[Artist77]

Ready for a long, angry review?

Pre-ordered a game, the Collector's Edition of Star Wars: The Old Republic. I never received a code, and waited over a month, with the occassional call and inquiry whcich always netted the same "It's on its way, sir."

Finally, called back. It took the store three calls and a total of 17 minutes to answer. This was in October. They gave me corporate's number, and I was transfered five times and finally put on hold for almost and hour and a half, and the lady, who's tone was at the least uncaring, and at most, hostile, basically said "I don't know" and offered to have a manager call me.

Angry, I went to the store, tired, having taught in a classroom all day. My feet were sore, so I took off my loafers and put on my old tennis shoes, and my button shirt was too warm, so I put on a t-shirt. TRUST ME, this will come up later.

In the store, I explained to them my situation. I had waited a month to get my code, which allows me access to the game, and they never sent it to me. I expressed that waiting hours on the phone for an answer was ridiculous. I recieved the phone call from the "manager" then, who told me the company who made the game sent Best Buy NON-WORKING CODES. This will come up again later as well.

I thanked her for her time, but did make a point of telling her an e-mail notification of the delay or something would be nice. I then proceeded to reprimand the two workers at the store POLITELY, ie, "Look, you can't leave customers on the phone for two hours, it's not a good way to keep someones business." Yes, I was angry, but I wasn't swearing or shouting or anything. BUT the younger manader in store decided to comment; "Well, sir, at least we're not out at 9 PM arguing about a video game in crappy shoes and khakis."

I admit, I lost it at that. I yelled. I did. What customer service employee makes a comment like that when THEY clearly made a mistake somewhere. I told the guy "I've been teaching 6th graders to read from 6:30 AM to 4 PM, you'll excuse me for wearing something comfortable."

Well, the next day, I got in touch with the company who makes the product, and told them everything that had happened. They responded with not only getting me a new code, but telling me that what Besy Buy told me was an outright lie. Like, just completely false.

To see if this was the case, I did some research online and saw the common cause of this problem; Checkouts failing to scan a certain barcode on the pre-order reciept. So, on a hunch, I went to a different Best Buy, pointed out the seperate barcode for scanning, which clearly states for the employee "SCAN THIS BARCODE FOR CUSTOMER ACCESS", and lo and behold, got the code e-mailed to me IMMEDIATELY.

Now, this shows that Best Buy A) Lied repeatedly, B)Has untrained employees, and C) Does not know their own products.

As ridiculous as this is, I got over it.

But now, there is a new, ridicualous issue. I called a Best Buy and asked, "Hey, my parents want to buy me the game for the holidays, and they live hours away. Can we pay over the phine?" I was told yes, but then, later, no, when I was in store. Thank goodness my newfound Best Buy paranoia told me to ask. Then, I was told they could buy a gift card and do it that way over the phone. Tonight, my parents went in to their local Best Buy and were told, "No, that doesn't work.", and that they had to buy the card online. I could be e-mailed the card's numbers, so that when the game comes out, I can just present the paper receipt/e-mail or whataver, and it would work that way.

NOPE.

Apparently, once online, the card can only be ordered and then mailed. Had I been there, I would have told my parents not to do it that way, as now, the earliest the card will be there is the day the game comes out, but most likely will be three days afterwards. Now, this might not seem like a big deal, but I have ZERO faith in Best Buy now. It is my firm belief that, if I don't LITERALLY stand there and ensure it, they will sell off my copy of the Collector's Edition of the game. And there is apparently no way my parents can just get the card cancelled and get their money back.

In short? DO NOT BBUY FROM BEST BUY. THEIR NAME IS THE BIGGEST LIE SINCE BILL CLINTON ASKED FOR THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD "IS". I have talked with corporate, managers, workers, everyone, and literally EVERYTHING I've been told since October has either been a lie, incorrect, or an incredible display of stupidity. I have repeated asked for a store manager, but continually get told "I'm a manager, I can help uyou." Apparently, if you have an issue and wish to speak to someone in authority, your only recourse is "Go screw yourself." Or at least, that is how I feel. I am normally a calm and understanding person, but this is easily the most horrendous episode I have ever endured with a company. Ever.

I apologize for the rant, but I hope you folks can heed the warning. STAY AWAY.