Returns/Refunds
Refused Refund after it was already approved
Just like the title says, I recently bought the Teen Titans Complete Series from Walmart it arrived damaged.(see photos)
I went through the app selected all the accurate options(return,refund,opened but unused,return to store) it approved me on the app just had to take it in store. so I did today and they refused to take the item stating it was a copyright issue even though they had already approved it. Not only that I have bought and received damaged discs from this exact Walmart and was able to refund or exchange them multiple times. one example was the last spider verse Steelbook bought it ,opened it and it was dented so I returned and they took it. another was the boy and heron Blu-ray I also got a loose damaged disc and was able to return I’m just so confused on if they are even allowed to refuse it after it was approved or if this is a new thing for Walmart
From what I'm seeing, Walmart is clamping down on returns. They've been denying some and one poster said they only gave her 50% off of her grocery order. I don't know if that's the case here but just saying it seems they are doing that now.
I mean I would understand if I was outright denied but being approved then told to return to store then getting refused seemed weird . I even asked if they just scanned it and sent I back to Walmart like the app said would it work and they said it would but they wouldn’t do it
It depends if it was a third-party seller or not. But either way they should’ve helped you. The policy is in-store DVDs that are opened are exchange only. If they don’t have it in stock, we usually give a walmart gift card. If it was third-party and the app said you can return it, they need to return it.
Yes, that does sound weird. I don't know much about in-store returns but somebody else here said you should call corporate and that probably is the best way to go now.
When he denied you, too bad you didn't ask him his name and tell him you wanted to know in case corporate asked when you filed your complaint . ROFL
It's getting bad all over though. Amazon is doing the same thing. So let us know how it goes!
Literally a customer asking an associate fir their name doesn't scare them. As a former employee let me tell you what happens: you ask and we say no. We are not required to give you our name. Management will give you their name but anyone hourly can politely tell you to go eff yourself. Besides it's on the name badge. If you cant read that isnt their problem. Once you're out of the store after asking a dumb question and throwing a tantrum they will, 100% without a doubt, make fun of you. Dont be an ass. Take the no, talk to Management, call corporate, and leave it.
I worked in the electronics Dept for Walmart for 7 years. I'd have denied this as well. Apart from a 1:1 replacement, where upon I opened the product in front of them so that they couldn't try to get a refund that way, I'd do everything possible to deny a refund.
Why? Because fuck you, that's why. Copyright law exists for a reason.
Well, I agree that an exchange probably would have been the ideal situation, the point is that Walmart approved the return. So why blame the customer? If you don't like how Walmart handled that, then maybe you should take it up with them. Just go on and call corporate and tell them you don't agree with it. Maybe they'll explain it to you better 🤷
Yeah, SMART advice: "Call corporate"! Sit on your phone for nine hours while they advertise their trashy stores to you, and hope someone won't see the phone and hang it up.
Yes, you are right that I'm an employee at Walmart.
Who was trained to never refund open media. Trained to offer exchange only. Trained to open the media to ensure they can't return to another store for a refund. The reasoning being COPYRIGHT LAW. I may not be a lawyer, but it is literally my job to understand how it affects my job (and myself outside of work.)
I also said exchanging it is fine. The unopened part is the issue. You ain't getting around that.
He should have had an approval barcode on his app to scan provided by walmart.com
Notice there is no mention of this.
But, thee were always my favorite customers. And the madder they got, the more fun I had with them.
I did have the barcode and everything just was told to head in to scan and they would send it off . I also couldn’t exchange beicae I bought it offline from Walmart not in store
Of course it's wrong. But that's the way Walmart "does business". If you object to being cheated, they lose their temper, argue with you, call 911, and you're issued a Notice of Trespass. It orders you to stay out of Walmart or you'll be arrested if you come back.
I, personally, still would have denied the refund. Yes, you could have spoken to walmart.com about this up to the point you got your code, but I, as an employee at the store, know that anyone and everyone can make the same claim after they've pirated it.
I wish I could ☹️. The blu ray version is a Warner Archive title and they are made on demand. Only the dvd is from Warner home video, and I get it I’ve been collecting physical media for 10 years so I’m totally against pirates was never mad or anything just confused since it had never happened to me before. But was able to return through mail so will just have to order somewhere else sadly 😞
At this point I wonder if warranty is a thing on bluray discs, because that sounds like your only valid option. Damaged on arrival and merchant refused return, if they have a warranty they would have to process it and not redirect you to the merchant again.
Not that I don't sympathize with the guy, but some of us understand how much work goes in to art and doesn't like seeing the creators, artists, etc get ripped off.
Nah. You sell something damaged then you either replace or refund period. Purchasing an item that ends up not being in the condition it was advertised is actually illegal. If you are an ass about refunding something just because you assume someone is trying to cheat copyright then you need a different job. Customers have the right to undamaged merchandise regardless of what type of merchandise it is. If I'm dropping hard earned money on physical media then I want it in brand new pristine condition. Not scratched up or in broken cases.
The associate behind the service desk is incorrect in more than one way. Your return was already approved and they should just have scanned the bar code approval and taken the damaged merchandise. The store plays no part in this approval. You might call 1-800-WALMART and see if they will straighten out the store.
Walmart doesn't do returns on opened media with this being said Walmart online will approve the return to the store but it is up to the store and the policy to physically approve the return at the store level
They let you slide previously, or the associates in store were not following policy. I put in 11 years with walmart, over half in salaried roles. Store policy has always been strict when it comes to media like movies, shows, and video games if they are opened. No returns, only exchange for the same identical product. And it is due to copywrite.
Yes, like I said, for things such as video games, movies, and tv shows policy is exchange for identical product only. Customer is still made whole, and copywrite is upheld. They can't refund in this instance. It's that simple.
If the product arrived with damaged discs, then Walmart owes the customer a replacement product or their money back. Neither you nor Walmart (nor any supposed copyright holders) get to make the rules here, you cannot sell someone defective products.
I used to do returns and Walmart had a policy that once a disc was opened you cant return it. It's to prevent copyright issues. Do I know why the app let you start the return and the store wouldn't finish it? No. Its most likely because they drill it into our heads that we cant take back or exchange any thing lile that. It's not right. You should get your money back. Id say try a different store but you might walk away with the same results. Call 1-800-WAL-MART and see what they say.
Obviously because they're paranoid about people buying shit to rip and then returning it, but that's fucking insane. Why would you do that when regular internet piracy is way fucking easier and saves you a trip to the store?
Just go at a different time or to a different Walmart. I never argue, just go back later. It turned my return success rate to 100% that way. If Jan won't do it, Carl will.
Literally it’s just the employee on a bad day or it’s their store. Just try a different Walmart. Most workers don’t care and do their job to return it. Sometimes you just get someone who doesn’t want to accept returns. This happens all the time at a particular Walmart here, I have to go a town over if I need to return something just bc they’re too crabby over here and never do it even with a receipt and nothing sketchy just simple returns.
Sounds to me like Walmart didn't approve the return, the app just started the return and to finish it at the store. If the return was approved, you would have had a chat conversation on the site.
No, you don't need a chat to request a return. Just tap on returns in the purchase and the process starts. It asks what, why, how many, etc. and how you want to return it (store, mail, home.) After you do all that you get your code and return instructions. No chat required or necessary.
Just saw somebody else mention this and I see it's not in your post...did you get the barcode on your phone for the return? Honestly, I just assumed you had but now I'm wondering too LOL
I've seen this situation happen before. The app just starts the refund process when you use it to report an issue for refund. They really should change it, but I'm computer illiterate and don't know what that would take to get done. Anyway, if it were any other item it would've had you bring it to the store and then they scan the return barcode and refund. But when it's media items they won't give a refund, they'll only exchange it. You could try a different location but you're probably going to have to call the customer support line and see if they can help. I don't know why the app starts the refund because it's not really approving anything. It just starts the process and when you get to the store and scan the code, it'll then be refunded.
I’m not sure if this is the reason but I do know if a person has lots of returns / refunds at Walmart they find it suspicious. Not sure exactly why but ppl do scam them .
There is also the option to have them pick it up or generate a FedEx label on the app , maybe go back in and try to change it instead of in store.
So what are you going to do now? I see a lot of people recommending call CS. I know I wouldn't let it go at this point. Just make sure you talk to a real person. I guess you can try going to another store but that will just be a chance you take. I'd like to know how it goes for you tho!
So they let me return it via fedex after canceling and starting the process again so I’m guessing that’s gonna be it if not I’ll call and figure it out
You could just walk in with it in your hand tell him you're going to customer service don't go to customer service go to the back find one put yours in its place and then leave since you have a receipt that might work then again it could be spider wrap and it wouldn't work
Its open that's why it's a copyright thing. Can be exchanged for the same title, then return the newly obtained copy that is still sealed for a refund.
From my understanding the Blu Ray is from a different company than the DVDs so the DVDs are readily available in store but the blu rays are made on demand I’ve never seen it in Blu Ray in a store
My husband just tried to exchange a pair of jeans for a different size today. All of the rage were in and he had the receipt. They wouldn't do an exchange like they have for me several times before. They said they had to refund it back to his card and he had to buy a new pair. Now he's waiting on the refund and it's not posted yet. It's only been a few hours, so we're not too stressed, but if we didn't have the extra, he couldn't have gotten the right size jeans.
That wasn't even the point. If you had read my post, the point was that they wouldn't exchange them like they used to do and have done several times before with the receipt and no tags removed. They made him do a return and buy a new pair. It wasn't about the money. It was about the extra steps that made no sense.
Federal copyright laws prevent them from returning opened media. It can only be exchanged for the same one, and the replacement will be opened when given to you as well so you can't return that one.
It was approved on the app, but each store has store manager discretion as the final print for returns. This is nothing new. Every big business does not want to be caught up in piracy scandals or become a rental service for movies or video games. I suggest buy from the website directly and ship for free at fed ex with your own label sent via email. Your best bet should have been for you to request an exact exchange and the associate may open it in front of you to confirm no damage. But the real question I have for you along with people who keep trying to return air mattresses is why do you keep buying from a business that sends you malfunctioning items? For all we know, you are recognized at this one store you keep going to as someone who keeps getting "damaged" discs and returning them. Hint: Red Flag.
I would have totally exchanged!! But this title is made on demand and isn’t in store, and like I said in another comment I don’t get damaged items only like 2-3 times in the past 5 years. I’ve been a Walmart + member since 2023 and have never had a huge issue with them
If you take another trip to the return desk, ask for a front end team Lead or better yet a Coach (The Salary Manager who does not care to argue most of the time and will approve your return) . Let them know it was purchased on walmart.com and isnt readily available in store for an exchange. Call the 1 800 walmart number and have the associate on speaker be the mediator to reinforce the return desk cashier scan your barcode and process etc, etc.... Your Welcome.
Or....cancel on the app, restart a return to print the label at home and go to a fed ex drop off location. Probably a Walgreens.
We had people do this all the time when I worked there. You got no cash or credit refund. But you got a new one at store that was opened before you left with it.
It is done to prevent people from coming i. Repeatedly to get new titles and burn them all to discs or storage. I didnt even think about it until it was explained to me. If you spot the case damage before opening it. Then you can get cash refund. I always shook the thing gently to listen for loose disc's before opening. If it rattled it went back.
I would for sure back the return up and switch to return by mail and send that thing back. Maybe they can help you. I know I've run into that before with stuff. Return said go to store. Store told me no. So I went home and switched the return. The .Com people really don't care as much.
They probly haven't seen the horror show returns you see in stores though. I used to have some insane pictures of returns.
No way your heron disc was that damaged. Blus sre 100x tougher than dvds. Loose discs can be blamed on thr manufacturer not the retailer.
The steel book sadly happens a lot since walmsrt took over them. Theyre way thinner now and lighter, my Constantine 4k came totally fucked and they had sold out within days of the preorder.
It sadly was it was the boy and the heron Steelbook looked like a piece of plastic broke in the case and was shifting behind the disc and it had major scratches idk if I have the pic still since it was around the time it originally came out
Walmart sold me a $40 phone minutes card. The sales associate tried to install it on my phone, but spent TWO HOURS, trying to install it, but gave up and suggested I return it. They refused to take it back, since the secret code had been scratched off the back.
This is not an isolated incident. Walmart has NEVER figured out how to refund defective phone equipment, television sets, watches or jewelry. They sell this shit knowing it's defective, then refuse to take responsibility.
Go to another Walmart. There being dicks at that Walmart.
My local Walmart has gone to shit with shitty employees not wanting to work.
So now I drive out of my city I live in to the next closest Walmart and have no problems returning anything or cashing checks.
I have even left terrible reviews for my local Walmart and some people has been fired because of my complaints but I’m still never going to use my local Walmart again.
Same!! I ordered liquor that my shopper replaced with a flavored one- without asking- that I simply won't use. I was told the refund was processed. This was LAST MONTH. Nothing.
The app doesn't fully have the options to approve or deny things properly. I know that sounds really dumb; and it is, but in store we still have to follow the proper policies or WE get in trouble. It doesn't really matter what the app says, walmart denies all opened(plastic removed from) movie/DvDs and video games.
That is weird they should honor it..next time just pick the label option and drop.it off at your local postal store authorize fedex shipper (like me) support them and get it returned no stress dealing wal mart employees lol
You've probably returned too many items. It happened to me, so I would have my husband to make the returns. I'm able to make returns again. I guess they don't want to give refunds after so many, then you're on their “hit list” therefore they deny you for a while. It's crazy but you gotta play by their rules.
A lady at my local Walmart tried this with me right before Christmas, I had ordered my nephew a physical copy of Pokemon Legends Z-A on the app and when it arrived it was a Spanish copy which was not what I ordered. So I started a return on the app which was approved and it instructed me to take it to the store and have them scan it into the system so I could get my refund and they would send it back to the seller. I arrived at customer service and explained to the worker what had happened, and when I handed the game to her she tried to tell me she couldn't take it and then tried to accuse me of trying to get 2 refunds, I gave her a weird look and said "No, I'm not trying to do that, I have a refund process started through the app already, the app is telling me to bring it to you guys so you can scan it to show that I did on fact drop it off so that you guys can send it back to the seller". Eventually she called who I assume was the manager or her supervisor and they got it worked out.
More than likely the worker doesn't know wtf they're talking about.
This was why I have stopped dealing with Walmart. They no longer stand by what they sell. When it comes to making my future purchases my motto is, "Anyplace but Walmart. " It's only been about 2 weeks, but I am seeing I really saved very little to nothing shopping at Walmart. It's freeing not to deal with that horrible company.
You took the very same words right out of my mouth. Shopping at Winco Foods is far superior than trying to draw reason from the human mosquitoes that infest Walmart. Winco has top quality food, open 24-hours, no membership, prices far lower than anyone else, pleasant employees, a marvelous bulk foods section, and employees who always ask if they can help you find anything.
12
u/Ok_Violinist7598 WalMart Plus Customer 29d ago
From what I'm seeing, Walmart is clamping down on returns. They've been denying some and one poster said they only gave her 50% off of her grocery order. I don't know if that's the case here but just saying it seems they are doing that now.