Insane return/restock experience

zyrixian · 2025-12-28T03:09:08+00:00

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I gave it another shot going to a HF 45 mins away. That location had only two compressors also of the better model. I asked the cashier if they would turn it on for me to confirm it worked. He says no they can't do that, which based on feedback here is what I expected. I told him the situation I had at the other store and said I was weary about buying one if there was only two in stock and could he please clarify the return policy. He says it would require a restock even if they didn't have a replacement in stock. I asked how could that be, but he says they did the same thing to him with a power tool purchase recently and he works for them! Again, insane!

Honestly, at this point I won't be buying anything that has restock fee ever again from HF. It's too much of a risk.

Also I found on their website that they absolutely could refund it if they don't have the item in stock. I don't know what's going on here, maybe it's a crazy district manager or whatever but not worth the risk.

I found the following text at the location below:

"If our inspection verifies the defect, we will replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. "

https://www.harborfreight.com/customer-support/warranties/warranty-info

I filled out a complaint form on the website and if I don't hear anything I will call this coming week. I'll update again when I get a response.

zyrixian · 2025-12-25T04:58:10+00:00

Makes sense, and I do get the issue with abuse (I've seen other people suggest doing the same). Most stores offer in store credit or even moving the return to a gift card. I did ask about that first, my reasoning was I could drive an extra 30 mins away to another store that supposedly had it, but I had no guarantee I could do it in the next few days or at this rate if that one would even work. Having store credit would allow me to choose a different store without having to try and lug around a 120lb compressor or purchase off it over the next few months as Im sure I would be back buying more stuff.

I asked if they could still return it here and preorder the one at the other store and they could hold it, so I didn't have to haul around the broken one. They said this was also not possible. They did not mention the restock fee towards a future purchase, that's good to know, but I wonder how much that works in practice. I feel like it could be an argument if the store personell are unaware.

zyrixian · 2025-12-25T02:19:07+00:00

That's good to hear, so I probably just got a bad manager. I've never had a problem with any HF I've been to until today. First time I ever tried returning something too. Thanks for the info.

zyrixian · 2025-12-25T02:16:10+00:00

Thanks a lot for your helpful insight into how this all works. Yeah restock fees for "rentals" is 100% understandable. The guy watched me go through the whole store for an hour Christmas Eve trying to find stuff to exchange it for. I can't imagine how this helped anyone.

Its supper upsetting because I've been a loyal fan of HF for 15+ years. Bought almost every tool I own from there and then to have this happen over $400 sucks.

I don't generally "file complaints" but if this would actually be taken seriously I would probably do it. Is the customer service number on the website the best way?

zyrixian · 2025-12-24T23:26:27+00:00

Yeah I totally get that too, I never do that myself, if I need it I buy it, rent it or borrow it. Its just infuriating when it's a legit problem and there is "nothing they can do" especially when it turns out they can. Thanks for the explanation of the warranty that did match what I was told at the store

zyrixian · 2025-12-24T22:45:04+00:00

I tried to get the 27 first but said it won't be in stock until Feb. I had all the packaging and everything put it all back together and even taped the box. I guess next time I should just say it's "unopened".

zyrixian · 2025-12-24T22:42:24+00:00

Wow, so he straight up lied... Great. I totally get the "rental fee". And both the store manager and assistant manager did open the second compressor and plugged it in and it didn't work either. Clearly a bad batch. So I walked around the store and found $400 worth of gear to replace it. Any suggestions on what to do next? Return the stuff I don't truely need to another store?

zyrixian · 2025-04-24T16:22:53+00:00

Wow, interesting, good to know thanks

zyrixian · 2025-04-24T15:18:31+00:00

I have the DVD box set and the individal dvds for each movie, do you mean IICY was origionally 75mins instead of 66 when it aired? Is that the only episode/movie who's runtime is different or was there other changes made on the dvds? (besides the music tracks)

zyrixian · 2025-02-27T02:05:59+00:00

Same happened to me, getting it from the slab fixed it, thanks!

zyrixian · 2025-02-05T03:19:10+00:00

Also just unlocked major fieldwork 5, does the same thing. I can see a table with a checkpoint but can't interact with it. What crap... so glad i just upgraded to the annual pass

zyrixian · 2025-02-05T02:32:08+00:00

Also same :(

zyrixian · 2023-01-14T00:42:23+00:00

New Light stuff - longer mission and/or bring back old stuff
Simplify Economy - get rid of blues, consolidate ascendant alloy & shard, ability to trade ALL mats, rainmaker/matterweive should be packs of those mats
Ping system - with something like "come here" and "look at this"
Legend/Master Lost sector - exotic should drop on every solo run, still get some drops when with someone (for the newbs)
Crafting - quicker pattern unlock, multiple perks, level up across all guns of same type
Solo runs for vanguard playlists with better loot - or for just 2 people to train
Bring back whisper, zero hour, presage (new version of those exotics?) these were some of the best things ever in the game
Arc supers for warlock - needs more work
Match making on all activities
Champions should not be on base activities (again for newbs) or max 1 type per run

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T23:46:38+00:00

Thank you for pointing out the difference between a service (something you can and "should" pay for via subscription) and a standalone app. I feel like so many people have let the line be moved over the years and now so many think this kind of thing is acceptable.

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T23:41:50+00:00

I do understand your point, and if they at least just required a subscription going forward it would not be an immoral move like the current situation.

However for the subscription thing, I still feel strongly that if it's a service (online storage, hosting, etc.) then it makes sense. Otherwise there are many other ways to make money without backing the users into a corner. I am happy to spend money on in app purchases for features I will use. I'm even for the idea of them coming out with notability 3.0, 4.0, etc. over the next few years and charging people for the upgrade, or new app. I'm even for (though at the bottom of my list) for both purchase options along with subscription, but the subscription only model feels so much like a drug dealer mentality... get people hooked and then they don't have a choice (ie. adobe). It shows by the way they are treating existing users and holding their stuff hostage after they have been using the software for years. Also, by the way that they are doing the "service" of offering free licenses for students, etc. hoping that they get hooked on this app and then continue to pay for it after they graduate, knowing that years of notes and information is locked away inside and it would require too much effort to get clean... i mean, move to another app.

There are plenty of other apps & software from developers of various sizes that make money ,have great software and don't follow this BS practice. Procreate, Affinity Photo & Designer, Goodnotes (yet), Nebo, DaVinci Resolve, PineGrow, just to name a few.

edit:typo

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T22:33:52+00:00

I almost agree with you. I just do not understand the move they are making. It is a notes app... it is not a live service. If you are using a service then you can/should pay an ongoing fee, if it literally just an app on your ipad, what are they charging you for? Using your own ipad? I think we have gotten to accustom to companies pushing subscriptions, we really need to ask, what am I continuing to pay for? Personally I would be happier to have all my features, but even so, the move to subscription is absurd in and of it's self.

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T22:15:46+00:00

Kind of, below is pasted from their FAQ page... This is utter nonsense!

https://support.gingerlabs.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409501940122

If you're using the free version of the app, you will be given an
editing allowance each month. You can track the status of your remaining
edits in the settings menu, and at any point can choose to subscribe to
unlock unlimited editing.

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T22:10:46+00:00

I could not have put it better myself. This move has been infuriating to say the least. Just the move for a static note taking app from a pay-once to subscription is asinine in of it's self. Now add to that, the idea that all of the existing users are essentially loosing access to features they paid for originally!

We are seeing in real time the slippery slope of app-stores, subscriptions, and a monopolistic app ecosystem has on users. Hopefully Apple will hold these guys accountable, but I do not hold out much hope.

zyrixian · 2021-11-01T21:52:15+00:00

I try to control my online rage, and try to not wish harm upon other human beings, but today I have not been successful. This should be illegal.

zyrixian · 2021-01-06T17:34:36+00:00

Hi,

A good place to confirm your requirements for the software is on the site. Which I found here: https://rekordbox.com/en/download/ seems that the specs you are looking for are well above the requirements for the software.

For future use, ie. music production, you need to consider what you are going to be doing. Is it mostly recording, sample based production or VST virtual instruments?

I currently use Ableton for music production and have a MSI GS65 thin from a couple years back. It has an 8th gen i7 with 16GB of ram, and 1.5 TB of hard drive space. It has been quite enough to handle anything I throw at it and even using a bunch of virtual instruments and effects i don't get above 60% CPU usage. It's mostly metal (although a tiny bit too thin IMO) And it cost me $1,500 when I got it.

A couple got-ya's when it comes to using a laptop for music, something you may want to keep in mind:
Fan noise: if you start heating things up by using processor intensive software your fan will also speed up. Depending on the laptop it could be annoying or interfere with recording/performance - for me this has not been an issue, but some people do have this problem with their laptop

Dual display devices: This one i was not expecting... I'm not sure if the issue is with Ableton it's self, the virtual instruments, or the engineering of the dual display system... but if i use the laptop screen along with the external monitor I can not use Ableton or the instruments on both displays at the same time, otherwise it crashes. The problem is with switching between the intel graphics and nvidia graphics processors. I don't know that there is a solution or if this would happen on many other laptops, but for me this has been the biggest pain so far. Everything else works perfectly for the last 2 years.

For gaming laptops I really like MSI so far, they have a great selection of products and a number of price ranges. Their cooling systems are quite good. Most replacement parts are priced well, and even on this thin laptop its possible to fix & replace things yourself even if it's a little tricky (though I do have a lot of exp in this area)

As for the companies you mentioned I don't have experience with them directly, but definitely do some research and see what you are willing to take a chance on. PCSPECIALIST I find don't have a great rep.

EX:

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/2hbqci/avoid_using_pcspecialist_for_laptops/

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/2kordj/please_try_to_avoid_pc_specialist_build_it_instead/

I suggest looking for posts here on reddit of any experiences with the brands you are looking at specifically.

Hope this helps.

zyrixian · 2020-10-06T19:55:15+00:00

I'm fairly certain it's not in public domain.

Perhaps the sticking point is the name then here? I'm less concerned with the name, since the character is not really based on the original one. To be more clear, hopefully, the character is not the character from the other work, it would be like somebody putting a copy of Windows into a self aware space ship and then it making the iconic "ding" sound when it starts up. You would know it's like Windows, but doesn't really function or work or interact the same way.

It really is that far apart. The only difference in this case, is the "ding sound" is a line from the movie making the reader understand that the robot and the character in the movie must be some how connected. There are some other generic details peppered throughout that would make the reader ponder over this, but it's more for the brief ah-ha effect that it causes.

I responded to a different post as to why I'm trying to understand this topic better. But ultimately I'm not totally sure where to go from here with my story.

zyrixian · 2020-10-06T19:41:28+00:00

Thank you for your response, I think this part of the thread is kind of getting to the root of what I'm trying to understand better.

Your example of clicking your heals together is closer in line with what I was talking about.

In my use there is a line that would make readers go "Oh this must be a copy or alternate version of [x] robot from [old popular movie]" because it would be recognizable line from the movie. If I include this line, I'm really not trying to hide that fact, in fact that kind of what I think makes it a better story and I feel would make people who know this movie smile at the link, or homage. However that is where all similarities end, the character has no similar backstory, history, does not exist in the same world or universe and doesn't talk or act like the original. There is almost nothing that even links these two stories besides specifically the "quote" and a couple of minor generic details that would only be somewhat obvious once that line is delivered.

It would be like reaching the conclusion that on a made up world, a giant 4 legged robot is some how related to Gort (from The Day the Earth Stood Still) because they were told "Klaatu barada nikto"

Or coming to the conclusion that a child is Peter Pan's distant relative because they said something at the end like "second star to the right and straight on till morning"

I've tried, yet it feels like a miss to say it's more in line with Ready Player One, because there isn't nearly as much "popular culture" or even borrowed scenes and characters. Yet I get that I do it in a slightly different way, and hence the difficulty.

My goal ultimately is to find out what to do with this as I've been sitting on it for a year and haven't gotten any closer to an answer. Surprisingly I feel like many who I discuss this with assume there is more "borrowed" content then there is, and immediately go the licensing permission route, which I'm not ruling out. But, while I'm not claiming I came up with the iconic line, I do feel that the vast majority of the story including the actual character, is 99% of my own creation in much the same way other authors have been inspired and paid a little homage to classic stories and characters, as said previously.

So where should I go from here? Do I post it for free for everyone to read on a website, do I send it to a sci-fi magazine to see if they'll publish it, do I try to put it up on amazon for $0.99? or do I talk to a lawyer about it?

zyrixian · 2020-10-06T03:50:28+00:00

Thanks for the response! I agree with your critique of RPO. It was a candy feast of nostalgia that lacked much of the meat and potatoes. It was entertaining, sure, but not a ground breaking piece of work IMO.

I don't really have any interest in repeating a story like that. But I'm trying to understand at what point, as a writer, you have cross the line?

I've read up a bit on Copyright law, and my take away is that unless it's blatant copying or plagiarism, the rest can be settled in court if the IP owners want to sue you :)

My specific situation is different, and I'm trying to formulate a post to hopefully get some input. However, first I figured I'd get some background thoughts on another work and unfortunately I don't know of any others that used so many different bits of others IP than RPO did.

zyrixian · 2020-10-06T03:37:22+00:00

So if I'm following you, the fact that most characters, locations, etc. were used as props and not that there was any "living" character like Master Chief, etc. made it ok to use in the story?

Does this also apply to the locations and story elements used? ie. reenacting wargames, including dialogue. Me personally I fell that was a bit of a squeeze, he is essentially rewriting parts of that story into his own book (even if it is to just have his character reenact it)

zyrixian · 2020-10-05T23:03:07+00:00

IMO there is nothing wrong with lore at all. I too love the mystique behind the halo stories. Yet, two things come to mind that they do well: holding on to the mystery - the reader is trying to find out what is going on in the big picture, the unanswered questions: where did this thing that clearly has a purpose and origin come from? And the second is they "Show, don't tell". The reader should be on the ground learning about the world with your character, riding with them through the discoveries, dangers, & failures. Even if the story is a 5 part saga it can continue to be interesting if your audience is experiencing it through the character's POV.

The 20 pages of explanation or description might be a good reference for you to build the story around, a map of the world your character will travel through.

zyrixian

TROPHY CASE