Best Buy's Bait and Switch

[crokett]

I haven't shopped there ever since my 'dryer incident' but I do remember running into this a couple times.

The switcheroo.

[Ed62]

My beef is with Circuit City. I had thought seriously about buying a digital camera, about 2 years ago. They have a deal where you can sign up for e-mails, listing special deals. I signed up for it, but didn't receive the e-mail. Then I found out about a deal they were offering on a Panasonic FZ20, where you got a $50.00 mail in rebate. I contacted Circuit City.com, explaining that I did not receive the e-mail that offered the rebate. They gave me a link to the rebate form, online. This was enough to entice me to buy the camera. Long story, short, they would not honor the rebate. They have not received any of my business since, and they will not receive it in the future. Pretty poor PR for what they considered a savings of $50.00. It cost them a h*ll of a lot more than that in lost business from me.

Ed

[LinuxRandal]

A lot of these chains have problems. Most self induced of course.

I didn't have time to mess with fixing someone's computer, they took it into BB. The "techs" (pre geek squad), listed the printer (IMPORTANT, a CANON) as having a bad print cartridge. He bought a replacement (that they had directed him to), and problem still happened. On a Cannon (or at least older ones), the print cartridge was seperate from the print heads (different purchases). They couldn't figure out how to fill out the form to give the customer, so they just listed it as print cartridge.
Seen the story before, and hope they get nailed, but they are also getting sued about the Geek Squad. (hired tech filming customers daughter showering).
Prices are gonna go up most likely (we as customers always pay for it), as I doubt they own up to it and change their ways.

[mschrank]

Just one more reason to despise the BIG BOX chains.

[Anna]

Sears sucks, too

Right now I'm at war with Sears.

I bought a nice stainless steel dishwasher three months ago with a promise of a $60 rebate. Submitted the application in early March, then got a form letter a month later saying that the application is rejected. No specific reason why, just a list with probably reasons ("could be one of the following"). I called Sears, got a guy who checked my file and said there shouldn't be a reason to reject my rebate and that I should expect a check in 15 days.

A month later, I called again. This time, they claim they never received my receipt! I talked to the local store and they promised to see what they can do for me and call me back. Haven't heard from them since.

I'm filing a complaint with the FTC and the Attorney General's office, cancelled my Sears account, and will never shop at Sears again. This happened to the rebate I was supposed to receive from purchasing a freezer a couple years ago, and I never got that one either, which suggests a pattern to me.

So that's it. I'm done with Sears. For a measly $60, they're losing out on selling me the new range and fridge we're planning to buy in the next year, and God knows how many tools and widgets I was going to impulse buy anyway.

[crokett]

Anna,

Send a note to the Sears manager (and his manager) explaining why. Here is my brief Best Buy story:

Bought a washer/dryer from them. Had it delivered to folks house cause I would be at work. Picked it up from there and brought it home. I opened the box to the dryer, different brand name than what I'd paid for. Called the store, had to escalate up to a manager. First he didn't want to do anything - told me I'd accepted delivery. Next he said for the store to come out and pick up/drop off a new dryer would be 3-4 weeks due to other deliveries and stuff being on backorder. Plus he was going to charge me for the delivery and pickup (again). I told him I was bringing the dryer back that weekend and expected he would have the correct dryer ready for me and that I wanted my delivery charge refunded since I had to pick up my dryer. He said he couldn't. I said he would or I was going to file a police report for attempted fraud. When I got there that weekend the correct dryer was waiting. Different customer name on it so I guess somebody else had to wait for a dryer.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

As far as Sears goes you need the super secret pissed off customer phone number. They store will give you an 800 number that opens a case file with folks that get things done. I can't find the number at the moment.

The big box stores are fighting a war to make a profit. We are trying to get the best deal possible. Therein lies the conflict. Due to the computer age we know cost on everything. We scour fatwallet, slickdeal, BT3 Bargain Alerts (LOL), etc looking for ultra low cost, thin margin deals. I am not saying the things the big box stores do is right or wrong. Failing to pay a rebate as due when paperwork is complete is wrong. Limited supplies, ORDER CANCELLATIONS FROM AMAZON, and other things that get us riled up is just them trying to protect the bottom line.
In general I wouldn't want my own business if I was a retailer. Granted I buy mostly high end stuff, but I wait for clearance, open box, killer rebates, etc. I am not a high profit margin person.

[Thalermade]

Oddly enough, Best Buy is on my good list - at the moment. But now Staples......... - I was going to buy an external hard drive advertised in a Sunday ad. Went to the store and the ad was incorrect, listed it as firewire and it wasn't. When I asked if they would deal on another similar unit with firewire, theys said sorry, it was a misprint, nothing we can or will do for you.
Went to Bestbuy, found the item and told them I would pay sale price for it. they salesman looked up the sale price and went and got authorization to sell it to me.
25 days (of 30 day limit) later, the unit goes on sale for $30 less!! I take my receipt in and with no hassle I have $30 plus tax deducted.

It is just a merry-go-round of who gives the best service. Usually comes down to the people, not the chain store.

Sometimes I feel sorry for the big boxes, as consumers go and touch products there, then find a cheap price on the internet.

Have a safe holiday weekend everyone.

Russ

[DLyon]

I never buy an item because of the promised rebate. It's a great marketing tool for sellers, they can increase sales and then deny the rebate for a variety of reasons. After missing out on a couple of rebates, I've lived by this rule and am much happier.

[DUD]

I was having the same kind of trouble at Office Max, it turns out They were sending them in an envelope that looked like another come on. But it didn't say Office Max on it, so I had been throwing them away. My Brother's secretary straightened Me out. Bill

[sparkeyjames]

Years ago Best Buy had the best deals on most everything. Then corporate greed became the in thing. Best Buy went along for the ride. Now days unless there is a sale on an item that no one else can touch (not hardly) I will not shop at the manufacturers suggested retail price store that is Best Buy.
I shop and wholeheartedly give my business to a local though large appliance chain here in Mich. called ABCWarehouse. Gotten great deals from them and go back time and again. I even ask for the same salesman. Great guy.


Best Buy sucks.

Sparkeyjames