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Returns to Backcountry.com

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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398

Can you really ride a ski for three years and return it back to them? That's how their return policy makes it sound. I would call them and ask, but I'd feel like a dick.

Mar 3 2010 5:42PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
well I mean you could.... But, abusing that (i.e. skiing a ski until it dies and they returning it instead of buying a new one) is not only a dick move, but it will end up with them no longer able to offer it...

DON'T DO IT!

Now, if it breaks within like a few months or something, that's fine.
Mar 3 2010 5:50PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Yeah, that' what I'm thinking, but I do have a jacket that i bought from them a few years ago that looks like it's brand new. I just never really liked it.
Mar 3 2010 5:59PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
The ski example was just theoretical.
Mar 3 2010 6:00PM
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Don't do either - the return policy is there for those that actually have problems with gear.
Mar 3 2010 6:02PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I do have a problem with it.
Mar 3 2010 6:05PM
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dubaiski
Posts: 961 - Karma: 37

but it was your fault for picking something you dont like.

If you returned it straight away then of course thats all right but after a couple of seasons they are going to have a hard time selling it again and will make a huge loss.

Mar 3 2010 6:59PM
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knucklehead.
Posts: 677 - Karma: 239
no you don't
Mar 3 2010 7:01PM
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hippystinx
Posts: 937 - Karma: 171
i have returned so much shit to back country...but most of it is skis that i break after like 3 months of skiing on them...if you dont return something you dont like they cant resell it and it usually gets sold to an employee for dirt cheap...

but i have abused it i wont lie returning gloves that i just didnt like and stuff of that nature

notes-you can return anything in almost any condition
Mar 3 2010 7:04PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
returns to backcountry go onto geartrade.com a lot of the time
Mar 3 2010 7:07PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
it just comes to to a question of your morals.

if you feel alright with skiing a ski for a couple years, then returning them for new ones. go for it. if you dont feel alright with it, then dont do it.

unless everyone does this, they won't get rid of their policy, don't worry.
i have returned plenty of things. some were truly messed up (my brother backpacked through europoe with a broken backpack out of the box) and some are just past their time (i have returned an oakley DWR sweatshirt because the DWR coating wore off and it was pilling and ripped).
im not going to go on a shopping spree and buy everything and use it and return in. but if you dont abuse it and you dont just like buy a pair of goggles for the season and return them, it is fine

Mar 3 2010 7:22PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
ahh, i just remembered that i got a new credit card and they only refund to the original one. i'm shit outta luck. i guess i'll just post the stuff on here.
Mar 3 2010 7:23PM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
I think I saw somewhere that they don't do returns on mounted skis anymore. I can't find it now though.
Mar 3 2010 8:34PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I don't see why they would take mounted skis back unless there was something legitimately wrong with them.
Mar 3 2010 8:39PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
false. i guarantee you can update your credit card and have them refund it
Mar 3 2010 9:26PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398

Not stoked on your gear? Looking to return it or make an exchange? No problem, we have an Unlimited Return Policy: we guarantee complete satisfaction and an unlimited lifetime warranty. If at any time -- now, next month, in 30 years -- you're not 100% satisfied, send your gear back for a full refund. No questions asked.

To make the return/exchange process super speedy, it all starts with creating an RMA number (Return Merchandise Authorization) for your item. With an RMA number, we now have the tracking necessary to get to work on helping you out.

  1. Create an RMA for the item you wish to return.

  2. When you create the RMA, you will have the ability to print a pre-paid UPS return label for $6.99. (This service is available only for US customers and will not work for items that ship freight). The $6.99 will be deducted from your refund on the item(s) that you have returned.

  3. Package your gear along with all the tags (if you still have them), and write the RMA number on the back of your sales receipt in the Returns section. If it's been awhile, or you already threw out your receipt, you can still return any order. Follow these same steps above, but write the RMA number on a slip of paper and include that with your item.

  4. Print the UPS label, stick it on the package and drop the package off at a UPS store at your convenience.

We will issue a refund to the card that was used to pay for the item (we like to keep things simple and safe, so we won’t refund a different card or send a check).

It generally takes about 3-5 business days after the package arrives at our warehouse for your return to be processed. When it is received, you will get an email confirmation.

Mar 3 2010 9:36PM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
As someone who has worked for backcountry.com for a few years now, I can tell you that we have that return policy for one reason:

We don't want anyone ever to get screwed with gear. Essentially, we never want to hear about the kid who can't ski anymore because he broke his skis and can't afford to buy new ones. We put that policy in place so that kid can get skis and keep skiing, or keep climbing, boarding, biking, whatever that may be. I know when I was growing up we had no money to spend on these types of things, so I had to make a pair of skis last a long time.

Buying a piece of gear and with the full blown intention of returning it fits our policy, However, it is a pretty lame thing to do. So if you think it's right go for it, but I can tell you that it isn't something I would ever let my kid do. I think honesty is something that is severely lacking in the American culture.

Thanks for the support out there guys!
Mar 3 2010 10:48PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
True that, I really had no intention of returning thrashed skis. That would be totally against my morals. I just think they should put more restrictions on their policy so stuff like that doesn't happen to them. Then again, they could probably care less, the few that do it probably aren't really bringing their company down.
Mar 3 2010 11:01PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
the zero restriction return policy is why they do so well. people will gladly spend the extra money (even though they are cheap as it is) to get that guarantee.
trust me, they arent taking a huge beating from their return policy, they are just attracting soooo many more customers.


and bro, just talk to someone in a chat about returning something on a new card. either they can refund the old card and it will transfer through the credit card company, or they will make the switch.
Mar 3 2010 11:21PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
will do for sure, thanks for the info.
Mar 3 2010 11:34PM
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123ski
Posts: 7374 - Karma: 1,415
Here is what's up.

We offer the unlimited return policy for 1 reason:  We all hate being stuck with gear that we hate, especially when we have spent a lot of money on that gear.

What is the return policy: We guarantee complete satisfaction and an unlimited lifetime warranty. If at any time -- now, next month, in 30 years -- you're not 100% satisfied, send your gear back for a full refund or exchange. No questions asked.

What isn't the return policy:  A rental shop.  A warranty.  Etc.

You can return anything you want to us for any reason at any time, but if you keep buying skis and returning them to us, you not only hurt us, you not only hurt your chances of us continuing to offer that return policy, but you also hurt ski manufacturers.  If we keep getting a ton of skis returned to us from a single brand we may end up buying less skis from that brand in the future (hypothetical), in which case you are hurting the entire ski industry.  I am not a buyer here at backcountry.com, so I can't say how much this would actually effect our buying procedure, but it could happen...

Buy a ski and hate it? Return it. 

Buy a ski, love it, and it breaks? Warranty it

Buy a ski, return it, buy another ski, return it, buy another ski, return it...starting to get out of hand.
Mar 3 2010 11:51PM
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123ski
Posts: 7374 - Karma: 1,415
if you have a new card on the same account we can refund that new card, or we can give you a gift card.
Mar 3 2010 11:52PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Thanks alot. I am a frequent buyer from Backcountry. I bought this jacket a few years back and wore it only a few times and i didn't like the way it fit. I am not one to abuse a return policy, but i never really liked the jacket. Every transaction that i've had with you guys has been smooth. whether you refund my money or not is not that big of a deal, i wouldn't expect it back, but if i could, i would be greatly appreciated. Hands down the best website that i have ever purchased from, and i will continue to buy from you guys.
Mar 4 2010 12:02AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
shit i may have to send my poc helmet back in. i bought it in november, and ive only worn it like 6 times, it just doesnt fit my head well. but id feel really bad doing it :/
Mar 4 2010 12:06AM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
that's the same way i feel. but, hey if it doesnt fit, it doesn't fit. no sense in you having a helmet thats not right for you. they could prolly turn around and resell on their geartrade website and give it away cheap to someone who needs one cheap
Mar 4 2010 12:12AM
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thisisastickup
Posts: 597 - Karma: -24
This is really the only reason that I bought full tilts. I'm sure I'll like them, but I don't want to be out 600 bones if I don't.

It's awesome, I can buy them, mold them, ride them for a week, and if I don't like them, I can return them and buy whatever boots I want.
Mar 4 2010 12:13AM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
no, it was my size, it didnt fit right.
Mar 4 2010 12:15AM
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123ski
Posts: 7374 - Karma: 1,415
don't feel bad, I was going to buy a receptor too, it didn't fit right..had good luck with the macon..
Mar 4 2010 2:10AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
hoping to pick up a variant brim, my dad has one and ive been stealing it when ever he isn't skiing, probably the best helmet ive ever worn
Mar 4 2010 2:18AM
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dzSteeze
Posts: 93 - Karma: 9
i just bought from backcountry and i was very satisfied
Mar 4 2010 7:40AM
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MADDECENT
Posts: 5579 - Karma: 951
I absolutely love this policy.

I just exchanged my broken 4FRNTS with tons of damage no questions asked. Most legit dealer out there

Mar 17 2010 12:57PM
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