Complaint Review: BEST BUY

Because of problems like this Best Buy has now instituted a policy to where if a customer receives the MC but did not fill out the NEW APPLICATION which is now completely seperate from the regular Best Buy Card then the customer cannot have their credit damaged from the illegal card application. We have to mail all applications for both cards to HSBC who then has to check throught the electronic applications and verify that a paper app has been filled out. If it hasn't then the card should not be mailed (hence the 10 to 14 day period to receive the card) There is no longer a box on the regular BB card app for the MC. If you want to be more secure about this though you can apply for the card(s) on the best buy website if you want to still get them.


PS A little hint. BB offers 6 months no interest on ANYTHING 299 and up but if you go in to a store looking at TV's or something else big dollar make it tough on them. As them about the 24 months no interest SKUs they just released and let them know that that's the only way to get the sale.

Because of problems like this Best Buy has now instituted a policy to where if a customer receives the MC but did not fill out the NEW APPLICATION which is now completely seperate from the regular Best Buy Card then the customer cannot have their credit damaged from the illegal card application. We have to mail all applications for both cards to HSBC who then has to check throught the electronic applications and verify that a paper app has been filled out. If it hasn't then the card should not be mailed (hence the 10 to 14 day period to receive the card) There is no longer a box on the regular BB card app for the MC. If you want to be more secure about this though you can apply for the card(s) on the best buy website if you want to still get them.


PS A little hint. BB offers 6 months no interest on ANYTHING 299 and up but if you go in to a store looking at TV's or something else big dollar make it tough on them. As them about the 24 months no interest SKUs they just released and let them know that that's the only way to get the sale.

Because of problems like this Best Buy has now instituted a policy to where if a customer receives the MC but did not fill out the NEW APPLICATION which is now completely seperate from the regular Best Buy Card then the customer cannot have their credit damaged from the illegal card application. We have to mail all applications for both cards to HSBC who then has to check throught the electronic applications and verify that a paper app has been filled out. If it hasn't then the card should not be mailed (hence the 10 to 14 day period to receive the card) There is no longer a box on the regular BB card app for the MC. If you want to be more secure about this though you can apply for the card(s) on the best buy website if you want to still get them.


PS A little hint. BB offers 6 months no interest on ANYTHING 299 and up but if you go in to a store looking at TV's or something else big dollar make it tough on them. As them about the 24 months no interest SKUs they just released and let them know that that's the only way to get the sale.

Because of problems like this Best Buy has now instituted a policy to where if a customer receives the MC but did not fill out the NEW APPLICATION which is now completely seperate from the regular Best Buy Card then the customer cannot have their credit damaged from the illegal card application. We have to mail all applications for both cards to HSBC who then has to check throught the electronic applications and verify that a paper app has been filled out. If it hasn't then the card should not be mailed (hence the 10 to 14 day period to receive the card) There is no longer a box on the regular BB card app for the MC. If you want to be more secure about this though you can apply for the card(s) on the best buy website if you want to still get them.


PS A little hint. BB offers 6 months no interest on ANYTHING 299 and up but if you go in to a store looking at TV's or something else big dollar make it tough on them. As them about the 24 months no interest SKUs they just released and let them know that that's the only way to get the sale.

Do not buy any Same as Cash deal from Bestbuy and go through HSBC. You must read all the fine print of their application. Otherwise you will end up mess up your credit and paid alot of ridicule charges. I had three late charges eventhough I paid a week ahead of due dates. It costed me total of $105 for all the charges. If you are mistakenly pay less the minimum a penny they will slap you $35 for late charge. Run from HSBC for good or your credit history will be damaged.

the issue is that the TV isn't working!

To be honest, I never bought anything at Best Buy because the vibes were never right. And I have read too many people's posted comments about Best Lie and so forth on various sites. You guys aren't helping me think positivly about buying there, either. Not at all. I follow the 'one strike and you're out' rule.

And FOUR times to fix with FIVE parts is kinda sad..

Bonnie-Best Buy cards do not have an expiration date. What probably happened to your card is that you hadn't used it in awhile and it became "inactive". This is quite common and don't quote me, but I think that it's after 6 months of no activity that your account is closed. This is Best Buy and Household Bank's way of keeping you as a customer.

Rick-check myspace. My last name is the same as a vacuum cleaner (no jokes please-I've heard them all) or you can search by those tags. Were you able to get a copy of your application? As I've said before, if you or anyone else DID in fact sign something regardless of what the rep told you, you're out of luck. The only way that you will have a case is if you did not sign anything and were signed up for the extra services anyway. Good luck!

Bonnie-Best Buy cards do not have an expiration date. What probably happened to your card is that you hadn't used it in awhile and it became "inactive". This is quite common and don't quote me, but I think that it's after 6 months of no activity that your account is closed. This is Best Buy and Household Bank's way of keeping you as a customer.

Rick-check myspace. My last name is the same as a vacuum cleaner (no jokes please-I've heard them all) or you can search by those tags. Were you able to get a copy of your application? As I've said before, if you or anyone else DID in fact sign something regardless of what the rep told you, you're out of luck. The only way that you will have a case is if you did not sign anything and were signed up for the extra services anyway. Good luck!

This site is great but unfortunately does not allow us to band together because it hides our email addresses and phone numbers. I would like to sue Best Buy. I have been damaged by their fraudulent actions and really would like to be in touch with Danielle from Michigan. We need to make sure this doesn't happen to other consumers. Danielle, if you can go to a blog site and put your email address in the blog, make sure you include the words Danielle, Royal Oak, Best Buy, for search purposes, I'll start searching every day. Put a rebuttal here and tell us the blog site. We've got to stop this practice at Best Buy and HSBC. I have contacted the California Attorney General and am about to contact a Federal agency as well.

I went into Best Buy a while back and my card was "expired." When I tried to reapply I was denied, but lo and behold, a week or two later I received a $500 Household Bank card with a ridiculous interest rate. I immediately contacted Household Bank and demanded that they cancel the card and remove it from my credit. They cancelled it, but did not remove it from my credit. I had to send a dispute to the credit bureau just to show it as being closed. Best Buy might think this is beneficial to them, but I have not spent so much as a dime there since and will NEVER shop there again. I have also told everyone I know and warned them about shopping there. So in my book they've cut their own throats!!! Thank goodness for websites like this one - I now check before I purchase anything.

Unfortunately, if you don't check the boxes, the rep WILL check them for you. I know of some stores that even highlighted those portions (illegal). The only thing that matters is if you signed the two lines. Checking the boxes does not make a difference. Also, listen to what the rep is saying about the two products. Here is some insight as to how they work:

1. Account Shield- what happens with this is if any of the 20 perils listed on their sheet happen, you will have the amount deducted off your bill-at least, the amount you still OWE. If you paid the item off, or only have $20 left to pay, either you will not receive compensation or the $20 you still have left. It is NOT credit insurance. If you use the illness, injury, or unemployment part of it beware-you will not be able to use your card during that time.

2.Mastercard-the reps LOVE to tell customers it's 0% interest and that you get a $25 gift card for just using it once. Actually, you have to use the card AND make the payment in order to receive the gift card, IF you receive the gift card. Also, not everyone will receive the platinum. Some will receive the gold, based on your credit rating. Some of the cards have a $100 per year membership fee that is automatically on the card when you receive it. So other words, even if you decide then that you don't want the card, you still have to pay the $100. Sucks.

Rick-is there anything else that you need to ask me? Ripoff report will not allow a link to an outside address, but I do not fear this company, so ask away!!!!!

Wife signed up for a best card last week. On the application form is a place that indicates if you wish to get a mastercard or not. Two different lines, two different boxes. YOU have to check off the box, which box AND sign IF you do or don't want the extra card. Either something is crooked or you didn't sign in the right place OR you didn't pay attention to what you were signing. In my old zales days, we use to tell the customer to sign here and here and here. Very few paid attention to what they were signing. Had two problems with them.

When we bought the TV the salesperson says we only have 12 months no interest. I tell him no, it's 18 months. He says how do you figure that. I show him in their flyer, 18 months no interest. He says, oh, ok. Second problem is with HSBC. Mailed my first payment off 10 days before the due date. I call to verify that it got there. It did, but I know it doesn't take any 10 days to get to CA from TX and get credited. This month took 7 days, I mailed it 11 days before the due date.

Wife signed up for a best card last week. On the application form is a place that indicates if you wish to get a mastercard or not. Two different lines, two different boxes. YOU have to check off the box, which box AND sign IF you do or don't want the extra card. Either something is crooked or you didn't sign in the right place OR you didn't pay attention to what you were signing. In my old zales days, we use to tell the customer to sign here and here and here. Very few paid attention to what they were signing. Had two problems with them.

When we bought the TV the salesperson says we only have 12 months no interest. I tell him no, it's 18 months. He says how do you figure that. I show him in their flyer, 18 months no interest. He says, oh, ok. Second problem is with HSBC. Mailed my first payment off 10 days before the due date. I call to verify that it got there. It did, but I know it doesn't take any 10 days to get to CA from TX and get credited. This month took 7 days, I mailed it 11 days before the due date.

Wife signed up for a best card last week. On the application form is a place that indicates if you wish to get a mastercard or not. Two different lines, two different boxes. YOU have to check off the box, which box AND sign IF you do or don't want the extra card. Either something is crooked or you didn't sign in the right place OR you didn't pay attention to what you were signing. In my old zales days, we use to tell the customer to sign here and here and here. Very few paid attention to what they were signing. Had two problems with them.

When we bought the TV the salesperson says we only have 12 months no interest. I tell him no, it's 18 months. He says how do you figure that. I show him in their flyer, 18 months no interest. He says, oh, ok. Second problem is with HSBC. Mailed my first payment off 10 days before the due date. I call to verify that it got there. It did, but I know it doesn't take any 10 days to get to CA from TX and get credited. This month took 7 days, I mailed it 11 days before the due date.

Wife signed up for a best card last week. On the application form is a place that indicates if you wish to get a mastercard or not. Two different lines, two different boxes. YOU have to check off the box, which box AND sign IF you do or don't want the extra card. Either something is crooked or you didn't sign in the right place OR you didn't pay attention to what you were signing. In my old zales days, we use to tell the customer to sign here and here and here. Very few paid attention to what they were signing. Had two problems with them.

When we bought the TV the salesperson says we only have 12 months no interest. I tell him no, it's 18 months. He says how do you figure that. I show him in their flyer, 18 months no interest. He says, oh, ok. Second problem is with HSBC. Mailed my first payment off 10 days before the due date. I call to verify that it got there. It did, but I know it doesn't take any 10 days to get to CA from TX and get credited. This month took 7 days, I mailed it 11 days before the due date.

Hey, thank you for that response. Would you be willing to email me at (((ROR REDACTED E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))? Would like to communicate with you privately. Thank you.

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Call Household Bank and tell them that you want a copy of the application that you signed. At the bottom of the app there is a section for Account Shield and one for the MasterCard. Best Buy employees are obligated to review these sections with you and unless you actually signed them, Household Bank cannot hold you responsible. This is how the procedure goes at Best Buy:
1. Customer goes to customer service and fills out the application.
2. Customer service rep ensures that all information is written down and verifies identification (usually drivers license and major credit card)
3. CSR reviews with the customer the optional Account Shield and Mastercard, unless the customer has already signed both lines.
4. CSR enters all information into the computer to process the application, including whether or not you choose the optional Account Shield/Mastercard.
5. The next day a report prints showing all applications entered and whether or not the customer chose Account Shield or MasterCard.
6. The applications are sent to Household Bank.

Now, Best Buy stores are ranked throughout the company for how many customers they misle into signing up for these extra services. Their national ranking will determine bonuses, raises, and promotions. A lot of stores will tell you "sign here, sign here". This is illegal and while I was a manager with Best Buy, I threatened my staff with termination if they ever did that. If an employee cannot convince a customer to sign up, they are usually harrassed by their manager/supervisor as to why they couldn't convice someone to sign up.

So what these reps will do, rather than face embarrassment (some stores even post individual rep rankings for attaching these services) is just click on the boxes saying yes, the customer wants Account Shield and Mastercard. I mean, what do they care? By the time Household Bank catches the mistake, IF they catch the mistake, it's too late for the store to lose out on their ranking. So get a copy of your application and if you didn't sign it-take it back to the store to complain about the employee-they have to be signed on with their number to enter the application and if you DID sign it, bad luck and I would thoroghly read everything before you sign.

I have a 4 year protection plan on my TV, and it states that if they can not fix a problem in 3 attempts, they will replace the TV. Have you read all the prin in the contract to see if there is anything similar? If you have, and there is not, is there a lemon law in your state regarding such things? Maybe that is why it is written in my protection contract, Minnesota is pretty good about Lemon Laws, and Best Buy is based here.