I’ve already made clear my feelings for Best Buy, but in case you missed the news, Best Buy confirms that it does indeed have a secret employee/store-only Web site that has higher prices than their public Web site so they don’t have to price match. But on the bright side, there are other ways you can save a ton of money at many of the big-name electronics retailers.
I’d also recommend avoiding getting help from the Best Buy “Geek Squad.” I’ve already looked at them as not that bright, but after reading this great series on Consumerist from current and former Geek Squad-ers, you realize that it’s gone in the tank since it was sold to Best Buy years ago, and shows no sign of getting better.
Comments
I had personal experience with that website, and called them on it in the store… http://fiveforefun.blogspot.com/2006/12/hassle.html
I have many reasons for not shopping Best Buy, mostly their lack of customer service skills. After being ignored for 1/2 hour, I left the store and made a major purchase from a competitor. It would not surprise me if they actually are operating separate web sites.
Best Buy is the PITS. Shopped there once for a car radio which they did not have in stock – had to order..found this out after I paid for it. Supposed to make an appointment to get it installed – couldn’t get anyone to answer the phone at the store. Finally made appointment 2 days after radio was supposed to be in stock. Went to store to get it installed – the radio had not arrived! I then asked for my money back with full receipt etc. Was told I could fill out a form and wait 2+ weeks for them to send my refund!!! What kind of customer service is this? Went to CIRCUIT CITY – FANTASTIC SERVICE – got a better radio, cheaper and installed in 45 minutes. As I said before Best Buy sucks.
i called best buy to see if a specific washer was there they said yes i paid someone to drine 45 miles to pick it up and got there they told me i had to order it. i asked about the display model and was told they wouldnt sell me that one . after throwing a fit about thier incompetence and walked out they tried to sell me a beat up display model for full price …what a scam .very rude sales clerk even announce that he was the clerk i spoke with on the phone….
I find it amazing that Best Buy never has the item you pick from the display but always seems to have the next model up, at a higher price of course, which is not on display. They caught me on that twice, the third time I demanded to see the manager. I explained that this was the third time this had happened and wanted the item, new in a box and not the display model, he told me they didn’t have any and weren’t expecting any more in (so take it off the shelf and put it on the open box table). I told him I would be sure to let all the media outlets in the area know of their bait and switch tactics, he got the old deer in the headlights look on his face and offered to sell me the higher priced model and the display model price and began the bums rush to get me to buy it and get out of the store. I decided to take my business elsewhere and I’m now a happy shopper at the competition. A former employee of Best Buy, several years ago, said it was standard practice to force upsell a customer to the higher priced model which wasn’t on dispaly. He said sometimes they never had the display model in stock it was only there to get you interested with an attractive low price. I don’t know if it is still the practice there, but then again I don’t and won’t shop there. The same thing happened at Fry’s Electronics and as I was walking out of the store with not purchase they mysteriously found the flat panel monitor I wanted at the display model price. I laughed at the guy and told him I’m familiar with the game. Of course I bought the monitor at a great price and he just smiled and said that I got some great deal. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to let you know about my experiences with Best Buy (which isn’t the best buy).
I have nothing bad to say about Best Buy, I ordered a computer from their online store and 2 weeks later it was $100.00 cheaper in the store they not only gave me the refund biut also added a printer and more software. I aslso had a 19 inch TV with 1 month warrenty left and TV died I got a replacement 32 inch TV same as my dead set for $100.00.
I purchased a laptop from best buy and supposedly had a $250 rebate with it. I sent the rebate in to them with all the proper paperwork.After a long wait I had not received my rebate and I called them. They said it was too late the rebate period had been over for too long and there was nothing they could do.I know I sent all the proper materials in on time but I had no proof they had received it just their word they had’nt. I’m still thinking of going to small claims court after all fair is fair and they just screwed me.