Charge 5 - Return policy won't refund state taxes

[munulu]

I am considering purchasing a Fitbit Charge 5 mainly for its pulse rate and ECG functionality. If it doesn't work as expected I would like to return it. However, the return policy says "Shipping and handling charges, gift wrap fees, and taxes paid (such as state, customs, or VAT) are not refundable."

I understand about not paying for the shipping but they do not refund state taxes???? That's the first time I hear something like that. Is that really true? That would be an automatic 10% "restocking fee" on top of another 15% restocking fee if they are not happy with what was returned.

https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/legal/terms-of-sale

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Odyssey13]

Hi @munulu  restocking fee is standard with many companies, but I can't speak for Fitbit. I've asked a moderator to stop by to address that with you. If you're not sure about the Charge 5, why not purchase it locally, so you can return it more easily. Costco is most generous with their return policy. Best Buy is fourteen days, but I don't think they charge a restocking fee. It might be worth calling some stores near you to see what their policies are.

[munulu]

Thanks for the response. The restocking fee is annoying but that's not my main concern. It's the fact that apparently Fitbit doesn't give you back the (state) sales tax (according to their written policy). If you return a product then no sale has happened and therefore Fitbit doesn't have to pay the sales tax to the state (or they can request reimbursement if they already paid it). I have NEVER seen a company that doesn't refund the sales tax. This seems really strange, i.e. a hidden additional restocking fee.

Btw, just for the reason you mentioned I am not going to buy from Fitbit but instead purchased it from a local store. I can pick it up in a couple of hours. I was going to buy it from Costco but they only seem to have it online and it takes 8 days to get it. 

[SunsetRunner]

YMMV, but lately I have found Costco online to be faster with deliveries (to Ohio) than before. Usually arriving before the estimated date. The nice thing with the Costco bundle is you get a sport band too. Additionally, Bestbuy has them too at the current discounted price if you don't want to wait.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @SunsetRunner and @Odyssey13. @munulu Welcome on board.

@munulu Thanks for bringing this to our attention. As you may know, Fitbit provides refunds to any order purchased from our website as long as they meet the conditions described in our Terms of Sale. I understand your point of view about this situation and I'm sorry for this inconvenience. While I don't have access to your order details, my best advice is to get in touch with our Support team so they can provide you with further assistance. They're available via chat and phone, just click here to get connected with them.

@Odyssey13 Thanks for the heads up and your great help.

See you around.

[munulu]

@lizzy thank you for the response. However, it doesn't address my initial question. Why would fitbit not give me back the sales tax?!?!? I purchase a fitbit for lets say $100. Then I pay 10% sales tax for a total of $110. No I return the fitbit and fitbit gives me back $100 and keeps the $10 in sales tax. Fitbit gets back the sales tax because fitbit has no obligation to pay sales tax on a returned product. Hence, fitbit pockets that $10 (in addition to possible restocking fees). I don't know of any other company doing that. Every single company I have dealt with, being it online or a brick and mortar gives you back the sales tax. To quote fitbit again "Shipping and handling charges, gift wrap fees, and taxes paid (such as state, customs, or VAT) are not refundable."

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @munulu.

Thanks to you for sharing more details about this situation. I see where you're coming from about not having the taxes of your order refunded. Please know our team will handle every Fitbit order based on the conditions described in our Warranty Policy. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and because I don't have access to your case, I'd recommend getting in touch with our Support team so they can provide you with more information and help you with this process. You can use this link to get connected with them via chat or phone.

[munulu]

@LizzyFitbit Thanks for the information. I returned it. The local store did give me no problems at all to give me back the state tax I paid for the item. I don't understand why Fitbit in their return policy states that taxes will not be reimbursed. It makes no sense at all unless. I will make sure to never buy directly from Fitbit but only from resellers (yes, I do consider buying a future version that can measure irregular heartbeats).I do appreciate the feedback.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @munulu.

Thanks for getting back with more details. I'm glad you received help from the retailer were your Fitbit device was purchased. Our team strives to improve the Fitbit experience, and the input we receive from our members helps us to make that happen. Your feedback is truly appreciated and rest assured it won't be taken for granted. If there's anything else I can do for you, don't hesitate to let me know.

See you around.