Hello!

My father in law bought an electric heater from a general store in North Carolina. The heater had been returned to the store from a previous customer. The store knocked off 50 dollars, because it was a 'used item'. He paid $349.00 plus tax.

When he got the heater home.. he found it wasn't working as well as it should be.

He took the heater back to the store the next day. He was told he had to pay a 70 dollar restocking fee. There were no signs posted concerning restocking fees.. nor, was he informed at the time of the purchase of restocking fees. $70.00 on a USED item! Is this legal?

They need to have some posted policy.
But if he is just wanting to return it, not exchange it, asking for a restocking fee is very common. Where I work has a 25 percent restock fee on all items bought, we may not always ask for it, but it is part of our written polcy on every invoice we do.

In the end, they can, and if you don't like it, you will have to sue them for the money back.

Hello mr:

If he took the item back because he changed his mind, then the restocking fee is reasonable.

However, BECAUSE he took the item back because it didn't work as expected, then the restocking fee is UNREASONABLE.

If they don't return it upon receipt of a letter from your dad, have him sue them in small claims court.

excon