Josh
Eaton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 28, 2006
I wanted to point out that yes most all retailers have the same policy and it is strictly enforced at most retailers I have seen. While I am not sure that it is a federal law as some retailers do bend at times. I will say that with everything that does go on in terms of illegal copying that I think retailers have every right to deny a return and they should. Also, in response to Best Buy should have bought the game back and resold it. I read an article about this a couple months ago and only a very few select Best Buy stores do that right now and if I had to guess only those few stores are able to do it until it maybe rolls out to the rest of the their stores. So, if that particular store is not one of the few, then no they should not have had to do it.
Robert
Jacksonville,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, February 28, 2006
Block Buster bought the opened game as a used unit. This is legal, and normal practice for stores who sell games. I buy most of my games used. Best Buy was 100% correct in NOT refunding the purchase, but should have offered to buy it back as a used game. I've seen used games for sale in both Best Buy and Circuit City.
Tom
San Antonio,#4Consumer Comment
Mon, February 27, 2006
You purchased a game for your son. The package contained the game you intended to buy. It was not a damaged item. You received what you paid for. Under basic contract law, the deal is done. Best Buy is not obligated to take it back because of your error. There is a common, gross misunderstanding many consumers have that causes them to believe that a store HAS to take a return for no other reason than the consumer changed his/her mind after the sale. So many stores have generous return policies just to keep their customers happy, that people now think it is some kind of legal requirement that all stores take returns. There never has been any such obligation. Copyright laws forbid the return of opened games and cd's for anything other than a replacement of the same title, so Blockbuster could find itself in trouble based upon what you described. Best Buy may have lost a customer, but it did nothing incorrect in this transaction.
Leticia
Anytown,#5Consumer Comment
Sun, February 26, 2006
I'm really having a hard time believing this story. Unless your family has absolutely no communication. 1. just because your wife works a different shift than you, why did you not know that she was planning on buying the same game? 2. Why did your son wait to open it, before mentioning that his mom had already gotten him the same game? He couldn't tell by just the cover? (I've often had to chastise my 7 year old, because he can be very rude when he gets something he already has.) My husband just recentedly got back home from a deployment, he would email or call me to ask what I was buying for the kids so that he didn't buy the same thing. If he could do that, then you could've asked your wife what she was buying.
Michael
Monmouth,#6Consumer Suggestion
Sun, February 26, 2006
Think about the name, Best Buy means, you Best Buy somewhere else because we don't offer, service, honesty, and will one way or another RIP YOU OFF, So do what the name says Best Buy somewhere else.
F.
Twin Cities,#7Consumer Comment
Sat, February 25, 2006
Best Buy has a clear policy on returns of games. It is fairly standard in this type of business to only exchange opened software, games, music, etc. for the same title. Unfortunately, this rule had to be put into place because of the customers who illegally copy the item and then try to return it for a different copy. While I can understand your frustration, it isn't Best Buys fault that you bought the same title as your wife and let your son open both copies. It was nice of you to let Best Buy know that your other game had manufacturer problems. They can look into if they want to continue carrying that title or not. But it isn't their responsibility to give you a new different game. They did not design the game that you bought. You had the option of going to legacyinteractive.com before making the purchase. I haven't done it myself but I've read where some customers have gotten good results by contacting the manufacturer directly in a case like that. If you find yourself in a similar situation then you might want to contact the manufacturer first to see if they can offer you anything.