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4.1 4172 Reviews

Best Buy Complaints Summary

199 Resolved
930 Unresolved
Our verdict: With Best Buy's very poor resolution rate, careful consideration is needed. Research their service comprehensively, and read up on how they handle customer disputes. If you face issues, be prepared for potential challenges in obtaining resolutions and explore other service providers as backups.
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12:30 pm EDT
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Best Buy racist manager

To whom which may concern:

3 months ago my brother and my dad went to Best Buy store in Bellevue and looking to buy an iPad. The associate bring up the transaction. When they pay for it with the Best Buy gift card then the manager of the store pass by then told the associate stop the transaction. The manager then running somewhere and leaving them standing there for 10 minutes. When he came back he told them he calling the police and they will be arrest. Other employees at the store were suprising because their manager act. My dad and my brother walk out the store and go to the Home Depot next door.

Later on, 4 police car arrived and the manger went with them to the Home Depot. They calling on the public speaker to looking for my dad and brother. Finally, the police took them out in front of Home Depot, pushing them againt police car. Police took their ID and start writing trespass notice. My brother ask police reason why and police didn't answer. Police told them to shut up and stand around them like they were violent criminal. There alot of shopper watching and police and best by manager humiliate my dad and my brother.

I'm arrive at the scene and asking police why they detained them, police told me not to interfere with their business.

Police finally finish write up the trespass and ask them to sign. They refuse to sign and they gave them the notice and pushing us to leave or they will be arrest. There was four police car at the scene and only one best buy manager was there. The best buy manager point his finger to my dad and brother while telling police his story. He looking at my dad and my brother like they were tetorrist.

When they came home, my dad was so depressing and humiliate, he got the history of high blood pressure and he had to go see the doctor after the incident. He took a week of from work and couldn't eat and sleep.

My brother contact Best buy customer service and didn't get any answer from them. They even refuse to talk to him.

Yesterday, Aug 14, me, my sister and my mom went to the same store and looking to buy ipad. The associate bring out one and we ask for another one. They refuse to sell 2 ipad and when I ask why he radio the manager. They have more than a hundred ipad instock at that time. The same guy manager came out and not even talking to us, he saw us and going somewhere. We then leaving the store and I saw the manager was stalking us when we walk thought our car.

Police stoped us on the road and asking ID for everybody in the car which is four people. Police told me that best buy manager ask police to write up trespass notice for every one of us. Even for another brother sleeping in the car while we went to best buy store.

Police told us they just doing their job and we should go seeking some legal advice for best buy action.

Now my whole family were humiliated and we're all depressed.

We're customer not criminals or thiefs. The way best buy manager treating our family were so violent our civil rights and racist based on us are Vietnamese. We went to their store to buy the product not to steal it and we paying for it! Even police agreed with me that it not make senses for us to get the trespass and best buy manager using his giant corporation power to again us: Vietnamese people.

The reasons for trespass written: disorderly conduct or caused a disturbance.

I'm seeking for legal advice from law firm, we're willing to pay for legal expenses to sue that best buy store and their manager.

We're later went to a different store and buy 4 ipad all together. We have the receipt with 4 ipad on one transaction. It showing proof that manager at best buy Bellevue are racist, violated our rights and wrongfully doing business practice.

We're seeking to dispute the trespass notice and contact media, local news. This story had been posted within Vietnamese's online community. This won't be looking good for best buy and their stock holder. If customer no longer shopping at best buy, soon it will follow "Circuit city".

Regards,

Nguyen's Family.

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juicevalencia
Manhattan, US
Aug 19, 2010 6:46 am EDT

Yeah Ok whatever dude. So, I guess you weren't reselling these Ipads at a higher price on Ebay right? But thats besides the point. How do you define that the manager was rascist? Maybe he just could not stand your horrible grammar.

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4:48 pm EDT
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Best Buy geek squad/camera repair

I had to take my daughter's camera in for repair. I was told I could have the camera shipped to another Best Buy location when the repair order was complete. I was in Lincoln for a family event and this is why left it there. I figured once the camera was fixed I could have it shipped to Omaha or Sioux City. I called the Lincoln store and I asked if I could have the camera sent to another Best Buy that is closer to me and I was told no. I have to go to that store to get the replacement because the original repair order was done at that store.
I get so tired of these companies who tell you one thing and then someone else says "oh no that's not correct, this is how we do it". I have worked in retail for many years and I understand there are certain procedures that have to be followed, but come on, it's a phone call to another store for them. Now instead of driving 1hr, I have to drive 2.5hrs. I won't be doing business with Best Buy again.

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12:18 pm EDT
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Best Buy online order & delivery

I purchased a washer on Best Buy website for what seemed to be a good price, the only drawback was this item being a special order with unusual waiting period before the item would shipped.
After waiting for more than 2 weeks for its delivery, I've decided to call their "customer service"
I have been dealing with useless representatives on the phone for the past 5 days now to find out the status of my order, it is the same ordeal over and over every time you call:" We need the order # and your name and your address, blah, blah, blah"
And every time they come back to me with pretty much nothing like oh it shows your order has shipped and you should be getting it soon, the delivery company will be contacting you soon, it shows in our system that this item has been delivered(!), the list goes on and on and on with the clowns on the phone.
When I tell them that being without a washer for 3 weeks is not fun and I want to cancel the order to go directly buy one at the store, they say I will be charged a 25% restocking fee!
WTF!
What a joke of a company all together, these people take your money and could care less about what goes on afterwards!
Stay away from online orders altogether or you will be sorry.

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2:35 pm EDT
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Featured review
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Best Buy - best buy credit card

Warning - never use best buy hsbc credit card!!! In october, I purchased a television at best buy using their 3 year no interest credit card. I have been paying considerably more than the minimum payment, because I didn't want to pay interest. Today, I received a bill from them with a $39 late fee on it. They posted the payment one week after I mailed the...

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7:40 am EDT

Best Buy do not even consider geek squad (best buy) for repairing your computer

Dell inspiron 8600. 1mb ram, 60 gb 7200 rmp hard drive. Error message said missing "dll" was not found when I tried to print. After a restart it would boot up to where the "welcome screen" would normally appear & then the screen would go black.

Geek squad (Best buy) charged $180.78; took 13 days to do nothing; fixed nothing and actually gave the computer back unrepaired & worse than when it went in. They retreived no data; made contact by e-mail when my computer was in for repair; did not give timely status reports (I had to initiate status contact); lost the computer at one point (& when found could not tell me the status of repairs); tried to sell me a new hard drive but could not tell me specifically what was wrong with the "bad" hard drive; e-mailed me that the computer was fixed and ready for pick up when it was still unrepaired and sent an e-mail that if I was not satisfied then I should take the computer back to geek squad (Best buy) or take it to a certified dell repair shop.

Comp usa charged $151.54; took 10 days; retreived data; verified the hard drive was good and fixed the computer that geek squad (Best buy) could not & did not fix. (Same computer, same hard drive & same problem.)

Dont even consider geek squad (Best buy) for repairing your computer! Truly lousy and unprofessional computer repair service!

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matlock1981
Tulare, US
Sep 14, 2010 5:04 pm EDT
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Well...i'll tell you one thing right now i am a computer repair technician and COMPUSA (I thought they were out of business) charging $150.00 for 10 days of troubleshooting and repair?...That's ridiculous! I would have charged you probably if not $30-$40 dollars less and had it done in less than 2 days!

If you ever need computer service and support i am always available and i get it done faster than these idiots!...

drop me a line at matt_regalado@hotmail.com if ever you come across an issue like this again!

I wouldn't even trust these best buy/compusa guys to take out the trash...let alone work on my computer!...

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Sandra59
Satellite Beach, US
Jul 12, 2010 9:05 am EDT
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I see things haven't changed in 10 years. I had a very similar experience with Best Buy's Geek Squad, and when I complained to their corporate offices, I was basically told that all customers think they are right and that they trust their repair guys to be the best, so if there's a problem, its my own fault. In 10 years, I've NEVER AGAIN set foot in a Best Buy and I REGULARLY tell people about my experience so as to steer them away from using these rip-off artists. I've been very effective in that endeavor, by the way! And will continue to do so. I still have alot of stolen cash to make up for thanks to these idiots...

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6:28 am EDT

Best Buy laptop has been returned to emachines 3 times for overheating and crashing

Bought laptop and extended warranty from Best Buy. Laptop has been returned to Emachines 3 times for overheating and crashing.

When extended warranty ended, took it to Best Buys "Geek Squad" to fix broken usb ports and overheating under their PSP/warranty program. "Technician" said that it was covered. Next day he called and said it had to be shipped out for motherboard replacement. Weeks later got a call from another "technician" who said that usb ports were not covered and would cost $600 to repair. I told them I did not intentionally break any parts of the machine and that I had been told it was covered under the "normal wear and tear" part of their warranty.

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4:46 pm EDT
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Best Buy credit card charged no shipment

Order # FX24307624 placed on 6/22/10. Received e mail that order was processed, on 6/24 received e mail that order had shipped and that tracking number would be provided by end of business day on 6/24/10. Received nothing. Seven days have passed as of today. Sent numerous e mails, no response

Order# FW26307785 placed on 6/29/10 Got mad, figured I'd re order and pay for next day air shipping charges. Bad mistake. Placed order for exact same items. Next day air it should have arrived today, 7/1/2010. Nothing delivered, received e mail with my order number but no tracking numbers provided.

This company then gives you a login password and tells you to log in and you can see your order status. You login and there is nothing on the website to look anything up.

This company is a rip off fraudulent organization.

I'm filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, The Statate Attorney General of California and also the FBI Internet Fraud Division against this company.

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Best Buy Golf Supply
Orangevale, US
Dec 03, 2013 7:56 pm EST

Dear Valued Customer, First I would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that I have caused you or your family. I feel terrible for not responding earlier and staying on top of any issues that arose that should have been handled in a professional manner. We have been having supplier problems since 2004 as we distributed products for many different manufacturers. We should have communicated better with you and for that i am very sorry we did not. We were growing so quickly we did not have the man power to take care of everything the way it should have been which is my fault i should have brought on more help. I just wanted to reply to everyone that was affected and publicy apologize for the inconvenience we caused. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season with your family.

Thank you

BBGS
Ken

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J Fullerton
Adamstown, US
Apr 16, 2012 2:45 am EDT
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Same thing, Place order they take money and do not ship. I think I will let Yahoo, Google and anyone else know they are referring a site that is a scam!

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clair yount
oswego,illinois, US
Mar 03, 2012 9:00 pm EST

C.Y. from Illinois, I have the same problems with Best Buy supply also. I went to cancel order and they will not answer and the did charge my credit card but no responce.

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Joshee
Wallingford, US
Jul 13, 2010 5:56 pm EDT

dude, I am going through the same thing, I ordered a shaft 8days ago, nothing absolutely nothing. Can you tell me what you afterwards?

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11:13 am EDT

Best Buy shameful business practices

Bottom Line: We should have been shown the Sony Bravia 40” KDL40EX600, not the Samsung 40” LN40C530F1F, as a replacement for our JVC 40” LCD TV. We were completely lied to that there was no other LCD TV, other than the Samsung, that would be a comparable replacement. We didn’t even know the Sony Bravia existed until we returned home after a 2 hour interrogation by our local Best Buy salespeople and manager, feeling shamed and beaten down. I don't even have our Geek Squad order number or original sales receipt, because the sales manager failed to return our paperwork after we said we were leaving and would be contacting customer service. They have promised to mail it to us, but I bet they are hoping it gets lost in the mail. This horrible experience began 3 years ago when we were convinced by a BB salesman to purchase a $2, 000 JVC 40" LCD TV, which was on sale for $1, 799. We were told it was a top of line TV due to its video and audio capabilities. We were also convinced that purchasing the $200 PSP was a "great deal" because it would cover all repairs or we would get a new TV. When our LCD panel went bad 2 weeks ago, we were told that the replacement was $2, 500 and would not be ordered because the cost exceeds the amount paid for the TV. We were then told “it was actually a good thing because we'll end up getting a better TV because of technology changes and improvements". My husband and I were actually excited to “go shopping” as the Geek Squad tech put it, but we should have known it was too good to be true. When we got to the local BB store, before we were even shown so called "comparable" tv's, we were told to "prepare ourselves for sticker shock". The salesperson told us this before they even knew the specs of the TV we purchased. I had printed out the basic specs of our JVC TV, which the salesperson looked at, and then immediately brought us to a $674 Samsung Model: LN40C530F1F. We tried looking at other TV’s, but were told that “no other LCD TV compared to our JVC". We were also told that "we should be happy about this because it was actually better than what we had." We were repeatedly reminded and encouraged to use the $674 towards a better TV, but that was not what we were promised when we purchased the TV and PSP. The fine print says that the replacement TV must be “comparable as determined by Best Buy” but that is a complete scam. The salesperson said that she would love to offer us a better TV, but Corporate would not allow it. She said the major issue was that our refresh rate was only 60 Hz and “absolutely no other LCD TV’s other than the Samsung had specs like this. We didn’t know anything about refresh rates, but felt we were getting taken, so we asked to speak with the manager. This was useless as the manager gave us the same song and dance about there being no other TV's that were comparable. The more we asked about seeing other TV’s the more we were told that “this was our replacement offer, take it or leave it”. So we left with our JVC still in the back seat and went home feeling like shamed criminals. If we had known it would be such a belittling experience, we would have gone better prepared. When we got home, we looked at the Best Buy online store to see if the Samsung really was the “ONLY” comparable TV and of course it was NOT. Our local Best Buy had a Sony Bravia, Model: KDL40EX600, with specs just like our JVC. WHY WEREN’T WE EVEN SHOWN THIS TV? We are not idiots and realize that technology has changed and that LCD TV’s are less expensive now, but we were promised a fair exchange under the PSP, and this was not the case at all. The reason we were shown the Sony Bravia was because of it’s price, not its specs. If you compare our JVC with the Sony Bravia and Samsung, it’s obvious that the Sony Bravia fits the bill much more than the Samsung. It was a complete lie that no other LCD TV had our pitiful 60 mZ refresh rate. Best Buy just didn’t want to give us a $1, 079 credit, they wanted us to be happy with $674, knowing full well we would end up paying more out of our own pocket to get a decent TV. They convince us to spend our hard-earned money on their products and plans, and then take full advantage of us when we try and get what we were promised. They say the PSP is not about the money but it COMPLETELY about the money. If there was more than one TV with similar specs to ours, why weren’t we told about it? Why were we belatedly lied to? We even checked if the Sony Bravia KDL40EX600 was available at our local store and it was. So where was it and why weren’t we shown it? Why was a $674 value placed on TV when the salesperson and manager didn't even take the time to familiarize themselves with our JVC specs? It was like saying if my Honda CR-V broke down, that I should be happy with a Hyundai as a replacement. No disrespect to Hyundai owners but we all know they are cheaper than Honda’s for multiple reasons. All we want is what was promised. A TV that is equally comparable to our original. This TV would be the Sony Bravia and NOT the Samsung model. We have nothing against Samsung TV’s but we bought our JVC for certain qualities that are not present with the Samsung’s budget model. The “no lemon” policy is a joke. They should have to tell you that you better not expect too much should anything go wrong. The fine print about the local store determining what’s comparable should also be illegal when they don’t even take the time to learn about the product you are trying to replace. Has anyone successfully sued Best Buy for this shameful practice?

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9:26 pm EDT
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Best Buy repeated repairs by geek squad

I purchased an itouch from best buy. I have had it replaced one, and now repaired by geek squad three times, and it is in for the forth time in the past month! They won't replace it with another itouch as they claim that because they already did a rapid replace with a different one, even though it was faulty, they have not replace the same unit 3 times.
So, even though this is now the 4th time I have had to go in, they use tactics like claiming the same unit has to be repaired more than twice. I didn't tell them to replace the original unit, that was their problem... I have been in 4 times now!
Do not trust geek squad for repairs or buy a warranty from them.

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lumpialover
, US
Oct 14, 2010 7:11 pm EDT

if you post this in the geek squad forums on bestbuy's website ( http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Best-Buy-Geek-Squad-Policies/bd-p/Policies ) someone will help you.

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CommonSense1606
Denver, US
Jun 19, 2010 11:38 pm EDT
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Check your state's lemon laws. Some states have laws that if a product requires more than three repairs for the same issue within a specified time frame, the seller must give you a new one. Keep track of the serial number so you can tell if they are replacing it or just giving you back the same one.

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12:41 pm EDT
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Best Buy selling used products as new

After having my Frig for four years and dealing with it leaking for about 2 years, I previously had a Tech look at it and he states it had been worked on before. He refused to make any repairs to it. I later called out Best Buy's people to look at it and they said the same thing. That it had been worked on before. I had never had a repair person to fix or make any repairs to the frig! The sore manager passed the buck to the 1800 customer service and said he could not do anything. Customer relations and the service supervisor passed the buck back to the store. The store even had the audacity to recommend that I contact LG and deal with them. I will be contacting the Corporate office directly! They RIPPED ME OFF!

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Update by ianreiddc
Jul 06, 2010 2:51 pm EDT

So I guess you work or are somehow affiliated with Fry's?

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Jack V. Uhern
Palm Desert, US
Jun 20, 2010 11:47 pm EDT

The Best Buy is not to buy anything from "Best Buy".

Only buy from "Fry's Electronics if posibile.

Never from "Best Buy"

Bye Bye "Best Buy".

I would do without before buying from "Best Buy

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2:59 pm EDT

Best Buy refused to allow me to make a return

On June 4, 2010, I purchased an "Invisible Shield by Zagg" (UPC: [protected]) Best Buy SKU: 9952932) (cost $29.99 plus tax) for my new HTC Evo from Best Buy. I was told that if I didn't like it that I could return it. Well I got it home and put it on my phone. All seemed well. A few hours later, the corners started peeling off, and would not stick to the surface of the phone. I peeled it off, and put it back in the box to return. While in La Mesa on June 6, I attempted to return this item to the local Best Buy. The customer service rep didn't know if she was allowed to return it or not, so I was told to wait while she spoke with the store manager. She comes back 25 minutes later, and tells me that it is a consumable item, and therefore not returnable. I informed her I bought it merely 2 days earlier, and that it is defective, and asked to speak to the store manager. The store manager, Tim, took his sweet time to come talk to me. He advised me that he would not allow me to return the item, since I did not pay Best Buy to install it for me, and instead installed it myself. I then asked to exchange it, since it is defective. I emphasized the fact that I was NEVER told this was a consumable item, nor that I would not be allowed to return it. He again denied my request, saying I don't care, I am not going to allow you to return it, and told me to call 1-888-BESTBUY. I called, and they were closed. Normally, I would not take the time to make this complaint, but he had the worst attitude of ANYONE in customer service that I have ever encountered. I am extremely UPSET about this matter, and will tomorrow call my credit card to dispute the charge. I will NEVER do business with this Best Buy again! If an item is unreturnable, it should be marked as such on my receipt!

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CarmaDogma
Tustin, US
Jun 08, 2010 2:39 am EDT
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I agree. If something is a conditional return item, it should be disclosed at point of sale. If the product is labeled as if intended to be installed by the consumer, yet requires professional installation, that is a defective product.

You might want to see if you can contact Zagg and tell them about your bad experience at BestBuy. Sometimes the manufacturer is the dirtwad, sometimes it's the store. Zagg's customer service phone# is 1.801.263.0699

If you're still looking for a good screen protector, the Belkin ones are great. Mine last about a year each without peeling and only needed to be replaced because they start getting too scratched up from the stylus. Apparently the Zaggs that you bought don't have that problem.

INSTALLATION SUGGESTION: start at one end, line it up and then lay it down using a credit card to avoid air pockets underneath. If you mess up, lift it and try again. The adhesive should hold up if you need to take a Mulligan. A third re-do might be possible but no guarantees, I've never messed up twice myself so I can't test that theory.

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Tommydar37
, US
Jun 07, 2010 5:00 pm EDT
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Best Buy's return policy is one of the worst I've ever dealt with. I don't return many things, but I purchased a mount for my flat screen TV from there and when I was trying to install it, found out that it just wouldn't work due to the placement of the studs in my wall. When I tried to return it, they told me that since it was past 30 days, I couldn't return it AT ALL. Not even for store credit.

The thing was $150 so I wasn't going to go without a fight. I talked to the store management & they said there wasn't anything they could do and that it was "policy". Sent an very detailed complaint email through their website about my experience and my opinion about their return policy and pretty much demanded they refund my $ or I'd report them to the BBB. They responded quickly and instructed me to bring the mount back to the store and speak with a specific manager. They had called her & given her authorization to refund the mount for store credit.

So while I didn't get my $ back exactly how I wanted, I did get the store credit & used it for other stuff I needed. Definitely email & complain through their website and you should get some response from them (even if it's only store credit or an exchange for a different item).

Good luck

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10:18 am EDT
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Best Buy shipping charges

I went to my local Best buy store to purchase computer parts. The motherboard, CPU and memory modules were not availlable in the store, so the salesman ordered them for me. they were not availlable for in store pick-up so I was told there would be shipping charges. when the memory modules arrived, the 3 of them were in the same small box, for which I had been charged 3 times, ($5.99 each). when I called to ask why I had been charged 3 separate shipping charges when they only shipped one box, I was tolld that this was best buy policy, and that I could call corporate if I was not satisfied. I called, a total of 3.5 hours over 2 days, got shuttled around, put on hold and eventualy disconnected, (by them).

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1:17 pm EDT

Best Buy scams on warranties and new laptop sales

My first problem with Best Buy was 3 1/2 years ago when I bought a Laptop. I bought the extended warranty and had the Geek Squad set it up (extra cost).

When buying, they will put extensive pressure on you to buy the warranty and the setup. Second, when they set it up, they put their own? (or higher profit?) virus software on the machine. Of course, their warranty was very expensive. But I didn't know any better at the time.

Second, when I had to return my Laptop for repairs, the Geek Squad manager of the store was incredibly rude throughout the entire process which took weeks despite other promises. I tried to call the store manager - and guess what - they don't answer the phone like the Geek Squad did not answer the phone. I will say that there was one person in the Squad that I finally found, realized the issue, and helped me out. They also figured out a way to charge me extra - which I do not think was valid according to how I read the warranty agreement. Of course, you have to be a lawyer to read it and truly understand it.

My second problem was recently when in buying my new PC. It is a PC that for what it had, was at a great price. I had sworn never to pay them another dime and this is an exception because they have gotten an exclusive on certain PCs. Best Buy was the only place I could get this brand and setup.

Pressure on to get the warranty again. I refused with difficulty. You do not have to buy a warranty from them. Go to SquareTrade.com, an independent warranty company that has about the best ratings I have seen for any such company. Many TV news and newspaper reporters have checked them out and report universally great reviews as far as I have seen.

They have also figured out another few ways to get you. They now have software on the machine that gives you trial downloads that end up costing you a lot. I suggest you do not buy anything from them because it is probably less expensive and better elsewhere.

They also offer you Microsoft Office Student (basic programs) for over $100. I include MS in this issue. What they didn't tell me, and I think an honest retailer would, is that Office 10 will be available for free online - with advertising. So what - Google does that. The cost to put it on your computer will be several hundred dollars I understand. The point -Office 10 comes out in June or July. You can do one of two things - use the trial Office 2007 on the new PC for the intro period, or download the Beta version from Microsoft.com. At least Best Buy didn't get another cent out of me.

Remember:

1 - There is a reason that Consumer Reports rated them dead last of consumer electronics stores.

2 - If you buy a warranty or any extras, especially involving Geek Squad - I would guess that you will be paying considerably more money for considerably less value.

3 - In my case - going to the Geek Squad was a bigger headache than my PC breaking down.

4 - My guess, while not being in the industry, is that they offer good prices and make money on the warranties and other stuff they can sell you.

So - save your self some money and the headache of dealing with them.

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Dr.GRS
, US
Oct 26, 2013 1:42 pm EDT
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Wish I had read this before I dealt with the Geek Squad. I brought a laptop there and had to bring it back for repair during the warranty period. They then sold me an extended service agreement for up to 3 machines "covering everything." I just brought the same laptop in because it would not start and was told the mother board is bad and that's not covered. they must be taking lessons fro the Genius' at Apple. Buy cheap and disposable there is no support.

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Ling Chi
, US
May 25, 2010 1:55 pm EDT
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I am not defending BB in the least, but you sound like an uninformed consumer who allowed himself to be herded like a flock of sheep into whatever deal they decided to build for you. Your best bet, instead of sounding off like an abused spouse, is to do better research the next time you are ready to purchase a machine. Visit the store to see it in person, then go home and research some more. Better to spend some time doing that than spend money and then cry about how they "forced" you to open your wallet, purchase the PRP, sign the checkout terminal, and happily show your receipt to the goon at the door (you know you're not required to do that, right?).

Also, do a search on the Stanford Marshmallow Study.

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4:14 pm EDT

Best Buy fraudulent business practices

It all started the day after Thanksgiving, "Black Friday." I decided to order via bestbuy.com and I purchased $307 worth of items using my best buy credit card…I was also taking advantage of the no interest on purchases of $249 or more. Dec 2nd I rec’d an email stating that there was a problem with my billing and if they didn’t hear from me they were going to cancel my order. So I called the number listed in the email and spoke with a CSR from bestbuy.com… was told that they were going to send the order through again and that she wasn’t able to tell me exactly why it didn’t go the first time. I said that was fine, didn’t see a need to investigate further, all she said they needed was my authorization to process the order again.

Dec 3rd I rec’d another email stating that there was an issue on the billing and my items might be canceled. So, I went online to view my account and to my surprise my account was overdrawn ($196.27). I called bestbuy.com and got the run around. After the 5th person I spoke with I was told to call HSBC. I called HSBC, after the 3rd person it was determined that bestbuy.com charged my best buy card twice on Black Friday, 2 charges of $307 each, no duplications on the products just twice the charges. I was then told by HSBC that they couldn’t reverse the charge without bestbuy.com approving this…which meant I had to call bestbuy.com back and then have them call HSBC. Oh, and in the meantime I rec’d another email regarding billing errors in which 2 items on my order were canceled! Now where was I, yes, after 2 hours on the phone trying to get a credit of $307 back on my account I thought everything was fine so the call ended.

Dec 4th I look at my online account balance and notice that yes, a credit of $307 was issued back to my account but the items that were canceled on my order were still charged to my best buy card. So, I called Bestbuy.com since by now I knew the process was to call them first and have them call HSBC on the other line…anyways, after speaking with 3 people and a supervisor I was assigned a case# and was told someone would call me back. 2 days later no one ever called me back! I then proceeded to call bestbuy.com and go through the process again only to be disconnected after an hour on hold and in which I was being transferred to the 3rd person who I was told would be able to help me. I didn't call back, instead I took my business elsewhere to purchase the products that were canceled and told everyone I know what happened!

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3:22 pm EDT

Best Buy no delivery

Never delivered, I purchased a Refrigerator from Best Buys in mid February with a delivery date of mid March. Not having received a phone call to confirm delivery I called the store and spoke to a young clerk who checked the delivery sheet and confirmed my delivery was set for noon to 4 pm that Saturday. At about 3:30 PM I called the store to check on delivery status and was informed that my item was on back order and they could not give me a delivery status. It is paid in full on my Best Buy card. Two months later still no delivery and I requested my money back and I was informed store policy was that they could only give me a " store credit " only . The item is still not delivered and I was informed it was no longer manufactured even though their web site indicated available to purchase. I dont need a $ 1458 store credit, I want my money back for item that cant be delivered... I feel ripped off, filed complaint with department of consumer protection, better bureau and am scheduled to go on air with Television to promote Best Buy rip offs ...

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my2cents7
Los Angeles, US
May 05, 2010 3:40 pm EDT

I agree Jw3. If I needed a fridge I would go back and get a new one with my store credit and if it was cheaper I'g get me something for myself. you can always ask the for reward points too, make them give you like 2000 reward points for not delivering the goods like promised!

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11:17 pm EDT
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Best Buy tele sales rep for best buy mobile

On 04/24/10 I ordered a cool Sprint phone using the web: Bestbuy.com which it was shipped and received by 04/26/10. Such order was a Super Mistake, since this stupid company just wasted my time by sending me this smart phone that I was told it was not a smart phone and that I could order it without changing my plan. After the receipt of my cell I called to activate it, but the stupid CSR (Customer Service Rep) advised me of changing my plan to a more expensive plan based on this phone's features of a smart phone (smart ### phone, I say), I raised hell and ask to speak with a manager. After a long wait the manager desided to call me and explained to me the same b s as mentioned. I told him my frustration of a bad order since I was not to give up on upgrating my plan for a higher and pocket inconvenient plan. We are still in recession and I am not willing to spend $170.00 for the up of the plan for 2 years. I sent them the below e-mail and still waiting for a response since I got tired and returned the cell for their very incompetent service. See below...
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Cancel my order! Thanks for wasting my time. I ordered this phone and now I can not activate it without changing my plan, you should train your dumb sales reps to learn how to make business and let the customer know about any possible changes before activating the phone after you ship it out to avoid a waste of time canceling such order and returning phones that should have never been shipped without a full explanation of possible changes to my existing plan.

I will open up a claim in the BBB to investigate your company for hiring very incompetent sales reps and management that care only for the customer's pocket.

Give me a call if you have questions about this complaint. I returned this phone today by FeDX. Expect to get a refund as soon as u get back your phone. I will post this complaint in the complaints board website. Thanks for nothing!
Call me!
ENRIQUE TOVAR

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Best Buy geek squad

HP laptop (14 months old) was stuck at HP screen. Geek squad did nothing but charge me $84 to send to service center. They did nothing but tell me they've see this before: it needs a new motherboard for $500. (Why couldn't they have told the Geek squad this so I wouldn't have to send it off and waste $84?
So, I said "no" and took it to a local repair shop who fixed it for FREE. Took a second. Complained to BBB; they refused to give me the $84 back or even tell me where the $84 went. Beware of Best Buy.

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KC_NJ
Willingboro, US
Apr 04, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

I took my laptop to Best Buy for repair and was totally disgusted. First, I was told diagnostic would be 3 days, when in fact after 5 I called and was told I would receive a call back that day (no call). Second, I went to the store after 5 days and was told diagnostic wasn't done yet they would call me. Third, finally received a call from them telling me they needed to redo my O/S and it would be $129, I said ok to the repairs and was to it would be a few days. Now 5 days after authorizing repaid I show up to pick up my laptop only to be told that the repairs were not done, they have no record of me authorizing repairs and they would need the discs I received with the laptop to do it. Now I did not receive discs with the laptop because it was purchased from BestBuy and they are the ones that set it up, and why would I pay $129 to have them reload my O/S from discs if I had them at home? then I'm to sign a receipt to take the laptop home only to find out aferwards that it's a receipt that repairs were done to my satisfaction. what repairs? I am totally disgusted with Best Buy and the Geek Squad that I will not be purchasing anything from them again. I recommend you don't either.4

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FLWAT98
Jupiter, US
Jul 25, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

I purchased a HP Digital Camera along with the extended warranty. Within 6 months the camera would not accept a charge. I brought it into Best Buy and was referred to Geek Squad desk. The examined the camera and could not figure out what was the matter. They sent it off and returned it 4 weeks later stating that it was impact damage. The camera door now would not shut which was not an issue previously. There was no sign of any impact and I do not recall the camera which was kept in a neoprene sleeve ever sustaining impact. I will attempt not to buy another item from Best Buy, and certainly not an extended warranty. Should have stuck with Sears.

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LilyMarie
Bel Air, US
Aug 16, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

I would like to let everyone be aware of the horrible service at the Bel Air Best Buy! I have a camera being repaired by the Geek Squad. It has been almost a month and it is still not fixed. I have to keep calling because for some reason they can not update my new number into the system to call me when its complete?! I wouldn't mind calling them if it didnt take 20 trys for someone to even pick up a phone! I asked about the status on the repair before and some girl said it was shipped off to be fixed. I checked online just to make sure and it was still @ the Bel Air store. I called again 2 weeks later and the guy that answered said it just had been sent off to Sony that week. I keep getting the run around and I just want my camera back! Not to mention when I went to drop it off they had to move me to 4 different computers to input my stuff and get out of each others way that I lost my car keys in the process! Once I get my camera I will be closing out my Card with them and will never go back!

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kevin rich
irving, US
Dec 10, 2010 3:34 pm EST

beware: best buy does not stand behind products they sell have lg washer/dryer they have been out to repair it 5 times on dryer 4 on washer they will not replace it.talked to best buy corp in richfield, mn they put in for replcement said i would get call back never heard from anyone, called back they said still looking into it.washer went out nov, 19 10 dryer went out nov, 23 10 washer finally fixed on the 27th, had to wait on parts on dryer till the 10th of dec.repair guy was supposed to show up 08-12 called and said he would be here 12-2, acted like he did not care about it.have spent alot of money over years at bb, and i am done now.there customer service sucks.they never call you back, don't show up when they are supposed to, spend 2500.00 on washer/dryer that always fails and all best buy says they will give me is 25.00 for using laundry mat to do clothes, that is ###!once they get your money they don't care anymore.

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hotspur
Jersey City, US
Apr 28, 2010 7:51 pm EDT
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Geek squad is a high concept/ low quality ripoff. You think your getting these tech heads that they show on their ads. But the thugs they sent to my house i wouldnt even want them mowing my lawn. The attached photo shows where one of them was supposed to join two wires. He used MY tape that was close by and joined these two wires with it. No connectors. (I could have done that) One wire is small the other is really thick. they didnt match. and it only needed to be 2 feet long. He used an 8 foot piece and HID THE REST BEHIND THE COUCH!

This was only part of the shambles they did. It was horrible and when i complained Best Buy wouldnt even return my calls.

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WorstBuySucksDonkeyBalls
Cerritos, US
Mar 30, 2010 9:39 am EDT

Best Buy Geek service at the Cerritos Store (see address at bottom of this complaint) is horrible as well. I brought in a computer and paid $200 for diagnosis and "repair." (It turns out that the repair meant install the OS only.) A couple of days after bringing in the computer Best Buy said they would need to install a hard drive for $130. After reluctantly going ahead with that they said I need to order a recovery disk from the computer manufacturer (Sony) for another $70. So what started out as a $200 repair ended up doubling to $400. If I had any idea going in that it would have been $400 to make my old computer whole again, I would have bought a new computer. The Geek Squad manager was rude and unhelpful when I expressed my concerns about their poor communication and customer service.

12989 Park Plaza Dr Cerritos Town Center
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: [protected]
GEO: 33.869320, -118.05516

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ScoutsFather
, US
Jul 25, 2009 6:46 pm EDT

Good choice on Sears. Always choose the business that is trying harder to engender customer loyalty. I already had a negative feeling about BB because some of the prices are ridiculous. Your experience is another check for using BB only infrequently.

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Best Buy geek squad service - $1600 for fam pics

I was in Chicago March 16-19 for a business conference and on March 17th my wife called me to tell me that she was working on our computer when it began to run slowly. She attempted to save her work in fear of losing it and when she did, the screen said that the "C" drive was not found. After a couple attempts at restarting the computer she received the dreaded blue screen with an error message. She called me and explained and I told her that there was nothing I could do until I returned home. When I returned home that Friday, I was disturbed that when I booted the computer that a message reading "Hard drive failure is imminent". The computer would not boot into Windows so I decided that since the I had purchased the 3 year black tie protection that I would bring it in for repair. I always purchase the warranty/black tie protection for anything electronics that I purchase at Best Buy because every salesman there says "if you purchase our protection plan, you don't have to worry about anything for the duration of the plan". This could not be further from the truth. I have done nothing but worry for the last 6 weeks.

On Saturday March 20, I took the CPU in to store 833 so that they could make good on my warranty. After their initial look at my computer they determined that they would need to keep it and work on it. I signed the service agreement and was on my way. I received a call the next day stating that the hard drive would need to be replaced and that the hard drive would need to be sent to the data recovery center so that the data could be extracted. Kaman was the agent in the store at the time and he informed me that I would not want to do this because it was "super expensive". I informed him that my family photos, videos, and other pertinent documents were on the hard drive and that I had purchased the protection plan in case a situation such as this were to arise. He informed me that data recovery was not covered on the protection plan. I asked him to speak to a manager and he told me that a manager would not approve the data recovery for free. I again asked to speak to the manager and he rolled his eyes at me and called Kristin, a store supervisor. She again informed me that the data recovery was not covered in the protection plan and that if they were to recover the data that I would be responsible for paying. With reluctance I agreed and she retired to speak with Kaman, the Geek Squad employee. She returned to tell me that if I brought in the recovery discs that I received when I purchased the computer that my data could be recovered. I immediately went home and retrieved the discs. I brought them back up to the store and gave them to the Geek Squad and told them what Kristin had said. They informed me that was incorrect and that the only way that the data could be recovered was if it was sent to the data recovery center for a minimum of $250-$300. You can imagine my surprise so I again asked to speak to Kristin. She came back and told me that she either misunderstood what Kaman had told her or he was incorrect. She then told me that I would have to pay a $60 deposit to get the hard drive sent to the recovery center. She saw my reaction to that and she offered to waive the $60. They sent the hard drive to the recovery center on that Monday and began the process of getting back the data.

The next Monday I received a call that my computer would have to be sent off for service because they could not get the new hard drive to work with my computer. I had a less than favorable reaction having been without my computer for over a week but there was nothing I could do. My computer was sent and I received an e-mail with the case number so that I could check up on the status. Later that week I received a phone message stating that the recovery discs that I had provided were not working and that I needed to buy new ones from HP. The agent that called said that if I needed help ordering them that I could call and that Geek Squad would give me instructions. At this point I was furious. I called the store and spoke to the Cornell who said he was a manager. He immediately went to the Geek Squad desk and was speaking with them about the recovery disks. He then informed me that he would "get on top of the situation" and at that point I did not need to purchase the recovery disks. We are now over two weeks into this fiasco.

In the meantime I received a call from the Geek Squad data recovery center in Kentucky stating that a level 2 recovery was necessary to retrieve the data on my hard drive. I was given a price of $715 plus tax if they provided the external drive and $580 if I provided the drive. I was extremely upset and proceeded to call the Best Buy store to discuss my options regarding this recovery. I again spoke to Cornell, the store manager at the time. He told me that there was nothing that he could do to offset the cost of the recovery. I then proceeded to pay a visit to the store. I was told that since the data recovery was not covered that I would be responsible for the full amount. I agreed and told them to advise the recovery center to go ahead with the recovery of my data. They said that it would take a few days and that they would have the drive back to me in 1 week or less. This gave me great comfort as my wife was visibly upset at the thought of losing all of the pictures, videos, and documents from the last year of our life. With my approval they proceeded.

I had given up my daily calls as they were not returning results so I decided to let a week go by before I would call again. To my surprise on April, 5 I received an automated call that my computer was ready to be picked up. After picking up my daughter from school I proceeded to the store to retrieve my computer. When I arrived they informed me that it was not ready and that there was a glitch in the system and I should not have received a call. The call was actually due to the fact that the computer was finished at the service center and was ready to be shipped back to the store. However, they could not tell me when it would be shipped. I called every day and was informed that it finally shipped on that Thursday. When I called to speak to an agent about when it would be back in the store she told me that the computer would not arrive until the following Friday. I sarcastically asked her if they were walking it back to the store and then asked if she had a tracking number that she could check to see when it would arrive. She informed me that it would be in the following Tuesday, April 13th. On that day, I received a phone message from a Geek Squad agent and from the automated system that my computer was ready for pick up. I again proceeded there after my daughter's swim lesson just down the road. Again I was informed that I was called by mistake. I asked to speak to the manager and Shana approached me. She informed me that it was a mistake but could not explain why I had a message from a person and the machine. She then informed me that new recovery disks were necessary because the new hard drive was not working with my computer. She told me that she would provide her corporate card to purchase the disks and have them overnighted to the store. She also offered to offset the cost of the data recovery by half for all of the trouble that this particular store had caused me. She was extremely helpful and I left there confident that I would get my data back at a reasonable cost and that my computer would also be returned soon. The next day I received a call that HP could not overnight and that they were sent regular ground delivery. Finally, that Saturday April 17, I received a call that the disks had arrived and did not work. The message stated that I could come in and pick out a computer that would be similar in specifications as a direct replacement for mine. I was fine with this and that Sunday went in to the store and received my replacement computer. It works great! Unfortunately however, another stipulation of the protection plan is that if the computer needs to be replaced that the plan is fulfilled and I no longer have protection for my PC. This was upsetting because I had just under 2 years remaining on my protection plan. The Geek Squad employee informed me that I had 30 days to purchase a new protection plan for my computer. I left without protection on my computer in the hopes that when my hard drive arrived that I could work something out with the store manager to get my protection plan back as it was not my fault that the Geek Squad could not make my computer work.

On Thursday April 22 I received a phone message from the data recovery center stating that all attempts at a level 2 recovery had failed and that a level 3 recovery was necessary. The message stated to call in and to keep calling until I could talk to a person. It specifically said not to leave a message. Not having extended amounts of time to continuously call, I finally got through yesterday, April 26. I spoke to an agent that advised me that they were unable to copy my drive because the data was corrupted. She said that a level 3 clean room recovery was necessary to recover the data and that it would be approximately $1600 to recover the data. I was extremely upset and advised her that I had never received such poor service from any organization and that I could not believe that this was happening. She gave me a half-hearted apology and informed me that I had 72 hours to make a decision. This is where things stand right now. At this point I am going to request that they send me back my hard drive so that I can attempt to have it done locally. I am fed up with the Geek Squad and Best Buy.

I want to conclude by saying that I purchase all of my electronic devices and components at Best Buy since 1992. I have always had great success with Best Buy and their products but in all of that time this is the first time that I have had trouble with any item. It is disturbing to me that after all of the years doing business with your company that the first time I have an issue that this is the result. In addition, I have over the years recommended Best Buy to numerous friends and family members based on my successful dealings. As recently as last fall I recommended to my neighbor that she purchase her small business server and computers for her company at Best Buy. I then set it all up for her and it has been running smoothly so far but I cringe to think that if something goes wrong, she will be in the same boat as I am. Please note that I do not take any of this personally, but I do feel that the whole sequence of events has opened my eyes to the way that Best Buy and many other "big box" stores do business. I have realized, at least at store #833, that there is no communication and that the chain of command is greatly skewed. I was shown empathy by two out of the many employees I dealt with and this is unacceptable. I can't fully describe how I have felt over these last 6 weeks. In all of my dealings with any retail store this is by far the worst. I do not think that I am being unreasonable, I just expect to get what I pay for. In this case, I have not.

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HuntressMinerva
San Antonio, US
Nov 10, 2010 5:34 am EST

When buying a protection plan from anywhere not just Best Buy there will always be exclusions. If you don't take the time to read them then you can't expect that whatever is wrong with your device will be covered. That is why there is window of time for you to change your mind. It sounds like they started the process of getting your hard drive replaced right away. Its likely that there was something more wrong with your computer if it wasn't accepting a new hard drive, which is no ones fault. In the end you received a new computer which is likely much better then the original. You may have paid 200-300 bucks for the protection plan but that is much cheaper then it would have been to pay for the new computer yourself. Buying the protection plan was a smart move and you were able to save yourself a few hundred bucks because of it. Losing your memories is a big deal and I know I would be heartbroken if that happened to me. Unfortunately hard drives issues are common and I would recommend backing up all your important files. As far as the smaller (non big box) stores, they may have more flexible policies but they are not as dependable. For example what if you move, or what if they go out of business. At that point you have nothing. Best buy is not going anywhere, at least not for a long time. When circuit city went down Best buy actually honored circuit city protection plans. I hope you were able to get your files recovered for a decent price and I hope you are happy with the new computer you received.

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shagg
Phoenix, US
Sep 22, 2010 3:24 am EDT

Ok, so I'm coming into this late, sorry. But I felt compelled to comment. I genuinely feel bad for this person. Obviously, many will blame him for not having his data backed up, and there is some validity to that. But the truth is that most normal (or let's say, average) people just don't think about that sort of thing until it's too late.

There is very little guidance in general for non-savvy people purchasing and using a computer, and dealing with the complex responsibilities that come along with computer ownership. By and large people become educated by having disaster strike. They learn the hard way, and it really hurts. However a person gets to that point, imagine how you might feel losing years worth of family photos, or some other precious and irreplaceable data you trust your computer with. Show some compassion, and rest assured that he has learned a hard lesson. There's no need to add insult to injury. Is there any one of us that has never done a single brain-dead thing in their life?

I have to say, though, that as the hard drive escalated through the data recovery process, increasing in cost each time, you must keep some perspective. Unless there is reason to believe otherwise, at each step it was determined that the hard drive failure was to the extent that it would require more intense (and more expensive) efforts to retrieve the data. Being an I.T. worker, I'm well aware that data recovery can get very expensive, depending on the measures necessary. It seemed prudent to me that he was notified each time the issue was being escalated, and that the price would increase.

It sounds to me that the situation would have been greatly improved had some Best Buy or Geek Squad employee taken ownership of the issue, working as an advocate for the customer, and seen it through to resolution.

Service industry workers need to wake up and realize that consumers pay you to hold their hand. So hold it already, and at least act like you appreciate having the opportunity to help them (and get paid). If you don't, you're only helping to further perpetuate the negative reputation that many service centers maintain, including the Geek Squad. Besides, if you don't like being someone's hero, even when they are not necessarily acting in their own best interest, you probably should be working at the DMV, and not in the customer service/support industry.

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ThePCDude
, US
May 14, 2010 1:39 pm EDT

I totally agree with Dougiefreshgraphics and Jpjy. edempsey...I feel bad for your experience and for some (SOME) of your experience, yet, this still falls into your lap.

I have been fixing and repairing PCs since the days of Windows DOS and 3.1. Yeah, I am in my 60s folks with over 25 years of electrical and computer repair experience.

Best Buy and Geek Squad are almost as useless as a comb for a bald man...I think the computer work they do varies depending on location and the quality of the current staff there...but it is not their fault you lost your data. They made mistakes and provided some crappy service...fair enough. Let's face facts and admit what this is really all about - you are pissed your foolishness and complacency are going to cost you big $$$. End of story.

You are responsible for reading the coverage of the warranty and understanding CLEARLY what you purchase before you purchase it. I cannot recover data cheaply from a dead hard drive either. I have worked some miracles but normally I have to send it out to a data recovery specialist company and they charge a fortune. I only charge my customers for shipping costs as a courtesy. Odds are I will also have to install a new hard drive and recover their entire system anyway.

I have clients that listen to me, heed my advice, buy the products I recommend and they create backup routines on spare hard drives and even off site over the internet in case their houses burn down. There are always the foolish and cheap types that think I am 'ripping them off' for more fees by pushes these things but, oh how they cry, wail and moan and gnash their teeth to biblical proportions when they need me to save their granddaughters graduation pictures. They never, ever admit how right I was when I tried to warn them. I take the time to explain how fast a HD spins, how much data is being read and written, how it is very likely the HD could die on them, even how solar radiation can even cause data loss, etc, etc, etc. All I hear is me getting the blame later for not being 'clear' enough or 'forceful' enough. Yeah...can you imagine someone letting me 'force' them? Ridiculous!

Best Buy and others are doing you a huge favor by giving some folks a location to go to, to resolve your problem. It is a LUXURY...not a right. If you are too foolish or lazy to research your options...oh well. You are going to pay a premium for their help...and rightfully so. They have overhead and they are not charities. They have to profit. I have to profit. Client ignorance is not our problem.

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Jpjy
Chicago, US
Apr 30, 2010 8:47 pm EDT

Good grief, another person who doesn't do a backup and then complains it's too expensive to recover the data. HDD failures are so common and data recovery so expensive that BB or the warranty vendor would go out of business in a week. Please everyone who see's this, back up your frakkin data. If you don't know how, learn or pay someone to teach you. You can see now the importance of it.

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burnz
., US
Apr 30, 2010 9:49 am EDT

dougiefreshgraphics, you do realize you can buy pc far cheaper than places like Best Buy, they do not sell computers "Dirt Cheap". A quick search or two yields the same results, Best Buy being the same price or more expensive than the competition. Sure, they may have a sale on an older, discontinued or cheaper item but that does not mean they are selling pc's below their price they paid per unit, it is obvious dougiefreshgraphics has never worked behind the scenes in retail handling item markup percentages. Lastly, the plan you buy from "Geek Sqaud" is not a contracted agreement from the vendor but an offer of extended services to the end-user that are not covered by the initial manufacturer's warranty.

As for your remarks about china: "However, a more in-depth look revealed that the users sending the malware are based in China. The report studied the ISP address of the user and found that over 28 percent of malware was distributed by Chinese based users. The United States came in third, being responsible for 13.8 percent of malware distribution."

28%, not 43% and the US is number 3 at 13.8%. So stop bashing a whole country for a few bad apples.

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Dougiefreshgraphics
Chicago Heights, US
Apr 28, 2010 10:40 pm EDT

You just want everything to be included on a exteneded warranty, do you know BB sells computers for little to nothing and alot of times sells them for less that what they paid just to move a quantity of them in hope that at the end of the year the company they bought them from may or may not give them a little kickback for volume sales, data back up is your own job not thiers and by now you've heard or read enought to know hundreds of people that are devistated by lost files, you can back them up on a thumb drive for 25 bucks or less BB/GS did nothing wrong except I do have a problem with the automated call people get when the product in for repair returns you get a computer voice saying it's ready when most times it hasnt even been inspected yet, and thier cost for virus removal is about $50 too high, they sell VI SPY to cover the cost of viruses at $30 bucks, for a year but once you get a virus that is forfilled and you have to buy another 30 plan, 3 of those in a year is better than $200 once, scareware and viruses are on the rise big time with hackers getting .50 to $1.00 for every computer they infect ist is a multi biliion dollar busines to these bad people who 43 % generated from China, they have classes and buildings full of these people making a living doing this and China does not care. Care enough to protect yourself with back up drives for your files and stop using AVG and AVAST type free programs to make you feel like you got something good for free, those programs are more reactive then they are proactive, and ps BB and GS are told by the vendors in agreements exactly what they will and will not cover, it's not like BB makes up everything you've experienced, my opinon, but I'm right.

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debug911
, US
Apr 28, 2010 9:45 am EDT

Two things are for sure in life. Hard drives will fail and most people ignore this fact and fail to backup. If you want to deal with some local company in Chicagoland that actually cares about their customer's dat, provides personal service and tells them these facts, check out www.debug911.com

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burnz
., US
Apr 27, 2010 5:16 pm EDT

Amazing. Spoonbat is right on point, this should have been included in a good plan. Also, my experiences with Best Buy have been similar. Poor when I need to speak with someone and indifferent when I get in and out.

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Spoonbat
, US
Apr 27, 2010 12:27 pm EDT

That sucks. If your hard drive has a hardware failure, then $1600 really isn't out of range for the costs I would expect to see. But considering that HD failures are so common (possibly the most common PC problem), it's a little shifty that it is excluded or avoided entirely by the service plan you purchased. I imagine that when they were telling you how great the service plan was, they neglected to tell you that it left out one of the more common PC problems you can encounter?

I would completely agree that the service and level of technical expertise at best buy is terrible. I've personally only had bad and then indifferent experiences at Best Buy; bad when I have to speak to an employee and they inevitably mislead me or say something stupid, and indifferent when I can get in and out of the store without talking to any employees at all.

Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully you end up with a resolution from BB that you can be happy with. And hopefully other people reading this can learn from your experience to A) not trust BB/Geek Squad and B) always backup any data that you can't afford to lose.

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5:30 pm EDT
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Best Buy I swear geek squad is a joke

I think it is crazy that a so called geek squad knows less that me about computers and I am a 21 year old girl. On the first occasion that I learned about their stupidity, my dad took his laptop in because he got a virus and needed the files off his computer. These are very important files and the so called geek squad sent his computer out and said that his hard drive was fried. He sent the laptop to HIS I.T. people and they pulled the files off in minutes. THEN today I took my brand new laptop in because the internet wasn't working, no matter what I did. They barely looked at it and said there was nothing they could do. If I wanted a replacement I'd have to pay a 15% restocking fee. Well then why did I pay for a warrenty! I swear geek squad is a joke. They should have to have a BA or something.

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arubino99
Austin, US
Apr 28, 2010 6:28 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

"These are very important files and the so called geek squad sent his computer out and said that his hard drive was fried. He sent the laptop to HIS I.T. people and they pulled the files off in minutes."
Your IT Department knows exactly which files are needed by your dad.
Geek Squad doesn't. It's like looking for a needle in a stack of needles...
They may have been improperly trained, it's true. Or they may not have wanted to be liable for "very important data". Honestly, if this data is "very important", your dad should be aware of how to back it up. And have multiple back ups. Thumb drives cheap? Check. 95% of computers today sold with a CDR or DVDR drive? Check. Lack of education by you and your dad? Check.

"THEN today I took my brand new laptop in because the internet wasn't working"
Your internet wasn't working (many complex parts, not solely a hardware issue), and you want to return the entire laptop? I would slap you with a fee too. Did you call your Internet Service Provider? Did you determine that it was the fault of the hardware? Or did you have expectations that they perform all relevent troubleshooting for you, and consult your ISP that you pay for on your behalf (using all your own personal information?).

I don't think Geek Squad has proper computer training for your expectations. Most people that consult with an IT company (like Geek Squad) expect them to wave a magic wand and suddenly everything is better again. It just doesn't happen. Lay out EXACTLY what it is you want, and EXACTLY what you expect of the services you are purchasing (Geek Squad). If they fail to meet those expectations after you purchase service and state what it is you want, THEN you have a legitimate complaint.

Keep in mind, they probably maybe 12-15/hr. Are you SERIOUSLY stating that they need a 4-year college degree to make that money? REALLY?

I disagree with your complaint. Not on the grounds that Geek Squad is poorly trained. On the grounds that your complaint is poorly formed, and you fail to state what it is you seek. You also misspell "warranty" and demand a BA (Arts, really... for computers?) of customer service reps. You don't state any complaints about customer service, or how the reps treated you.

Note: I don't work for Geek Squad, have never worked for Geek Squad, and not affiliated with Geek Squad or Best Buy. But I have been in IT for quite some time. And people like you that spout of complaints in a ranting fashion such as this expecting anyone in the computer world to have a magic-fix EASY button simply doesn't understand technology. I doubt you even comprehend the basics of computers, customer service, IT, or even retail sales. I would ask what you do for a living, but I'm afraid you work in/around/with computers, and don't comprehend in the least how they actually function.

COMPLAINT DISMISSED!

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aware19
, CH
Apr 08, 2010 5:47 pm EDT

It depends on the intelligence of the actual squad member. Some are prolific in the art of computing, others are [censored] wannabes. Next time, talk to a squad member about a subject in computing and gage their intelligence on the matter. Might help if you do go to them again.

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Best Buy late fee charge for paying early

I am a customer for Best Buy and have been hit with a late payment only once before,
which after they went over it and checked it, they ended up giving me the proper credit after
probably checking and finding out I was not at fault.
Now I have another late fee charge for paying my bill on time and also for sending my payment early,
I am getting punish for sending in my payments too early, according to them and they are talking about a cycle
of my bill or invoice which I had no idea of, my thinking was anything after the due date has to be counted
for the next billing cycle period, but once again BEST BUY has figure out in a shaddy kind of way I guess
to punish a good customer...I am sorry to say that I will be closing out my account if this doesn't get solve!

This below is how it went down:------------------------------------------------------------

NEW BALANCE PAYMENT $385.00
DUE DATE 3-2-2010
RECOMMENDED MAIL DATE [protected]
TOTAL MINIMUM PAYMENT DUE $10.00

So in [protected] I sent a payment online for $100.00 dollars for this Bill.
I decided to send my next payment early for my next bill on 3-6-2010, I paid $50.00 online.
My next statement received showed the following:

NEW BALANCE PAYMENT $235.00
DUE DATE 4-2-2010
RECOMMENDED MAIL DATE [protected]
TOTAL MINIMUM PAYMENT DUE $10.00

Because I had made two payments I figure I had taken care of this month bill also, but Best Buy claims I had made
my other payment to early and because of that I has been charge a late fee.
I had no knowledge of a closing cycle or a date of a closing cycle, I figure anything after the due date has to be applied to
the next month? but according to them is not.
here is the part of the email they sent me...see if you can make sense of what they are saying and you be the judge?
here is what they wrote to me and their solution to the matter:----------------------------------------------------------------

Any payment amount received in excess to the minimum payment requested does
not apply as a credit to the next month's minimum payment due. Please pay the
minimum payment when requested on each statement to avoid late fees.

Please be advised that as the payment on your Account for $50.00 was received
on 03/06/2010 and your account cycled on 03/10/2010, the payment was applied
towards the balance on your account, not towards the next month payment.

Any payment amount received in excess to the minimum payment requested does
not apply as a credit to the next month's minimum payment due. Please pay the
minimum payment when requested on each statement to avoid late fees.

We are unable to grant your request to remove late fees from your account.
Payments are due on or before the due dates listed on your billing statement.
All payments received after the due date will incur late fees.

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Best Buy Customer Reviews Overview

Best Buy is a leading retailer of technology products and services in the United States. The company has a strong online presence through its website, bestbuy.com, which offers a wide range of products, including electronics, appliances, and home entertainment systems. Best Buy has received numerous positive reviews from customers who have praised the company for its excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and high-quality products.

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Overall, Best Buy is a highly regarded retailer of technology products and services. The company's excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and wide product selection have earned it a loyal customer base and positive reviews from customers.

Best Buy In-depth Review

Website Design and User Experience: The website design of Best Buy is clean and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for. The search function is efficient and the layout is intuitive, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Product Range and Availability: Best Buy offers a wide range of products across various categories, including electronics, appliances, and entertainment. The website provides detailed information about each product, helping customers make informed decisions. The availability of products is generally good, with most items in stock and ready to be shipped.

Pricing and Discounts: Best Buy offers competitive pricing on their products, often matching or beating prices offered by other retailers. They frequently have sales and promotions, providing customers with opportunities to save money. Additionally, they have a price match guarantee, ensuring that customers get the best deal possible.

Customer Service and Support: Best Buy has a strong customer service and support system in place. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff are readily available to assist customers with any inquiries or issues. They offer multiple channels for customer support, including phone, email, and live chat, ensuring prompt and efficient assistance.

Delivery and Shipping: Best Buy provides reliable and efficient delivery services. They offer various shipping options, including standard and expedited shipping, allowing customers to choose the option that best suits their needs. The delivery process is generally smooth, with packages arriving on time and in good condition.

Return and Refund Policy: Best Buy has a fair and flexible return and refund policy. They offer a generous return window, allowing customers to return products within a specified period for a refund or exchange. The process is hassle-free, with clear instructions provided on their website.

Product Quality and Authenticity: Best Buy is known for offering high-quality and authentic products. They source their products from reputable brands and manufacturers, ensuring that customers receive genuine and reliable items. Best Buy also provides detailed product descriptions and specifications, helping customers make informed decisions about their purchases.

Customer Reviews and Ratings: Best Buy features customer reviews and ratings on their website, providing valuable insights into the products and services they offer. Customers can read reviews from other shoppers, helping them make informed decisions. The ratings and reviews are generally reliable and trustworthy.

Loyalty Programs and Rewards: Best Buy offers a loyalty program called "My Best Buy," which provides customers with exclusive benefits and rewards. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for discounts and other perks. The program is free to join and offers additional benefits based on the member's tier level.

Overall Shopping Experience: Overall, shopping at Best Buy is a pleasant and satisfying experience. The website design and user experience are top-notch, making it easy to find and purchase products. The wide range of products, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service contribute to a positive shopping experience. With reliable delivery, a fair return policy, and high-quality products, Best Buy is a trusted retailer for all your electronic and appliance needs.

How to file a complaint about Best Buy?

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2. Navigating to the complaint form: Once logged in, locate the 'File a Complaint' button, which can be found at the top right corner of the website, and click on it to access the complaint form.

3. Writing the title: In the 'Complaint Title' field, concisely summarize the main issue you have encountered with Best Buy. Make it specific and clear, such as "Defective Laptop Sold at Best Buy" or "Poor Customer Service at Best Buy Store."

4. Detailing the experience: In the complaint description, provide a detailed account of your experience. Include key areas such as:

  • The specific location or online service of Best Buy where the issue occurred.
  • The date and time of the incident or purchase.
  • A clear description of the product or service involved.
  • Any communication you've had with Best Buy's customer service, including dates and outcomes.
  • The nature of the issue, such as a faulty product, misrepresentation, or poor service.
  • Steps you've taken to resolve the issue with Best Buy, and the responses received.
  • The personal impact of the issue, such as inconvenience, financial loss, or emotional distress.

Remember to be factual and include any relevant information about transactions you had with the company.

5. Attaching supporting documents: Attach any relevant documents such as receipts, emails, or photos that support your complaint. Do not include sensitive personal information that could compromise your privacy.

6. Filling optional fields: Use the 'Claimed Loss' field to state any financial losses you have incurred due to the issue. In the 'Desired Outcome' field, specify what resolution you are seeking from Best Buy, such as a refund, exchange, or apology.

7. Review before submission: Carefully review your complaint for clarity, accuracy, and completeness. Ensure that your narrative is easy to understand and that all the facts are presented correctly.

8. Submission process: After reviewing, click the 'Submit' button to file your complaint. Make sure that you have filled in all the necessary fields and attached any supporting documents.

9. Post-Submission Actions: After submitting your complaint, regularly check your account on ComplaintsBoard.com for any responses or updates. Engage with any replies from Best Buy or other users to facilitate the resolution of your complaint.

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