BestBuy Screws Consumer with Second Website, Denies Deals Exist
Well here’s a story that hits close to home. It appears that “under pressure from state investigators, Best Buy is now confirming [George Gombossy's] reporting that its stores have a secret intranet site that has been used to block some consumers from getting cheaper prices advertised on BestBuy.com.” (Via The Hardford Courant, seen on Slashdot)
I remember two summers ago when I went to a local BestBuy after seeing a deal on their website. When I got to the store the staff showed me a site that looked like their regular one, and it didn’t have the Internet sale anymore. I now know that this was because they have a second site that is available internally that often doesn’t show the same prices and deals. Apparently BestBuy employees don’t always check the external BestBuy site. This news really angers me. How can companies be so evil? It’s ridiculous.
This reaffirms my belief in only using BestBuy to buy DVDs for under $10. I rarely buy electronics from them, and for good reason. Their return policy sucks. I’d recommend going with a place like Newegg for good deals. And always check prices at multiple sites. If you do try to buy something from BestBuy, make sure to tell the employee to check the external site if they tell you that the deal you saw online doesn’t exist.
Wrote on March 3, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
wow
Wrote on March 4, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
[...] Jason Schramm reports that BestBuy has been deceiving customers by running two Internet sites to screw customers out of potential savings. [...]
Wrote on March 4, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
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Wrote on March 6, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Amazing. That is like the perfect scam. Once a person is already in your store, I think the odds of them just paying the full price anyway is probably pretty high.
Wrote on March 28, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
I would love to tell you of our experience my wife and I add with the Big Blue Box (Best Buy) in Green Bay Wisconsin. Trust me if I would have know of your Web site I would have heeded the warnings and advice of others that have had just horrible experience with Best Buy.
Well here goes:
My wife and I decided to take some of our Tax Return to buy us a new Washer, and Dryer. Well as usual we went to BB as we have done for in the last (9) years to buy all of our Big Price appliance items, as we have bought our (3) Desktop Computers, (2) Refrigerator, (1) Dishwasher, (2) TV’s (3) DVD Player’s, (2) VCR’s, (3) Surround Sound Systems…. etc…well you get the picture, close to $10,000.00 over those (9) years.
Things seem to go smoothly with the purchase of both of them till the arraigning of the FREE delivery that was with the package deal. But the sales person worked out the glitches an made the delivery on Wed’s the 14th of February in the late afternoon. I informed the sales person that we had some serious plans made, and could they arraign it before or after the 14th. “No” was the reply that it was the only day they could make the delivery. Well ok I said, “but let’s make sure it happens”. No problem was the reply; a they would call us the night before to confirm the time in the afternoon. “Great”, I said, let’s do it.
The night of the 13th we waited till around 9pm for their call. Nothing, no call. So I called the store a talked to the sale person that sold us the Washer/Dryer, and asked when they would be delivered. I waited on hold for over 20 minutes. Finally I called back and asked for the Manager on Duty. Waited other 10 minutes till he came on the line. I explained the situation to him; he stated he would check into this. After other 10 minutes he game back on the line. He stated that the Order for delivery was CANCELLED and that there was not going to be a delivery. Well my jaw dropped to the floor. “What the Hell was going on”, I asked, I know we didn’t cancel the order for delivery. I informed him of this and said this was not acceptable and that they would need to make the delivery as promised and that we would not be available for any other day. And why the Hell had this had happen. After waiting for other 15 minutes on the phone he finally came back on with “ it will be delivered tomorrow between 4pm an 6pm” OK I said great. As I was about to thank him he hung up, without an apology of any kind, or any explanation of what was going on? Well this should have clued me into Best Buy’s customer service policy of SCREW’EM AN LOSES’EM. Well as promise they did deliver the machines on time, but not with out some hassles there too.
Where comes the good part:
The following week my wife an I decided to buy a new laptop computer, and of course BB was having a Package Deal on a Toshiba laptop with Windows Vista installed and also with Mini mouse, and carrying case. This sounded great, and in our price arrange too. So we went into the Store and as usual we had to hunt down someone in the computer department to help us with the purchase. After finding a fresh Snot Nose Narcissistic Kid barely out of high school to help us, we decided to ask a few questions about the New Windows Vista system. We wanted to know if this laptop would be able to communicate with the other (3) computers we have in our home running Windows XP? And would it work with our Linksys Network Router System? And will we be able to share files, and to use our Lexmark Printer with this new Windows Vista, and our Network? “ Well of course it would…was his reply, with no problems. “ Well with that, and the blind trust I put in people we bought the laptop, and the extended service plan. And back home with our new toy.
Well we got it home and started to set it up, and everything was going as smooth as silk till we tried to set up the Network to share files/folders with the other computers, and the printer. Now I am not illiterate when it comes to computers, nor am I an expert, but I knew something was a miss, and something was not right. Well it was late and we decided to wait till the morning to finish the setup.
The following day was the Worst Frkin Nightmare I have had in 35 years (showing my age of 55) of dealing with any big business, and of course the worst day I ever had with Best Buy.
I kept trying to make the Laptop communicate with the Network, and my other (3) computers. I would keep getting a Microsoft Windows Error of “not finding a Network”. After spending an hour on their web site I could find nothing, so I called them. I spent over 45 minutes waiting; finally I spoke to someone about the problem (because I thought since it was a Windows Error the would be able to help) no such luck. They said I would need to contact Toshiba about this since this was an OEM (original equipment manufacture) problem, and not theirs. “Great” Called Toshiba, nothing, this were their service person informs me that the new Windows Vista program will not work with the network, router, a printer if my other (3) computers are running Windows XP. “HOLY COW POOP”. This was Frkin Peachy. Toshiba suggested to call Best Buy to see what they can do for me, buy asking someone there if they could help set up the network to communicate with the other computers. Sounded like sense. So I did.
So I called the Big Blue Box (BB) and spoke to same manager I had dealt with on the delivery problem. Wow that was the most stupid mistake I ever made. This manager was the biggest “DICK” I ever spoke to. I calmly explained the problem to him, an how I was led to believe that there would be no problem with this Laptop running Windows Vista to work with my computers, network, and printer. He told me point blank told me that his sales person would have “never would have told me such a thing”. God I was outraged, not only was He calling me a Lair but also it was quite clear that this worthless manager was not going to help me at all. I asked to speak to his Boss, (the store manager) SHE was not there. Then I asked how to get in contact with his District manager…. guess what…that’s right, he refused to give me that info also stating he did not know how, an even if he did he would not give me that info, because all customer concerns, and problems are handled at the store level, and that this problem did not warrant any further attention. What a worthless piece of human waste. I asked what was the name of his store manager, at first he was very hesent, and then he gave me her name.
Well for the next (4) days I spent calling the Best Buy customer service line, (what a gdamn joke this is), calling their Corp Office, calling their District office, trying to get someone to listen and care about my problem. Again No-one gave a Royal flying Rats Ass about what was going on. Only to inform me that all the customer relation problems needs are handle at the Store Level. “My God, don’t they understand that here in lies the problem the Store Management and the rotten little peckerhead that sold me the Laptop. “NO>>>HELL NO”. So after nearly going to the Hospital because on my Blood Pressure I decided to give it up. Knowing that Best Buy had SCREWED ME IN THE ASS AN NEVER USED ANY TYPE OF LUB TO EASE THE PAIN. Then out of the Blue the lousy Store Manager called an gave me the lamest apology I ever heard but still would not help me with my problem only offering to send out the GEEK Squad to make my Laptop work with my other computers, an network. But of course this would cost me other $200.00 for their service. God what kind of sick joke these folks live under, what kind of CON-Game they are playing on the costumer, what kind of people believe they would have me come back an waste my money in their store after this kind of Bull Sh___t.
God I pray, and beg anyone reading this not to buy your need’s at Best Buy, they will Lie, Cheat, an screw you up the behind so hard, that you will see stars. If any one reading this and still believes they will get good service from BB, all you will get is a Stroke.
BEST BUY GO TO HELL YOU ROTTEN MOTHERF___KERS.
Wrote on May 31, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
I got a bestbuy story to beat them all. Ok so here is the story, I went to purchase a camera online with there store and pick it up at one of there local stores. For the sake of this story let’s call this store A that is 25 miles 1 way from me. While trying to purchase the said camera online the gift card I was to get with the camera didn’t get added to the purchase so I never completed it but called the 1 800 bestbuy number to get there help. Well after 2 hours of being on the phone with the 1800 number they get my order to go through but state they will have to ship be my $30.00 gift card they came with the camera because I could not pick it up at the store with the camera. The girl asked me for my credit card # and I asked her why she needed it because I would have to give my credit card to the store when I picked up my item. Well she stated she needed my credit card number to put a hold on the item I was purchasing. Well being stupid I said ok and gave it to her. I got a couple emails from bestbuy telling me my order was made after the local stores hours and I would get another email after the store opened in the morning, no big deal and I went to bed. In the morning I got up printed the emails and went to local store A. I wall in stated I purchased this camera online and would like to pick it up. They take my copy of my email and said oh there has been a mistake your order was put through to have you pick up your camera at store B which is another 25 miles away. I said I was not willing to go to the other store so they could either help me or I would just cancel my order. Store A said ok we can do that for you. They put it through there computer and then asked for my credit card again. I was like wait a min the girl last night all ready charged me for this camera on my credit card store a told me no they didn’t they put a “HOLD” on my credit card but didn’t charge me so I said ok and gave them my credit card. This wall all done on a Sunday by the way. So Monday night I am looking at my online banking account and I was over drawn, yep you guessed it they charged my credit card twice. The girl from the 1 800 didn’t place a hold she charged my credit card. I call the 1 800 number and am told there is nothing they can do I can either go to Store B which is over 50 miles away or wait for someone from there credit department to call me I asked how long it would take for someone from the credit department to call me and was told less then 4 hours. I wait the 4 hours no one ever calls, so I call them back and was told oh you have to go to store B and get this fixed with them. So I drive to Store B and talk with customer help and they state your credit card has not been charged but we can cancel this order for you. I was like why couldn’t the 1 800 people do this she stated I don’t know. Then out of the blue she asked me if I still wanted the camera after I had already explained that I bought the camera 2 days ago from Store A. So she cancels the order calls the 1 800 people and they stat my credit card was never charged twice. I say that it’s wrong it was. The girl from the store states there is nothing more I can do you need to call the 1 800 people. I ask to speak to the store manager and end up speaking with the stores general manager, who says I am really sorry but there is nothing I can do about you being overdrawn. Driving 50 miles that didn’t need to be driven at 3.65 per gallon of gas with a truck that gets 11 miles to the gallon. So I went home called the 1 800 number they again tell me my credit card was never charged. I look at there website find the corporate phone number and speak to a Sara at 612 292 0100 who lessons to my story puts me on hold comes back in 5 mins and tells me I am wrong they her people tell me my credit card was never charged. So I call my bank they tell me again that my credit card was charged I ask if they can stay on the phone with me and call Sara from bestbuy and they do Sara tells the bank rep she doesn’t know what she is talking about and then Sara puts us both on hold and get someone who says he is an expert on online banking. And that there is an open authorization on my credit card but I was only charged once. So my bank tells them that’s funny we show we paid you twice and that it’s gone through some type of batch process. Well after these expert talks with my bank rep for 10 mins they decide that I should dispute the payment to get it back. Why would I need to dispute payment if they never really charged me? So I drive 25 miles to the nearest branch office. I know I know why don’t I live closer. Well I live out in the county, because I like it. So I called Sara back trying to see if bestbuy would make it right by me she won’t take my call but someone states she will call me back before the end of the day. Well the end of the day has come and gone Sara never called and Bestbuy still hasn’t credited my for charging me twice. Sorry if someone of my writing includes miss spelling and run on sentence but I am so mad it’s hard for me to think straight. I have never been called a liar and told I don’t know what I am talking about and double talked to so much in my life before. I will never buy from bestbuy again. When I go back in to town in the next couple days I am going to return the camera I purchased. I also talked to my bank again today and they said bestbuy has expected payment from both purchases. And they no have my money but the dispute is going through but could take up to 30 days. My checking account is overdrawn bestbuy says it’s my problem and will no longer return any of my calls.
Wrote on July 31, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
Dave,
I feel for you and your wife..believe me..Best Buy is a company of cheats, and liars. I wouldn’t even buy an empty box from them in the future. As far as customer service? They have no idea about what customer service is and really don’t want to know. They just want your bucks anyway they can get them..and that my friends is the attitude from the top down.
Wrote on November 12, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
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Wrote on September 9, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
wow i have been working at best buy since april of this year and no there is no such thing as a internal website, but there is such thing as customers lying about sales they see @ other store or even on our website to get hundreds of $$$ off it makes me sick. we do get a lot of pissed off customers though, but thats only because they think we are a flea market and can talk us down !! Im a very honest person and i wouldn’t work @ best buy knowing that we are cheating and lying to people. i try and do as much as i can to help the customer to the best of my ability. I dont know which best buy you are dealing with but that doesnt go down at ours.
Wrote on December 3, 2009 @ 2:13 am
Best Buy has hit a new low – call them “It’s Best Buyer Beware”. I purchased a 32″ Toshiba LCD TV last week. I too have purchased thousands of merchandise over the years from BB. I showed the salesman an ad from a competitor and instead of price matching he called the store and pretended to be me and made up a story to get a price quote (dah – of course it was the price in the ad). It took forever to get the purchase made and the sales rep picked out a tv and put it in the car. I got it home and my son and I took it out of the box and noticed two large cracks in the screen. I called the store and they said return it for a replacement. After driving 20 minutes to the store and 45 minutes later I had gone to the top of the store management and all four people refused to replace the tv or refund my money. They said it was Toshiba’s problem and told me to call them. I returned home and of course they were closed. I called the next day and was told that Best Buy was trying to pull one over on me and I should insist on them replacing it. BB had damaged it in the distribution process (as it would never be shipped damaged). I returned to Best Buy and again went through four employees to the top store manager. I told them what Toshiba said and they simply said “too bad so sad – no money for you”. Fortunately I paid with my American Express and they will sort it out with them. I will never shop at Best Buy again – so everyone else should realize you ‘It’s Best that Buyers Beware’ season!
Wrote on December 20, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
[...] BestBuy Screws Consumer with Second Website, Denies Deals Exist – Longtime customers with a detailed story on how Best Buy misled the Wisconsin couple about Vista compatibilities, delivery dates, and more. [...]