[fasho1212]

FYI before starting this, I did not find out about Walmart's stinginess until after I started this. So, ordered a 1k gaming laptop off Walmart and made sure it was new and not from a 3rd party. Once it came in, a script was created and waited a day after to contact them. Once contacted, the story went like this-

"I drove back home to find my package sitting on the porch, I picked it up and brought it in, but once I opened the package a rancid smell fumigated my room, I assumed this was a factory smell that would go away so I just decided to open a window up to let some fresh air in. After unpacking the laptop I let it charge for 5 minutes before setting it up, and once again the same smell just got worse. I start up the laptop and place it on my lap, I immediately feel a burning sensation on my leg so I flipped over the laptop and noticed a large burn mark on the bottom of the laptop! I take a few pictures of it then disposed of it very quickly."

so the customer rep sent a shipping label, customer service was then called back after around an hour. the story was reexplained but this time told them that Canada post was not willing  to ship it as it was corrosive and a health hazard, they also advised to throw the laptop away as soon as possible as it is a health hazard. So the customer rep told me Walmart will email to resolve the issue. a day after an email popped up and it was basically an email saying a a transportation company will be coming to your house to pick the laptop up for the refund process. Fuck that, customer service was called again (3rd time).

customer service was called, and once again explained the story and also explained that Canada post was not willing to ship so the item was disposed of, also told them do not bring the transportation people to pick it up as it has already disposed of. Customer rep was understanding so he advised to send the story and supporting documents such as pictures to Walmart's HearToHelp email address, this is where the Photoshop begins.
two pictures of the back were taken then transferred to photoshop, got a realistic burn mark from google images and really blended that baby into the two images transferred over making sure everything looked clean. Photoshopped pics were sent to a couple of friends and they didn't even realize it was edited, their reaction was " bro your laptop is fucking burnt"

So the email was sent containing the pics and story, once again customer service was called back the fourth time to make sure they got it. Customer rep read the email and looked at the pics, he said he will immediately escalate the issue and you will get a call or email within 2-3 business days. The phone call actually took a little over a week to receive, and they called in the morning so the phone was missed smh.
customer service was called again (5th time) and were told that the phone call was missed, so he checked the notes and said this,
" so the escalation was completed and the result is that you still need to return the laptop"
explained to him again that there is no damn laptop so there's no returning it, but he was useless and repeated the same thing again. So told the customer rep to escalate it again and do the investigation process over, he said ok and now it will take another 2-3 days for another phone call.

If this last phone call doesn't work then there are three things ideas that came up
1. contact MSI themselves for the refund
2. sealed box method and return at local walmart
3. debit chargeback? is this possible?

All opinions are welcome! need some advice!

[mothered]

sealed box method and return at local walmart

^ This.

Given It's almost Christmas, they'll be Inundated with orders and claims, hence will not have the time to thoroughly check returns. To add to their hectic environment, be sure to return It late on a Friday/Saturday just before close of business - they'll have an Influx of shoppers during that period, and also be In a rush to balance the day's takings.

[fasho1212]

sealed box method and return at local walmart

^ This.

Given It's almost Christmas, they'll be Inundated with orders and claims, hence will not have the time to thoroughly check returns. To add to their hectic environment, be sure to return It late on a Friday/Saturday just before close of business - they'll have an Influx of shoppers during that period, and also be In a rush to balance the day's takings.

yeah that was the go to, MSI has its name printed all over the clear tape that was slit open to get into the box., tried looking for this exact tape on some wholesalers sites but couldn't find this exact tape. the plan would be to keep the original cut open tape then buy some clear transparent tape and wrap over it as if it was one layer of tape rather then two.
also had an idea to shrink wrap the laptop packaging itself so that it looks brand new, but it never came with shrink wrap so il hold off on that for now. thanks

[mothered]

MSI has its name printed all over the clear tape that was slit open to get into the box., tried looking for this exact tape on some wholesalers sites but couldn't find this exact tape.

If the tape was slit open precisely where It's joined (but still Intact on the box), see whether It can be reapplied using a strong clear glue - just enough to not leave residue behind. 

I did It with many laptops and the difference was barley noticeable.

the plan would be to keep the original cut open tape then buy some clear transparent tape and wrap over it as if it was one layer of tape rather then two.

Good move.

Be sure the width of the clear tape Is just enough to cover the opening of the original tape, as opposed to sealing over the entire tape.

also had an idea to shrink wrap the laptop packaging itself so that it looks brand new, but it never came with shrink wrap so il hold off on that for now.

Yes, It must represent the original packing.

[fasho1212]

thanks, results will come soon

[mothered]

thanks, results will come soon

Thread noted.

I look forward to reading Its progress/outcome.

[fasho1212]

thanks, results will come soon

Thread noted.

I look forward to reading Its progress/outcome.

re-escalation finished and once again they said the same thing, they also sent a transportation team to pick it up without my consent. 20 days left to return so sealed box it is

[mothered]

they also sent a transportation team to pick it up without my consent.

They should've communicated by Informing you of their pickup arrangement.

Be sure the carrier does not Inspect the goods on pickup.

[fasho1212]

they also sent a transportation team to pick it up without my consent.

They should've communicated by Informing you of their pickup arrangement.

Be sure the carrier does not Inspect the goods on pickup.

so experiment worked, walmart does not open laptop box using the tape method that was mentioned above. the return was done locally too. now the question is what could happen when they resell the laptop?

[mothered]

now the question is what could happen when they resell the laptop?

Who's to say the buyer Isn't an SE'er and Is planning to SE the company?