Tablets & eReaders

[tsnstuff]

This weekend I wanted to get an Asus Transformer TF101 with the keyboard dock.  They had the tablet up for display at the store, but I really wanted to try out the keyboard dock to see how it felt.  I asked one of the guys there and he says "Sorry, what we have out there is it, we are not going to open one up so you can play with it".  So I ask him "not even if I'm looking to buy one?"  he replied with "you can buy one and if you don't like it return it". 

So that's what I did, and luckily I love this thing.  But what if I didnt?  I would have returned an open item.  So why wouldn't best buy want to avoid open item returns and just have 1 item out there for people to use?  Even if it's not on display you'd think there could be one that a sales associate can go get for people to try out.  I mean, if you can have one of the $400 tablet why not have one of the $150 keyboard?  

Not long ago I wanted to buy a laptop and bought it at a tiger direct store instead because the one I wanted to try out at Best buy didn't have a cord, and no one could find a cord for it.  You'd think best buy of all places would be able to get one of their laptops going!!  I don't know if it's just the Best Buy in Vernon Hills Illinois but it's getting very frustrating.  

[kst8no1]

Typically the rule of thumb is that if a box is taped shut then you cant open it..to prevent the likelihood that it's stolen.

[tsnstuff]

I understand that, I just don't see why they wouldn't have a unit somewhere that people can play with.  A lot of stores are suffering because more and more people buy at places like Amazon so you'd think they'd try harder to cater to those of us who still want to go and feel and try things before buying them.  You'd just think that when they got the Transformers and the docks they would have picked 1 tablet for display and 1 dock for display.  Also having things on display that don't work should not be acceptable.  If you don't have the cable for it get another one.  Just seems like very poor management to me.  

[kst8no1]

A lot of the tablet displays are vendor supported, so it may be that since Asus didn't send a mock keyboard dock with the tablet display that store doesn't want to "waste" one

[Sirrrus]

Ditto what kst8n01 said. Vendors (Asus, Apple, Samsung, etc) control what is on display. Let's hypothetically say you tried the keyboard and didn't like it. Now they can't sell it because the box is open/seal is broke. You would be amazed at how many people want to open the box and look BUT would NOT buy an item from an open box. Such is retail. My suggestion is find a store that does have it on display, if you like Best Buy, go back and buy it.

[tsnstuff]

I just don't see how taking it home and then deciding I don't like it and then returning it is really any better. You'd think having at least one open one for people to try out would avoid a lot of opened returned products.

[Sirrrus]

If you take it home, there's a good chance thay either A) you'll love it cause you got more time with it, and you won't return it. Or B) you'll become busy and forget to return it, then by accident, you fall outside the 14 day return policy and BAM! you can only get a store credit at best. It's sales and marketing...all business to them.