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Lights · 06-06-2015 12:12 AM

I don't know about you guys, but I use earbuds heavily, and seem to run through them like clockwork every three months or so. They break in one way or another and I have to drop another $20USD on a new pair.

Not anymore.

I discovered a "hack" where every 3 months, when my headphones inevitably crap out on me, I can walk into Best Buy, grab a new pair off the shelf and exchange them for my old pair, for free.

Here's the scoop:

1. First you need a Best Buy. I have not done this anywhere else. They are in every town, every where in America.

Grab these earbuds. The Sony EX series for $14.99. They are simple, basic, work well. Black. I have not found them in any other similar retail store.

Initial Purchase:

Then, at checkout, ask the clerk for a Geek Squad Product Protection plan for $4.99.

Total purchase is around $20USD.

The Geeksquad Product Protection Plan will enable you to exchange the defective item [through normal wear and tear] for an identical replacement at no cost.

They will ask what happened. You say, "They just stopped working."

No further investigation.

Document Storage:

Keep the Protection Plan brochure and receipt in the glove compartment of your car or with your "important files".

Getting free earbuds- The exchange:

When the earbuds predictably fail you, head over to Best Buy with receipt, conduct exchange, and you will not need any money on you.

You can put the money on a Best Buy gift card, but decline this and just ask for the protection plan once again. They will give you a receipt. Save receipt.

Repeat ad infinitum.

You save $60USD per year, do not have to "shop around" for new earbuds (decision fatigue) and get the satisfaction of getting free stuff out of a big box retail store. [unusually satisfying]

CoreyTrevor · 06-06-2015 01:04 AM

I'm not sure if you have The Source in the US but here in Canada I stumbled on a similar "hack". You can do it with any headphones, the insurance is like $3, and once you set it up you don't even need a receipt to exchange just your postal code and name. I bought into it because buddy told me if I buy this insurance, I could pull out a pair of scissors and cut the cable right in front of him and he would HAVE to exchange them, no questions asked. Unlimited exchanges within the year, and then 3 more after that. I've also lucked out twice now, and got better headphones than I started with because the ones I had were not in stock. Chargers, headphones, AUX, HDMI, ect. I buy all my cables there now.

Alpharius · 06-06-2015 01:05 AM

Mother of god... I was just thinking about how shitty it is always buying new ones.

Well done, sir. Well fucking done.
+1

azulsombra · 06-06-2015 01:07 AM

I've experienced defects with the sony earbuds as well.

Why are they so shitty?

Independent1 · 06-06-2015 01:18 AM

I'd rather spend more on a decent pair that won't break from wear and tear after 3 months and listen to better audio quality.

CoreyTrevor · 06-06-2015 01:29 AM

All my headphones have shit the bed at the jack. A result of constantly moving around in my pocket while walking/biking/working out, bending the cable and stressing it until one ear stops working. Splurging for a decent set of headphones is worth it for at home/computer use, but for everyday headphones that you're just going to beat up this is a great tip.

kosko · 06-06-2015 08:39 AM

(06-06-2015 01:18 AM)Lanky Wrote: I'd rather spend more on a decent pair that won't break from wear and tear after 3 months and listen to better audio quality.

They all break. Ear buds are just like sunglasses and are just fragile. Had a pair of expensive buds that cost $75 bucks and they did last..5 weeks longer. So instead of 3-4 weeks they lasted 4-5 more, which makes sense but is still stupid. It would of been cheaper to buy the $10-15 doller head phones in that span.

Vaun · 06-06-2015 08:46 AM

Apple always replaces their ear buds for free at Apple stores if they break.

The Beast1 · 06-06-2015 11:38 AM

Haha, I used to do this all the time back in 2002-2003. I had a really awesome Sony CD Player with all sorts of radio options. I really enjoyed it, but the dang would break all of the time.

I held onto the receipt with one of those protection plans for the CD player. I kept exchanging it until they stopped carrying it. I believe they offered me store credit.

Those protection plans are great if and only if you hold onto the receipt.

Also, you guys should look into bluetooth head phones. I'll never go back to wired.

Lights · 06-06-2015 02:09 PM

Quote:azulsombra: I've experienced defects with the sony earbuds as well. Why are they so shitty?

I've found the Sony's to be suitable for everyday use. Satisfactory.

That being said I've owned more expensive earphones that gave out on me the same way in the same time when I used them heavily.

Quote:Lanky: I'd rather spend more on a decent pair that won't break from wear and tear after 3 months and listen to better audio quality.

Quote:Kosko: They all break. Ear buds are just like sunglasses and are just fragile. Had a pair of expensive buds that cost $75 bucks and they did last..5 weeks longer. So instead of 3-4 weeks they lasted 4-5 more, which makes sense but is still stupid. It would of been cheaper to buy the $10-15 doller head phones in that span.

I agree with Kosko here.

Also, I like the fact I can go into the store and know exactly what I need and not have to shop for a new pair. Hate shopping.

Earphones are mostly the same to me anyway. I use them for everything and know I will "beat the shit out of them." I've had the expensive pairs and don't long for the sound quality of those or anything. Don't feel like I'm missing out.

Quote:TheBeast1: Those protection plans are great if and only if you hold onto the receipt.

Yes. That is why I recommend sticking it in the glove compartment of your vehicle. That way it's right there in my car and I don't have to think about it.

If I didn't have a car I'd put it in a flex binder with all my important documents.

That's why I like this "hack," is that it reduces decision fatigue and helps to streamline my life.

btz · 06-06-2015 03:31 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EM800S

$6

Bought them 3 years ago, have survived the gym, hiking, use on a computer, fat guy stepped on them on the subway, left them out in the rain, and much more.

Engineer · 06-06-2015 05:48 PM

(06-06-2015 08:46 AM)Vaun Wrote: Apple always replaces their ear buds for free at Apple stores if they break.

Do you need the receipt to do this?

Vaun · 06-07-2015 11:09 AM

(06-06-2015 05:48 PM)Engineer Wrote:
(06-06-2015 08:46 AM)Vaun Wrote: Apple always replaces their ear buds for free at Apple stores if they break.

Do you need the receipt to do this?

Never. If they're broke I just walk in, explain the situation, and I get new ones. No questions asked. But this gets to a bigger point. The Apple ear buds are about the best ear buds I have ever used. I have a few pair of Beats, Shure's, Bose, etc. I have literally tried most of the major brands, and many of these generics.

Cattle Rustler · 06-07-2015 11:14 AM

You can do this with most brands actually, my 45 buck Sennheisers have a 2 year FREE warranty where I just hit up customer service, tell them the UPC code and they send new ones.

monster · 06-07-2015 11:19 AM

The $15 usually sound tinny and lack bass. Decent for working out, but nothing else.

Beyond Borders · 06-07-2015 11:23 AM

(06-07-2015 11:14 AM)Cattle Rustler Wrote: You can do this with most brands actually, my 45 buck Sennheisers have a 2 year FREE warranty where I just hit up customer service, tell them the UPC code and they send new ones.

Warranty game.

I reckon you'd get a lot of free shit if you held companies to their promises. Giant profit margins are made on the simple fact that humans very rarely follow-up on extremely generous guaranties put in place to make you more likely to buy to begin with.

When something is made "risk-free," that's because it's risk-free and even risk-decreased for them to make it so. As an individual consumer, you can, and arguably should, if it's worth it to you time-wise, take advantage of the opportunities it creates.

Designate · 06-07-2015 12:30 PM

Great hack. I used to do something similar at RadioShack, though not for free.

With your purchase of a pair of Skullcandy earbuds ($12-$20 depending on the style), RadioShack would offer you a protection plan that would give you a new pair of earbuds if they broke within a years time. The earbuds would break like clockwork every 3 months so this was a sure fire way to get a replacement pair.

When I was doing this back in 2012-2013, it was $7.99 for the protection plan. So every 3 months when the earbuds broke, I would get the replacement in-store and buy the protection plan again. In essence I was getting a $5-10 knockoff on each pair of replacement buds.

(06-07-2015 11:19 AM)monster Wrote: The $15 usually sound tinny and lack bass. Decent for working out, but nothing else.

Skullcandy Ink'd have tremendous bass and sound quality. They rival anything 3-4 times their price and definitely shit on Apple's earbuds.

Vaun · 06-07-2015 12:38 PM

I have found that redeeming most warranties is such a pain, that its not worth the time and effort. It usually requires you to file or send in some paperwork at time of purchase, or to have all of the necessary paperwork handy in order to get service. Not an Apple fanboy, but apart from the short lifespan of their products, their customer service experience is pretty flawless, especially if you live near an apple store and keep your purchases on file with them.

wi30 · 06-09-2015 09:28 PM

How are you guys breaking your earbuds so fast? In the past 3-4 years, I've only had two sets of the cheap $15 skull candy ones.

~~NO_LIMIT_CRACKA~~ · 06-10-2015 03:23 AM

Sounds like a useful "hack" for those who need it. Of course, obviously, it requires your product to actually get damaged. Not sure how you guys do it but my earbuds always last upwards of 1 year

Handsome Creepy Eel · 06-10-2015 05:05 AM

Or just don't use earbuds and save your hearing ;-)

Wayout · 06-10-2015 05:28 AM

This is not really a hack but I'll play along. Sears and Autozone have always been great for this! Ever heard of lifetime breaks? You don't even need a receipt-just your phone number and name. I've been getting free brake pads for 15 years now! Same for car batteries - I'd get a battery with 3 year warranty and where I lived no battery would last that long,so towards 3 year mark I'd go to Autozone for a battery check and get a brand new one. Get insurance on tires too.

Player_1337 · 06-12-2015 03:48 PM

My favorite Klipsch S4 earbuds just went south today. Sound is now only coming out of the left channel. Bought early 2014- didn't even get 2 years out of em'.

They've now been discontinued. Might give the low-grade Sony's a shot. Would the jackasses at Best Buy replace my pair? I might try trolling the customer service at Klipsch. Any other suggestions?

getdownonit · 06-12-2015 04:25 PM

This isn't a headphone specific hack, but if you go to a college library lost and found you can get a bunch of free stuff that nobody claims. This works perfectly for things like Macbook chargers that all look the same. They usually have a bunch of leftovers and don't ask questions. I'm sure there are other items you could get for free if they match your description. If they don't have it, nothing lost.

jake1720 · 06-13-2015 03:11 AM

This is how I kept getting new phones for $50 during college when I lost mine all of the tim.e

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