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MindTech
As a former Best Buy/Geek Squad employee, all of this is very true. Most ...
agk
The phones are with many features nowadays.While shopping it is not possible to ...
One in 10 smartphones returned
Dylan McGrath
10/1/2012 11:56 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO—Roughly one out of every 10 smartphones purchased in the U.S. last year was returned, often because of perceived defects, making smartphones the most commonly returned consumer electronics items, according to a new study by the NPD Group.
About 60 percent of those who returned a smartphone said they exchanged it for another of the same brand or model, according to the study, compiled by polling a representative sample of nearly 2,000 U.S. adults back in May.
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In all, the study found that roughly 18 million U.S. consumers returned a consumer electronics product in the past year, with nearly half saying something could have been done to prevent the return. Among the top three preventative measures cited: a service plan or warranty, better after-purchase support from the retailer and more explanation from an in-store sales person, NPD Group said.
Roughly 57 percent of respondents who returned a gadget said it was defective, the mostly commonly cited reason for return, NPD Group said.
The NPD Group said the results of the study indicate that new features like touchscreens, sensors, and Internet connectivity have made electronics devices more complicated to set up and use for some, thus creating the perception of product defect.
"The high incidence of returns and the consumers' desire to get help with their products presents a unique opportunity for retailers to intervene," said Ben Arnold, director of industry analysis at NPD. "Making sure the consumer knows how to use their new device, whether it be a smartphone or a PC, and knowing how to use it before they leave the store helps increase product and retailer satisfaction."
An earlier study by NPD Group found a majority of consumers used tech support for troubleshooting and how-to-support, not for product repair, Arnold said. He added that this was more evidence that these devices are working but that consumers are having trouble operating them.
"Retailers have an opportunity with exchanges to show consumers they can provide quality and value," Arnold said. "As technology devices become more complex and connected, pre-and post-sales support becomes more important in keeping returns low and consumer satisfaction for brands and retailers high."
The study found that flat-panel TVs had the lowest incidence of return among consumer electronics products, roughly 4 percent, NPD Group said.
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About 60 percent of those who returned a smartphone said they exchanged it for another of the same brand or model, according to the study, compiled by polling a representative sample of nearly 2,000 U.S. adults back in May.
[Get a 10% discount on ARM TechCon 2012 conference passes by using promo code EDIT. Click here to learn about the show and register.]
In all, the study found that roughly 18 million U.S. consumers returned a consumer electronics product in the past year, with nearly half saying something could have been done to prevent the return. Among the top three preventative measures cited: a service plan or warranty, better after-purchase support from the retailer and more explanation from an in-store sales person, NPD Group said.
Roughly 57 percent of respondents who returned a gadget said it was defective, the mostly commonly cited reason for return, NPD Group said.
The NPD Group said the results of the study indicate that new features like touchscreens, sensors, and Internet connectivity have made electronics devices more complicated to set up and use for some, thus creating the perception of product defect.
"The high incidence of returns and the consumers' desire to get help with their products presents a unique opportunity for retailers to intervene," said Ben Arnold, director of industry analysis at NPD. "Making sure the consumer knows how to use their new device, whether it be a smartphone or a PC, and knowing how to use it before they leave the store helps increase product and retailer satisfaction."
An earlier study by NPD Group found a majority of consumers used tech support for troubleshooting and how-to-support, not for product repair, Arnold said. He added that this was more evidence that these devices are working but that consumers are having trouble operating them.
"Retailers have an opportunity with exchanges to show consumers they can provide quality and value," Arnold said. "As technology devices become more complex and connected, pre-and post-sales support becomes more important in keeping returns low and consumer satisfaction for brands and retailers high."
The study found that flat-panel TVs had the lowest incidence of return among consumer electronics products, roughly 4 percent, NPD Group said.
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GREAT-Terry
10/3/2012 12:17 AM EDT
"As technology devices become more complex and connected, pre-and post-sales support becomes more important in keeping returns low and consumer satisfaction for brands and retailers high." - Totally agree!!! This is the added value of retailers and people working in this service industry should be well trained and the I believe people will keep on shopping there if they get satisfactory service!
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agk
10/3/2012 9:46 AM EDT
The phones are with many features nowadays.While shopping it is not possible to check their full functionality. Even though the manufacturers check them before dispatch any thing can happen for a few during transit and change of hands. There fore end sale points also can have computer system and software to check every models unique features for its correct functionality to solve this return problem and then handover it to the customer.
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MindTech
10/4/2012 11:21 AM EDT
As a former Best Buy/Geek Squad employee, all of this is very true. Most products don't come with any instructions. Most offer minimal support online, assuming you can get online. And most people don't know what they want or need.
So consumers buy things that they are told they should have (by media, friends, or sales people) and are given little help in understanding how to use the device. So retailers often provide support in training and setting up devices, often at the cost of their time or at the expense of the customer. The manufacturer of the device no longer has any responsibility to properly support the consumer.
You want to make a great device that doesn't get returned as "defective", follow these steps:
1) Make a device that works right and simply the first time
2) Clearly identify through marketing what your device does (and does not do), and how it can be used in the life of your consumer
3) Make it easy to train new users (and please let experienced users skip the training), on device if possible
4) Make sure that when someone buys your device they have everything they need to use your device, or are clearly alerted that they will need to purchase something else to make your device work
5) Provide continued, easy to access, support and enrichment to your consumers so that they can get help when something does go wrong and so they can continue to find more ways your device can be useful to them as their experience using the device grows
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