Best Buy

[EZ_NdnGrrl]

I didn't really know where to post this as this is mostly a question to those that might know what to do about this situation, but I'm pretty pissed off too.

Yesterday I decide to buy a new graphics card for my computer after mine got what I'd call the 'green screen of death' (cool green lines all over my monitor). I pick out the ATI 9600 pro (thanks guys in the workshop by the way.. I'm so clueless about graphics cards), I pay my 150 bucks (cash unfortunately), and go home. I open it up .. SUPRISE.. its a NVidaTnT circa 1998 in the 'factory package' (this is what Bestbuy calls it --the sealed wrapping around the card in the box, if that makes any sense) ~ no CD, no manual... nothing.

So, about 2 minutes later I'm back in Bestbuy trying to return it.Long story short, I get accused of switching it myself, and after a verbal argument with the 'inventory manager', my husband and I were told to leave the store, that 'stealing' from bestbuy wasn't going to get us anywhere. I was so shocked that the guy was accusing us of trying to rip them off.. I did. *sighs*.

In the parking lot, I called the 1888bestbuy number, they tell me to contact ATI, its not their problem. The CS rep said the product comes to Bestbuy already shrinkwrapped on the outside from ATI. As this wasn't an open-box item he couldn't understand how the wrong video card got in the 9600pro box unless I did it myself. I asked to talk to his superior after I realize this CS rep isn't going to help me, and get told that he understood where I was coming from, but 'buyer beware' and I was screwed.(Yes he really said screwed.. haha)

My question is ... is there anything I can do about this? I know *now* that I shouldn't buy stuff from bestbuy ..I should have just not been impatient and ordered it from some random online site. Yes, 150 bucks isn't a whole lot of money ..but its the fact that I KNOW I didn't do anything wrong ..and I'm getting screwed. Hard. Not to mention, I REALLY don't like being treated like a criminal for something I didn't do. Thanks in advance to anyone that can give me any suggestions that doesn't involve blowing Bestbuy up .. I'm making the C4 in my basement

[EZ_Daton Everon]

Credit Card Fraud Protection

Call your credit card company and report it to them, reverse the charges.

'nuff said.

"You did put it on a credit card and not pay *gasp* cash, right?"

----------------
Just remember: when you go to court, you are trusting your fate to
twelve people that weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty!

[EZ_Fallen One]

c'mon now, reading may not be fun, but it sure as hell aint hard.

Quote:I pay my 150 bucks (cash unfortunately),


As far as best buy goes, i'm not really sure...i'm quite surprised that they woudln't take the product back. I remember when windows xp wasn't installing i took the disk back to staples (where i had bought it) and they gave me a new copy without ever checking the receipt or anything (turns out my ram was the defective key in the opertation there, so it just goes to show not all companies are evil.



however, best buy...is.



(good luck with the bombing, best of wishes) "Pain inside is rising. I am the Fallen One. A figure in an old game. No jokers on my side. I've plunged into missery, i've turned out the light and murderd the dawn"

[EZ_Daton Everon]

Another waste of sarcasm flying right over the heads of readers.

For those who like it spelled out...

Cash is for beer, cigarettes, diapers, consumables, etc.. for all else there is VISA (sorry, were you looking for me to say mastercard?)

** Edit ** I did forget, Best Buy was the first major chain to go wireless and leak credit card info over the airwaves, perhaps the cash vs Credit Card issue could be that she was trying to avoid credit card fraud? I doubt it, but possible... Edited by: Daton Everon at: 10/28/03 9:23 pm

[Nenjin]

I'm really surprised that they refused to take the it back from you. That is really horrendous. The same kind of thing happened to me when I went to get a printer, and some ass at the store repackaged a different printer in a more expensive box. Crooks, I tells ya. "They will come back, come back again, as long as the Red Earth rolls. He never wasted a tree or a leaf, why should he squander souls?"

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions

[EZ_Mrens]

BLAH

[EZ_lenweni]

Honestly my plan of action would simply be this. The 150 bucks is a total loss(sucks but part of life) Never buy anything from best buy EVER again and in the future when talking to people and computers come up be sure to tell them your best buy story.

Fyi thanks for posting this here its good info to have.

[Cantatus]

You might be able to find some suggestions at bestbuysux.org.
Profile

[EZ_Phresh Prince]

I'm surprised - as far as Best Buy - I've never had a bad experiance before - but I guess I might be more careful now....

[Aidden]

If you buy retail, always open the box in line when paying for a video card.. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS

I had the exact same experience at Comp USA..

My suggestion, keep askign to speak witht he manager, then his manager, etc..

they eventually will assume that you are not a thief and must of really got screwed..

Persistance wins here

[EZ_Synrax]

Ya, go to the manager of the store. If that manager is an ass, get the store number and contact number of a regional manager. The higher up you can go, the better. Hope things work out for you.

[Greldek]

At the best buy in my town, they open up everything that's expensive in front of you. On some occasions they even test it. I think it's more to cover them, than to make customers happy. ~

[EZ_Dayhel Pathweaver]

I can see where you would be upset but look at it from best buys perspective they have to deal with theft all the time. Now your coming in with a video card that is 5 years old in a box that would contain a video card from 2003.

Can you see how they might think that you are trying to pull the wool over there eyes. If the conversation went exactly as you said than I say they might have been out of line with how they handled it.

But like others have stated keep at it and they probably will swap the card for you or give you your money back. Personally I have never had a problem with best buy when needing to return something. Dayhel Pathweaver
ForestStalker of Tunare
Defender of the Forest


"I am not lost, I am taking you the scenic route"

http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=313417

[Kaielen]

This scenario smells of the "@#%$ in packaging factory wanting a free ATI card to replace his Nvidia one." plot.

I was going to say something, but Aidden beat me to it. He's right, though...

I bought Devil May Cry from Best Buy when it first came out. Opened it up in front of the cashier (with her giving me a funny look) and inside was a green CD-R. Lol. The look on her face was priceless.

My smug smile as she had to explain to the Service Desk monkey what had happened right in front of her face was even better.

[freonsmurf]

Open Item 40-50% off, they slap an open item sticker on it.

Best Buy has some great deals, but its a total @#%$. Proof that drug testing employee's doesn't yield positive results.

It is very easy to shrinkwrap, tape packages up and put them back on the shelf. Just because they are sealed doesn't mean you are getting what you paid for. Best thing to open it in the store and double check. Best Buy does a ton of business and they get alot of returns.


Buyer beware.

and do visit bestbuysux.org for thousands of similiar horror stories.

Ex-Best Buy Employee#81234120


It's only wrong if you get caught.If consequences dictate my course of action I should play GOD

blog html
Hell

[EZ_Durden]

Hahahaha, Ex-Best Buy employee here too, I've even still got my old Best Buy shirt with name tag.

I still purchase things at Best Buy, but I ALWAYS buy the item that has the packaging that looks LEAST tampered with - if that makes sense.

[EZ_Ciba]

I shop at best buy, but only use my credit card.

Opening cd's at the checkstand isn't a bad idea, considering their no-return policy.

[Elerion]

For the record, I wouldn't believe you either if you came into my store with a 5 year old video card in a 9600 box claiming "it was that way". We have wannabe scammers in every week. Still, if you go high enough up, and the item isn't terribly expensive ($500+), you'll usually get a new one anyway.

[Nymm]

Call the cops and report that BestBuy is attempting to defraud you of $150 by selling you a box containing the wrong item and refusing to make good when you discovered their attempt. Do it from inside the store. With the manager present if possible.

If it's a slow day a patrol officer will probably appreciate getting to stand in the climate controlled store taking your statement. - Nymm
Prexus, Deceiver, 1 ea.

[deuce]

Coinsidence I think not!

someone stole yer card /nod

[EZ_Kiena Stormcloud]

ex-best buy employee #103319

i hated that job :">
i would call the store back and insist on talking to the store's general manager, if that doesnt work ask for the regional manager. dont let them win kiena stormcloud
retired 55th season rogue

[EZ_Random TM]

Sounds like you got screwed by someone else's opportunistic streak. It's easy enough to stick an older videocard that looks something like the new one in the box and return it. Used to happen all the time at the store I worked at, and I'm sure Best Buy gets far more of it.

[EZ_Phresh Prince]

Quote:On the first day I had a G&L fart and ever since then I don't even think about farting unless I'm firmly planted on a toilet.

Oh yeah - G&L = Gambled and Lost

Heh - couldn't resist quoting that site you linked to deuce

[EZ_Nazbuk]

The problem was your return to Best Buy. You shouldn't have said "I open the box and found a 5 year video card in the box.". What you should have done and might still be able to do is go to another best buy and say "This video card wouldn't work in my computer.....I asked the computer guy at work and he said something about not having an AGP slot on my windows 95 computer".

AND THEN....Take the store credit and run!!!!!

Just a thought....

Nazbuk
The Troll

[deuce]

Best buy was ok today to me when I picked up ff11, selling it for 49.99 standard price at the moment. And I found those dumb mcdonalds best buy dollars so I went to cs and played dumb again and asked if i Could use those best buy bucks on a gift card. She said suuure and I picked out gamers card and left the store. Went to do shopping at a different store across the street came back used the card along with the 5 dollar coupon that you get when you buy a gift card. And walla $39$ for ff11. Best price I can get besides the 20 dolla voucher at ebgames. Which I don't need right now

[EZ_Boogs]

Send the store a certified letter with an invoice of the cost of your purchase. Notify them that unless they pay you, you will take them to small claims court.

If they dont give you a new card or the money take em to small claims court.

In small claims courts they cant have a lawyer and depending on where you live it can be a pia for a corporation to defend themselves as they have to file a paper with the court to prove they can represent the corporation.

[EZ_Bubbalotski]

Did you ever get this fixed? If not, post a note here. I have not done consumer law for a decade, but this is a real easy fix -- and quite possibly painful and expensive for Best Buy.

Bubba
(yes I am a real lawyer)

[notwen]

I'm really glad you bumped this... I'm about to take a bunch of Best Buy gift cards to my local Best Buy tomorrow and get an iPod, and I wasn't even thinking of opening it at the counter. I will now though!

(from the number of "open item" iPods I've seen at BB, I'm sure a lot of people have played the switch game just to upgrade to larger capacity)

[EZ_Grinkle]

Try this -

Take the box to a copy place - some of them have shrink wrap services. Get the box shrink wrapped.

Then, go back to BB and return it, or, if you are feeling paritcularly honest, tell them to open it, demonstrating to them that shrink wrap don't mean squat. Show them what happened to you. Then, if they don't take it back, they must concede to themselves that they are evil turds - that will at least be some satisfaction to you.