best buy customer alert.

[RickyRaw]

unknown said "Check out what happened to my pops at Best Buy..."

Best Buy has some bad policies....

If you purchase something from, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, JC Penny, Sears etc., and you return the item with the receipt, they will give you your money back if you paid cash, or credit your account if paid by plastic.

Well, I purchased a GPS for my car, a TomTom XL.S from 'Best Buy'. They have a policy that it must be returned within 14 days for a refund! So After 4 days I returned it in the original box with all the items in the box, with paper work and cords all wrapped in the plastic.
Just as I received it, including the receipt. I explained to the lady at
the return desk I did like the way it could not find store names. The lady at the refund desk said, there is a 15% restock fee for all items returned.
I said no one told me that. I said how much would that be. She said it goes by the price of the item. It Will be $45.00 Dollars for you. I said, all
you're going to do is walk over and place it back on the shelf! Then charge me $45.00 of my money for restocking!! She said that's the store policy. I said if more people Were aware of it they would not buy anything here! If I bought a $2000.00 computer or TV and returned it I would be charged $300.00 Dollars restock fee!! She said yes, 15%.
I said OK, just give me my money minus the restock fee.
She said, since the item is over 200 .00 dollars, sh e can't give me my money back!!! Corporate has to and they will mail you a check in 7 to 10 days!!

I said 'WHAT!' It's my money!! I paid in cash! I want to buy a Different brand..Now I have to wait 7 to 10 days. She said well, our policy is on the back of your receipt. I said, do you read the front or back of your receipt? She said well, the front! I said so do I, I want to talk to the Manager! So the manager comes over, I explained everything to him, and he said, 'Well, sir they should of told you about the policy when you bought the Item'.?I said, 'No one has ever told me about the check refund or restock fee whenever I had bought items from computers to TVs from Best Buy. The only thing they ever discussed was the worthless extended Warranty program. He said, 'Well, I can give yo u the corporate phone Number.'?I called corporate. T he guy said, 'Well, I'm not supposed to do this but I can give you a 45.00 dollar gift card and you can use it at Best Buy.'

I told him if I bought something and returned it, you would charge me a
restock fee on the item and then send me a check for the remaining $38.25.?You can keep your gift card, I'm never shopping in Best Buy ever again, and if I had been smart, I would have charged the whole thing on my credit card! Then I could have canceled the transaction. I would have gotten all my money back including your stupid Fees!

He didn't say a word! I informed him that I was going to e-mail all my friends and give them a heads up on this stores policy, as they don't tell you about all their little caveats. So please pass this on. It may save your friends from having a bad Experience when shopping at Best Buy.


If you go to GOOGLE AND TYPE IN 'Best Buy 15% restock fee on returned purchases' you'll get oodles of dissatisfied customers who paid the 15% and some threatened with a 25% restock fee.?Others told to leave the store with no recourse actions taken to satisfy the customer.


Consider this a consumer alert[/quote]

[tripeboi]

Bull shit!

[*TrIPsTar*]

That's fucking horse shit. I seem to remember being in the same type of situation a couple years ago.

Gotta love the corporate hate machine.

[kevinb70]

they are not only ones with restock fee.

read the words on the wall in front of the store. easy to see when you're checking out. the workers there are more flexible than they made it seem to you, if you act like an ass you will not always get your way (sometimes you will tho, just to get you out of the store). these people deal with angry people all day so all it takes is someone acting nice to get their way. just speaking from experience as being one of the black shirts years and years ago.

as for most of the items you speak of, they cannot be sold as new again if they are opened, they have to be checked out for all missing parts, then sold as "Open Box" as you see all around the store. Fry's on the other hand, will reshrink wrap and opened package and sell AS NEW, then the unlucky customer (me) has taking this supposedly new item home and there is shit missing from the box.

[tripeboi]

Buy locally form you mom and pop locations! Support the real way the economy will not only grow but flourish.
Down with corporations who outsource most of the jobs to countries who's dollar is SURPASSING ours.
You want a better economy its time you stop shopping at walmart to save a few dollars.

[LitLaur]

I read the back of receipts, but maybe I'm just crazy.

*yawn*

btw, where are all those mom-and-pop electronics stores?

[tripeboi]

btw, where are all those mom-and-pop electronics stores?

They usually are located near a street or a road. Normally in some type of building.

[LitLaur]

name some of these stores

[ANGEL_EYES]

I'm glad I don't shop at best buy.:D

[LitLaur]

I generally don't shop there either... but I still read the back of receipts, if there's anything there. Target's return policy is kinda lame too, in case any of you want to stop shopping there.

[tripeboi]

name some of these stores





You’re the one who lives in ATL. I can name a bunch of them up here if you like. Most of the stores up here are mom and pop. We don’t even have a target or Wal-Mart on the Island. We have a few best buys but they are about as big as a gas station with 2-3 floors.

But if you really wanted to support your economy and break the addiction of Large Corporation who are out to make as much money for them selves and spend it in places other then America and screw over the economy you would know yourself the names of your local stores.

Look at the arias Wal-Mart goes to and what the economy and cost of living is. Then look at what it was be4. Why do you think suburbia small towns seams to be thriving a little better then city/industrial arias. Look at the small towns that were only full of mom and pop stores and how well they were doing and how bad they are doing after a Wal-Mart come in.

Oh ya they make more jobs... but then again they also pay mim wage. Why would a family who makes a lot of money working for themselves the way they want to be forced to work for min wage, have shitty hours and be treated like poodoo. And people wonder why the economy is shit and people are loosing there homes. Large corporations who are not kept in check because they are making 99% of the crooks in Washington rich are one of the leading reasons this economy is going to shit. There is a lot more to it like gold to dollar the war and other things. BUT large corporations are a BIG chunk of the problem.

They blame it on bush (who has a lot to do with it) but no more then Wal-Mart and other corporations forcing down the cost of living. Paying manual wages and putting little money back into the economy. But hey you saved 55 cents on a TV set.

[Russell]

I'm with you man!!! I've experienced the same thing . I'm going to send your story to my friends and warn them.

[Russell]

wouldn't buy from them anyway, they're over priced!!! There are so many places on the net that can beat Best Buy's cost any day.

[LitLaur]

I REPEAT:

name some of these stores. Did I say "name some of these stores in Atlanta"? No.


You’re the one who lives in ATL. I can name a bunch of them up here if you like. Most of the stores up here are mom and pop. We don’t even have a target or Wal-Mart on the Island. We have a few best buys but they are about as big as a gas station with 2-3 floors.

But if you really wanted to support your economy and break the addiction of Large Corporation who are out to make as much money for them selves and spend it in places other then America and screw over the economy you would know yourself the names of your local stores.

Look at the arias Wal-Mart goes to and what the economy and cost of living is. Then look at what it was be4. Why do you think suburbia small towns seams to be thriving a little better then city/industrial arias. Look at the small towns that were only full of mom and pop stores and how well they were doing and how bad they are doing after a Wal-Mart come in.

Oh ya they make more jobs... but then again they also pay mim wage. Why would a family who makes a lot of money working for themselves the way they want to be forced to work for min wage, have shitty hours and be treated like poodoo. And people wonder why the economy is shit and people are loosing there homes. Large corporations who are not kept in check because they are making 99% of the crooks in Washington rich are one of the leading reasons this economy is going to shit. There is a lot more to it like gold to dollar the war and other things. BUT large corporations are a BIG chunk of the problem.

They blame it on bush (who has a lot to do with it) but no more then Wal-Mart and other corporations forcing down the cost of living. Paying manual wages and putting little money back into the economy. But hey you saved 55 cents on a TV set.

[tripeboi]

I REPEAT:

name some of these stores. Did I say "name some of these stores in Atlanta"? No.
I CLERIFY:

Nor did you say "name some of these stores in New York" Ya? SOOOO logically why would you want to know about New York mom and pop store when you live in Atl. YA?

If you ever make it up here and want to visit some mom and pop stores shoot me an IM ill get some info on what your looking for and let you know where you should go. China town is FULL of them. What exactly are you looking for and Ill help ya out. Just remember people always are more incline to help rude people. ;)

[BreakTastic]

I dont work at walmart. I just shop there. Win Win.

If working at walmart is your only employment opportunity, thats your problem, not mine.

[tripeboi]

I dont work at walmart. I just shop there. Win Win.

If working at walmart is your only employment opportunity, thats your problem, not mine.
It is your problem when your neighborhood was doing great every one was doing well then walmart comes in and pushes the mom and pops to close down and the only other job is walmart or fast food. Not because you cant get another job but because nothing other then crap jobs now exist because wal mart pushed every one else to close down. Think of small towns. No choice means walmart has no competition in some towns. That's bad for every one but walmart.

Wal Mart may be a win for you but we are starting to see the effects of LARGE corporations and the negative effects they have on this economy. Ya you may save a few measly bucks, but it is costing you a lot more $ in the long run.

[BreakTastic]

I dont live in a small town, I live in suburbs, I dont own a Mom and Pop store. So I still dont care. And actually the transition towards more efficient distribution of goods is a good thing for me, as a consumer of such goods, and not a producer. The free market means there is going to be winners and losers. Sucks for them. Cheap goods for me.

[kevinb70]

I REPEAT:

name some of these stores. Did I say "name some of these stores in Atlanta"? No.

the ones still trying to sell VCRs made in the 80s for $600 and black and white TVs with the two knobs you have to twist to change the channel


these non-chain stores pretty much stock stuff a season or two behind the times, at high cost.


mom and pop can go get a job at walmart for all i care, after trying to sell me overpriced outdated shit all these years. there are better small business ideas than competing directly with huge corporations with an infinitely more efficient distribution process and buying power.

[kevinb70]

breaktastic... isnt it about time we disagreed about something economically related? lol

[BreakTastic]

breaktastic... isnt it about time we disagreed about something economically related? lol

hahaha yah I think have a tenancy to disagree on occasion, but but rarely on matters of economy. Here's to free-market capitalism!

[BreakTastic]

http://www.tshirthell.com/shirts/products/a853/a853_bm.gif

[LitLaur]

I CLERIFY:

Nor did you say "name some of these stores in New York" Ya? SOOOO logically why would you want to know about New York mom and pop store when you live in Atl. YA?

If you ever make it up here and want to visit some mom and pop stores shoot me an IM ill get some info on what your looking for and let you know where you should go. China town is FULL of them. What exactly are you looking for and Ill help ya out. Just remember people always are more incline to help rude people. ;)

nor did I say, "name some of these stores, but not ones in NY".

way to dodge, dodgy.

I don't need the lecture on commercialism. Unlike some people who don't read receipts, I'm a pretty savvy consumer.

[tripeboi]

nor did I say, "name some of these stores, but not ones in NY".

way to dodge, dodgy.


way to spin, spinny

[Blueaquatiger]

way to spin, spinny

she's not spinning, you're just stupid.

the real reason you won't name any mom and pop electronic shops is because you were talking out of your ass again and just about everyone who frequents this board enough knows it.

[kevinb70]

I have not seen any here, but there are probably alot of mom and pop shops in NY, as there was in LA... if you walk up and down sunset, hollywood blvds, you will see quite a few electronics shops... i remember going in there and looking at digital cameras... they were about 20%-30% higher in price. NAH.

NY is dead center of Import Central. That is why it is easy to see many independent shops, esp grey market to survive ... they import electronics bound for other countries (say, a japanese made nikon originally packaged for korea) these are cheaper than ones bound for US retail markets (ie: best buy) so they sell these at or a tad below retail price and do mostly online sales. What you wind up with (often without you knowing it) is a unit of the same quality, perhaps instructions are all in a foreign language [same have a instruction booklet in every language so you dont have that problem] or an International Warranty vs a US Warranty.

Retailers like best buy walmart etc don't deal with grey market.

[tripeboi]

she's not spinning, you're just stupid.

the real reason you won't name any mom and pop electronic shops is because you were talking out of your ass again and just about everyone who frequents this board enough knows it.
LOL
stupid stupid stickey face licker!
Ill quote kevins post. Im all tuckerd out. I have spent all day on a diff forum making them love me as much as you love me. TRUST me its is a lot more work. ;)



I have not seen any here, but there are probably alot of mom and pop shops in NY, as there was in LA... if you walk up and down sunset, hollywood blvds, you will see quite a few electronics shops... i remember going in there and looking at digital cameras... they were about 20%-30% higher in price. NAH.

NY is dead center of Import Central. That is why it is easy to see many independent shops, esp grey market to survive ... they import electronics bound for other countries (say, a japanese made nikon originally packaged for korea) these are cheaper than ones bound for US retail markets (ie: best buy) so they sell these at or a tad below retail price and do mostly online sales. What you wind up with (often without you knowing it) is a unit of the same quality, perhaps instructions are all in a foreign language [same have a instruction booklet in every language so you dont have that problem] or an International Warranty vs a US Warranty.

Retailers like best buy walmart etc don't deal with grey market.

[zeroMass]

BS for sure, had a similar experience with Target recently, even took it to corporate, but I got a cold shoulder there as well, and the person from corporate that I talked to counld not speak english well. Not that that would matter in most situations, but for customer service here in the states, they should at least be able to speak english fluently.

[tripeboi]

its about as bullshit as the "spend this much more money for a longer warranty"
id rather buy a new "one" then deal with most customer service people trying to get a return.

[Blueaquatiger]

she's not spinning, you're just stupid.

the real reason you won't name any mom and pop electronic shops is because you were talking out of your ass again and just about everyone who frequents this board enough knows it.

and i stand by this.

you're still talking out of your ass. :p

[dr00]

I generally don't shop there either... but I still read the back of receipts, if there's anything there. Target's return policy is kinda lame too, in case any of you want to stop shopping there.
i've never had a problem.


i thought it was 90 days, with the receipt. hell, i've even returned stuff that's been opened. unless they've changed it in the last year

[CapnDiff]

typically, places only seem to have a problem when i try to return stuff i didn't actually buy but have instead just picked up as i walked to the help desk.. especially half eaten candy bars and things... i'm like "yo! this isn't what i needed, can i have my money back?" and they're like "no, and in fact you need to pay for it in the first place sir." and i'm like "naaah, you trippin" at which point i explain that if they make another sound i'll spray the place with bullets, and then we part amicably, usually with smiles and general goodbye pleasantries.

[Triix]

name some of these stores


TV and PC, Canton rd, marietta (obviously tv's and computers)

Console Concepts, Barrett pkwy, Kennesaw (videogames, video game systems from 1970 - present, RC cars,etc.)

Crazy Game Trader,Towne Lake pkwy,Woodstock (same as above)

Any privately owned pawn shop or thrift store will have several electronics in various working or non-working states. If you can do your own repair it will save you a ton of money.

PC Repair, Barrett pkwy, kennesaw ( computers,monitors etc.)

Craigslist is also a great source of finding things you want and putting money in a real person's hand and not some superstores bank account.

E-Bay also is a great source. And guess what? If they ship it to you,you save gas by not having to make a trip to Superstore USA or whatever.

If you guys want the phone numbers for any of these places,msg me.:)

[kevinb70]

so like... pretty much all the stores you listed are ways to get used items, separate discussion from chain stores vs mom and pop stores selling new items. If that PC store sells new stuff, chances are its older items and at high cost (ie: it's the price best buy sold it at a year or two ago before they quick stocking it and got a newer model) On the other hand, they might be who you would go to if you needed a fast AGP video card for your aging system, they might just have the x1950 pro lying around, everyone else has sold out long ago.

but ya i like craigslist for car parts .. ebay is awesome for that too, it's like the biggest junkyard on earth, that ships to your door.

[kevinb70]

one way to avoid completely competing with huge retail chains is to specialize, sell something they don't.

And provide excellent customer service, like at randy's ring&pinion, being able to talk with their people and get advice... vs your typical non-technical knowing salesperson at Best Buy who are professional "Yes" men (will blindly say yes to any question about a product just to make a sale Blue shirt = knows nothing.)

And go online...

I am upgrading my differential to a truetrac, and none of the parts I am buying come from huge retail chains... all the stores I shop are online I guess you could call "mom and pop" stores:

http://www.ringpinion.com/
http://www.accuautoparts.com/
http://www.performancecenter.com/
http://www.summitracing.com
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com
http://www.differentials.com/

[Fragrant]

truetrac, pansy ass, go for the air locker :P

[LitLaur]

I avoid going to Cobb County in general, why would I go there to shop?

anyway, Kevin hit the points I'd bring up. I try to avoid shopping at certain "big box" retailers, like Best Buy and Wal-Mart, but I'm a comparison shopper first. If Circuit City has a sweet laptop for under $500, why would I go somewhere else to pay $800?

Besides, "mom-and-pop" stores don't always have the best return policies either (in fact, I'd guess that most of the time, they're worse... they don't have to answer to corporate if a customer complains), and it's not likely to be printed on their receipt for convenient perusal.

[Fragrant]

Wal-Mart owns you :)

[Triix]

Actually all of the places i listed sell new, used, gently used and imported items. Not just used. also the discussion was not about how cheap the item is, just whether or not a mom and pop shop existed that would sell it.

You just asked me to list stores, but did not specify where. Also, you did not specify that you wanted them to be cheaper or have better return policies. I listed stores where I live, I don't know where you live but if you'd like tell me where you are at and I will look that up for ya. The point I was making is that electronic mom-and-pop (privatley-owned small stores) do exist and do help the economy,because they are not big box retailers where 70% of the labor is outsourced.

[LitLaur]

nope, I didn't specify those things, just telling you why I probably wouldn't shop there.

[kevinb70]

truetrac, pansy ass, go for the air locker :P


dammit... i thought auburn would be pansy ass, going to truetrac non-pansy ass :~(

im afeared of an airlocker ever starting to leak air


The point I was making is that electronic mom-and-pop (privatley-owned small stores) do exist and do help the economy,because they are not big box retailers where 70% of the labor is outsourced.
Doesnt help my personal economy by charging me more for the same item (or for an older version no longer sold by bigbox)

and laura brings up good point about no corporate to answer to on returns.

[Fragrant]

dammit... i thought auburn would be pansy ass, going to truetrac non-pansy ass :~(

im afeared of an airlocker ever starting to leak air


I'll give it you you, truetrac is much more non-pansy ass then auburn lockers :) I did see a guy once in a CJ cut his air line, which unlock the rear diff and the jeep went rolling :(