|
|
Thread Tools |
12-16-2011, 10:27 PM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 148
|
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. |
12-16-2011, 10:36 PM | #2 |
Autobot
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: IL, USA
Posts: 2,689
|
I seriously think you should file a complaint on BBB.org
I also hate Best Buy. |
12-16-2011, 11:22 PM | #3 |
Be Superior
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 9,891
|
I don't even have a Best Buy locally lol. Whenever I go to the big city and check it out, they offer nothing special. Futureshop or HMV always have the same shit + more.
__________________
|
12-16-2011, 11:26 PM | #4 |
WINGNUT & SCREWLOOSE!
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Dallas
Posts: 2,172
|
I have not been terribly impressed by Best Buy in general, but I've never had much of a problem with them in the past. Unfortunately, Best Buy has put every bit of competition, aside from Walmart, out of business in my area. So if I want any sort of selection in my products, I'd have no choice but to go to Best Buy.
I do have a simular tale with Borders. Nowhere nearly that horrindous. But they did not honor their commitments, so it's no wonder why they collapsed. I preordered Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara from them. Did it on the store level, becuase I don't like buying books or comics online. Well... the release date came and went, and no word. Didn't panic. Thought maybe it got postponed, which happens sometimes. So I sat for a while. Finally started to look up online. It had been released. Started calling them, which got nowhere. Finally went into the store, looked it up online there, said it had been released. Talked to the manager, told her I had preordered this, why is it not here? She said something along the lines of "Oh. Preorders are only for if we decided to carry the book at this store. Then you would have gotten it. However, we decided not to carry that particular book. Would you like me to order it for you? I can do that." Well... all my experience says that's what a bloody preorder WAS. No one was curt to me, and I saw no reason to be rude in return. But that definately soured them for me. Like I said, nowhere near as horrendous as your best buy experience, and I'm not compairing them. But it's simular enough to be on topic. I wish I could stay away from them, I don't like Best Buy. But there are no options. Just like I had no alternatives to Borders (And now for books, I got nothing anymore)
__________________
|
12-16-2011, 11:26 PM | #5 |
AH-64D Longbow
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 381
|
That's awful. You can probably get a corporate email from BBB and email them directly about the kind of customer service you received. That is totaly uncalled for. GameStop seams to have better customer service.
__________________
United Art Productions |
12-17-2011, 01:18 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: cali
Posts: 450
|
I don't go to.best buys ever I hate the store n in my area the people are so ghetto lol once I was in there with my little cousin n the two employees were just talking about oral sex to one another lol it wouldn't have been so bad if my little cousin wasn't there because the girls were pretty hot lmao but i had to say something to them because there were other kids around... But yea best buys sucks shop at frys
__________________
Who's awsome... This Guy is!!!!! |
12-17-2011, 03:25 AM | #7 |
Pumpkin King
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Jose,Ca
Posts: 1,366
|
Yea I used to hit up Best Buy all the time but found cheaper prices at frys or target I shop mostly amazon now, its way cheaper and you can pick up 2 movies and have the free shipping. I also go to the used record store here as I have 2 of them and they sell dvds games and blu-rays I havent payed more that $20 for most blu-rays since 2009 unless its like a super uber special edition and i find that I can wait more than a month after a release and actually get a used good copy for $10-$15. Its Evolve or Die and if companies keep treating people like crap they will eventually fail, they already had to downsize a BB in my area, needless to say I was glad lol.
|
12-17-2011, 04:41 AM | #8 |
Goodfella
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly
Posts: 4,924
|
Did they sell you something and then never deliver, and ignore you? How ironic.
You people should check this guy's feedback thread before sympathizing with him. Do not threaten other members, even if you are joking. - Toyark Staff
__________________
Last edited by trebleshot; 12-19-2011 at 08:00 AM.. |
12-17-2011, 04:48 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 532
|
When I found out years ago that their Geek Squad was charging $88 to install computer memory in-store, that's when I knew to stay away.
In the last 5 years or so, I can only remember buying 2 items there. One was a blu-ray set that was a Best Buy exclusive, the other was a new router when mine died. . .and I only bought from them because I had gone to Walmart and didn't like what they carried, Office Depot didn't have them, and TWO Radio Shacks were sold out. |
12-17-2011, 06:39 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Boston
Posts: 4,792
|
i dont think ive ever had a bad experience there....must be the area you live in. I just dont like the prices, but its the best available place for when the folks needed a massive sound system and a big screen. They actually gave us a deal on a 60" samsung for like 40% off cause they were bringing in a new model or something.
|
12-17-2011, 06:50 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 728
|
Ouch. I just read the feedback thread. It's an interesting read.
__________________
My Recent MU Customs Thread Last edited by trebleshot; 12-19-2011 at 07:51 AM.. |
12-17-2011, 08:05 AM | #12 |
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 5,482
|
A friend of mine works for them and she says never buy anything from them- and that the employees are treated like shit and so they have attitudes and that translates into crappy service and TONS of theft.
She also told me that on Thanksgiving, BB decides to open for Black Friday at midnight instead of five a.m. like last year- expecting a huge crowd, they scheduled EVERY EMPLOYEE to have to work starting at ten p.m. (to prep the store) on Thanksgiving. At no extra pay. Anyone that did not make it was fired. So, you can see how shit rolls down hill in a corperate chain of stores. |
12-18-2011, 08:12 PM | #13 |
Dos Equis spokesman
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In my toy room
Posts: 1,946
|
Quote:
__________________
Last edited by trebleshot; 12-19-2011 at 07:52 AM.. |
12-18-2011, 08:32 PM | #14 |
Santa Claus
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 2,400
|
Artist77's feedback thread aside Best Buy does suck.
I bought Wrong Turn when it came out, brought it home and stuck it in the player, realised it was the regular version and not the Special Edition, brought it right back and tried to upgrade, but they wouldn't let me cuz I opened it. Those bastards, I hate them.
__________________
|
12-18-2011, 09:40 PM | #15 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Knox TN
Posts: 436
|
Quote:
Artist77's feedback thread aside Best Buy does suck.
I bought Wrong Turn when it came out, brought it home and stuck it in the player, realised it was the regular version and not the Special Edition, brought it right back and tried to upgrade, but they wouldn't let me cuz I opened it. Those bastards, I hate them. People could watch/burn the movie then just return it...... This isnt BB fault..... |
Spacemafia |
View Public Profile |
Find More Posts by Spacemafia |
12-18-2011, 10:23 PM | #16 |
Dos Equis spokesman
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In my toy room
Posts: 1,946
|
Exactly. I thought this was well known by now...
__________________
|
12-18-2011, 10:37 PM | #17 |
So hologramic
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Station to Station
Posts: 5
|
It seems like you should've cancelled your order a long time ago, since you've been dealing with this since October. Sure, customer service might've been horrible but you didn't have to keep dealing with it. You kind of left yourself open for it.
And in my experience, most people in customer service are not just rude to be rude. Considering this is a site dedicated to obsessive collectors, don't you think that there's a possibility you may have come off a little too strong and they just didn't resonate with your passion? I mean, these guys aren't paid a whole lot, and here you are telling them about something they probably have very little knowledge or care about. I'd say that the length and anger projected off your post shows you may be indicative of how you generally act(entitled) without you realizing it. |
12-19-2011, 05:16 AM | #18 |
Santa Claus
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 2,400
|
Quote:
The time between when I bought it and tried to return it was just minutes; not really enough time to burn a copy, which I couldn't do anyway because I don't posses the tech or knowledge to do so. That is not the point though. All retail organizations have policies put in place that managers of said retail organizations break routinely to satisfy customers. In this particular instance the manager should have made an exception because at the time I was a regular customer who bought new dvd's from them every Tuesday. Now, because that mangager didn't break policy, I get my new dvd's from Target. So yeah, like I said, BB sux.
__________________
|
12-19-2011, 07:57 AM | #19 |
Dark Lord of the 'Ark
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 8,224
|
Artist77's feedback thread has nothing to do with the thread topic.
As for me, I've never really had any problems with Best Buy in the past. Thankfully, I live in an area where there are plenty of other options. In fact, BB has to work especially hard to gain my business now.
__________________
Last edited by trebleshot; 12-19-2011 at 08:02 AM.. |
12-19-2011, 08:35 AM | #20 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Knox TN
Posts: 436
|
Quote:
It is BB fault.
The time between when I bought it and tried to return it was just minutes; not really enough time to burn a copy, which I couldn't do anyway because I don't posses the tech or knowledge to do so. That is not the point though. All retail organizations have policies put in place that managers of said retail organizations break routinely to satisfy customers. In this particular instance the manager should have made an exception because at the time I was a regular customer who bought new dvd's from them every Tuesday. Now, because that mangager didn't break policy, I get my new dvd's from Target. So yeah, like I said, BB sux. |
Spacemafia |
View Public Profile |
Find More Posts by Spacemafia |
12-19-2011, 09:54 AM | #21 |
Santa Claus
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 2,400
|
Quote:
In the interest of customer service the manager at Best Buy could have accepted the return or issued me a credit despite what their policy says. They could have marked the open dvd down as damaged and sold me the more expensive copy for the difference like I wanted. It would have made me happy, I would have stayed a customer and I wouldn't be outing them in a thread on a Toy Forum today had they made the correct decision. Policies are for rank and file associates to protect them from making decisions they aren't paid to make. Successful store managers make exceptions to policies all of the time in order to promote repeat business from customers. I am speaking to you from real world experience. And it isn't about the policy for store employees that stick to it. It is about asserting power over someone else. I make these decisions on a dailey basis. If I believe your story I will break policy to make you happy and retain you as a customer. This particular policy is about limmiting piracy, not scaring away customers. Therefore; in this instance; I am in the right and Best Buy was wrong.
__________________
|
12-19-2011, 10:30 AM | #22 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Knox TN
Posts: 436
|
Quote:
It does matter.
In the interest of customer service the manager at Best Buy could have accepted the return or issued me a credit despite what their policy says. They could have marked the open dvd down as damaged and sold me the more expensive copy for the difference like I wanted. It would have made me happy, I would have stayed a customer and I wouldn't be outing them in a thread on a Toy Forum today had they made the correct decision. Policies are for rank and file associates to protect them from making decisions they aren't paid to make. Successful store managers make exceptions to policies all of the time in order to promote repeat business from customers. I am speaking to you from real world experience. And it isn't about the policy for store employees that stick to it. It is about asserting power over someone else. I make these decisions on a dailey basis. If I believe your story I will break policy to make you happy and retain you as a customer. This particular policy is about limmiting piracy, not scaring away customers. Therefore; in this instance; I am in the right and Best Buy was wrong. People can make copies in a car from a laptop in this day and age....we all make mistakes. BB can not be blamed for a mistake you made....I know the rules and I wouldnt stop shopping somewhere because I made mistake.... We can go on and on, but fact is you opened it.....read the reciept next time and policys.... Losing one customer doesnt matter to them...they have 100 more to take your place.....RETAIL does not care....I know for a fact as a higher up in it.... |
Spacemafia |
View Public Profile |
Find More Posts by Spacemafia |
12-19-2011, 10:41 AM | #23 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 8,530
|
Quote:
And yes I have mixed feelings of BB. I think it's certain stores you get though when it comes to their customer service. |
12-19-2011, 11:40 AM | #24 |
Pumpkin King
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Jose,Ca
Posts: 1,366
|
I have to side with CLASSIFIED on this one, as a Manager myself (not a best buy) I do break policy every once in a while if a customer has a legitimate excuse. Any retail organization can and does have the "power" to please a customer. "Policy" breaks the first rule of most if not all companies that want to make money. Rule number one is "Customer Satisfaction" and if I break policy for somebody and a higher up comes down on me. The reason ill be using is "Customer Satisfaction" I wanted to keep that repeat business. It never fails and you put the higher ups"power trip" back in check. Now if you come at me screaming you best believe im showing you the door, ive had many people with legitimate reasons who for one reason or another went passed the return date or brought back something worn, and most customers understand they wont get a refund but will take a store credit. That alone is proof they still want to shop in your store. BB in this instance should have given CLASSIFIED at the very minimum a merchandise credit for whatever he wanted in the store. If in the end they dont want those options its still very possible to return anything after all it is up to the managers discretion its not like the rules are somehow etched in stone and "no" means "no", in which case good luck with that business lasting. Most Managers who stick to "policy" are peolpe that dont understand the concept "with power comes responsibility". Do you think the people over at corporate care about you?? No, thats why you work thanksgiving and at some places even Christmas while the heads are at jhome with their families.
|
12-19-2011, 12:12 PM | #25 |
Santa Claus
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 2,400
|
Quote:
We all make mistakes. BB can not be blamed for a mistake you made....I know the rules and I wouldnt stop shopping somewhere because I made mistake....Losing one customer doesnt matter to them...they have 100 more to take your place.....RETAIL does not care....I know for a fact as a higher up in it....
I stopped shopping there, not because I blame them for the mistake I made, but because they didn't break their policy in order to satisfy me. Losing one customer may not matter, but you have to look at the big picture. If you don't take care of your customers; they won't shop at your store anymore. Retail cares about money, and money comes from customers. To me, it doesn't matter what the policy is. What matters is making customers happy so they keep comming back. The money you save long dicking a paying a customer over a dumb policy designed to prevent pirating is nothing compared to the money you lose by pissing that customer off. I suggest you impliment my advice in the organization you are a higher up in. I promise you, your organization will be a lot better off if you empower your staff to take care of your customers and start caring about those customers as well.
__________________
Last edited by CLASSIFIED; 12-19-2011 at 12:19 PM.. |
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
What price range do you stay in? | behindthemask | Marvel Toys Discussion | 13 | 10-30-2010 02:05 PM |
Stay Puft Bank Variant | Joe Moore | Toy and Action Figure General Discussion | 1 | 12-23-2009 08:10 AM |
Stay Puft Collectible Bank | Joe Moore | Toy and Action Figure General Discussion | 4 | 09-16-2009 03:15 PM |
Ghostbuster Venkman Vs Stay Puft Minimates | Joe Moore | Toy and Action Figure General Discussion | 2 | 06-18-2009 03:26 PM |
|
|
Latest Customs and Fan Art |
Doc Brown as Spawn and Clown |
Space Ghost 6" |
DC Doctor Fate - 6" ML Style |
Dravenheart's Custom Figures! |
Latest Collection Pics |
Spastic for Plastic |
My Rotating Figure Display |
My Mixed Collection |
Sh figuarts green goblin no way home |