Apple 'cans restocking fees'
Consumer-friendly move
Apple is to drop re-stocking fees on products returned to its US retail stores, according to reports.
Currently the company imposes a 10 per cent re-stocking fee on non-defective products returned by customers.
Restocking fees are a common practice among US manufacturers and retailers, but unpopular with American consumers. Canning the policy will pay good PR dividends for Apple, and it might mean that customers find more reason to buy an iPad from their local Apple store as opposed to, say, Best Buy.
In the UK restocking fees are illegal and this is one of the many reasons that electronics goods cost more than in the US. A rationale for restocking fees is that it enables vendors to set more competitive prices.
This is a moot point in the case of Apple, which is awash with money, and has no need to include restocking fees in setting prices on the high margin goods it makes.
COMMENTS
As a froggy myself...
I'll add that France is not a good reference for consumer rights.
Anonymous - because saying you're french on this website may be bad PR.
Illegality in the UK
"In the UK restocking fees are illegal and this is one of the many reasons that electronics goods cost more than in the US."
I'd love to see where that's cited as a reason. If it's buried in the actual retail price, then it's a stealth restocking fee, and presumably still illegal.
Fair cop...
... but that still leaves a 14% excess - and that's at least 14 times the restocking charge that was being blamed for our higher prices.
Restocking fees are just one of the (alleged) reasons
Other reasons for things costing more over here: VAT, the Distance Selling Regulations, higher taxation in general. But we get things like free hospitals and increased consumer rights out of the deal.
Don't forget
UK prices include 20% VAT and US prices do not include sales tax.
