My Best Buy Horror Story and Subsequent Rant
 

Over the years, I've been a defender of Best Buy. Until tonight, I hadn't had a problem with them in years and had come to regards my local BB as the jewel in the crown--they seemed to do everthing right; everybody there was always friendly and they really did seem to go the extra mile. Until tonight.

I had ordered some DVDs online and went in for a store pick-up. I got in the cue and there was one person in front of me who was returning an HD DVD player. He was very talkative and kept two store associates busy with his tales of whatever (I did hear them talking about how HD DVD was being discontinued). This went on for 5-10 minutes ands a line was forming in back of me. But the associates kept on chatting and a girl associate sat in back of a desk drinking a Coke.

So it looks like Mr HD is finally through. One of the associates walks off (despite the fact that there is a line) and the other associate says "Can I help you." and then walks away. He then comes back and I say "I've got a pick up." He takes the sheet, asks me for my driver's license and heads to the back room. As he comes out, Mr HD calls him over and he starts waiting on him again. My DVDs are sitting on the counter. He calls for a manager to authorize Mr HD's return. He waits with Mr HD for the manager. My DVDs sit. BTW, the never started the timer.

When the associate comes back to me, I tell him I want my $10 credit because this is taking more than 60 seconds. He says product was retreived in less than 60 seconds. Since the manager is still tehre, I say I want to talk with him. He also refuses to give me my credit. At this point another store manager comes over and I try to explain to him what's going on. He was very defiant and tells me I'm not getting my credit. He defies me to call Best Buy and give him complain. He keeps saying his name. I need something to write with, there is nothing on the counter so I reach for the pen in his pocket. He goes ballistic and accuses me of trying to assault him. "Nobody comes into my store and threatens my employees." I never insulted anybody. He threatens to call the cops if I don't leave in 5 seconds and starts counting down. He grabs my product, takes my arm and starts escorting me to the door. (Good thing I had the prescence of mind to grab my driver's license.)

He starts to lecture me again. I stop, turn around, extend my hand and say "I'm offering you a hand of friendship and an opportunity to bury the hatchet. Do you want to take it?" He then shakes my and we calm down. He asks me to come back in two days after we've both had a chance to calm down.

So that's my story and I'm still pretty pissed. I was treated bizzarely and for the first time in my life, someone threatened to call the cops on me. I do intend to call Best Buy Corporate to see what they say and to go back in a few days to talk with the manager. We'll see what happens.

Yeah, I'm gonna say you crossed the line while trying to take the pen out of the guy's pocket.

Wow. Obviously it wasn't retrieved if you had to wait around for them.That's ridiculous but doesn't surprise me at all. I used to work there and despise every person in their "management". They don't care about customers one bit. All they want is profit.

x2

How come you didn't have them start the timer once they entered your stuff into the computer? Why would you possibly think it's reasonable to grab a pen right out of his pocket?

I would have done the same exact thing. If they aren't going to give me one (obviously they have one, they just don't want to get into trouble with corporate) I would get it myself.

Maybe I'm missing something. Why do they have to give you a pen?

x3

You're lucky that you didn't get a knuckle-sandwich for invading that guy's space.

I needed a pen to write down the guy's name and the phone number that he kept baring out at me. He refused to write it down himself. I didn't want to be given a pen, I only wanted to borrow one and since it was the closest one handy,I reached for it. I had a piece of paper in my hand.

I'm hoping this was a SHIRT pocket, otherwise that could've been pretty awkward...

Yeah, you were pretty much out of line.

Why did you try to take the fucking pen?

That was no pen.

That sucks about the experience, but yeah, trying to grab the pen out of his pocket was not a smart move. I mean, it was just his name. It's not like it's really hard to remember a name, especially if he kept saying it like you said he did. Let us know what happens.

Yeah, reaching for the pen was bad.

Keep in mind also this "HORROR" story is over $10.

$10.

I also would have asked you to leave the store.

Sorry Doc, got side with the manager on this one. I'm not for people reaching into my pocket and honestly, you did commit a (civil) battery at least on the guy.

i hate best buy but im with everyone else, grabbing the pen was way out of line.

Grabbing the pen was kind of silly to do. But before that, from your description, seemed to be pretty lame on Best Buy's part.

If there was a line behind you, I would have asked the people behind you to back you up regarding the time you waited.

"I'm offering you a hand of friendship and an opportunity to bury the hatchet. Do you want to take it?"

LOL the guy grabbed you by the arm and walked you out of the store like a child and you try and shake his hand and offer to be his friend ??
You shouuldve smaked him
Only thing you did wrong was go for the guys pen.

First off you should have gotten the $10 credit. I would have started a stink about it just like you did and then called corporate when I got home.

But, I would not have tried to touch the guy. Everything that happened to you after you tried to grab the pen is your fault and is deserved.

Best Buy has always been good to me for one reason. I rarely deal with the employees. I avoid it whenever I can. I never do in-store pick up and I've only rarely had to return or exchange an item and when I have they have always gone smoothly.

If I worked there and you had touched me, I don't care how right you are, it's Cops Time

sorry, you lost me right there.

if he grabbed you by the arm forcefully i would sue the shit out of them...


not his job to do...he should have called police

Best Buy's cs has always been bad, especially online orders. Grabbing the pen wasn't the right move but grabbing you by the arm was even worse. He physically touched you. Any attorneys want to chime in? Did the manager have the right to physically touch him since he grabbed the pen?

I agree with most everyone in here you shouldnt have grabbed for the pen.