Am I Stuck with This Blue Ray??

Talk to the manager. I used to work at Wal-mart, and what the law says is you can only exchange it for the same thing. I would think the same movie in a different format would count, especially since you want the older/cheaper format. Ask for the manager, if they give you a CSM and they say no, ask for a manager (CSMs run the front but are not managers). In my store they will almost always let you do the exchange as long as you are not changing titles.

There are very few things that Walmart won't take back. If they are standing firm over this, I am betting thier hands are tied. They are not allowed to take it back. It doesn't matter that you didn't really mean to buy it. It was your mistake and yes, we have all made them, and we have all been stuck with them. I don't know a single store anywhere that will take back opened electronic media items unless they are defetive and you can do a straight exchange only, this isn't just a walmart thing. Pretty much your only recourse at this point is to sell the BluRay. Garage sale, consignment sale, craiglist, ebay- those are a few options. And a switch-a-roo would absolutely be theft, along with lying and saying it is damaged. It stinks, but at least it wasn't a hugely expensive mistake. I have made purchasing mistakes that resulted in much more than $20 lost.

I'm sorry, I don't think you should be able to return it. It is standard procedure to not accept returns on opened items like movies and cds UNLESS it is defective in some way--even then they will exchange for same item.

I am not a fan of Wal-Mart, but I do work for a huge retailer and customers returns cost big bucks (and drive up prices for everyone). It isn't like you're dealing with some mom and pop that knows your name...Wal-Mart knows you aren't likely to stop coming over a matter like this and that is considered when a return policy is developed. Honestly, it sounds like they were really nice in telling you no...which is more than you get from many places these days.

You have to chalk it up as a learning experience...and maybe it is time to consider one of the new players that play both formats. I lost receipt for a $200 car seat that didn't fit well in my car...it is sitting in the corner gathering dust until I can find a home for it.

I know times are tough and everyone has financial issues, but have you thought of just giving it to someone less fortunate as a gift. That would be a nice gesture on your part. Have you also thought that what if you had lost the movie from your bag on the way to your car and didn't realize it was missing until you got home. In the meantime, someone found it, didn't turn it in to "lost and found" but kept it. You would still be out the movie and money. Just some things to ponder to try to ease your anger in this type of situation. Best to you.
V.

Ugh - this is why I hate shopping at Walmart - no matter how much cheaper they are . . .

Here are my suggestions -
1) Shop at Target next time (I know that doesn't help here . . .,)
2) Tell them the disk was damaged. I have actually had a damaged one, and they allowed me to get another one (maybe you'll find that the Blue Ray version was out of stock?)
3) Try #2 at Target without a receipt, as if it was a gift. When a disk is damaged, they have a process with the manufacturer to handle defects.

I definitely don't like to encourage dishonesty, but if you say the disk doesn't work when you put it in . . . you're not really lying are you?

Hope this helped!

N.
www.MyLifeCompass.com/NicoleSteiman

.

All stores that sell DVD clearly state they can not be returned once opened. Crappy but true. The same policy is at Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, etc.

Try selling the thing on either Craig's list or Ebay for slightly less than retail.

Yes you will have to eat the costs difference more than likely or perhaps your son has a friend who would be willing to buy it from you at cost that has a Blue Ray player. You are no worse off for asking.

Not the most enthusiastic answer but an answer none-the-less.

Blu-Ray also plays in the Playstation 3... any chance that one of those will be in your future? :) My hubby "swears by" Blu-Ray... I don't really see much difference. The biggest difference is in the cartoon movies--they look much more crisp and "shiny" (Cars is the best example I've seen). I wouldn't buy a Blu-Ray player just for a slightly-clearer picture, but a PS3 is a wonderful game system... also plays DVDs, so serves 3 purposes. Also... they say that Blu-Ray is the future. Just like when VHS beat out the BetaMax (which was Sony)... Think of all the people who invested in BetaMax only to have it become obsolete in a few years... Blu-Ray has beat out HD-DVD. We are slowly replacing our favorite DVD movies with Blu-Ray (although I only buy them when their either on sale, we have coupon, or we get a rebate for replacing DVD).
Probably not much help, but you asked... :)
Oh, you could also hang out in that section of walmart and if you see someone looking at the Blu-Ray for Astroboy, tell them that you accidentally bought a copy... (explain the situation) and tell them you'll sell it for $5 less or whatever. :) Some people will look at you nuts, but it's worth a try (we have done this before with other "non-returnable" stuff).

If returning an opened movie was allowed that would mean people could essentially buy movies take them home, watch them, then return them...making them free!

I hear your frustration...and I am sorry but it sounds like you are just gonna have to eat that $20...maybe find someone who owns a BlueRay and give it to them? Donating always makes you feel good on the inside.

Sorry woman...can't you just kick yourself sometimes?

I feel your pain. I was going to suggest e-bay too. I really don't understand the benefits of BluRay but think it's ridiculous that if you want to watch it you have to buy a whole new player for it! I suppose that's what all the people set in their ways said when DVDs came out though, huh? :)

All stores return policies for opened DVD's, games, CD's etc. is that they will only exchange for same item due to defect. Bites sometimes, but in this day of people purchasing and ripping their own, they can't afford to allow returns. I agree with the others here that said your best bet is to try and sell on Craig's List and see if you can sell for less than retail. My guess is that you could probably get 50-75% of the original price. Yes, you'll have to just eat the rest, but something towards the new one is better than nothing!

Have you thought of posting it on Ebay? That way, you could at least get 1/2 of what you paid for it and so it wouldn't be a total loss.