we live in hell

It's a well known fact that Apple products and a good number of PCs and laptops are tracked by retailers via their serial number. It's still not universal for all electronics though. Got an old BluRay player or soundbar that broke out of warranty? How about something as simple as a cat5 cable that went bad? Target, Walmart, and others won't blink if you buy an identical replacement and return the broken one in the box. It's a lot easier than dealing with the manufacturer, that's for sure. 

Now, should you careful use a butterknife to undetectable pry apart the very flexible cardboard leaves on the bottom of some boxes so you can reseal the device without any evidence? Usually you don't need to, because the retailer will take it back as "doesn't work out of the box" anyway, but it's always an option.

Have successfully used this method a number of times.

On a more ethical note, if you ever get rejected for repair under and extended warranty, give the retailer a hard time on social media and at least you might get the value of the extended warranty refunded (I did). It's not much, but it's better than paying for the warranty and still getting nothing.

people do this kind of thing with Amazon, too. i also know people who will buy something from Amazon, use it once, then return it, because they only needed it once.

then amazon resells it, used. because amazon doesn't care. they will get their money one way or another.
not ok when the item is something meant for one person ever to use in the product's lifetime. like nose hair trimmers.

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(01-21-2025, 01:33 AM)FrodoSwaggins Wrote: [ -> ]It's a well known fact that Apple products and a good number of PCs and laptops are tracked by retailers via their serial number. It's still not universal for all electronics though. Got an old BluRay player or soundbar that broke out of warranty? How about something as simple as a cat5 cable that went bad? Target, Walmart, and others won't blink if you buy an identical replacement and return the broken one in the box. It's a lot easier than dealing with the manufacturer, that's for sure. 

Now, should you careful use a butterknife to undetectable pry apart the very flexible cardboard leaves on the bottom of some boxes so you can reseal the device without any evidence? Usually you don't need to, because the retailer will take it back as "doesn't work out of the box" anyway, but it's always an option.

Have successfully used this method a number of times.

On a more ethical note, if you ever get rejected for repair under and extended warranty, give the retailer a hard time on social media and at least you might get the value of the extended warranty refunded (I did). It's not much, but it's better than paying for the warranty and still getting nothing.

related: 
package your old damaged item in the new box and set it on your porch. porch pirates will take it off your hands for free.

porch piracy is a serious felony in New Jersey now. i probably couldn't even beg someone to steal off my porch at this point.