Reader Ben’s receipt doesn’t match the serial number on his defective PS3, so GameStop and Sony are refusing to repair or exchange it.

This same kind of problem has happened to one of our readers before. It turns out that an employee had inadvertently entered the SKU instead of the serial number on our Reader’s XBOX. He was eventually able to prove that he hadn’t switched the XBOXs, but Ben is having a much more difficult time.

Ben writes:

I am going through a terrible experience with game stop. After finally deciding to make the leap and purchase a PS3 I went to my local game stop in Queens, NY. After purchasing the 80 GB I drove home and eagerly took it out of the box. Much to my dismay I found the video and audio signal weren’t working properly. I called the store and they said bring it back in. I went back to the store(less than an hour later) and they told me that they could not help me because the serial number on the box didn’t match the one on the machine. Employee scam? WTF? So the say sorry, sorry, blah, blah, we are going to investigate this and review the cameras. Whatever. Who checks the serial number before they leave the store? Well apparently we all should. Now it’s been over two weeks and I still have no answer from game stop or the manager…

We suggested he try some of the tips in this post. He wrote back today with an update:

Wow. I am screwed. So, the main customer service for gamestop has now told me that the district manager made his decision (unbeknownst to me) and they have to stand by his decision. This is to not help me in any way, shape, or form. So I figured good old Sony would help me, right? Well they also refuse to help me. Not only will they not exchange my machine, they refuse to even take it for repair because my serial # from the receipt doesn’t match. I really don’t care what my serial # is, I just want a PS3 that works properly for the 500 I spent. Any suggestions?

Ben

We suggest that Ben contact his credit card company and request a chargeback. Once again we are lead to believe that before you exit a store you should check to see that your serial number is correct on the receipt and open the box to make sure what you’re buying is actually inside. Once you leave the store, they’re going to assume that you’re a liar and a crook.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for Ben?

(Photo:Marike79)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.