- Report: #809533
Complaint Review: Best Buy - Santa Maria California
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Best Buy
2326 S Bradley Rd, Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, 93455 California, United States of America
Phone:
805) 922-6195
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Best Buy Best Buy sold me a Toshiba laptop computer that was used with previous owner's files still on machine, plus broken disk drive Santa Maria, California
I bought a Toshiba Satellite U205-S5034 laptop from Best Buy. I flew out of the US immediately with the "new" computer. When I turned it on, I found the disk drive to be broken and completely inoperable. I also found the previous owner's files on the computer.
From overseas I wrote Best Buy to report what I had found and asked for them to replace the used computer they sold me with an actual new one. They did not respond. When I returned to the US three months later I immediately took the computer to Best Buy and again related my story. They immediately accused me of the damage and putting the files on the computer - all is nice, friendly customer relation terms, of course.
I pointed out the files were dated prior to my computer purchase. Still they refused to give me a new computer. They very reluctantly took the computer in for repair of the broken disk drive - but only because it was still under warranty.
There were four files on the computer when I gave it to them. When they returned it to me, three of these files were missing. But the fourth one - an address book - is still on my computer. I actually wrote some of the parties listed in that address book trying to learn the identity of the first owner of this computer.
I was shocked that a large company like Best Buy would treat a customer like this. I swore never to cross their doorstep again and have not, even though I have been in the process of outfitting a home here in Santa Maria with washer, dryer, TVs, etc.
Others have related to me they had, or heard of similar experiences about Best Buy. Online I found reports of this kind of experience with various appliances sold as new at Best Buy.
From overseas I wrote Best Buy to report what I had found and asked for them to replace the used computer they sold me with an actual new one. They did not respond. When I returned to the US three months later I immediately took the computer to Best Buy and again related my story. They immediately accused me of the damage and putting the files on the computer - all is nice, friendly customer relation terms, of course.
I pointed out the files were dated prior to my computer purchase. Still they refused to give me a new computer. They very reluctantly took the computer in for repair of the broken disk drive - but only because it was still under warranty.
There were four files on the computer when I gave it to them. When they returned it to me, three of these files were missing. But the fourth one - an address book - is still on my computer. I actually wrote some of the parties listed in that address book trying to learn the identity of the first owner of this computer.
I was shocked that a large company like Best Buy would treat a customer like this. I swore never to cross their doorstep again and have not, even though I have been in the process of outfitting a home here in Santa Maria with washer, dryer, TVs, etc.
Others have related to me they had, or heard of similar experiences about Best Buy. Online I found reports of this kind of experience with various appliances sold as new at Best Buy.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
voiceofreason
North Carolina,United States of America
I second Ramjet's query
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, December 15, 2011
That was buggin me from the start. How did you even access the old files if the drive was inoperable? Or did it boot up and then act all weird, or shut down, etc?
That said, the only thing I use Pest Bye for is playing with the tablets on display, or watching sports while the wife shops elsewhere. Pest Bye is basically a free babysitting service for my wife.
Make room, Circuit City. You may have company soon. All the OP has at stake is a laptop. The real suckers will be anyone holding Best Buy common stock by this time next year. Be a shame too. I won't have anywhere to escape shopping then except the Target or Walmart TV departments.
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Just curious
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, December 15, 2011
If the disk drive was completely broken and completely inoperable, how do you even know what files were on it? Where were they?
If the hard drive was broken you wouldn't even be able to boot it up.
Does it have more than one drive? Are you referring to the CD/DVD drive or what.
This is not a criticism, just an honest question.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
The Author should call Toshiba.
#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 15, 2011
When they returned it to me, three of these files were missing. But the fourth one - an address book - is still on my computer.
1. There is a free program called recuva from Pirosoft that you can download. If you do an internet search you will find the download site for it. This free program will recover the 3 deleted files if they have not been overwritten. It will also recover any other files that the previous purchaser made that have not been overwritten. Note: you should use an external HDD to restore the deleted files. Borrow or purchase one if needed-having an external usb HDD for backups is always a good investment.
2. Call Toshiba directly to check if your laptop's serial number was registered (for warranty) by the previous purchaser. If it was, you have them.
Once you have proof from the recovered files or from Toshiba, you should go back to Best Buy with your evidence and demand a NEW computer. Make it clear to them that if they do not give you a new computer you will SUE them in small claims and file formal written complaints with the FTC and your appropriate State consumer protection agencies. DO NOT GIVE BEST BUY THE COMPUTER until they hand you a new one.
Good luck.
coast
USAThat is fraud
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, December 15, 2011
Selling you a used computer without clearly noting that on the invoice is an act of fraud. Best Buy owes you a new computer or a refund. The previous owner probably would be interested to know his or her files were carelessly released to another customer. You were ripped off.
Diogenes
Averill Park,New York,
USA
Best Buy
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, December 15, 2011
You thought Best Buy was a good company ? Get real. They are one of the WORST companies in the US with which to deal. They are famous ( or rather, infamous ) for committing this type of fraud on their customers. Search the web. No doubt you will find hundreds of thousands of complaints similar to yours. They apparently put every returned item right back on the shelves or back in the warehouse to be resold without ever examining it. I couldn't, with good conscience, even buy a package of batteries from this place. Best Buy has definitely earned the name " RIPOFF " !
