Returning A Massage Chair? Know The Real Costs First

Dr. Alan Weidner

00:00:05
One of the things about buying a massage chair is that many people are not fully aware of the warranty or the return policy for the chair they’re purchasing. Today, I want to talk about return policies because this is where people can get hurt financially when they try to return a chair.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when buying a massage chair and considering the possibility of returning it.

00:00:33
First, when you are shopping for a chair, make sure you clearly understand the return policy.

Ask questions such as:

• Is the return window 30 days, 90 days, or only a week?

• Does the company even offer returns, or is it strictly an exchange policy?

Some companies do not offer returns at all. Make sure you know this before you spend your money.

Second, determine whether the policy requires you to pay anything out of pocket. For example:

• Do you have to pay return shipping?

• Are you responsible for credit card processing fees?

• Will they charge you for the original shipping cost to deliver the chair?

• Is there a restocking fee, which with some companies can be 20–30% of the purchase price?

Make sure you understand all potential costs before buying.

Also clarify the timeline. If the return policy is 30 days, does the chair have to arrive back at their warehouse by day 30, or do you only need to notify the company by day 30 that you intend to return it?

Always contact the company first. Do not simply ship the chair back, because many companies will refuse delivery if they were not notified beforehand or if it falls outside the policy timeframe.

00:02:05
For example, our company offers a 90-day free return policy. You can send the chair back, and we cover the return shipping. There are no restocking fees, no back-billed shipping, and no additional costs.

But not all companies operate that way, so you need to understand the policy before making a purchase.

00:02:37
Another important point is that you are usually responsible for packing the chair if you want to return it.

This is standard across the industry. If you want someone to come pack it up for you, you’ll likely need to pay for that service.

For that reason, keep the original boxes and packing materials until you are absolutely sure you’re keeping the chair. Also keep the pallet, because the shipping company will need it to transport the chair safely and efficiently.

The box is large, but if you remove the top and bottom and flatten the sides, you can store it more easily in your garage.

00:04:05
If you no longer have the packaging, you will have to pack the chair yourself.

You might hire a technician or a local moving company to do it, especially if you’re elderly or simply don’t want to deal with it. However, that service will typically cost $200–$300.

When we help customers who no longer have the packaging, we usually purchase the following items from stores like Home Depot, Harbor Freight, or Lowe’s:

You’ll also need tape to attach the bill of lading and shipping labels from the freight company.

These supplies typically cost around $200.

00:05:29
Another tip is to keep a copy of the shipping bill of lading so you have proof that the chair was shipped.

Once the chair is picked up, notify the massage chair company that the chair is on its way back.

Most companies will wait until the chair arrives and is inspected before issuing a refund.

Be aware that if the chair is not packed securely and it gets damaged during shipping, the company may deduct the cost of repairs from your refund. This is another reason why keeping the original box and packaging is so important.

00:07:24
When the freight company arrives to pick up the chair, they will typically come with a large truck equipped with a lift gate.

They will also use a pallet jack, which is similar to a small manual forklift.

The process works like this:

1. The lift gate lowers to the ground.

2. The driver rolls the pallet jack underneath the pallet.

3. The pallet is lifted and rolled onto the lift gate.

4. The lift gate raises the pallet to truck level.

5. The pallet is then moved inside the truck.

However, the pallet jack cannot move across grass, gravel, dirt, or uneven terrain. Because of this, you must place the pallet on a flat, paved surface, such as a driveway.

If the chair is in your backyard or on a patio and requires crossing grass or gravel, the driver will likely refuse the pickup. In that case, you will need to move it yourself before they can collect it.

00:08:44
Once the chair is returned and received by the company, they will process your refund. Depending on the retailer, refunds may be issued through:

Make sure you understand how refunds are handled before you purchase the chair.

00:09:37
Some people assume they can simply buy a chair, use it for 30 days, and then return it without consequence. In reality, unless the retailer offers free returns, the costs can add up quickly.

You could face:

These costs can be substantial, especially if you live far from the retailer.

00:10:01
That’s why it’s so important to understand the return policy before you buy the chair, not after you decide to return it.

Most companies publish their policies on their website. Read them carefully so there are no surprises later.

At our company, we provide a detailed return policy with clear bullet points so customers fully understand what to expect.

00:10:48
The bottom line is this:

Before buying a massage chair, make sure you:

• Understand the return policy

• Know what costs you might be responsible for

• Keep the original packaging and pallet

• Be prepared to pack the chair for return shipping if necessary

Don’t wait until you’re returning the chair to think about these things—by then, it might be too late.

This is Dr. Weidner with Massage Chair Relief.  See you next time!  Bye-bye!