restocking fees

Thanks for clarifying that, Jea48. Sorry for my confusion.

Businesses are free to set their terms and their prices(within the law), then live with how the market responds. I certainly see the reason for restocking fees, and agree with the practice. If you are not seriously interested in purchasing, you should not order. Dealers cannot fund tire-kickers without losing profit, or raising the prices for the other folks who actually purchase, and I can't agree with the concept that since we pay too much in taxes we should not be obligated to reimburse dealers for their expenses. However, on-line dealers might consider alternate methods of showing their products such as auditions at various audio clubs around the country, and perhaps a traveling demonstration tour similar to what bicycle and snow ski manufacturers do. One thing will never change, we vote with our wallets, then the market sorts itself out.

I don't like to work for free either, and manufacturers shouldn't be expected to work for nothing. But would they have more sales if they didn't charge the fee? If they really believe in their product, and think it's better than the competition, would it make more sense to encourage in home trials with no fees? Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. It's great to claim the morral high ground and say you shouldn't be expected to work for free, but it's even better to make some sales. In any case, I absolutely respect whatever decision manufacturers make about restocking fees, but my decision is not to deal with those manufacturers who charge them. There are too many other good choices.

Some states allow consumers a set time for complete refunds. Never mind that I rarely can find a dealer that truly knows all the intricasies of todays complicated products. One often has to take the item home, go through all the manuals and then hope that the manuals are correct and then hope that the item works as described. Furthermore these products have to compatible with the consumers existing gear. That most of the on line retailers (dealers aren't usually that much better) are clueless about the products their peddling never mind the ones they don't. Many online retailers don't even have an audition set up, set up.
If one were to buy a garment on line that didn't fit, would you expect to pay a restocking fee?
Would you expect to pay a fee to test drive a new automobile?
We are talking about a performance instruments. How are we to know how something performs without trying it? The specs? Internet sales could be viewed as bids.

From the responses to this post it's apparent that many audiophiles are shoppers as opposed to buyers. In the cold, uncaring dollar oriented world of sales shoppers are seen as a waste of time.