TIFU by Buying a EB Games Headset - Can I return?

SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:23
Last edited 09/08/2019 - 13:49

So today I got home and put on my Steelseries Sibera headphones and the plastic on the side of them cracked and broke.

Alright, I'll try out those wireless headphones I got for $16. Well I'm sure deaf people have heard better sounds.

It was 5pm so I thought I'd go down to EB Games (out of desperation) and grab something as I knew I couldn't get anything delivered in the next day.

I purchased these Plantronics RIG 300 for $60.

They fit nicely, I can't fault that however in order to actually hear things at a normal volume, my computer volume has to be at 50%. Plus I can hear everything around me, even the ants crawling on the floor.
Secondly, the microphone doesn't even work out of the box. Apparently I need an audio splitter for that, as the headset only came with one 3.5mm jack. My PC has two mic and headphone jacks.

I want to return the headset tomorrow as I believe they are faulty since they don't work out of the box. The box says "3.5mm PC compatible" it mentions nothing about a splitter to use the mic.

Also here is the least informational troubleshooting page I have seen

tl;dr: can I actually return a headset since they don't work as advertised (microphone doesnt work without purchasing something additional)?
Will EB games accept them back since they are not sealed?

EDIT: 9/8/19
Went in and they said they normally don't refund them because of sanitary reasons. Manager said he'd let me swap them for another pair (+cost) but there was nothing which would actually work natively with PC easily (and they were all $100+ lol).

Ended up getting store credit which I'll probably eventually use when price-matching JB HI-FI or Big W.
Overall not a bad result, but not the best either.

Poll Options expired

  • 2
    Yes, you can get a refund
  • 15
    No, you can not
  • 5
    Why did you shop at EB Games (this answer is actually unhelpful, but I agree with you)
Electrical & Electronics

Related Stores

EB Games Australia
EB Games Australia

Comments

  • spackbace on 08/08/2019 - 18:33

    Secondly, the microphone doesn't even work out of the box. Apparently I need an audio splitter for that, as I only have one 3.5mm jack.

    Not just as simple as a splitter. Your computer needs audio input, as well as audio output. Most modern motherboards have this, and have had for quite a few years

    • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:35

      Sorry I mean the headset only came with a 3.5mm jack.

      I have two mic and headphone jacks on my PC.

      • spackbace on 08/08/2019 - 18:35

        Have you tried the in-line volume control, making sure that's all the way up on the headphones themselves?

        • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:37

          Output for the headset is fine (if a little low as mentioned)

          No input is picked up at all. Which makes sense given that the only 3.5mm cable I have it plugged into my headphone port.

          And as per reviews it seems I do need a splitter.

          • spackbace on 08/08/2019 - 18:38

            @SnowDragon:

            (if a little low as mentioned)

            That's what my comment was referring to, not the mic

            • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:40

              @spackbace: Oh sorry.

              Yes; I have played around in that space. I've even put on enhancements and such. Other reviews say it's a bit low as well.
              I can live with that (begrudgingly) but really, having to shell out more for a splitter is a pain and gives me an excuse for a refund and to purchase something 2x better for a little more cost.

              I only purchased this as a last minute decision before EB closed.

              • spackbace on 08/08/2019 - 18:41

                @SnowDragon: Just go in there and ask for the refund. Be nice and I'm sure they'll look after you

                • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:44

                  @spackbace: I'm as nice as they come, but a tweet like this makes me suspect they won't honour the refund.

                  That's why I have created this thread. I'm curious as to whether I actually have a case of it being faulty so I am entitled to consumer rights.

                  • spackbace on 08/08/2019 - 18:48

                    @SnowDragon: Yeah it's not allowed as per a change of mind return, but you still could push it and say it's crap (basically) and not fit for purchase

                    • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:51
                      +1

                      @spackbace: Alright thanks. I'll see how I go tomorrow.

                      btw; i still cant type your name without reading it. I often think about it since you said so in this thread

                    • SnowDragon on 09/08/2019 - 13:49
                      +2

                      @spackbace: Ended up swapping for store credit as I couldn't get a refund.

          • LukeB on 08/08/2019 - 22:21

            @SnowDragon: Yeah these are 'console' headphones. Now you know better!

  • Ughhh on 08/08/2019 - 18:34
    -1

    I think you need to have a read of your consumer rights. Not sure why you think you can't return a faulty product that you just bought..

    • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 18:39

      Well It's not technically faulty. It's just that I bought it expecting the headphones and mic to work.

      It would work fine on console given they only have one jack and the controller/whatever splits the output/input. It's just that I bought this for PC and it's not working.

  • Randxyz123 on 08/08/2019 - 20:20

    I mean technically they are PC 3.5mm compatible.

    Go in, explain the situation and see what they say. I think if it were a game they'd be fine with you returning it, but they won't be able to resell the headphones for health reasons. Maybe they can sell you a more suitable headset for a discount and you can sell these on ebay for $50 or so

    • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 20:36

      But I've worn the headphones for like 5 minutes.

      It says they are 3.5mm compatible but it doesn't explain that you need a splitter to use the microphone. here is a picture of the box

      • Randxyz123 on 08/08/2019 - 20:50

        Regardless I think it's fairly strict regulation and I can't say I'm against it. How would they know if you've worn them for 5 hours or 5 minutes? Would you be ok with buying headphones someone else has used? I don't think you would need a splitter for a laptop for example. It just so happens like many desktops yours has a mic and headphone port.

        The only thing you can do is ask.

        • SnowDragon on 08/08/2019 - 20:53

          I'm pretty sure all laptops have a mic/headphone input/output respectively.

          Only consoles deal with them properly.

  • vikvance on 08/08/2019 - 22:08

    No harm in trying.

    The worst that'll happen is that they'll say no.

  • brandogs on 09/08/2019 - 01:57

    You won't have any issues. I have bought very expensive headphones in the past (over $400) and I had to return them for a replacement twice (just within the 12 month warranty) due to the microphone arm being loose. They generally just take your word for it.

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