WCVB TV in Boston has an interview with two Circuit City liquidation customers who are out $1,100 after they bought a Samsung LCD TV from Circuit City’s liquidation sale — only to find out that it was totally shattered. When they tried to return it — Circuit City’s liquidator told them the merchandise was sold “as is” and cannot be returned for any reason. WCVB TV says there’s a sign in one store telling customers not to open the merchandise, and another that allows customer to check their merchandise only after they’ve paid for it. Is this ethical?
Team 5 Investigates discovered that while consumers are warned about final sales, they have no way of knowing if what they’re buying is bad. In the Natick store, inspections are allowed only after a customer pays, and in Somerville, one sign says “Check your purchase,” but another sign says, “Don’t Open The Merchandise.”
In Minnesota, we found a similar story. A family paid $1,500 for a TV at the Circuit City liquidation sale — and claim that they were prevented from opening the box to make sure the TV wasn’t damaged. The TV was, of course, totally shattered. When the local Fox affiliate tried to investigate, they say they were “kicked out” of the store.
Meanwhile, back in Boston, the customers told reporters that they were going to try to get their credit card company to help them — but honestly, we’re not optimistic. All sales are final in a liquidation sale. That’s only one of the many reasons you should avoid them.
UPDATE: For those of you asking why state laws don’t apply here, it’s because federal bankruptcy laws are in play.
Customers Burned In Circuit City Closeout Sale [WCVB]
(Photo:catastrophegirl)
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I’m pretty sour on liquidation sales ever since I got a “deal” on an ink-jet ink cartridge at the CompUSA sale, got home and found out it was past the expiration date and was dried out. All sales final!
Fortunately IBM/Lexmark helped get me a replacement but they weren’t obligated to do so.
I just bought two TVs at Costco Online. They allow local store returns, including shipping. They also increase the warranty to two years AND their customer service is awesome.
Buying a functional TV from CC is a bad move. Zero local support, zero returns… and higher prices.
Even if their prices were better, doesn’t anybody consider risk anymore?
Here’s a question:
Why don’t let you inspect the item before you leave the store?
What do they care?
This sounds like what is called a legally “unconscionable” sales practice…
God why do people still do this to themselves? STOP DRINKING THE KOOL-AID!
Dear Circuit City Liquidator,
Thank you so much for “allowing” us to purchase your “merchandise”.
Best Regards,
“Consumer”
I just want to say. My brother was working for these guys in IF, ID and was asked to sell merchandise that he KNEW was broken. He refused saying it was unethical, and was told that they would find someone who would sell them. He refused and quit with no other option. He lost a 60 day severance package and another month’s worth of work, but he did what was right. I’ve been telling everyone I know here not to buy from these guys. I wish there was some retribution for doing this to innocent consumers.
An “as is” or “all sales are final” disclaimer is not sufficient for the liquidators to avoid liability on the issue. Selling a broken product is fraud, plain and simple, you cannot disclaim fraud. Bringing a lawsuit against Circuit City itself isn’t going to fly because they are in bankruptcy protection, but you could bring a lawsuit against the liquidators themselves. Of course they will try to claim they aren’t liable, and they probably have an indemnification agreement with Circuit City, but you might still have a claim. The liquidators would then turn around and try to recover any money they had to pay out from the funds Circuit City has generated from its sales. It might be a long a painful process to try to recover anything, but it’s theoretically possible. People really have to stop believing every disclaimer they read.
i dont get why there isnt a huge internet uprising against circuit city…. the prices arent good… and it sounds like there are LOTS being cheated
Hmm, I just bought the vonage kit with the 3 cordless phones at the CC closeout, I got to the counter and opened the package right there at the checkout, the checker objected but when I replied that since it was non returnable & non exchangeable why would I buy something that I had no proof was actually in the box. She stopped talking and just let me do it. Some manager type was giving me the eye but I just smiled and said loudly, no returns or exchanges eh, and he just walked away.
After I had looked and seen all the components were there and still wrapped, I handed over my card. It took all of 2 min.
Personally, if I were buying any high value item under those conditions I’d make them plug it in and show me it works. If everyone did made them do so or didn’t buy, the liquidators would comply pretty quickly.
I’m pretty sure that they are on a clock to actually make money on that kind of a deal.
And FYI, the kit is the one with the $100 rebate, I paid $80 marked down from $160.
Shop carefully and wisely and you’ll do OK
If you can’t LOOK at your purchase, don’t pay for it. I feel bad for the buyers but they were foolish to buy it in the first place.
Well as a former Circuit City employee during the liquidation process I flat out told customers if they had
any doubt about buying the product(being a display unit,not being able to see it, warranties etc) to not buy it. I’m glad it’s finally over. I know this is a customer oriented forum, but from my perspective the average liquidation customers were beyond insane( example throwing feces all over the restroom), Ive never seen people act so hateful and ugly. it was funny to watch co-workers who didn’t give a damn fight back with them.
I’m a Service Center and I’m left with telling the customer that the manufacture wont cover shattered LCD screens. My customer purchased one from Circuit City for about $1500.00 and it was damaged out of the box. The estimate for the repairs is $3159.69 dollars that is $1200.00 for the part. $1650 for the Core since manufactures do not accept damaged cores, $200.00 for labor plus tax. Please do not buy from liquidation sales and do not break your LCD TV screen.
Anyone who plops down over a thousand dollars to purchase a box with unknown contents (could even be full of bricks) from someone that clearly states there are no returns for any reason – well, you are a bit too trusting.
I think I understand how the dotcom and housing bubbles managed to find so many suckers. I guess some people will believe anything is safe if an “expert” leads them to believe it.