Best Buy Classic bait and swtich, item IS available but already upgraded which will cost you more Midlothian, Virginia
I am in the market for a new laptop computer - so, naturally, I started comparing prices online. I found a great model for a great price (a Dell Inspiron Laptop for $379) at Best Buy that was available in the store a couple of miles from my home.
At the store I quickly found the model, but there were no boxes on the shelf for purchase. I found an employee (which was extremely difficult, but that's a totally different complaint) to ask about the discrepancy between the web report and the shelf's contents. He told me that there were 3 still in the store.
One of those was on hold for another customer, but the others had already been sent to Geek Squad. He went to the Geek Squad counter and then returned to tell me that they had already been serviced with "PC Set Up" which is an additional $69.
A complaint to the manager got me no where - it is their policy to set up some of their merchandise to "have it ready" for those customers who are interested in that service. The inventory on the web would still show those units as new, unopened merchandise.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
sgabekahn
New York,New York,
United States of America
More questions
#8General Comment
Fri, February 18, 2011
Hi, I'm a reporter and I'm writing a story about this PC Set Up and would really like to get in touch with you and discuss this matter further. Please email me at sgabekahn@gmail.com so we can talk about it.
Thanks,
Gabe Kahn
Crystal
Spirit Lake,Idaho,
U.S.A.
Incorrect info
#8UPDATE Employee
Mon, December 13, 2010
It is Best Buy's corporate policy to give the customer the set up for free if the customer does not want it. It is against policy to refuse the sale or make the customer buy it. This store is not following policy. You can call 1888bestbuy to report this or you can go to their community forums on their website to report it.
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
They will not go out of business because of a few complaints..
#8Consumer Comment
Wed, December 08, 2010
It does seem apparent, that they wish to turn a profit. If they are doing anything illegal, they subject themselves to a lawsuit..as well as complaints which is not good for business.
But if they do or have sold any of these laptops at the advertised price, it is not a bait and switch. If they have none available at the store which are not set up..then that simply means, they do not have any left in stock which are not set up..whether this is intentional or not.
If you really want the laptop at the advertised price, then ask them to check other locations and have one shipped to you, or sent to the store in a few days. Ask the salesperson where the "express checkout" is, and you can pay the advertised price and you will certainly get the laptop at the advertised price, even if they break even or take a loss. You can also insist they sell you one at the advertised price if they claim no more are available in the district..you may even get one with the setup at the advertised price as sometimes it is easier for them to do that then reinstall all the crap they removed and changed.
Be smarter then the system if you wish to beat it. Look for SOLUTIONS, not problems.
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Think first
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, December 07, 2010
You are having problems with Best Buy, fair enough.
However, I would hate to see them go out of business because they have somewhere around 100,000 employees that would be out of jobs. Not good!
The upper management are never hurt much, it's always the lower level people who would suffer.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Still illegal! File complaints with FTC and state and local consumer protection agencies.
#8Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 07, 2010
It's still bait and switch which is totally illegal under most state and all federal laws.
If they advertise a certain item for a certain price, they need to be able to deliver that item to the customer, or withdraw the advertisement.
And, if they cannot make money on a $379.00 computer, DON'T ADVERTISE a $379.00 computer! REAL SIMPLE.
Just the simple fact alone that they would advertise something at a price they cannot make any money on is the grounds for a lawsuit and/or consumer complaint as it validates the "bait and switch" complaints.
Best Buy needs to DROP the "Geek Squad" altogether and train some store employees to do that service, and other things as needed to server their customers.
Best Buy SUCKS, and they are taking the exact same path as Circuit City. Good riddence. Best Buy has PISS POOR "management" too. Horrible.
I cant wait for the "going out of business sale" for Best Buy, as that will be the only time I will ever shop there!
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
$379 laptop
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, December 07, 2010
Stores do not make money, and in some cases loose money, on these "cheap" laptops. They price them this low because they want to sell extra services such as the "tune-up" or "Service Plans" that are the real money makers.
There was a time when Best Buy made this service optional, or required on fewer computers(not sure which). But in the last few weeks it is becoming obvious based on the number of reports that they appear to have taken a new approach in setting a percentage aside where this is a required add-on to the people who are not quite fast enough. This is probably because not enough people fell for this add-on previously. For example if they have 12-15 laptops at $379, if they set half aside that is a guaranteed 6(for example) where they can get this added profit. Where before they may have only had 1-2 people agree to this service.
While you appeared to walk away, they will have people who will buy those laptops at the price plus the add-on. So unless they get a lot more backlash this will continue to happen.
Now, as long as they are at least selling some at the actual price without any REQUIRED add-ons, there is really nothing you can do about that. Other than not shopping there or getting there quicker when they do go on sale.
Chris
Iowa,USA
PC Set Up
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, December 07, 2010
The PC Set Up service is a rip off. They like to do this with computers that have been returned. That way, you won't question why it has been opened. Plus if you return the computer, they will not refund the PC Set Up fee. It's a good idea to stay far away from the computers that have this on them.