I was thrown out of Best Buy

[rbelisle]

Looking for a camera last year, went to BB because they carried the 3 models I was looking for. So I go to the camera counter... an I HATE that they put the security cables on their models because you can't get a feel for how heavy the camera really is, but I can live with this because I understand why they have to do it.

They have all three cameras... but none have their batteries charged, so I can't see ANYTHING... frustrated with this the salesperson actually says, "We have a 30 day return policy, why don't you buy all three, then return them if they aren't what you want". So I whipped out my Visa, bought all three and played with them at home... picked the one I wanted, found it at another retailer for $70.00 less, so I bought it there and returned all 3 to BB.

When I get to the returns desk, they call someone over from the camera counter to look and make sure all of the cables/manuals/accessories are there and I get the camera manager. She asks me why I bought 3/returning 3 a couple of weeks later. I tell her my story and she looks at the bill (has the salesperson's name on it) She sighs "Oh Barry... he would say something like that"...

So, great for returns, but know what you want!

[edgrbishop]

I do the same when I am in Best Buy or any other store.

I had a Nvidia 6200 OC video card that was running at 100-120* celcius. I had already called BFG and they told me it was defective to return it to the store (after a few tests and some system adjustments). As I was returning it on of the Geeks asked me a few questions about the PC I had purchased it for. THen tried to tell me my power supply wasn't strong enough and was causing the Video card to overheat.

I told her what the tech told me, and that I fell well with in the system requirments, and that if it was a power supply related issue, the video card wouldn't even start up the monitor. Being that I had this problem when my so called 300 watt power supply was only producing 298 watts. And my video card need a 300 watt power supply. I then told her how I was A+, N+, and MCSE certified and that she had no clue what she was talking about, she quickly disapeared and went back to work.

Sad to say, I had to return the 2nd card due to the many problems associated with the 6200's... had massive pixalations. Being that the PC had no AGP slots I had to go down to a FX 5200 with 256mb.

I might see if I can send this one back, Warcraft III is showing heat related artifacts. I even installed my fan from my 5700LE and no improvements. So far all other games are good, but none are as graphically intense as Warcraft.

I recommend doing waht I do at Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot. Wait for the sales rep to step aside or turn away. Ask the customer if you can have a word. Let them know what's wrong, DO NOT trash the sales rep, but simply inform them they are possibly being misled by the sales person. Inform them they should either do more research or search for similar quality accesaries elsewhere. Then if they want to be stupid and not take your advise... just sit back and luagh at them as the walk towards the register...

I too bought Monster Cables, but do to my knowledge of the company's quality, and due to the fact I need them for my DJ equipment and I knew they won't frey or break as easily as cheaper cables.

As far as componet cables, the human eye can not notice the differance. Monster cables may hold their quality over many years (10+) but anything less then that any cable should do fine.

Now if I can only get this GB-PVR to work with my ATI HDTV tuner crap I bought at Best Buy, I will be happy. If not I will have to purchase either B___-TV or Cyber___'s program.

Remember never tell someone else what to do, just inform them of their choices or remind them they have choices.

I never say buy this product it's the best... I always say, I used this or that and I reccomend it... Or I think it's better.

[nbarsley]

I love Fry's! I was thrilled when I found one in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago on a business trip. I too thought they were only in AZ, CA.

For those of you that have not seen a Fry's, Imagine a store bigger than a Super Wal-Mart full of tech stuff.

I was in there for over 3 hours. Bought a 500gig HD for 99.00, an electronic weather station, a 4 foot long power strip, a couple of breadboards, a big pack of assorted LED's for $3.00 and a bunch of other stuff. I'm lucky I was able to pay my rent this month.

They have a pretty bad reputation online for the kind of rebate and warranty scams on big ticket items that Tigerdirect is famous for but it's a great store to browse around in.

I went to school with the son of the owner of Fry's. He was an asshole But I do enjoy going to the store.

[nbarsley]

My last Worst Buy purchase was a laptop. They give quite a hard sell for the extended warranty, accessories, bags, etc. Awful.

At the Best Buy close to my house, they don't even display all of the spec's on the laptops. It was something like:
Windows Vista!
Video Card!
Speakers!

[nbarsley]

[quote=tipstir]When Sam Walmart was alive things like this never happen, as soon as he dead in the ground all hell has broken loose..QUOTE]

Hah! I wish his name was Sam Walmart!

[mvallevand]

Canada PFC (Pourty Fired Chicken).

That's probably the best case for Quebec's Bill 101. I've ever read.

Martin

[GoldDragon]

Wow. That is quite a story, bdgbill.

I, too, have assisted many fellow customers on technology purchases. Like some of you have already stated, I can't stand witnessing John Consumer get the shaft when I can prevent it with a friendly "Hi, I might be able to help you with this." So far I've never had a showdown with a clerk or manager, but it might happen one day.

That Mr Magnolia person sounds like a real donkey. What really irked me was when he threatened to call security on you when you had done nothing wrong (other than being intelligent, informed, and willing to help your fellow man).

I have several years of retail work experience under my belt, including work in retail security. Let me give you all some ammunition that may come in handy. In a situation like this, if some loudmouth clerk says he's going to call security, just tell him "Fine, I'd be happy to talk to security, because I've done nothing wrong. I'll just continue to shop while you go get them." If he actually does get the security guard(s), just tell them the truth: "Mr Magnolia clerk is irritated with me because I helped steer a fellow customer away from a bad purchase. Other than that I'm just shopping." Chances are, the "confrontation" will be diffused immediately--Mr Magnolia has egg on his face, the security folks go back to more important things, and you can go on your way. 99% of the security people I've worked with are very level-headed, and the job is very demanding in terms of priorities, proper procedure, extensive paperwork, etc. They have much better things to do than talk to you about how smart and helpful you are.

Additionally, if a security guard or employee physically touches you in any way, the legal liability they incur is HUGE. One of the first rules I was taught as a retail security guard was *do not touch anyone*--because any physical contact could lead to a very damaging lawsuit against the company (at least this is how things work in California). At my job only supervisor-level guards could use physical contact, and even then it was very restricted and had to be absolutely justified. With me, I could stand there and tell someone to leave until I was blue-faced, but that's all I could do. If you ever find yourself being unjustifiably harassed by clerks/security, calmly inform them that you know this information, and that if they attempt to physically remove you, your cellphone will be dialing the local police before you reach the front door. If it were me, I'd have my phone out already, recording the conversation so that I'd have evidence to back me up. My bet is that they will leave you alone.

Just thought I'd chip in some info people may not know. Of course, this kind of tedious effort may not be worthwhile. It is easier to just find another store with better service .

GoldDragon

[bdgbill]

That's probably the best case for Quebec's Bill 101. I've ever read.

Martin

LMAO @ the inside joke on Quebec!

[dgeezer]

LMAO @ the inside joke on Quebec!

From Wikipedia:


In French-speaking Quebec, KFC is known as PFK (Poulet Frit Kentucky). This was necessary for KFC because of Quebec's use of the notwithstanding clause to continue the restriction against the posting of any commercial signs in languages other than French, and is one of the few instances in which the KFC initialism is changed for the local language; even in France itself, the chain is called KFC.

I just had to know.

[tony1234]

'P' like in Poutine? Burger King is definitely not the best place for that. Next time you're around, I'll show you where to get the best poutine.