Avoiding Restocking Fee

I ordered a T400 several weeks back. I called at one point to make a very minor change to the configuration. The change was confirmed by a rep, but it ended up shipping out before the change was made.

Then I realized I'd made a mistake going with the T400 (nothing to do with the change) and wanted to return it. I read on here and several other sites that I was out of luck unless I wanted to pay a 15% restocking fee.

I called Lenovo before opening the package anyway, just in case, assuming I was wasting my time.

But since I'd attempted to make a change, was told it would be made, and they had a record of that I was able to return the laptop with no restocking fee (and free shipping labels!). Mind you, I didn't say I was returning it because I didn't want a T400 but because the "confirmed" change wasn't made.

So, theoretically this all cost me $0...I'm still waiting for the original charge to be refunded on my cc, but they only received the return a couple days ago and said the refund could take 10+ days to post.

Thought this story might help others in a similar predicament. At least with some reps the restocking fee can be avoided IF you haven't opened the package AND they have some record of your desire to change/cancel the order.

 

You had a special circumstance --that's the main reason you got a reprieve.

Lenovo shipped me two T400 ThinkPads despite the fact that I ordered only one, and I was able to prove it (one order number at the time I placed the order; two order numbers at the time both T400's shipped). So I was able to return one (sealed) without a restocking fee as well.

Without the special circumstance, you're stuck with the fee, unless you can badger the sales dept. into making an exception for you. And, if you open the box, you're stuck with the fee no matter what.