HMV CHANGES RETURN POLICY
By Adnews Staff
HMV Canada is changing its product return policy this month. The Toronto-based music retailer's current "no hassle return" policy has been in place since HMV entered the Canadian market in 1988. Beginning Jan. 18 HMV will accept only unopened products for refund or exchange. Opened products will only be exchanged for the same product. All refunds and exchanges will also require the original receipt and must be made within 21 days of purchase. Peter Luckhurst, president of HMV North America, said it the advent of CD burners has made the practice of "borrowing" CDs more prevalent and that a small percentage of customers use the existing return policy to "burn and return" CDs. Customers will be directed to listening stations in the 97 HMV stores in Canada to hear new music before buying. Gift receipts will be provided to customers purchasing items for others. The policy change will be communicated to customers in-stores with signage and other POS materials created in-house, as well as online at HMV.com. Public relations for HMV are handled by Strategic Objectives of Toronto.