What are the rules for returning things? I bought something at Syntrend mall (the one next to Guanghua) on Sunday but never opened it and would like to return it. What are my rights?
You have no “rights” when it comes to brick and mortar stores in Taiwan, but you do have the privilege of returning unopened items at most stores within a certain period.
Different stores have different return periods and return policies.
Thanks. I’ll call the store and see their policy
Most malls and big retail stores have return policies in place for the protection of consumers, a so-called 鑑賞期 where during a certain period (usually 7 or 10 days) if you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund or exchange it for another similar item provided the original seal of the purchase haven’t yet been opened or tampered with or the tags haven’t been cut off (in case of apparel). All of these establishments give a 發票 and a long receipt which details your purchase and a printed return policy. Check if you have that.
If you purchased online you have a 7 day change of mind protection, due to this many bricks and mortar try to match or exceed in order to compete. I would expect stores in somewhere like Syntrend to have at least a 7 day change of mind however give them a call to check.
Which is a joke, really. How are we supposed to know whether we are happy with our purchase if we are not even allowed to take it out of the box?
TW consumer protection laws needs an update. If you buy something from Apple Taiwan in person, they refuse to refund even if you return the item within 7 days unopened. It depends on the merchant. Some will be nicer but not because the law says so, but they are being nice to consumers. And then there’s companies like Apple that will only do the minimum required by local consumer laws.
Exactly!! So the actual return policies here implies “Just look, don’t touch or tear me open”. The mindset being “consumers who return products” are usually being forced to by their spouses who complain that they don’t need such a product or they found a better price for it online or they just changed their mind during the 3~5 days the product took for shipment.
My lady boss is a great example of returning products frequently which she buys online (usually from Yahoo, Momo, PCHome or ETMall). All of these online stores have good return policies and allows for return even if you have opened the package or tried them on (eg: shoes). IMHO, the best store for returns is definitely COSTCO…they usually have a “no questions asked” policy…take anything back within a specified time period, opened or not, used or unused (except perishibles), they will take it back! My ex-colleague took a half used up bottle of Soy Sauce back and they took it back! 
I will try to return tonight and find out if Syntrend has such a policy.
I also messaged the store on Facebook but they haven’t replied yet.
Taiwan is a shit place for buyers remorse… sorry.
It’s going to depend on the individual stores/merchant, range from really generous (Costco) to basically no returns unless defective (most mom and pop stores).
If you bought from a mom and pop store, especially where they charge an extra 5% to have a fapiao, then forget returns. They MAY do an exchange but are not required to.
This is a huge problem with guitars by the way. I don’t mean buyer’s remorse (there is none in fact, no returns will be accepted at all for these), but I mean legitimate warranty problems. If you buy a Martin in Taiwan not only will you be paying double, but if it has problems due to abuse by the dealer, YOU have to pay to have it sent to the states to have warranty work done.
I’ve never experienced a retailer who allows returns insisting that something cannot be taken out of the box. You are required to retain the packaging in it’s original, or near original, condition though which isn’t unreasonable. Any torn boxes or packing materials and they may refuse the return or charge a packaging fee, this also applies to online returns.
Yeah an unlimited return policy makes sense for large all-in-one chain stores like Costco because they know that even if they give you your money back, you will still spend that money at their store again, because they have virtually ZERO competition in terms of product range and price.
But even a 7-day open-box exchange policy at other stores would be nice. I can’t tell you how much new clothes I had to donate instead of exchange since I moved to Taiwan 2 years ago because I had already removed the tags. I’m talking 50+ pieces.
What’s the store getting out of this? If the customer has opened the box and just decided they don’t want it, the store will presumably be losing money if they give a full refund, because they can’t sell it again at the same price. They’d just then need to increase prices to accommodate the x% of people with buyer’s remorse.
In countries where stores offer open-box return policies, it is not done from the goodness of their hearts. It is done because of strong consumer protection laws.
Stores don’t get anything out of it, save perhaps more customers who are willing to buy immediately rather than wait and see.
Yeah, I get that, but it just means that the stores need to increase the prices for everyone though, no? I wouldn’t really want to pay a little more on everything to offset the people who buy stuff then change their mind…
That’s fine, because in the case of a nation-wide law, every store would be in the same boat, so it’s fair.
And stores don’t necessarily need to increase prices. They could also choose to just cut their profits and keep their prices unchanged to be more competitive, which might yield more customers and higher profits in the long run.
This is also a good way for businesses to attract an additional market segment: People with lower income levels who would have the option to buy open-box products for a lower price.
The store said I could return it within 7 days, cash or exchange both okay.
Yea but consumer laws here aren’t that strong or not well enforced. If the store makes you pay extra for fapiao don’t expect to be allowed a return either. When I used to work at those guanhua computer stores we were told not to accept any returns unless it’s defective.
Yeah I know. I was saying Taiwan should strengthen consumer protection laws.
Yeah unfortunately that’s the norm here when it comes to electronics. The Apple Store also doesn’t accept returns.