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Issue with Best Buy

T

TechnoPro

Golden Member
A year ago, I was working for a lunatic woman whose PC was in need of replacement.

My normal recomendation is a Dell, but she was too impatient to wait for a Dell, and didn't think they were good enough... Her dying PC was an HP, so that was out of the question too. She settled on a Sony Vaio she saw in a Best Buy flyer. Not my pick, but it's what she wanted.

I went to one of the local BB's, saw the model she wanted, and told a sales guy I wanted to buy it.

At one point during the sale, the guy hands me a form to fill out, asking me for my name, address, phone number, etc. I was like "I'm not filling this out." He presses the issue, and I tell him he'll lose the sale if he continues. So he grabs a manager to come talk to me.

The manager kept insisting how it was neccesary to fill it out and he promised me I would not recieve any calls from them. It is useful if I need to return the PC and can't find the reciept. All BS to me.

I finally caved and filled it out with bogus information. I caved for 2 reasons: I had already been to my normal BB and they were out of stock. That, and I needed to get that psycho lady client off my back so I could not afford to shop around for that same Sony at that advertised price.

Is this a standard practice nowadays? Is it legal to insist that I provide information? Has anyone else had to deal with that nonsense?

Cliff notes:

Does Best Buy have any authrority to insist that a customer gives personal info when they buy a PC and no warranty is purchased?
 
they cant force you to fill anything out unless it is against company policy to sell anyone a PC without having that particular form, which i highly doubt
 
Next time just tell them to fvck off and just take the box to the cash register yourself.

:beer:😀
 
Almost sounds like they need it to redeem manufacturer incentives, similar to a car dealer keeping a rebate.
 
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

Ok, I know dells suck, but I help spec out computers for two fairly large orginizations (we're talking 1000+ and 10000+ computers here) and while Dell is bad, the other companies are worse. While Dell does have a slightly higher failure rate then IBM, their service is top notch. I can get replacements sent next day without hassles. I know that most other companies do this too - but the two other companies who I trust more (MPC & IBM) are significantly more expensive. For an individual though, well, if you have to buy it in a store and don't want to shell out big bucks do you really have any other choice? Most Viao's are pieces of crap for their price, and Alienware doesn't have anything in the cheap range.

Oh, and don't get me started on Gateway. Their unofficial policy seems to be 'you paid - your problem.' Guess they don't understand the concept of repeat customers :frown:

-Chu
 
Sure, I won't knock Dell's service system. If you've got a problem, they'll fix it....but the problem is they NEED that good a system, because the computer is pretty much gonna die, its just a matter of time.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

Failure rate for computers in general is higher in college dorms than in most other environments. Ever think of that? Are you that stupid to think that your stint at college gives you accurate insight into failure rates among PC vendors?

I'm glad that you are on such a high moral ground to judge people as morons and assholes for wanting to maintain their right to privacy. When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
 
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

Failure rate for computers in general is higher in college dorms than in most other environments. Ever think of that? Are you that stupid to think that your stint at college gives you accurate insight into failure rates among PC vendors?

I'm glad that you are on such a high moral ground to judge people as morons and assholes for wanting to maintain their right to privacy. When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
Click to expand...

harsh!
 
Originally posted by: jinduy
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

Failure rate for computers in general is higher in college dorms than in most other environments. Ever think of that? Are you that stupid to think that your stint at college gives you accurate insight into failure rates among PC vendors?

I'm glad that you are on such a high moral ground to judge people as morons and assholes for wanting to maintain their right to privacy. When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
Click to expand...

harsh!
Click to expand...

But not unnecessarily harsh 🙂
 
The dell failures you speak of , are they hardware or software based? I know in my college dorms people computers fail left and right because they dont have proper firewall/antivirus/antispyware programs running and it bogs down their system. ANd since most people use dells it seems like dells have a higher failure rate. anyways, just my 2 cents
 
Originally posted by: Mo0o
The dell failures you speak of , are they hardware or software based? I know in my college dorms people computers fail left and right because they dont have proper firewall/antivirus/antispyware programs running and it bogs down their system. ANd since most people use dells it seems like dells have a higher failure rate. anyways, just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Agreed. Look first at the users and the environment. I've had a Dell in this house for going on...hmm...7 years I think (pentium 200mmx), and the damn thing's never even needed a format. It hasn't ever needed any replacement parts, and I don't remember ever having to call Dell's tech support line, either.

Also, regardless of what the information is used for, the store must remember that the customer always comes first. If the customer doesn't want to provide information, then the store shouldn't press the issue...especially if, as you say, the information is only kept for "the customer's own benefit." Besides, if store employees talk about me under their breath, I could care less. They're the ones taking the time of out their lives to become upset about my affairs, not vice-versa.
 
My dell is still running strong both in and out of the dorm 🙂

Bought it 1.5 years back and it never had a reformat or anything.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

so...you call the cusotmers morons for not trusting sales people?
you are right, sir...usually people in sales have a good reputation for being trustworthy.
(one of the reasons i dont want them to have my information is becuase i dont know what bitter, dell-agnsty workers might do with it)

but seriously, other than dell, what would be your suggestions for a casual user who cant build their own system?
 
I've owned my Dell Laptop for over 4 years now and only problem I've had was a hard drive failure which was probably my fault. I've even dropped the laptop and nothing happened to it.
 
Originally posted by: PatboyX
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

so...you call the cusotmers morons for not trusting sales people?
you are right, sir...usually people in sales have a good reputation for being trustworthy.
(one of the reasons i dont want them to have my information is becuase i dont know what bitter, dell-agnsty workers might do with it)

but seriously, other than dell, what would be your suggestions for a casual user who cant build their own system?
Click to expand...

There is something to be said about your local mom & pop shop, but unfornately you really need reccomendations on this because your average tech is just as bad as your average mechanic these days 🙁
 
The problem with dell's are the users. People who want the "BEST" support buy a dell, thus you have a bunch of freaking idiots with dells. Therefore, there are many more problems due to the user not being knowledgable enough to fix it him/herself.
 
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
Click to expand...

What job would that be? Floor mopper at a peep show?

😀
 
TechnoPro, if you didn't expect any dissidents to your opinion, why start an open discussion? As to your cliff notes version, like I said earlier, no, you don't have to and no they can't MAKE you, but you have no reason not to.

Originally posted by: PatboyX
Originally posted by: Deeko
I work at Circuit City...if a customer refuses to give information, I call them a moron under my breath, and put in their name with the store's address. It REALLY is just to store the sales information in the computer, it is 100% for the customer's benifit. We won't call you, we won't mail you anything. People have a bad habit of losing their receipts...and our receipts are thermal, so even if you keep it, it will probably fade after a year. There really is no reason NOT to give your information, other than you want to be an asshole.

Oh, and good call on that Dell recommendation....after living in college dorms and seeing lots and lots of my friend's computers, Dells have BY FAR the highest rate of problems.
Click to expand...

so...you call the cusotmers morons for not trusting sales people?
you are right, sir...usually people in sales have a good reputation for being trustworthy.
(one of the reasons i dont want them to have my information is becuase i dont know what bitter, dell-agnsty workers might do with it)

but seriously, other than dell, what would be your suggestions for a casual user who cant build their own system?
Click to expand...

The salesperson is gonna go back in and get your information after the sale? And do what with it, exactly? If you want to be wary of a salesman selling you something you don't need out of drive for commission, you are justified, but what exactly do you expect the average worker at a major retail outlet to do with your address?

What company would I recommend over Dell? Hell, anything but Dell or Gateway.

mo0o, hardware. Screens on laptops dying(laptops that don't even leave the room), hard drive failures, power supply failures...I've seen them all.
 
Hehe, finally got tired of reformatting my father in laws PC & reinstalling his OS after he got hit with a zillion viruses/spyware/AOL & cut him off. I've given him 3 fresh computers this year & reformatted each of them X2.

Now he's Dell's problem & they'll earn their money over him.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
Click to expand...

What job would that be? Floor mopper at a peep show?

😀
Click to expand...

hehehe now that is harsh, but FUNNY!!! :beer:


A year ago, I was working for a lunatic woman whose PC was in need of replacement.
Click to expand...

So if this happend a year ago, why are you just now posting it??? 😕
 
Originally posted by: Citrix
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
When you grow up and graduate beyond Circuit City, let me know how far that attitude carries you.
Click to expand...

What job would that be? Floor mopper at a peep show?

😀
Click to expand...

hehehe now that is harsh, but FUNNY!!! :beer:


A year ago, I was working for a lunatic woman whose PC was in need of replacement.
Click to expand...

So if this happend a year ago, why are you just now posting it??? 😕
Click to expand...

I was browsing through the Hot Deals section and stumbled upon this thread. It got me thinking if I had any gripes with Best Buy, and that random incident from a year ago was the only thing that came to mind.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
TechnoPro, if you didn't expect any dissidents to your opinion, why start an open discussion? As to your cliff notes version, like I said earlier, no, you don't have to and no they can't MAKE you, but you have no reason not to.
Click to expand...

I welcome dissenting opinions, always. Yours included.
 
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