HOWTO return faulty goods in the US

This morning I blogged a guide for British shoppers who end up with faulty computers or electronics, explaining the statutory rights that guarantee you value for money.

Now David Barzelay, a US law-student has put together an equivalent guide for US shoppers:

First of all, when purchasing, it is of use to mention to the salesman specifically what you want the product to do. I worked at Circuit City selling computers for a summer and some holidays, and I know how those salesman usually work. They can generally be cajoled into making nearly any kind of promise whatever, because they (rightly) think they'll never be held accountable. So, if you say specifically, "I don't want to have to buy another computer for three years or so at least," and the salesman says, "Oh, you won't. This computer will last about that long or longer," you now have a promise from the seller. If he says, "Sure, your wireless internet connection will work all the way across your house," that's an enforceable promise. Try to elicit these kinds of statements, since they really get at a promise that the product is "fit for the specific purposes" for which you are purchasing the computer (or other product). Take note of any other specific promises the salesman makes, because those promises will generally be enforceable. Write them down, quoting as closely as possible, and assign a time and date to them. Note that, though you are writing them down, salesman will almost never be willing to sign anything agreeing they made those statements. Don't even try.

Link (Thanks, David!)