Beware Best Buy!

[OatisCampbell]

Something appears to be going on there, and it's not good.
I ordered an item on 12/7 for home delivery, a Christmas gift. Today I received an email stating it would not be available until January 6th, and that I could cancel online.
I tried to cancel online twice, got a message "Unable to process" and said I should call.
I called, waited half an hour, the person I talked to said she tried to cancel my order three times, and that she could not. She said she would get me to someone else "immediately".
Fifteen minutes later, I got another person who said she could not process my cancellation because the order was ready for pickup, 138 miles away..
I started laughing and said, "No. I already ordered from another vendor based on your company's email stating my Christmas gift was coming two weeks after Christmas. Beyond that, my order was for home delivery, not pick up 138 miles away."
Her response was "I'm sorry sir but your order is ready for pickup at Melrose Park. The order can not be cancelled now.".
I won't repeat what I said at that point, but I'm am going to help my fellow forum members by telling them this true story of what is going on at Best Buy now. Buyer beware.

 

[Genx87]

Didnt BB have a major holiday screw up a couple years ago?

 

[gorcorps]

Charge back the CC

 

[purbeast0]

so you can't "return" it and just not pick it up? that makes no sense at all. i'd just do a chargeback.

 

[RossMAN]

Also beware Walmart.

 

[compuwiz1]

Call your credit card company. I hope you used one and not a direct bank debit.

 

[Imp]

...What?

In the past, they never charged my CC until I went to pick the thing up in store and swiped my card. Maybe they do it differently in the US of A. On the other hand, if it never leaves the store, explain the situation and get the charge reversed?

 

[Elixer]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-top...at204400050014

Just call the store then...

Changing or canceling Store Pickup

To change or cancel a Store Pickup order, call us at 1-888 BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289).

To switch from Shipping to Store Pickup, call within one hour of placing your order.
To switch from Store Pickup to Shipping, call any time.
If you're calling to cancel a Store Pickup order, please have your credit card information handy.


We'll hold your items at the store for 8 days. If you don't pick up your items by then, we'll cancel the order and refund your method of payment.

 

[OatisCampbell]

Unfortunately I paid the $250 cash out of my PayPal account, would have never expected problems like this with a nationwide retailer. I don't know if the money is gone, but it's locked "Pending".

The first rep told me, "Keep trying to cancel online, I heard about one customer it worked after four tries!". (I've tried 5X now over two days)

The second told me she would call the store 138 miles away and cancel my pickup, refund me, and call back immediately, but that was yesterday.

On my email from Best Buy telling me delivery was delayed it clearly states the item was ordered to be delivered to my home.

I think the second rep just switched the order to pickup at the nearest store to me (138 miles away) as a tactic to avoid cancelling the order. My guess is they are directed to do so by Best Buy.

 

[brainhulk]

Lol 138 mile pick up

 

[nickbits]

Most places orders automatically get cancelled if you don't pick them up after a certain amount of time. Did you get as pickup ready email?

 

[CPA]

Not exactly the same, but I tried cancelling online an order from Amazon less than five minutes after I made it. Couldn't do it. Tried several times and the cancellation wouldn't go through. Received 2 of the 3 products yesterday. It's okay as I was just going to order from another place that I could get the items a few bucks cheaper. Point of the story is either several companies are having issues with cancelling or Amazon's distribution system is so quick that you don't have any time to cancel an order.

 

[OatisCampbell]

Not exactly the same, but I tried cancelling online an order from Amazon less than five minutes after I made it. Couldn't do it. Tried several times and the cancellation wouldn't go through. Received 2 of the 3 products yesterday. It's okay as I was just going to order from another place that I could get the items a few bucks cheaper. Point of the story is either several companies are having issues with cancelling or Amazon's distribution system is so quick that you don't have any time to cancel an order.

When I started this process yesterday, my order status was at the first stage, "Order Placed".

One of the reps told me "We may still be able to cancel it".

I started laughing and said, "I think we have time as your company told me they won't deliver until January 6th. That is a month from now.".

 

[OatisCampbell]

Most places orders automatically get cancelled if you don't pick them up after a certain amount of time. Did you get as pickup ready email?

No. It was never scheduled for pick up at the store 138 miles away, and still says scheduled for delivery to my home on their website.

 

[highland145]

Paypal dispute.

And don't do that again. Put it on a CC.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

So, drive to the store. Buy it and immediately return it? Or call that store and ask to talk to the manager. That's what people would have done pre internet.

 

[ViRGE]

Didnt BB have a major holiday screw up a couple years ago?

Yes, and this year looks to be just as bad. BB's logistics game is a mess this year.

 

[OatisCampbell]

Yes, and this year looks to be just as bad. BB's logistics game is a mess this year.

I think they might be low on cash or credit, taking in orders they can't fill then refusing to cancel so they can use the money a while.

Then they do the same to some other people and use their money to pay me.

Kind of a latter day Ponzi scheme?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Retailers and shipping companies are super busy this time of year. It's safe to assume that anything you order this month probably wont make it by Christmas.

Stuff that I ordered around Black Friday is finally starting to get shipped from the retailers. One package that got shipped earlier finally made it here, but damn Purolator guy just left a note and drove off, I was home! I saw the truck, and should have waited but figured they'd knock and they just left a note and left. Bastards! Now I have to run around and try to get my package. I'll go around 4:30 and hope the truck comes in by then.

 

[DaveSimmons]

What did PayPal say when you contacted them?

 

[Jimzz]

Not exactly the same, but I tried cancelling online an order from Amazon less than five minutes after I made it. Couldn't do it. Tried several times and the cancellation wouldn't go through. Received 2 of the 3 products yesterday. It's okay as I was just going to order from another place that I could get the items a few bucks cheaper. Point of the story is either several companies are having issues with cancelling or Amazon's distribution system is so quick that you don't have any time to cancel an order.

That's why I like the no rush shipping option. I get a Buck for video/music and gives me a chance to cancel if I find it cheaper or if the price drops at amazon.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

So, drive to the store. Buy it and immediately return it? Or call that store and ask to talk to the manager. That's what people would have done pre internet.

138 miles?

 

[Regs]

I think they might be low on cash or credit, taking in orders they can't fill then refusing to cancel so they can use the money a while.

Then they do the same to some other people and use their money to pay me.

Kind of a latter day Ponzi scheme?

Doesn't quite work like that when items are ordered on account and not with cash. There's always that doubtful allowance.

Accounting peeps unite.

 

[Blanky]

Not exactly the same, but I tried cancelling online an order from Amazon less than five minutes after I made it. Couldn't do it. Tried several times and the cancellation wouldn't go through. Received 2 of the 3 products yesterday. It's okay as I was just going to order from another place that I could get the items a few bucks cheaper. Point of the story is either several companies are having issues with cancelling or Amazon's distribution system is so quick that you don't have any time to cancel an order.

Mainly the latter. Canceling an amazon order is difficult if you have prime. They don't even allow the option to cancel an order just to *try* and cancel an order.

Op let this be a lesson with paypal although I agree mainly with you it is a major retailer and this should never have happened.

Bb website is a bit of a mess this year. On bf I saw things it would claim were in stock and add to cart and immediately no stock. So I load it up again with an incognito session and the same thing happens.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Amazon (direct, no 3rd party BS), or bust.

Best Buy is OK,.. but, they wore off their appeal very quickly. They went from a shiny new retailer to a trashed out warzone with barely competitive pricing.

Also, 138 miles,.. that's 3 hours (one way) - something like NYC to Philly; not even for a booty call.