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HanSolo
Guest
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DROID Bionic And Accessory Bundle Costco Discussion Thread (Including Q&A from YankeeDudeL)
- Thread starter Preach2k
- Start date
Great, thanks for the tip! That gives me enough time to see the reviews before I dive in.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
Great, thanks for the tip! That gives me enough time to see the reviews before I dive in.
No prob. That is subject to change, keep in mind. However, I'm confident it'll last through the month.
It's all gravy, you're new so you get a pass.And welcome to AF!
Technically speaking you're locked into contract the moment you sign it. You have 14 days to exchange the phone for a diff device. You have 90 to exchange for the same device if something were wrong with it. But, as many people here will tell you, most WSEs will exchange the phone. However, it's frowned upon like pleasuring yourself on an airplane.
Ok, now I feel really nooby; whats WSE? Also, if they do let me exchange for a different device within 90 days, its not like I could do it for a new phone that came out in a verizon store, right? Just at Costco?
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
I guess I should change my question to: Can I actually buy whatever it is and activate it later in the day so I don't have to be there? Skipping school isn't my thing.
thatguy188
Android Enthusiast
The Costco in Charleston, SC has a self checkout line (2 of them actually) where you first scan your card and then your items. I've only been there once and that was with my Companies Costco Card (Business Card) and the lady that stood at the end of the checkout never wanted to see it. I am not sure though if they ask to see it if you use a personal Costco Card.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
Actually, that's fair as I wouldn't expect most people that aren't familiar with Costco or just skimmed through the thread. I don't actually work for Costco, I work for Wireless Advocates. Sales reps official title is Wireless Sales Expert.
Correct, you can only exchange a phone for something in our inventory, and we have a much smaller selection.
Whenever the phone is bought is when it has to be activated. This is because we change the device in the system. Are you on time constraints and only have enough time to pay for the phone and then leave?
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
Not exactly a time constraint, but I do not want them to run out of the Bionic OR the deal pack. I really want that deal.
AurJohn
Well-Known Member
I can answer this one
The Parker, CO store off E-470 and Parker Road had self check-out for part of 2009 and 2010. When It disappeared, we inquired as to why. It turns out they were the "pilot" location for testing self check out, and it turns out the interest of customers in self check out vs the cost of converting other stores was not worth it. I know, not relevant to the Droid Bionic, but I had to dump my brain lol
And I will be at a Denver area costco on the 8th for sure!
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
I can answer this one
The Parker, CO store off E-470 and Parker Road had self check-out for part of 2009 and 2010. When It disappeared, we inquired as to why. It turns out they were the "pilot" location for testing self check out, and it turns out the interest of customers in self check out vs the cost of converting other stores was not worth it. I know, not relevant to the Droid Bionic, but I had to dump my brain lol
And I will be at a Denver area costco on the 8th for sure!
My Costco has 4 self check-out lanes. We've had them since the opening.
AurJohn
Well-Known Member
I stand corrected, that is just what they told me. I guess it was just the Region then?
To be crystal clear, are you saying COSTCO policy is no refund after 14 days? I don't find that on their website. In fact, the website indicates that cellphones can be returned for refund within 90 days.
I'd appreciate a link or reference if the policy differs from that on the website. Thanks
OK, not to be dense here, but if Costco doesn't want to refund in 90 days, and they really just want to exchange for another identical device, then what's the point? That's called a manufacturer warranty, and I think for Motorola, it's at least a year. I could buy it from Verizon and exchange it for another one within a year. You can't tell me I'm that much better off exchanging it at Costco than I am at Verizon. And new vs. refurbished doesn't hold much weight to me.
I guess my issue is that I have no idea how I'll like the Bionic - I'm hoping it will be so awesome that thoughts of exchanging for a Prime or a Vigor won't even enter my mind. But where the thought of being locked in for 2 years if I can't decide within 14 days might make me NOT buy anything at all right now, the ability to test it out for 90 days, compare it to other items out there, IS incentive for me to get off my duff and into my local Costco to take a flyer on a Bionic......
I'm not really seeing the problem here....
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
If you break it, it's very likely Motorola will say "screw you" because it's your fault.
If you break it but bought it at Costco, you walk in, and walk out with a new one.
I bought a laptop at Costco, and the spacebar only worked half the time. I even went to a different store than where I bought it and exchanged it at no cost to me.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
I wouldn't necessarily say that, with certain aspects. There's been one little complaint on the Photon that people have mentioned about a "squeeky" battery back cover. I didn't really notice it until some people had mentioned it to me.
I went to chat with Motorola online, told them the issue I was having, they said that all motorola "accessories" are covered under a 1 year warranty from date of purchase. The back cover was considered an "accessory," so they said they'd ship one out for me (no charge).
My theory is, it never hurts to ask, as long as you're not expecting anything in return.
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
Yes, but that's a design/manufacturing flaw. I'm talking about dropping it, purposely breaking it, acts of god, siblings.
Costco says "whatever" and gives you a new one, within the 90 days.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Wow, that's awesome. Good to know.
Again, I don't think this was the intent of the return policy - if I'm that worried about breaking it, I'll buy insurance on the phone that will last way longer than 90 days. I doubt Costco intended their return policy to be used by people dropping phones in toilets.
I thought the original intent was to ensure that the customer was satisfied with their electronics purchase. And I certainly hope to be, if the Bionic is everything they said it would be (never mind that it was 9 months ago). If however, VZW decides to screw over everyone who bought into the Bionic hype and releases the "Next Big Thing" just days after the initial 14 day return period is up, then it would be nice to know that Costco will let me get a new device, if that is what it takes to make me a satisfied customer. That would be the perceived benefit I could understand from purchasing a cell phone from Costco, rather than Big Red directly.
I thought the original intent was to ensure that the customer was satisfied with their electronics purchase. And I certainly hope to be, if the Bionic is everything they said it would be (never mind that it was 9 months ago). If however, VZW decides to screw over everyone who bought into the Bionic hype and releases the "Next Big Thing" just days after the initial 14 day return period is up, then it would be nice to know that Costco will let me get a new device, if that is what it takes to make me a satisfied customer. That would be the perceived benefit I could understand from purchasing a cell phone from Costco, rather than Big Red directly.
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
Well, that's Verizon for you.
I was going to get the Thunderbolt to get the data, and then switch to something else, but nothing else would have been released.
zippyzappy
Newbie
According to my VZW account I am available for an upgrade... the date reading on the account is up on 10/11... so I am actually one month from an official NE2 upgrade. Another guy says I can't upgrade now at Cosco because I need to wait the extra month and 1/2. Can I get the cosco deal or do I need to wait the extra time... What's the truth? Thanks.
tehsusenoh
Android Expert
Anything you can do at Verizon, you can do at Costco.
Trooper
Android Expert
That is good to know. Stopping by a local Costco tomorrow to check out the situation.
timhurley172
Lurker
I cant believe that my Cosco doesn't open until 10. That sucks. I have to be in court for work at 9!
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
Ok, looks like I need to clear some things up about the return policy. You have 14 days to get used to the phone. If you're not satisfied with it, return your phone, and we'll be happy to exchange it. Or you can just get your money back and keep your upgrade and wait till the next best thing comes out. After 14 days are up, your upgrade is officially gone and not coming back.
After 14, you have up until 90 days from purchase to return the phone for the same exact phone. This is if you have a lemon. Is this the same as the manufacturer's warranty? Essentially, yes. One huge diff though. We guarantee you a new phone. Motorola won't.
If you cause damage to your phone you can NOT return it to us. We're not inviting you to damage your phone and we'll happily give you an new one for free. Doesn't work like that. You can return the phone if there's a defect in the phone. If you want protection from your own potential destruction, get insurance. I highly recommend putting insurance on a $600 device.
After 14, you have up until 90 days from purchase to return the phone for the same exact phone. This is if you have a lemon. Is this the same as the manufacturer's warranty? Essentially, yes. One huge diff though. We guarantee you a new phone. Motorola won't.
If you cause damage to your phone you can NOT return it to us. We're not inviting you to damage your phone and we'll happily give you an new one for free. Doesn't work like that. You can return the phone if there's a defect in the phone. If you want protection from your own potential destruction, get insurance. I highly recommend putting insurance on a $600 device.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
Well, that's not completely accurate. We cannot honor NE2 or one-year upgrades. However, if you qualify for a NE2, then you qualify for a 20 month qualified upgrade. You'd get $30 or $50 credit toward a phone using the NE2 through Verizon. We're at least $50 cheaper (in many cases more), plus you're always going to get a car charger, leather carrying case, and most often screen protectors with that.