Beware of Best Buy
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beware of Best Buy
I just had a horrid experience with BestBuy.com. I received a gift from BestBuy.com that I wanted to return/exchange. I called and they suggested that I come into the store. After receiving incorrect directions from one of the people at the store, I finally arrived to return my gift. There were 15 people ahead of me, and four clerks, and it took me over an hour to speak with a clerk. I handed the clerk the receipt, the gift, and my credit card. Without saying 2 words to me, he did something and handed me a new receipt. I asked him why he hadn't even looked at my credit card. What he did was credit the card of the person who bought me the gift which causes two problems: 1) the person now knows I returned his gift and 2) I have no gift. The store would not give me a store credit nor let me exchange the item. So, basically I had to keep the item, or get nothing, but the clerk did not even explain that so I could choose to keep the item. I spoke to a store supervisor and a supervisor on the 888 number. They were rude and unhelpful, and basically told me not to bother them. Thus, if you plan on getting anyone a gift DO NOT USE BESTBUY.COM. I will never use them again and you should all do so at your own peril.
#3
Moderator
I don't think that it is normal policy to do it this way is it? When I've exchanged gifts I get store credit, sometimes cash (depending on the store).
Also, never ever try to return something this close to Black Friday if you don't want to wait in a huge line.
Also, never ever try to return something this close to Black Friday if you don't want to wait in a huge line.
#4
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
I've never heard of them not giving store credit for a returned item, so I'm not quite sure what went on. For money back, however, it would have to go on the original credit card.
#5
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Posts: 4,727
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
If you had the receipt, then I think this is done to protect people from getting deliveries at the wrong address and then return them for credit or other merchandise. I believe you have a legitimate gripe about the lack of an explanation, but I can understand if that is their policy.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the twist here is that the item was purchased at BestBuy.COM. I haven't experienced it but I've certainly read/heard of several horror stories of trying to return/exchange anything bought from bestbuy.com at their B&M.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Shoveler
If you had the receipt, then I think this is done to protect people from getting deliveries at the wrong address and then return them for credit or other merchandise. I believe you have a legitimate gripe about the lack of an explanation, but I can understand if that is their policy.
If you had the receipt, then I think this is done to protect people from getting deliveries at the wrong address and then return them for credit or other merchandise. I believe you have a legitimate gripe about the lack of an explanation, but I can understand if that is their policy.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego to Los Angeles
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah this thread belongs in the store forum...
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
#10
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by duy37
yeah this thread belongs in the store forum...
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
yeah this thread belongs in the store forum...
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Recently, I got Made for $7.99 from bestbuy.com and when it arrived, I could tell the disc was loose inside the case. I took it to the B&M store w/ my receipt, and had it exchanged.
The clerk messed around with the computer for a couple of minutes and mentioned something about it being a complicated process. In the end, he let me grab a new one off of the shelf. By the way, the in-store price was $9.99, but I didn't have to pay any extra to make the exchange (not that I would've let them get away with that if they tried).
The clerk messed around with the computer for a couple of minutes and mentioned something about it being a complicated process. In the end, he let me grab a new one off of the shelf. By the way, the in-store price was $9.99, but I didn't have to pay any extra to make the exchange (not that I would've let them get away with that if they tried).
#12
Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by duy37
yeah this thread belongs in the store forum...
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
yeah this thread belongs in the store forum...
the thing is with Best Buy is that bestbuy.com and the actual best buy brick and mortar store are 2 separate companies or something. so they wont do exchanges. kinda stupid if you ask me. i preorderd BoB and i didnt get it til after that week when it came out. when i got it it was dinged up so of course i want to exchange it. went to the b&m with my packing slip and receipt printed from the email, grabbed another BoB and said hey i want to exchange this and they were No can do, bestbuy.com does their own thing is what the clerk said. of course by now the price went up 10 bucks, so i was like alright just return it. i later went to cc and they still had it at 79.99. if i was thinking wisely i should of just bought it at Frys when it came out for 69.99. would of still gotten the $25 gc. eh...........
I guess it really just depends on which store you go to or what kind of employees you end up dealing with.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Looks like their policy is along the same lines as what you experienced, returns only.
I agree that a store credit would make sense (and would be beneficial for Best Buy since some credits would be lost, thus never redeemed), but their policy does discourage returns, which I suppose is their goal. But they didn't single you out for harsh treatment, they do this to everybody (bestbuy.com returns to b&m stores).
What is Best Buy’s return and exchange policy?
Returns and Exchanges Are Easy
Whether you purchased an item online or at one of our stores, we will fully refund most items within 30 days of purchase.
Return Policies
Best Buy will fully refund most items within 30 days of receipt.
This return policy may vary slightly from the store and catalog policies. All returns, exchanges and price adjustments must be made in the country of original purchase. Please adhere to the following return policy:
[some general information here regarding a 14 day return limit on monitors, computers, radar detectors, etc)]
30 days from date merchandise was received
Refunds available on the remainder of our merchandise.
[and a few exceptions here, none of which fit into the unopened category]
Returns and Exchanges Are Easy
Whether you purchased an item online or at one of our stores, we will fully refund most items within 30 days of purchase.
Return Policies
Best Buy will fully refund most items within 30 days of receipt.
This return policy may vary slightly from the store and catalog policies. All returns, exchanges and price adjustments must be made in the country of original purchase. Please adhere to the following return policy:
[some general information here regarding a 14 day return limit on monitors, computers, radar detectors, etc)]
30 days from date merchandise was received
Refunds available on the remainder of our merchandise.
[and a few exceptions here, none of which fit into the unopened category]
#14
Senior Member
I have never had one bad experience with Best Buy, as a matter of fact they always bend over backwards for me. I have returned so many movies there and some without reciepts. Never once have they denied me. I think its how you come off that decides what kind of experience you will have. It's just my opinion, but I can speak first hand that if someone comes off bad (which I'm not saying you did or didn't) they'll get crappy service and I would never bend over backwards for them. Anyway, it's just my two cents.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego to Los Angeles
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by dvde
I have never had one bad experience with Best Buy, as a matter of fact they always bend over backwards for me. I have returned so many movies there and some without reciepts. Never once have they denied me. I think its how you come off that decides what kind of experience you will have. It's just my opinion, but I can speak first hand that if someone comes off bad (which I'm not saying you did or didn't) they'll get crappy service and I would never bend over backwards for them. Anyway, it's just my two cents.
I have never had one bad experience with Best Buy, as a matter of fact they always bend over backwards for me. I have returned so many movies there and some without reciepts. Never once have they denied me. I think its how you come off that decides what kind of experience you will have. It's just my opinion, but I can speak first hand that if someone comes off bad (which I'm not saying you did or didn't) they'll get crappy service and I would never bend over backwards for them. Anyway, it's just my two cents.
kind of offtopic but these days alot of places don't require a receipt anymore, im thinking if you use your credit card, they'll have a record of it. since i buy most of my stuff on credit card i usually never have to worry about receipts. i don't have a major deal with best buy the store itself, it's just bestbuy.com's policy with exchanges at b&m bestbuys.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego to Los Angeles
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by seisui
wow sucks to be you b/c I got an exchange Pre-ordered BoB from bestbuy.com but the set had some glitches so I went to a B&M store for an exchange. Granted I had to 'return' my set to bestbuy.com (the store took it) and rebuy the set from the B&M store (which they adjusted the $10 difference) but really its still just an exchange.
I guess it really just depends on which store you go to or what kind of employees you end up dealing with.
wow sucks to be you b/c I got an exchange Pre-ordered BoB from bestbuy.com but the set had some glitches so I went to a B&M store for an exchange. Granted I had to 'return' my set to bestbuy.com (the store took it) and rebuy the set from the B&M store (which they adjusted the $10 difference) but really its still just an exchange.
I guess it really just depends on which store you go to or what kind of employees you end up dealing with.
I'm guessing the clerk i had was a seasonal worker she wasn't too bright, i didnt really care, if i did i would of probably ask to speak to a manager. no loss for me, best buy lost out 70 or so bucks. i usually dont preorder cause it takes too long but in the case of Bob 25 bucks was an offer i couldnt refuse..