7and8

We bought a digital camera (Olympus Stylus 710) from Best Buy. We've had our previous camera (Olympus Camedia c-3040zoom) for years and had faith other products would have similar quality. We snapped our first pictures and saw a bad picture on the camera's view screen but gave the benefit of the doubt. We transferred the pictures to our computer and confirmed the poor picture quality. Returning the camera cost us $52.50 in a restocking fee. The restocking fee policy was clearly documented on the back of the receipt and a sticker on the box. Their Geek Squad gave the camera the once over, deemed it in working condition and here we sit with fuzzy pictures (avoiding fuzzy pictures was the main feature the marketing material and sales staff touted as the reason to buy this model). I talked to the return associate and her manager and was refused and encouraged to call corporate. Corporate took a magnanimous approach after explaining the deterrent inspiration for the policy. I urged them to look at my 'reward zone' (their customer program that gives coupons based on how much you spend) history to view my purchase/return ratio. They said they have to treat every customer equally regardless of how long they have been a loyal, honest, lucrative customer in their prime demographic. Playing with the camera in the store is not a fair simulation to how it is used in my context. To see the results on a big computer screen or in print (which was not offered by the sales team) completes the experience proving the products value. The product is inferior, a risk Best Buy took on by stocking the product and Olympus by manufacturing it. Olympus and Best Buy need to work this out rather than pinching the little guy in the middle. A "bad" camera in perfectly "bad" working order shouldn't cost a consumer with a documented good track record with both companies.

I've now asked both companies for my money back. Best Buy continues to refuse and Olympus has not yet responded.
This might not mean anything to these companies; I will spend my money elsewhere.