F*CK you Best Buy

[Seth53]

Literally every chain store is the same. You would've gotten the same treatment from Circuit City, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Dunham's Bass Pro Shop, JC Penney, Home Depot, and the list goes on. Doesn't matter what they're selling. Those stores are nothing more than a bunch of super low-paid help with zero knowledge of the product they're selling trying to barely make their car payments on 2005 Celicas. Would you give a shit what a customer is mad about and go out of your way to help the guy for minimum wage? Nope.

All of those chain stores have a scam "club" you can join where they fleece old people into thinking they're getting a bunch of benefits, they only need to get your $200 and don't give a shit about the few complainers that come back in demanding some sort of resolution. You got scammed, and like Dave Ramsey says it's actually a good thing if it only happens once and you learn from it...it's called a stupid tax. I'm going to guess that you also buy extended warranties and "protection plans" at the register. Good luck getting any of those to work. Yet another scam.

Newsflash for ya, no one at Best Buy...not even all the way up to upper management--gives two shits about the reputation of Best Buy, and they don't care if you get upset or not. They have crappy low-paying jobs and they just wanna get through their day and not have to listen to whiny customers anymore. Same for any chain store . It's the way it is. Retail is hell and no one cares about your (or my) problems. The sooner people figure that out the better.

Go look at ANY online presence of ANY big retailer and you'll see the exact same litany of complaints as Best Buy.

Disagree on the $200. We've more than made up for labor charges by being a member of this service. Several surround sound/TV, etc., installs speak for themselves. Now, I'll most likely be cancelling the service since we've run out of things to upgrade.

So, no, it hasn't been a stupid tax at all.

 

[okeefe4prez]

I was actually very calm about it.
They offered to have the manager call me that day, which he didn't.
They also fibbed when they said the manager had called me to tell me the installation was cancelled.
Finally, their telephone customer service sucks balls. Big balls.

To you guys busting my balls, do two things for me...

#1--go back and actually read my post. The cancellation wasn't the deal. It was being fibbed about being called, then no call back, then being shined-on with a discount then no follow up to reschedule is what frosted me. Plus I'm still holding the bag on hundreds of dollars of equipment gathering dust.

#2--See #1. And feel free to read the multitude of BB complaints lodged against them. Same theme....can't get a person to help in the stores, can't get anyone to help on the phone, no other way to contact them.

BTW...the manager finally called me yesterday at 6 pm. Said something about not getting the message. Uh huh.

Have you ever worked a Saturday in retail or a restaurant? It's a fvcking zoo. All of these companies have cut service reps to the bone because it is just something that adds marginal cost.

Your problem is that you got all pissed off and didn't stop to think logically. Did you buy the stuff gathering dust from Best Buy? If so, what you do is you hear the story about them being unable to fulfill their task, then you carry the stuff into the store and tell them you want to return it. That is how you get the manager's attention because that dude has a performance metric based on not getting saddled with returns. If they refuse, then you drive home, look up their registered agent, then send a letter to that address informing them of the facts and telling them that you are going to be bringing a claim in small claims court if they don't refund your money because you are going to buy from someone else. Mail that thing certified. You'll get a response from someone with a pulse in a week or so. You literally can't get jack shit out of front line or even second line customer service with a company like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Verizon, etc. That is a feature, not a bug.

 

[Seth53]

Most on this board are quick to type and slow to read. Not sure what you were expecting to gain in taking the time to type your post................I've learned this the hard way.

LOl...seems to be true.

I was really trying to warn others of my plight....being a good neighbor and all.

Got ridiculed and called a Karen for my efforts. Oh well.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Guarantee you after he left:

Store MGR: Did you call that guy and let him know Pete was sick?

Kaleb: I'm pretty sure I did.

Store MGR: F it, man, we're full enough. Did you hear that guy? Jesus.

Kaleb: You want me to have regional call him back and set up a new time?

Store MGR: No way in hell. If Rhonda calls from regional to see what we have for appointments tell her were out to late June. Hopefully he goes somewhere else. I have better shit to do on a Saturday than deal with that shit. I don't get paid enough for that. He'll probably go on Facebook and leave a 1 star and put a big post up. At least we don't have to mess with it.

Did anyone move those fridges out of the store room so we can fit Tuesday's truck load in there?

We gotta move those refrigerators,,, we gotta move those color TeeeeVeeeeees...

 

[Seth53]

Have you ever worked a Saturday in retail or a restaurant? It's a fvcking zoo. All of these companies have cut service reps to the bone because it is just something that adds marginal cost.

Your problem is that you got all pissed off and didn't stop to think logically. Did you buy the stuff gathering dust from Best Buy? If so, what you do is you hear the story about them being unable to fulfill their task, then you carry the stuff into the store and tell them you want to return it. That is how you get the manager's attention because that dude has a performance metric based on not getting saddled with returns. If they refuse, then you drive home, look up their registered agent, then send a letter to that address informing them of the facts and telling them that you are going to be bringing a claim in small claims court if they don't refund your money because you are going to buy from someone else. Mail that thing certified. You'll get a response from someone with a pulse in a week or so. You literally can't get jack shit out of front line or even second line customer service with a company like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Verizon, etc. That is a feature, not a bug.

Yes Jeff, I've worked customer service my entire 40 year pharmacy career. Been on the other side of the fence my entire professional life.

Yes, I bought all of it from BB.

I was lied to twice, then crickets. That is what frosted me.

 

[thedukeofearl]

I posted the following on their FaceBook page (since they do not have an on-line complaint/resolution portal. Cripes almighty, what the hell has happened to customer service these days? And no, no answer back. I left my full name, email and phone # to boot.

Dreadful experience with Best Buy (BB) in Coralville, Iowa.

My wife and I wanted to do a dual-car audio upgrade. As a Totaltech member ($200/year to join) we purchased most of the hardware through BB and were set up for two installations at the Coralville, IA BB on Saturday, March 28th. I had taken time off from work to drive the NINETY miles to get this done. We had patiently waited for SIXTY days for the appointment day.

Upon arrival, we were informed the installer had been called away for a family emergency and wasn’t available. I asked why we were not notified and the answer from the Service Manager was that the Geek Squad manager, Kaleb, stated he had called everyone. Nope. Not a whisper. I was then asked if the call might have gone to “spam”….huh? Emails go to spam, voice messages do not.

I was given a $175 refund for our time and trouble of driving two vehicles. I was told the Geek Squad manager, Kaleb, would call me when he arrived at 11am. Nope. Not a whisper.

I wanted to re-schedule obviously, so, on the ninety-minute drive home, I spent the entire time either on hold, getting transferred multiple times, getting transferred to the BB worker’s comp hotline, and/or getting cut off completely using the Geek Squad Totaltech customer service phone number. When I finally got ahold of a scheduler (no, Kaleb never did call), I was told there wasn’t anything available at the Iowa City or Davenport BB’s for audio install until late May or early June.

Seeing how I was turned away, not communicated with beforehand, not called back as promised and being on hold for about two hours total, I would think some consideration might be made to get us in sooner. Nope.

Finally, there is no email or online customer-communication (complaint) site to work through. Why is that? Sorry BB, I won’t schedule any more installation services…business will be going elsewhere. Highly doubtful we will be renewing our Totaltech membership. Sorry, but your customer service is an F+

Sorry you had to experience this nightmare, extremely frustrating indeed

I believe this is becoming a common occurrence and will only get worse

Big Box stores don't generally have qualified tech employees

Costco probably has better service and perhaps knowledgeable employees

Because they pay very well and provide solid employee benefits

A store that specializes in quality audio components like Audio Labs in DM would
be much better and more costly, but the product and service would be far above
the commercial Big Box stores, soon Best Buy will be similar to Walmart

Things won't get better, things like your situation are commonplace and deteriorate as time goes on

 

[Fryowa]

LOl...seems to be true.

I was really trying to warn others of my plight....being a good neighbor and all.

Got ridiculed and called a Karen for my efforts. Oh well.

You got $175 which more than covered your gas for two vehicles, what more do you want? An oil change?

 

[thedukeofearl]

Best Buy Geek Squad desks are apparently a joke. One person I know bought their laptop there, took it in when they had a problem and the Geek took a quick look, declared it couldn't be fixed without a major hardware repair, etc. They then took their laptop to a local computer repair shop, who fixed it in about 60 seconds.
The lack of ability to phone any local BB store direct is, of course, also BS.

Yeah, best to find a local small computer repair shop

I go to TTech in DM for quick quality cheap service

Tony T became a friend, and we talk for a half hour or more while he repairs my problem right away
or if he has to order parts when the part comes in

 

[thedukeofearl]

We gotta move those refrigerators,,, we gotta move those color TeeeeVeeeeees...

W. C. Fields- Never give a sucker an even break (1941)

www.youtube.com

 

[Seth53]

You got $175 which more than covered your gas for two vehicles, what more do you want? An oil change?

$175 was "go away" money.

I also had to switch out working weekends to make the time. My schedule is tight as hell.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Yes Jeff, I've worked customer service my entire 40 year pharmacy career. Been on the other side of the fence my entire professional life.

Yes, I bought all of it from BB.

I was lied to twice, then crickets. That is what frosted me.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. You've witnessed your entire industry get gutted the same way that Best Buy has gutted local retail. I'm sure pharmacy is gonna be really pleasurable if Amazon is ever able to scale its freaking pharmacy business. Just be thankful you'll be retired before that shit hits the fan.

 

[Fryowa]

$175 was "go away" money.

I also had to switch out working weekends to make the time. My schedule is tight as hell.

I don't know, you spent maybe $50 in gas between both cars, $125 on top of that seems pretty decent to me. You could've had a nice meal with your wife on the way home and still had $65 in your pocket.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I have no problem of course with the fact the installer wasn't there. (But my shit still isn't installed and now I have to go through the hassle of going somewhere else...not throwing a dime to BB after this).

My issues are:
- Nobody called me about the cancellation and then they lied about it.
- The Geek Squad manager was supposed to call me to re-schedule. That same day. He didn't. Another lie.
- You absolutely CANNOT get through to anybody who speaks decent english, or, speak to a store rep directly. I was on the phone for 90+ minutes and didn't get a re-scheduling resolved.
- BB has automated everything and sometimes you need to un-automate things like this.
- BB does not have an on-line complaint/issue portal. You can't lodge a concern on line, or, email one. Instead, you have to call, and guess what, you're on hold and then on the phone for a very long time. That's why I posted what I did on their FB page.

I've given up on BB years ago. Surprised they are still in operation. I bet you they go by the wayside in about 5 yrs. I used to go there to look at certain electronics/Tv's then end up ordering the model online for much cheaper $$$$. I've ordered at least 3 Tv's online over the years and they all worked out fine.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Yeah, pretty much this. They have a 3 month backlog. The guy who could do the job couldn't do it on the scheduled day. Only recourse is to get back in line. It's a car audio thing, it isn't an HVAC system or water heater or something that really matters. I use every possible effort to avoid buying anything from Amazon, Wal Mart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc. I try to buy from a local business first and if that won't fly I try smaller regional or national retailers like Academy Sports or Tractor Supply.

For anything related to car electronics, I would go to a local place called Rogers Stereo. They did my wife's tint during the Germ and were super awesome. Ownership and management is all local and they completely live and die by reputation and word of mouth. Best Buy is basically a phone reseller now, they don't give two shits about their car radio business. I don't know what local options exist for services like that, but you lose a bunch of the local businesses as the population of areas like eastern Iowa/western Illinois empties out or flatlines.

This is the best point. Finding a local company that hangs everything on their work and reputation is the only way to go. The quality of products and work is so much better and consistent.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Yes Jeff, I've worked customer service my entire 40 year pharmacy career. Been on the other side of the fence my entire professional life.

Yes, I bought all of it from BB.

I was lied to twice, then crickets. That is what frosted me.

Do what Okeefe said, take the equipment back with a statement that they didn't hold up their end of the contract. It may not be a legal contract, per se, but the agreement was that they would install the equipment in a reasonable time, which a few months is quite liberal, and they did not and did not keep in touch with you.

In my eyes, you were not in the wrong. I would then look up a local audio installer that hangs their hat on that area of business. You obviously seem to be well enough off with your career.

I would have never pizzed with BB in the first place, as it's equivalent to shopping at Walmart for your clothes, IMO.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Yeah, best to find a local small computer repair shop

I go to TTech in DM for quick quality cheap service

Tony T became a friend, and we talk for a half hour or more while he repairs my problem right away
or if he has to order parts when the part comes in

Duke - "Thanks again Tony!".

Tony - "Hey, no prob, but ya gotta stop looking at porn.".

 

[okeefe4prez]

Do what Okeefe said, take the equipment back with a statement that they didn't hold up their end of the contract. It may not be a legal contract, per se, but the agreement was that they would install the equipment in a reasonable time, which a few months is quite liberal, and they did not and did not keep in touch with you.

In my eyes, you were not in the wrong. I would then look up a local audio installer that hangs their hat on that area of business. You obviously seem to be well enough off with your career.

I would have never pizzed with BB in the first place, as it's equivalent to shopping at Walmart for your clothes, IMO.

No Seth, ain't wrong. Best Buy fucked up, but they ain't really wrong, either. Shit happens. It sucks that Seth had to bear the brunt of this and that he entrusted someone named Kaleb with something important.

Names say so much. All things considered, who would you trust with your car, a guy with a normal name like Tony, Miguel, Chuck, Lou, etc. or a guy with some totally bitch name like Aiden, Kaleb, Xander or Seth? Time can't cure this. In 2050 if I'm still alive and I hear about someone named Xander or Aiden I will never be able to picture that person in any capacity other than a snot nosed kid eating Gogurt in a car seat in a minivan. It won't matter if they are 35 years old, that is how I will forever see them. It's called an "unconscious bias." Wait, no, it will be very conscious.

 

[Fryowa]

All things considered, who would you trust with your car, a guy with a normal name like Tony, Miguel, Chuck, Lou, etc. or a guy with some totally bitch name like Aiden, Kaleb, Xander or Seth? Time can't cure this. In 2050 if I'm still alive and I hear about someone named Xander or Aiden I will never be able to picture that person in any capacity other than a snot nosed kid eating Gogurt in a car seat in a minivan. It won't matter if they are 35 years old, that is how I will forever see them. It's called an "unconscious bias." Wait, no, it will be very conscious.

Definitely Lou.

Would you trust any other plumber than Captain Lou Albano?

 

[thedukeofearl]

Duke - "Thanks again Tony!".

Tony - "Hey, no prob, but ya gotta stop looking at porn.".

How did you know...?

 

[Fryowa]

Best Buy won't be around in 5 years.

I've gone in Best Buy twice in the last decade and both times were to look at something in person and then buy it on Amazon cheaper by double digit percentage.

It's the way of the world. Brick and mortar ain't gonna be a thing anymore as soon as the fogie brigade that can't drill holes in drywall for a TV mount or can't plug in an HDMI cable die off.