manufacturer warranty policy.

Days after activation

Amount of refund

Fees, except where prohibited

0-14 days

Full refund less any applicable fees

Restocking fee: up to $35 for devices. 10% of purchase price for accessories over $199Apple devices: No restocking fee if device returned unopened

15 days or more

Return directly to manufacturer. Refund subject to manufacturer warranty policy as follows: Refurbished devices carry a warranty from the manufacturer of 90 days after purchase date. New devices carry a warranty of 1 year after purchase date.Apple devices: Refund subject to Apple warranty policy. New Apple branded equipment covered by Apple’s one-year Limited Warranty. Refurbished Apple branded equipment covered under Apple’s original Limited Warranty and will have at least 90 days or more remaining under warranty when sold.

AT&T early termination fee: Smartphone: $325 minus $10 for each full month you complete under the service commitmentBasic Phone, Mobile Hotspot, USB Modem: $150 minus $4 for each full month you complete under the service commitmentGaming and other devices without a service commitment: None

Other fees: Subject to manufacturer warranty policy.

Cosmetic blemish items are considered closeout items and are not eligible for return or exchange.

Currently there is 1 comment on this Article:

Duffin says:

October 16, 2012 at 9:40 am

What? AT&T is copying another consumer-hating policy that Verizon has? I’m shocked! Collusion? No, of course not…

Reply

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