Complaint Review: Best Buy

Sorry but I have seen more than five years of BestBuy practices, and ignoring the fact that salesmen constantly lie to the customers is common among the managers and supervisors. Why? Because they want to get their bonuses and the employees are encouraged to get the sale no matter what.

 Are the salesmen paid by commission? No. Do they each get NUMEROUS emails every day from District and store managers to drive sales or else? Yep. Snide threats such as "if you can't sell you can't work at BestBuy" are used by managers to threaten employees. Being given less hours or even written up numerous times for minor or made up offenses as "payback" is an oft times used ploy as well.

This can all be laid at the feet of greedy managers and supervisors, and it is almost completely driven by Territory and District managers. I have held my peace for some time now but no more. If you folks had any idea of the things they have done you would never even consider going to one until they change their policies. I am fighting now to keep my job after a manager who was reportedly recorded screaming racial epithets and cursing at an employee was demoted and not fired. They will probably figure it out and fire me anyhow but I just don't care anymore. I will work for Mickey Ds.

Steve you don't know squat. Quit coming on here and giving advice as if you have any idea what you're talking about. You don't. You have some grudge against the store. My guess is that your wife left you for a Best Buy employee because they made twice as much money as you. Get on with your life and quit telling people to act like the retard you are.

I saw this complaint on another site. The comments were the same. This is a problem with Microsoft and they're fixing it. When you buy an extended warranty, you typically don't get to come in and get a new one off the shelf. Usually, your item will be repaired or replaced with a refurbished model. This is why is it very important to read all the paperwork that comes with your item before you purchase it.

So, you knew you were wrong all along but just lied here to twist my panties? What do you have against me that you would lie or decieve anyone here just to twist my panties?

What evidence do you have that any reply I posted here was the result of drugs or alcohol? Did I say anything that was untrue or did I distort any truth?

How does any of this make me your puppet? I just did the same thing you did and respond/rebut. That is what this site is for. But I guess you have other motives?

You did not verify anything. IF you would have asked me if I was a BestBuy employee I would have told you I am not..exactly what I posted. I am in the electronics industry and have conducted training for Best Buy but that was years ago. Did I hide that info in any way? No, I voluntarily submitted it, so what did you accomplish? Seems all you did was make yourself look like an idiot. If that was the intention, then yes, you did very well.

The fact remains that you think BestBuy sucks, and that is your right. So don't shop there. But it has nothing to do with me. Please wait until they go out of business, I am sure they will do better without a dumbass customer like you. Let's see... they have been in business for how many years? I guess you think that your petty gripe is really going to hurt them?

You are the punk, to wit. I am laughing at you.Now go back to Walmart.

Your "Replacement Plan" is a year 2 only replacement. The Terms & Conditions below are quite clear in that regard; Best Buy hopes you "listen" to their sales speak and never look at the T&C "fine print."

Industrywide, manufacturers send refurbs under their warranty as replacements - printers are a great example. Many of those refurbs were relatively new returns to retailers that the user "didn't like" for some reason and just needed some reconditioniing and packaging. If you got a refurb, so what?

Excerpted from Best Buy's T&C:

"This Plan provides for the replacement of your product, or for certain categories of products, will cover parts and labor costs to repair your product in the event your product fails to properly operate due to a defect in materials or workmanship, normal wear and tear, dust, internal overheating, internal humidity/condensation, or a power surge/fluctuation. If we determine in our sole discretion that your product cannot be repaired or your product provides for replacement instead of repair, we will replace your product with a product of like kind and quality that is of comparable performance or reimburse you for replacement of the product with a voucher or gift card, at our discretion, equal to the current market value of the product, as determined by us, not to exceed the original purchase price including all applicable taxes."

"Your coverage under this Plan is effective beginning on the date you purchase your product as stated on your purchase receipt and will expire either one (1) or two (2) years from this effective date depending on the length of Plan you purchased and as stated on your purchase receipt. Our obligations under this Plan will be fulfilled in their entirety if we replace your product or issue you a voucher or gift card for replacement of your product pursuant to these terms and conditions. This Plan is inclusive of your product's manufacturer's warranty; it does not replace your product's manufacturer's warranty, but it does provide certain additional benefits as listed within this Plan during the term of the manufacturer's warranty. Parts and services covered under the manufacturer's warranty during the manufacturer's warranty period or are the subject of a manufacturer's recall are the responsibility of the manufacturer and are not covered under this Plan. Accessory replacements are limited to one like item per Plan term. "

As for the Geek Squad, i don't understand the continuing squabble. Geek Squad is is wholly owned brand and trademark of Best Buy, like Insignia TVs. All the revenue Geek Squad generates goes into Best Buy's "Services" revenue category in their financials. All this is public info in the "Investor" section on their website.

Actually Ronny, I know the deal, I just wanted to get your panties in a twist.

I didn't like your drug and alcohol induced rage on your first reply to me so I kept throwing fuel on the fire, so to speak.

You are my puppet on a string.

Gotcha.

Just wanted to verify that you were a loser Best Buy employee, and I accomplished that now, so I am done.

The fact remains that Best Buy sucks, the Geek Squad REALLY sucks, and the only time I will ever shop there is at the going out of business sale, which I'm sure will be soon.

You are my punk.

Dude what kind of drugs are you smoking??

I do not work for Bestbuy but I did conduct training for a district...and that district was....in FLORIDA.

So..you can keep blaming California for the fact that you are a clueless angry JACKASS..but you REALLY REALLY NEED to do some research. (on a side note, before moving to CA I lived in Florida for 15 years).

Geek Squad and Bestbuy are the SAME company in EVERY STATE. So stop trying to squirm out of it.

Go into ANY BESTBUY in any state and just ask any agent who signs their paycheck. It will be BESTBUY.

Bestbuy PURCHASED the rights to geek Squad YEARS ago...and slapped a badge/patch/uniform whatever on BESTBUY employees. NO sales people are commisioned, and every single employee in the store who is in a geek squad uniform is a BESTBUY employee.

So, in conclusion, you are wrong again and may need to put down the crack pipe.

If you are not on crack, you may just need a few sessions of anger management or some kind of therapy.

Well, I hate to burst your bubbles here, but MOST big chain stores operate differently in different states. So, what may be the organizational structure, pay structure, etc out there in fruitland CA, may be totally different than here in FL.

Even though the Geek Squad is exclusive under Best Buy now, it IS still its own legal entity. Geek Squad IS it's own separate entity, but operates now under Best Buy.

I know for a fact of what I speak of [here in FL], which may differ from what happens out in the land of fruits and nuts.

Are you telling me that no Best Buy employee or Geek Squad employee gets any sort of commission or bonus for "upselling" the various warranty packages at the register?

I know for a fact that they do, at least here in my area. I know this because I personally know someone who works there, and he hates it worst than I do.

Don't always assume the rest of the United States does everything the same as CA. They don't.

But I am glad to know that Ronny G is a loser that works for Best Buy. Only a loser would work there. Anyone that actually knew anything would either open their own shop, or work for one of the warranty services. My buddy actually contracts for one of the warranty services and repairs TVs, and he gets business under the table at the expense of Best Buy!

I've noticed that Steve pulls a lot of things out of his a**. He usually has no clue what he is talking about. I'm not sure what his probem is. He probably tried to return a TV after 2 years and got mad they wouldn't accept it. Whatever it is, it is no excuse for speaking on issues he has no clue on.

For the OP: I'm sorry you didn't understand the contract you signed, but that doesn't change it. Best Buy is allowed to do this because as others pointed out, it is in the contract. They are not obligated to give you a new $300 system off of the shelves. That is not what you agreed to, no matter what anyone said to you. It is what is on the contract that matters.

Apparently you have an ax to grind with BestBuy. And you have every right to vent here. However at least be factual.

There are not any "commissioned" sales people at BestBuy.

Where do you get your info from...wwwpullitoutyour*s com?

Now part of the problem with this report is the OP stating that the replacement plan will give you the newest version of it. I do not believe that is stated on the policy. They replace it with a unit of equal specs and features and if a newer version is just that, they should replace it. Sometimes a unit is discontinued and a newer version is not the same in specs and features. If a unit of equal specs and features is not available they will give a store credit of price paid for the original unit. Seems now they can replace it with a refurb as well. So as long as you are not turning in a brand new unit..what is the difference if they replace it with a refurb, or fixed yours? You are still getting a replacement free of charge. They can not create a brand new discontinued unit out of thin air so the consumers need to be reasonable.

Not every business can make everyone happy, but considering BestBuy has been around since 1966 (under another name but same owner, switched to the bestBuy name in 1983), they are doing something right. Yes they have problems along the way but they are corrected. As far as "Geek Squad" and this is to Steve...once again for I don't know how many times you have been told...Geek Squad IS BESTBUY...it is BestBuy employees with a badge/patch/uniform, it is not a separate company. And it is going nowhere. Services is the only way they can compete with the Walmarts and if anything is is and will continue to be expanded..hopefully improved as well but nothing happens overnight and not every employee is perfect. Oh but I forgot..Steve is perfect so everyone else is expected to be.

This type of practice is becoming more and more common with Best Buy.

Deception, lies, misrepresentation, bait and switch, rude management.

I will bet that Best Buy soon goes the way of Circuit City.

The only time I will ever shop at Best Buy is at the "going out of business" sale, or if they get rid of the "Geek Squad".

The only thing that "turbopepper" has been correct on is to ALWAYS read every word of any agreement you enter into with Best Buy.

NEVER believe any of their sales reps or managers as they are all liars and con artists to get that commission. Yes, always get it in writing, and read every word!

Unfortunately, there is no valid case here and I'll explain why.

Technically, the policy did not change. The Terms and Conditions that you purchased the Xbox under specifically states that "Replacement product may be new or rebuilt to meet the manufacturer's specifications of the original product at our discretion" (taken directly from the Terms and Conditions booklet for your Black Tie Protection Plan).

Up until last year, there was no process in place to replace Xbox's with refurbished units so they were merely replaced with a new unit in store, but the Terms stated that they could replace them with a refurbished unit. Now, they have a process in place called "Rapid Exchange" in which the unit goes out and a replacement unit, usually refurbished, is shipped back and the process usually only takes about 3-5 business days. The Process changed, but the policy stayed the same although many people, Best Buy employees also, still look at it as a policy change since the process is different. Tomato, Tomoto. The policy always allowed for replacement by refurbished units, but only since last year have they had a process to allow for refurbished units as replacements.

As for if you were mistakenly told that you would be getting a "new" unit or not, there is no way to verify what was said. So Best Buy gives you 30 days to read the Terms and Conditions of the Black Tie. If you read it and do not like the Terms or any portion thereof, you can return the Black Tie for a FULL refund.

Whether you like it or not, a replacement by a refurbished unit IS a replacement, so the "Replacement Plan" did replace your unit.

So, no "Ripoff" here. You purchased a replacement plan and did not read the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions "is a legal contract. By purchasing it, you understand that it is a legal contract and acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to read the terms and conditions set forth herein. This Plan and your purchase receipt, containing the effective date and expiration date of your Plan, and the product purchase identification constitute the entire agreement between you and us." (again, taken directly from the Terms and Conditions). This means that the only "legal agreement" between you and Best Buy under Black Tie protection plan is the Terms and Conditions booklet, your product, and your receipt, not anything that may or may not have been said to you by a salesman.

It's a legal contract. How many legal contracts do you agree to and/or sign that you don't read and only go by what the other party says is in the contract? Next time, read the Terms and Conditions.

Many people have their own ideas of what the Black Tie covers, whether it was told to them or not, and they will believe that they were told something was covered, whether it was really said to them or not. This is why the Terms and Conditions is the legal representation of what IS covered, not what you say the salesperson said to you.