Would you buy hardware at a supermarket chain?

Hey everyone. So a couple weeks ago I was pondering how nice it would be to purchase a wireless mouse to use with my new Mac mini (which is sitting here on my desk and shares my monitor with my gaming rig) as well as my laptop, because it got to the point where I was sick of dealing with extra cables that I could probably get rid of. So we just happen to be at a local Meijer's superstore (for those of you who don't know, here in Michigan, it's like a Wal-Mart). We were getting some photos developed, and I was walking down the electronics aisle, and suddenly I noticed -- mice! Hmm, here's a nice Logitech that is on sale for $20 (normally $30), so I said, what the heck ... perfect impulse buy, I needed one, so I bought it.

Took it home, plugged it in ... hmm ... mouse pointer won't move. But ... huh? The buttons work when I click them? In three different machines, it was doing the same thing. You could make the buttons work, but the mouse pointer would not move no matter what.

I'm thinking, ah geez, do I just return this and go to an actual computer store and get something better, or do I exchange it for an identical replacement?

I said, well, maybe I just got a lemon. Went back, exchanged it, brought the new one home. Works like a charm!

So yeah, I guess I just got a dud, and that could have happened no matter where I bought it. And there seems to be some sort of stigma dictating that one shouldn't buy computer hardware at that type of store ... I mean, all serious computer users buy their gear at Newegg, Amazon, Micro Center, etc., right?

But anyway, I really like this mouse. It's a Logitech M310. The way I see it, it would be the same mouse even if I bought it somewhere else.

Anyone else have a similar story?

The only store I routine steer people away from in BestBuy because I've purchased a few defective devices from them and they don't want to provide a refund, they offer an "in store discount", which is ridiculous. MicroCenter has very fair return policies, so that's one of the main reasons I shop there...

You can get duds anywhere. I recently bought a new wireless Logitech mouse (M705 model). I didn't look inside the package as it was factory sealed. When I got home the small USB transceiver that plugs into the PC was missing. As it was factory sealed, it had to have been left out during production. I contacted Logitech and they sent out the missing part within a week. I could have taken it back to Sam's Club but didn't want to drive the 35 miles (one way) just for that.

I haven't shopped at Best Buy for years. The closest one is an hour away.

azasadny said:

The only store I routine steer people away from in BestBuy because I've purchased a few defective devices from them and they don't want to provide a refund, they offer an "in store discount", which is ridiculous. MicroCenter has very fair return policies, so that's one of the main reasons I shop there...

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Yeah I like Micro Center too. My current gaming rig consists of many parts obtained from there.

fireberd said:

You can get duds anywhere. I recently bought a new wireless Logitech mouse (M705 model). I didn't look inside the package as it was factory sealed. When I got home the small USB transceiver that plugs into the PC was missing. As it was factory sealed, it had to have been left out during production. I contacted Logitech and they sent out the missing part within a week. I could have taken it back to Sam's Club but didn't want to drive the 35 miles (one way) just for that.

I haven't shopped at Best Buy for years. The closest one is an hour away.

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Still it's funny how your mind considers all sorts of possibilities, when nine times out of ten it's the simplest and most logical explanation that is the correct one. I even read a suggestion somebody had (who had the same mouse and the same problem) to unscrew the back and re-seat something, but instead of four screws like the guy said, I could only find two, and the back just didn't want to come off. Then I thought it was the battery, but why would it be the battery if the buttons work but the mouse pointer won't move, etc., etc. Drivers? The instructions said all you have to do is plug it in and start using it, no software required.

So, yeah. Just go back to the store and get one that works.

Hi there.

Hardware is hardware -- if it's sold cheap at a supermarket - why not.

Have you ever bought Gasoline / Petrol / Diesel at a Supermarket.

Your consumer rights are no different if you buy it in a Supermarket or a specialist hardware store. In fact you might find it EASIER to deal with returns at a supermarket as they tend to have customer service areas -- at least the bigger ones do and they'll usually change it without question or refund your money if they don't have any more left.

Cheers
jimbo

I buy hardware wherever it is convenient. Our local hyperstore (ASDA - Walmark) has precious little in the way of hardware and almost ZERO in software. They also tend not to sell too much 'branded' but their own rubbish. They are festooned with damn console stuff. I bought a wireless mouse from them, its now in hardware heaven after going into the trash.


and all keyboards they sell are black! I asked why, they replied because thats what people want. I said I dont, I want white.

They sell tablets and ipad things and laptops but no desktops.

Here in the UK we also have PC World? Grossly over priced and customer service that best on the Titanic. I wont use them. They too sell only black keyboards.

Hopefully the mouse I bought lasts a long time. It shouldn't have to die after six months just because it was inexpensive. Reviews online of the M310 are mostly positive, so I'm hopeful.

Heck, I buy hardware off of Ebay so i suppose a big box store would actually be a step up.

My fiance works at our local Meijer store so I get to use her discount card. In fact just last week I bought some DVDs and a thumb drive there. Hardware is hardware no matter where it's purchased. Quality control is the responsibility of the manufacturer. How some lemons get by is a wonder.

Staples is nice.
Good in-store help.

I needed to add RAM to my computer & the clerk took one like mine apart & showed me where & how to do it.

Buying hardware with a known brand name (such as a Logitech mouse) shouldn't be a problem at any store, supermarket or other. Where it would get iffy for me would be if the supermarket was selling hardware under their own brand name.

msdos622wasfun said:

Hopefully the mouse I bought lasts a long time. It shouldn't have to die after six months just because it was inexpensive. Reviews online of the M310 are mostly positive, so I'm hopeful.

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bought a cheapo mouse from Asda, actually labelled Panasonic - It went back by sonic speed too. (same day).

strollin said:

Where it would get iffy for me would be if the supermarket was selling hardware under their own brand name.

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I completely agree but some are actually very good. Many are made under licence from 'known' brand names. Asda (again) have some nice food indeed under their own brand but as for hardware well ????

elbmek said:

strollin said:

Where it would get iffy for me would be if the supermarket was selling hardware under their own brand name.

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I completely agree but some are actually very good. Many are made under licence from 'known' brand names. Asda (again) have some nice food indeed under their own brand but as for hardware well ????

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The problem is that you may not know from what brand name source the product was licensed (you may not even care). All I'm saying is that I would look a little harder before buying some hardware that was under the store's brand name.

agreed strollin'

The store only sells the part, nothing to do with it working or not, but as long as they exchange, it`s all good.

Better then doing it through the mail huh ??

Still works. We live in good times -- one can pick up milk, eggs, motor oil, and mice under one roof!