Yet another way that BEST BUY SUCKS!!!

[Coventina]

Just saw a report on the local news about buying electronics as Christmas gifts.

BE WARNED!!

Best Buy has a 14 day return policy from purchase date! They don't give a rip if you bought it, and then waited to give it on Christmas day! If you find out the computer or whatever doesn't work you are SOL!!!
So, if you are buying things now for Christmas, MAKE SURE THEY WORK BEFORE YOU WRAP AND GIVE THEM!

The news story interviewed a man who gave his daughter a notebook computer last year. When it didn't work on Christmas day, Best Buy refused to take it back on the 26th because the 14 day return period had expired.

However, Circuit City is extending their 14 day return policy to begin on Christmas Day, so you are better off buying from them or Costco.

I hate Best Buy. I'm on a one-woman mission to destroy that company.

On edit: Clarity

[rustydog]

1. we have a laptop we purchased at Best Buy

the friggin think keeps switching to battery power on it's own till the battery is dead and won't switch to a/c OR recharge the battery. We took the laptop to the "Geek Squad" who duly noted the complaint, plugged in the laptop and said; "It is working ok"...then a minute later the laptop did its thing and shut down. We were told the laptop would be back in two weeks.

Two weeks later the Geek Squad said the laptop was ready. we picked it up, took it home and turned it on. SAME FUCKING PROBLEM!
Took it back and voiced SAME COMPLAINT, was told by computer genius Geek Squad commander that it might be the power/charging cord and told us it would be two weeks. Two weeks later, got the new cord....SAME FUCKING PROBLEM..Took laptop back to the Geek Squad Geniuses at Best Buy and left the lap top for guess what? ANOTHER FUCKING TWO WEEKS..I hate Best Buy

Oh by the way, Happy Holidays!

[BreweryYardRat]

4. I know how that is.

I wound up having to cite the lemon policy for a chain of problems. It all depends on the competence of the local workers, since the service center has NO FUCKING IDEA how to deal with any unusual problems, and can sometimes fuck your computer up more.

If you take it in to a shift where the workers are good, they'll at least give most problems a shot before sending it to service. Otherwise...

Did you consider asking for a new battery? Old batteries can get useless in a hurry.

[Deja Q]

10. Geek Squad is rubbish

Dunno how great it was before best buy bought them, but since bb took them over I've heard NOTHING but complaints.

Then people tell me I should work for them so I can help their reputation. (I freelance right now, but it's the chain store prices and instant name recognition that are doing me and other SMBs in.)

[sakabatou]

21. Sounds like a power source problem

Or the AC port is somehow broken.

[ComerPerro]

2. tell them you bought it a few days ago, lost your receipt, it doesn't work

and you simply want to replace it.

Easy as that.

[Coventina]

3. No, that won't work. I have a personal story about that.

For my birthday, my brother bought me some DVDs from Best Buy, which it happened that I already had.

When I tried to return them, unopened, Best Buy refused. They have a strict policy of NOT accepting ANY returns without a receipt.

I fucking hate Best Buy.

[ComerPerro]

5. returning for money or credit is different than exchanging though

[Coventina]

6. I actually wanted to exchange it, they wouldn't even let me do that

Best Buy is a menace.

I can't understand how they stay in business. But then, I feel the same way about Walmart.

[Deja Q]

9. They're cheaper than local vendors.

:(

[ComerPerro]

12. exchanging a DVD for a different DVD is not the same

as exchanging defective merchandise as another of the same thing

[Coventina]

15. What is your point? Are you defending them? Is wanting to exchange unopened merchandise

unreasonable?

[ComerPerro]

25. You're the one being unreasonable. You got a problem with a store, take it somewhere else

I am always astounded how many people use DU to piss and moan about their personal shit.

"I got a ticket for running a red light"

"Don't try to return things at Best Buy"

I mean, come on. Maybe if you have trouble returning things there, the problem is you.

[Coventina]

26. This is the LOUNGE. And I posted a warning on Best Buy's return policy.

That is not a "personal" problem.

And I hardly seem to be alone in this thread in having problems with Best Buy.

If you so dislike people complaining about stuff, why do you click on the threads?

Better yet, why do you come in the lounge?

On edit:

A quick scan of the first page of the lounge shows threads complaining about palmetto bugs, cilantro, being cold, and Christmas music. But a warning about buying Christmas gifts at Best Buy (that merited a consumer protection story on the news) doesn't pass your "worthiness" test?

[Patiod]

28. I like hearing these stories

Tells me where to avoid, if I don't like the policy.

[Generic Brad]

45. There are more stories available at bestbuysucks.com

Here's a link: http://www.bestbuysucks.com/
Or at least I thought there would be. That site appears to be a rip-off.

[elocs]

13. I had a new ink cartridge which I bought at BB and wanted to return it,

but I did not have a receipt. The woman asked if I paid for it with a credit card and I told her yes. She took the card and checked it out and then gave me back my money.

[Coventina]

17. But it was a birthday gift from my brother, so I didn't have his credit card

The package was unopened.

What is the problem with making an exchange?

How does Best Buy lose on the deal?

[elocs]

18. My point is that I never thought I had a chance of getting a refund.

I had no idea that they could check the credit card for the purchase. I never had that happen anywhere else. (This is in no way a defense of BB.)

[Connonym]

19. Lots of stores do that now with the credit card

Scares the pants off me that they keep that information. Sure it might come in handy for returning something but you KNOW they're not doing it for that purpose. Target will also do a search based on your checking account number. I don't think I'm a paranoid person but I'm very wary of all this data collection. I don't like it when the government does it, don't like it when retailers do it.

[Coventina]

24. It's also a form of pressure to buy on credit.

How many people lose or misplace their receipts?

This adds pressure to use a cc instead of cash, "just in case".

So I guess if I pay cash, I'm a lower form of customer. I don't deserve the same level of service (being able to return something) that a credit customer gets.

[elocs]

43. Just wait until they get all the information about you in one place.

That makes me worry.

[GirlinContempt]

44. Often it's done because the store HAS to have a paper trail

with credit card fraud and theft, that paper trail is invaluable.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

34. they lose if you didnt get it there

devil's advocate of course. i dont like them really.

[skygazer]

7. I don't think I've ever shopped there

But that's a lame return policy - most retailers allow for holiday returns.

[Little Wing]

8. Best Buy 'computers' are all shit

built just barely able to turn on and operate.

[Zomby Woof]

11. They suck ass

I recently purchased a large HDTV and went to Best Buy when comparison-shopping. It was next to impossible to get a sales rep to help. The deciding factor in NOT purchasing from them was the $180 delivery charge. :wtf:

So I found a BIGGER TV, rated higher by Consumer Reports, and $300 cheaper at a nearby local chain hi-fi store. FREE delivery, and a 30-day guarantee if I change my mind or want to trade-up.

Worst Buy can kiss my ass!

[ContraBass Black]

14. "I hate Best Buy."

Why?

[Coventina]

16. Because they have terrible customer service,

they downright lie to their customers,

they treat their employees like crap,

they use the "Walmart" model to drive out small businesses,

they defraud credit card companies (not that I feel that sorry for the cc companies, but it's another symptom of Best Buy's moral bankruptcy)

[grace0418]

30. There are sooooo many reasons...

Customer service sucks hard. From the employees in the stores to the online reps, I have never had a good experience. And believe me, I worked in retail for many, many years (getting paid next to nothing) so I am more sympathetic than most people to those who must work in retail. I am a very friendly, patient and understanding customer. I don't go into a store five minutes before closing and expect the employees to be pleased about it. I don't go at the busiest time of the year and expect undivided attention. I don't make unreasonable demands. I don't expect someone getting paid minimum wage or thereabouts to treat me like royalty. But in return I do expect someone waiting on me to actually do their job. If I'm standing there, clearly waiting for help, stop gabbing with your coworker and wait on me. If you don't know the answer to a question, find someone who does. Don't make up shit or brush me off. If you screw up, fix it. Don't blame me for having the audacity to expect a resolution.

And why, oh why, does the minimum wait in line have to be 20 minutes or more? I've been in the store at all different times, when the store was empty, when it was busy. It doesn't matter. It always takes for-freaking-ever to check out.

The worst was last Christmas. I always shop online at Christmas because I hate being in stores. So I pretty much try to have the bulk of my shopping done by Thanksgiving weekend. I ordered some software for my nieces and even paid extra to have them shipped second-day air just to make sure I could track it and it would arrive on time. I just don't trust the U.S. Mail around Xmas because you can't track it and have no idea when it will arrive. Well, one of the titles was briefly backordered but came back in stock two or three days later. When it came in stock, Best Buy shipped it out via U.S. Mail, even though I requested and paid for second-day air. Sure enough, it pretty much fell off the face of the earth and Best Buy wouldn't take any responsibility for the error. I told them I wanted a new copy shipped out overnight so I could have it in time for Xmas and the customer "service" rep actually responded "Now why would we do that?" I kid you not. Gee, I can't imagine why I would expect you to actually fix your fuck-up and provide me the customer with some actual service. How unreasonable!

They are also a super shitty company to do work for. A few other graphic designers I know have worked on Best Buy accounts and said it was their worst client ever.

There are more reasons but I'll stop ranting now.

I want to thank the OP for reminding me why I vowed never to shop there again. I just got a really awesome coupon via email and I was starting to consider giving in and using it. But it wouldn't be worth it because I probably wouldn't get my order anyway.

By the way. The software finally arrive at the end of January, almost two months after I ordered it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

38. Why don't you read the fucking post for fuck's sake?

:eyes:

Jesus.

[Ian David]

20. They seem to use high school freshmen as your "personal shoppers," btw

I was in the store one day when they were training a bunch of personal shoppers.

I swear, they must have been in 9th or 9th grade at most.

Anyway, I over-heard part of the speech on stop-loss prevention and shop-lifters, and I couldn't help but chime-in with my own two cents worth.

I told the class about a guy I heard about on the news a few days ago who got arrested for stealing from Wal-Mart. What he'd do is he'd buy something, put it in his car, and then come back into the store with the receipt, pick-up the same item off the shelf, and then "return" it for a "refund." Some of those items were worth less than two dollars! Oh, and did I mention that the man was a senior official in Bush's White House?

BTW... Update on THAT story (I'll also post it in a new thread):

Ex-Aide To Bush Pleads Guilty
Allen Avoids Jail For Shoplifting
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080400919.html


See also:

Best Buy Employees Attend Boot Camp On Frantic Customers
Topic started by Virginia Dare on Nov-22-06 09:22 AM (17 replies)
Last modified by Coventina on Nov-22-06 12:18 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2782009

[SlavesandBulldozers]

36. hahaha

did you tell them the bit about it was an ex bush aide that did it?

if so that was rad.

[Ian David]

46. Yes, I did make a point to mention that

In fact, I think I said, "Which only goes to show you-- in Bush's White House, if you drown a whole city, you're doing a heckuva job. If you shoplift at Wal-Mart, you get fired."

[SlavesandBulldozers]

47. sweet.

it's always nice to send a surprise wake-up call every now and again when people least expect it.

[sakabatou]

22. Best Buy doth sux0rz

My next comp I'm going to build on my own.

[tigereye]

23. the only problem I have had there

is their refusing to take back kid's computer games that don't work. But when I complained, they did give me a gift card for the game price. They have always been pretty cool otherwise, questions answered, other things I had bought there were fixed, polite and knowledgable staff, people who really love music who staff the music section.

Of course we would never buy computers or other stuff like that there; since my h is a software guy, and we get all of that stuff online....

Maybe it's where we live.... :shrug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. Hmmm. I returned a camera we bought there a month after purchase

with the receipt...no questions asked. Maybe they have different policies around the country but I shop there all the time. The customer service there is pretty good. :hi:

[Coventina]

29. The 14 day policy applies to "electronics". I guess cameras are not electronics.

:shrug:

The news reporter showed the back of a receipt and there was different return policies for different types of items.

[Nikia]

31. But should we shop at Walmart instead?

My husband and I tend to buy cds, dvds, and electronics items there. They seem to usually reasonably priced.
Where would you rather us buy those things?

[Coventina]

32. The news reporter recommended Circuit City or Costco

I myself try to buy from Target, since I can't afford a Costco membership.

on edit:

Of course, I buy very little of this kind of stuff anyway, due to time and budget constraints.

[thefool_wa]

37. Ahhh, more impartial newscasting

Don't get me wrong, it is great they reported it, and it really does suck that BB is doing this to their customer base, but is it really the place of a reporter to recommend you shop somewhere specific for things you can buy almost anywhere?

Especially when you consider that the price of most high end electronics only varies about 10% from retailer to retailer, and less if you are talking about items under $500. Seems to me they should have just reported on BB's practice (in hopes of the exposure promoting change) and left it at that.

Their decision to suggest even two specific retailers in the sea of options one has makes the story seem directed and robs it of some credibility.

[LeftyMom]

40. But at the same time pointing out that the practice isn't industry standard promotes change

The return policy at Costco is SIX FUCKING MONTHS!! and they still manage to make money, so it illustrates that Best Buy doesn't have to be so hardassed on returns.

FWIW, I used to work at both Circuit City and Best Buy. Circuit City does a much better job of training their employees, keeping stuff in stock and handling issues after the sale, and they treat their employees waaaaaaaaay better.

[thefool_wa]

41. I know you are right on both accounts

I see what you are saying about demonstrating that BB is the aberration and not the norm. And, most likely, that was the motivation behind the comparisons to Costco and Circuit City.

Really, one hopes that BB will take the bad press to heart (because this is not one of those times when bad press is still press) and review their policies. I shopped there for a whole lot of gifts last year (like 1/3 my shopping) and this type of thing will keep me from doing that again this year, you can count on it.

Hell, its a wonder why they even go to all the trouble of asking you if you want a gift receipt. What difference does it make if the person has a gift receipt if BB isn't going to take the item back anyways.

It's good to know that the 3 things we can always count on are death, taxes, and corporate greed.

:banghead:

on job ops: I have been trying to get in at Costco for a while. They start their employees at $17.00/hr and, what is sad, is that I am a Workforce Management Specialist and you would think pushing carts at Costco wouldn't be a step up for me pay wise (and it is, considerably).

[grace0418]

33. Hey Coventina, do you remember what news station you saw that on? And in

what state/city? I don't doubt your story or anything, I just want to find a link to send to some people. Usually news stations will have video or an article about special consumer reports they do, and an initial Google search didn't turn up anything. I actually found one article stating that Best Buy was doing the opposite of what that story described and extending their normal return period past the holidays.

Not that I will shop there either way because I hate that store, but if I could find a link of some kind it would help me convince others not to shop there.

Thanks!

[Coventina]

39. Channel 12 in Phoenix.

Here is the link to the "consumer protection" stories that they do. They don't have a link up for that particular story, although it was yesterday, and the most recent video links are for Friday:

http://www.azcentral.com/12news/consumer/12call12_index.html

The reporter that did the story was Rick DeBruhl.

[grace0418]

48. Thanks, I'll check for the link

Maybe it will be there tomorrow.

[ccinamon]

35. I hate Best Buy

Every time I have gone in there (which is RARELY (only 4x in the last 8 years)) ALL of the TVS and RADIOS seem to be on and BLARING. You can't think, you can't hear. The first two times I went in I asked them if they could turn the volume down so I could talk to the sales rep and they said no. The second time I complained to the manager -- he didn't care; he treated me as if I was a looney. I can't wait for them to go out of business. I also let everyone in my family know how I was treated, and they don't shop there either!!! I'll take my money to places that RESPECT me.

I now wait in the car when my husband has to go there (tho I have convinced him to shop other places instead and save Best Buy for last).

[jmm]

42. Circuit City is just as bad.

If anything it's even worse because unlike at Best Buy their employees make commission so they have more incentive to lie to you, as they did to me when I bought my first computer there. To make a long story short when I opened the box my laptop's screen was cracked. I brought it in to be repaired which they said would take a week or two. About two months later I'm told I can come in to pick it up and I find out that it never left the building because they claimed the extended warranty I bought didn't cover it. By this time it was the last day of the manufacturer's warranty and I knew I wouldn't have time to have them repair it. I literally had to stand by the registers and front door telling the customers what was happening and asking the staff to call the police on me before they agreed to refund my warranty money and fix it.

[Coventina]

49. Yikes! What a nightmare!

It really is frightening, isn't it? How the attitude of businesses has changed.

You are not a customer, only a consumer. If something goes wrong, you are completely disposable.