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Returns and warranties: what to check before you buy
The fine print that matters most when something goes wrong.
Read the return window
Return windows vary by store and by product. Check the number of days, whether the clock starts at purchase or delivery, and whether the item must be unopened. Some categories have different rules, so check the one for your product.
Know who sells it
On a marketplace, the seller may be the store itself or a separate business. The seller affects returns, support and the warranty. Look at the line that says who sells and who ships the item.
New, open box and refurbished
Condition changes the price, and it can change the warranty. Confirm the condition, what is in the box, and whether the maker's warranty applies to that condition.
Keep your records
Save the order confirmation, the model and serial number, and photos of the item when it arrives. They make a return or a warranty claim much easier.
Extended plans
Extra protection plans can be worth it for expensive or fragile items, but read what they cover, what they exclude and who handles the claim. Compare their cost with what the maker's warranty already gives you.
This guide is general information. It is not a recommendation of any product, and it does not include prices.
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