Beware Best Buy!

[xgsound]

Someone once asked what to do with a Best Buy gift card. My first thought was to give it to an enemy.

Jim

 

[Scarpozzi]

I wouldn't expect that from a major retailer this time of year, but then again the logistics of this orders being filled has to be a nightmare.

 

[OatisCampbell]

I wouldn't expect that from a major retailer this time of year, but then again the logistics of this orders being filled has to be a nightmare.

The thing that amazes me about this is their refusal to cancel the order.

They know they didn't meet the terms of our deal, and yet refuse to refund.

The attempt to make me drive 138 miles to pick up is shockingly bad customer service.

PayPal is investigating, they have 7 days to reply. I notice they have changed the status on the order to "being prepared for fulfillment" even though they can't ship for 27 days.

 

[OatisCampbell]

Just talked to two more Best Buy reps who said there is nothing they can do to cancel the order. One told me she would not like what is happening to me either.

And now I've talked to a third, who wants me to speak to a fourth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k36JSh8SmHU

 

[rh71]

I thought you are only charged if you go pick it up and it will be cancelled if you do not pick up with 7 days. That's the email I received after my online order was ready at the store, but I was able to call the store and cancel it.

 

[OatisCampbell]

I thought you are only charged if you go pick it up and it will be cancelled if you do not pick up with 7 days. That's the email I received after my online order was ready at the store, but I was able to call the store and cancel it.

The last "supervisor" I spoke with, the 7th person, admitted that my order was indeed never available for pickup anywhere and apologized for me be given that misinformation.

She also said she "cannot cancel the order, but will email me a return shipping label so that when it does arrive, I can ship it back as an RMA and they will refund me when processed.

I would say at this point:

"If all sounds good to you and you would like to be in my position, shop at Best Buy online."

Bear in mind that I tried to cancel the order they told me would be shipped January 6 within 30 minutes of them texting me and emailing the order was delayed until January. (and that it has not shipped yet)

Still in their possession, with my cash, and SEVEN customer service reps at supposedly three levels of responsibility can't just say "OK. We're sorry and we'll refund your money, and hold shipment.".

If it isn't illegal it should be.

 

[corwin]

I took a chance and ordered from them for the first time in years two weeks ago, they had Nabi tablets for my kids $50 cheaper than anywhere else including Amazon...took them a week to ship but I got them yesterday...everybody has issues this time of year

 

[OatisCampbell]

I took a chance and ordered from them for the first time in years two weeks ago, they had Nabi tablets for my kids $50 cheaper than anywhere else including Amazon...took them a week to ship but I got them yesterday...everybody has issues this time of year

The issue isn't "Oops we oversold" or "Oops, we shipped it to the wrong place.".

That kind of stuff is just life as you say.

The issue here is seven Best Buy staff members kept my money when they could not provide the merchandise in a timely fashion.

That is a MUCH bigger deal. If you order something from them and they tell you, "We'll send it to you in a month and then you can return it, but we're keeping your money in the interim." this is OK with you?

 

[lord_emperor]

Stores get busy and mistakes are made around the holidays.

 

[OatisCampbell]

Stores get busy and mistakes are made around the holidays.

A. It's not a mistake for seven staff people at various levels to say "We're keeping your money until we feel like shipping, then you can RMA.". It's a policy.

B. Could be due to this:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/27/how-best-buy-will-fail/4939521/

Indeed, while it isn't as widely known, most big-box retailers work on a consignment-type basis with suppliers. That is, they're not obligated to pay for merchandise until it either sells or some other predetermined deadline expires.

So they collect money (like mine) use it to pay for other inventory their credit has elapsed on, buy the stuff I was trying to buy on credit, use some other shmuck's money to pay for that, lather, rinse, repeat.

I wondering if this sort of thing is by design, they just shaft "X %" for cash flow.

 

[MongGrel]

I haven't used PP in a long time myself I guess, so have no opinion there, other then I disliked a few things a few years back and stopped using it I guess.

About anything I do these days is on a CC, over The Egg or Amazon myself.

Haven't tried Prime out.

 

[OatisCampbell]

They ended up refunding my money on 12/15/2014, because PayPal took up my cause.

So they don't care about shafting the customer, they are only worried about being blacklisted by a vehicle of payments.

 

[Elixer]

So, the lesson is, never use paypal, and always a credit card.

 

[Bob the Coder]

Welcome to Bestbuyeveryyearatchristmas

Shit's been happening since the beginning of dirt.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

So, the lesson is, never use paypal, and always a credit card.

Not really. If he had used a credit card it would have taken longer for the dispute to be settled. The fact that paypal had it settled so quickly bodes well.

 

[SKORPI0]

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.

Read the OP, store is 138 miles away. 25 miles for me.

 

[PokerGuy]

Paypal dispute.

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

This. I don't know why anyone uses paypal or apple pay or any other intermediaries. It's a bad idea. Use a good credit card, and when a merchant (regardless of which one) pulls crap like this, you call them up and do a chargeback. A good CC company will back you up and resolve the problem.

Pick up an item 138 miles away? Screw that, I'd also be contacting the BBB and the state's AG, you might get something to compensate you for your time dealing with the mess.

 

[Eymar]

They ended up refunding my money on 12/15/2014, because PayPal took up my cause.

Sure it's not due to Best Buy automatically canceling pickup orders after 8 days if not picked up? That's been my experience if I don't cancel online, also listed on website: "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." Really bad of customer rep not to be able to cancel the order by phone (i'm guessing the store holding item could have done it) or at least mention payment will be refunded in 8 days.