Best Buy Aggravation

[Ksyrup]

I'll admit it. I actually like Best Buy. I can spend hours browsing in their store. But today, I got really pissed off because of one of their policies.

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love music. So as a result, I ended up with almost $200 in BB gift certificates for Christmas. Cool, I think, I won't have to buy a new release for a few months, at a minimum. Problem is, my taste in music isn't exactly mainstream 90% of of the time. But that's OK, because BB online has pretty much everything I want, so I can either order it online or have them special order it in the store.

Wrong. I can't use my BB gift certificates online. And BB refuses to single order any items, since they can be purchased online. But I can't use my gift certificates online.

*cue vicious cycle*

WTF?! I've got a wallet full of free money that I'm dying to spend, but I'm going to have to buy most of the stuff I want with MY real money. I've basically been given gift certificates to an expanded Columbia House - brand new releases from artists I don't like, greatest hits albums, and old stuff to fill in the holes in my collection. Otherwise, unless I find a big ticket item or some software, these suckers are lasting 6 months, while I spend hundreds of my real dollars on the stuff I want.

I'm especially pissed because there is 1 thing that came out today and 2 that come out next week that I want, but it looks like I'm going to have to wait to confirm that they won't get them in my store, then buy them elsewhere.

FU BB! http://www.fof-ihof.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_finger.gif (http://java_script_:emoticon(':finger:')/)

[Joe]

you should sell the giftcards on ebay.

[Ksyrup]

I was thinking about offering them to anyone here who is going to spend over $150 cash at BB anytime soon - I'll trade straight-up for the cash.

[jbmagic]

on gift certifcate, how long there good for..


i have one from Target like a year old and one from Best buy like a year old.. i forgot i had them in my wallet

[Lathum]

Why don't you get something to play that music on. An Ipod or a download card etc...

[SackAttack]

on gift certifcate, how long there good for..


i have one from Target like a year old and one from Best buy like a year old.. i forgot i had them in my wallet

If you're in California, by law they cannot expire. I don't know about the other 49 states.

[Ksyrup]

I've got an MP3 player, but honestly, I don't really have much use for it outside of working out. My car is my personal stereo. I also don't download unless something's been released exclusively online. I still like the idea of "collecting" CDs.

I could go waste it on a bunch of DVDs or old CDs that are on an "if money was no object" type list, but I haven't gotten to that point yet.

[JeeberD]

If you're in California, by law they cannot expire. I don't know about the other 49 states.

On OG gift cards they are good for 2 years, then after that you will start being charged a monthly $1.50 "service charge" until either you use it or the accumulated service charges empty the card...

[Maple Leafs]

What is this "buying music" you speak of?

[Loren]

I cannot stand Best Buy, the store, their policies, nor the people they normally have working there(but this could be a local problem:) everytime i go to the store I walk out with an anxiety attack and feeling the need to either blow the store up or bend the manager over and stick sharp objects up a couple of his orifices.... :mad:
not being able to use the certificates is pretty retarded, especially if you could just order them to be delivered to your local store and pay by using them there..

[rkmsuf]

I say you blow the f-ers up.

[Ksyrup]

not being able to use the certificates is pretty retarded, especially if you could just order them to be delivered to your local store and pay by using them there..
Maybe I can order them COD and list my address as the local BB store. :)

[Ksyrup]

I say you blow the f-ers up.
It's a definite possibility.

After I use my gift certificates, anyway.

[Ksyrup]

What is this "buying music" you speak of?
Oh no, here we go. Don't you take my bitch thread and turn it into a moral discussion about downloading!

[Loren]

It's a definite possibility.

After I use my gift certificates, anyway.

If you do, I'll gladly help out in any way I can...maybe itll wipe out what we owe them :rolleyes:

[rkmsuf]

It's a definite possibility.

After I use my gift certificates, anyway.

Right but their action today demands an immediate retaliation. And, if you don't, you're nothing but the nerd they say you are.

[Logan]

Very few people are aware that Best Buy (stores) and bestbuy.com are two completely different businesses.

[MacroGuru]

everytime i go to the store I walk out with an anxiety attack and feeling the need to either blow the store up or bend the manager over and stick sharp objects up a couple of his orifices.... :mad:


Sounds like a sexual frustration problem to me..... :D

[Passacaglia]

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love music.

I always thought you liked Kpancakes.

[Ksyrup]

I always thought you liked Kpancakes.
Actually, it's KBelgian waffles.

[Barkeep49]

So if I know somoene likes music this past holiday season I bought them a gift certiifcate to iTunes or musicmatch depending on what I knew about how they listened to music.

Anyhow what I would do is talk to corporate headquarters/the store manager and remind them that they cannot legally book your 200 as revenue until you spend it. So all in all you're really just trying to help the bottom line.

[rkmsuf]

Anyhow what I would do is talk to corporate headquarters/the store manager and remind them that they cannot legally book your 200 as revenue until you spend it. So all in all you're really just trying to help the bottom line.

I would love to hear that conversation.

[Barkeep49]

I would love to hear that conversation.
I think I could have made a very interesting audio documentary if I had recorded all of the conversations I've had with Best Buy employees.

[Loren]

my conversations with them usually exist of sarcastic remarks on my part..I always wanted to get a job with them though just because i know id end up knowing more about computers and everything else on the planet than any of the employees at our local store :rolleyes:
maybe the bending them over/sharp objects thing isss a sexual frustration:( I should work on that, any volunteers :confused:

[Suicane75]

maybe the bending them over/sharp objects thing isss a sexual frustration:( I should work on that, any volunteers :confused:




raises hand

[rkmsuf]

raises hand

so bend over and you'll get a sharp object then I guess

[Suicane75]

so bend over and you'll get a sharp object then I guess

You talk like it's a bad thing.

[rkmsuf]

You talk like it's a bad thing.

I'm not sure where to go with this other than to shake your hand and wish you luck.

[Loren]

raises hand

HOWWWW did I KNOWWW :rolleyes: I'll need directions to your house...

[Suicane75]

I can make things uncomfortable so quickly, it's a skill.

[RPI-Fan]

My own little BB story...

I want to buy a car CD player ASAP to put in my car by this weekend (Friday afternoon to be specific). I call, asking if they have any install times available. He says no, but if someone cancels I could squeeze in... but I don't plan at sitting at the mall all day long. So I say, in a very "wink-wink" kind of voice... "Are there ever things done with the finances that would make it possible to get it installed by Friday?"... Him: "Nope."... Me: "Ok, thanks for the help. --click--".

Dumbass. Took it to a car-stereo place and got it done for the same price, and it was installed within an hour.

[Ksyrup]

I'm not sure where to go with this other than to shake your hand and wish you luck.
I'm not sure I'd even shake his hand.

[johneh]

About 6 years ago I was buying a new PC @ Best Buy. The guy kept pressuring me for the extended warranty it went like this after me telling him no 10 times...

BB Guy: why don't you want the extended warranty
Me: If something breaks on a computer I know how to fix it and it will cost less than the $200 warranty.
BB: Computers are getting more and more complicated and things are always easy to fix anymore.
Me: Not interested, plus everyone I know who every purchased a warranty and tried to get service was denied for some silly exception
BB: I wouldn't recommend buying this computer without the ext. warranty
Me: Ok, Thanks, guess I'll take your advice & not buy it.

I then turned and walked away, he had all the paperwork filled out and everything... so the guy is chasing me through the store trying to get me to come back and buy the computer... :)

Me: Why would I buy the computer, you just told me basically it is a piece of crap & you wouldn't buy it w/o getting the warranty?

I then left, went to the Besy Buy on the other side of town & bought the same computer. I was hoping for more fun but at this store they asked once and then dropped the subject.

[Eaglesfan27]

About 6 years ago I was buying a new PC @ Best Buy. The guy kept pressuring me for the extended warranty it went like this after me telling him no 10 times...

BB Guy: why don't you want the extended warranty
Me: If something breaks on a computer I know how to fix it and it will cost less than the $200 warranty.
BB: Computers are getting more and more complicated and things are always easy to fix anymore.
Me: Not interested, plus everyone I know who every purchased a warranty and tried to get service was denied for some silly exception
BB: I wouldn't recommend buying this computer without the ext. warranty
Me: Ok, Thanks, guess I'll take your advice & not buy it.

I then turned and walked away, he had all the paperwork filled out and everything... so the guy is chasing me through the store trying to get me to come back and buy the computer... :)

Me: Why would I buy the computer, you just told me basically it is a piece of crap & you wouldn't buy it w/o getting the warranty?

I then left, went to the Besy Buy on the other side of town & bought the same computer. I was hoping for more fun but at this store they asked once and then dropped the subject.
That is great :D

[TargetPractice6]

I got a Comp USA giftcard... which is even worse. No music at all, poor selection of games, and they are slow to get newly released games in stock. There really isn't anything I want from that store. Maybe if I go in and buy a stack of DVD-Rs they will just give me change for the rest of the giftcard so I can spend it somewhere else.

[TargetPractice6]

Dola

Oh yeah, what's the deal with giftcards anyway? I don't really see the point. I mean really if you want to give me money then just give me cash. Restricting me to one store that I can spend it at has always struck me as odd.

[Izulde]

Gift Cards are useful for when you know someone likes to shop at the store, but have no idea what to get them from said store.

Plus, it's a little nicer gift than just crass cash.

Though from the retail end of things, I hate selling gift cards... because there's no guarantee the money on it will go to our store because, as alluded to by someone else earlier, the money doesn't get counted as revenue until the card is actually used.

Also echoing an earlier sentiment, the online division is almost always separate from the store division in large retailers... or in the case of Victoria's Secret where I work, it's divided between store division, online sales division, and catalogue division, all of which are under the umbrella of the Limited Brands company.

[TargetPractice6]

"Plus, it's a little nicer gift than just crass cash."

This is what I don't get. I don't see how a plastic card is any better than cash, but I guess I could be in the minority on this. I mean I'd take an envelope labeled "Universal Giftcard" with cash in it if it would make the giver feel better. :)

[henry296]

Gift Cards are useful for when you know someone likes to shop at the store, but have no idea what to get them from said store.

Plus, it's a little nicer gift than just crass cash.

Though from the retail end of things, I hate selling gift cards... because there's no guarantee the money on it will go to our store because, as alluded to by someone else earlier, the money doesn't get counted as revenue until the card is actually used.

Also echoing an earlier sentiment, the online division is almost always separate from the store division in large retailers... or in the case of Victoria's Secret where I work, it's divided between store division, online sales division, and catalogue division, all of which are under the umbrella of the Limited Brands company.

And they have different prices and sales. I saw something on sale on the web page, but it wasn't on sale at the store.

[henry296]

"Plus, it's a little nicer gift than just crass cash."

This is what I don't get. I don't see how a plastic card is any better than cash, but I guess I could be in the minority on this. I mean I'd take an envelope labeled "Universal Giftcard" with cash in it if it would make the giver feel better. :)

To me it showed that the giver had some thought about what type of gift you would be interested in. If I give someone cash as I gift I have no idea if they are using it a "gift" product or just putting it in the bank. If I am giving a gift I want some to get something tangible.

Todd

[MizzouRah]

My own little BB story...

I want to buy a car CD player ASAP to put in my car by this weekend (Friday afternoon to be specific). I call, asking if they have any install times available. He says no, but if someone cancels I could squeeze in... but I don't plan at sitting at the mall all day long. So I say, in a very "wink-wink" kind of voice... "Are there ever things done with the finances that would make it possible to get it installed by Friday?"... Him: "Nope."... Me: "Ok, thanks for the help. --click--".

Dumbass. Took it to a car-stereo place and got it done for the same price, and it was installed within an hour.

Now it's a first come, first serve basis. At least that is what they went to here where I live.

I used to love BB, but now.. they have too many f-n "rebates" for me to mess with that place too much... and Ksyrup, I agree about not being able to use your gift cards online, that sucks!


Todd

[oykib]

or in the case of Victoria's Secret where I work

How the hell did everyone else in this thread miss the most important line in the thread?

K, stop whining about your $200 (just buy something for the wife for V-day and spend your real money on yourself) and lets get to the pix pls-- thx.

[Suicane75]

How the hell did everyone else in this thread miss the most important line in the thread?

K, stop whining about your $200 (just buy something for the wife for V-day and spend your real money on yourself) and lets get to the pix pls-- thx.

It sounds real good till the first time you have to help a 70 year old woman try on a thong.

[RPI-Fan]

Now it's a first come, first serve basis. At least that is what they went to here where I live.

I used to love BB, but now.. they have too many f-n "rebates" for me to mess with that place too much... and Ksyrup, I agree about not being able to use your gift cards online, that sucks!


Todd

I know, but I was offering to tip the guy to do my car by Friday... his casual reaction to it, instead of "Sorry, we have a policy that we can't do that" leads me to believe he couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to worry about what I was offering.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Does anyone else think the signature of "Lorennnn... :rolleyes: " is really fucking cute? I'm drooling over here, and my wife has already dialed 5 digits toward the wacky wagon.

[Suicane75]

Does anyone else think the signature of "Lorennnn... :rolleyes: " is really fucking cute? I'm drooling over here, and my wife has already dialed 5 digits toward the wacky wagon.

No fair, your much skinnier than me, hence you can run faster.

[Pumpy Tudors]

No fair, your much skinnier than me, hence you can run faster.
What? You're trying to run away from my wife, too? I didn't know she was also trying to get you locked up.

[Suicane75]

What? You're trying to run away from my wife, too? I didn't know she was also trying to get you locked up.

No my friend, the 18 wheeler thats attached to her husband. :D

[Pumpy Tudors]

Oh shit.

So, uh, about that Best Buy place...

[sovereignstar]

Shit, Pumpy can probably jump too.

[Suicane75]

Shit, Pumpy can probably jump too.

I'm very strong......against another human being

I'm very strong.......against an automobile, not so much.

[MizzouRah]

I know, but I was offering to tip the guy to do my car by Friday... his casual reaction to it, instead of "Sorry, we have a policy that we can't do that" leads me to believe he couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to worry about what I was offering.

Usually money talks.....


Todd

[RPI-Fan]

Usually money talks.....


Todd

Huh? I know, that's why I offered it, but in this case the guy wasn't listening, so the money walked away.

[MizzouRah]

Huh? I know, that's why I offered it, but in this case the guy wasn't listening, so the money walked away.

Ok so the guy was slow. :)

I have a friend who always pulls out cash when things aren't going his way, and about 90% of the time, people cooperate.


Todd

[RPI-Fan]

Ok so the guy was slow. :)

I have a friend who always pulls out cash when things aren't going his way, and about 90% of the time, people cooperate.


Todd

Haha, I'm not in a position to do that, but in this case, I really needed it done by Friday, and I thought this was the only reasonable place that would do it... turns out it wasn't, and it ended up working out for me as the people at the place were very good and accomodating.

[Loren]

How'd I get brought up in the middle of this post :confused: ...outta see me roll my eyes in person :D

[Ksyrup]

K, stop whining about your $200 (just buy something for the wife for V-day and spend your real money on yourself) and lets get to the pix pls-- thx.
You're suggesting there's something at BB I could get for my wife for Valentine's Day that she would find acceptable as a V-Day gift?! Why not just go all out and get her the Homer Simpson bowling ball?

[oykib]

You're suggesting there's something at BB I could get for my wife for Valentine's Day that she would find acceptable as a V-Day gift?! Why not just go all out and get her the Homer Simpson bowling ball?

An MP3 player or somehing filled with whatever crappy music she likes and ten bucks on flowers.

Or buy a dvd player and the DVD of the first movie that you saw together. Get some candles and snuggle up at home. Be creative.

Of course, I don't have this problem. My GF is a gaming otaku. I bought her a Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) and a Tatakon (Taiko Drum Controller) for the PS2 for Christmas.

I still have never failed to knock her socks off in three years of gift giving. BTW, I do actually get her some girly gift every other gift-giving occassion.

[condors]

I swear i hate some of thier policies

a couple years back, i got a credit card with them so i can get 10% off a purchase, the next time i am in the store(about a year later) I try use the card i am told that it is no longer valid. If you don't use it enough they cancel it. The very next thing out of her mouth was "would you like to apply for our store credit card?", no i would like to shove a red hot poker in your eye but thank you anyway, it would have been nice to at least get something in the mail telling me i have to buy something or that it was cancelled. Haven't been back since and don't plan to either.

[JeeberD]

How the hell did everyone else in this thread miss the most important line in the thread?

Because that was revealed to us in a different thread back at Christmas time.

Someboyd needs to pay more attention... :p ;)

[Ksyrup]

An MP3 player or somehing filled with whatever crappy music she likes and ten bucks on flowers.

Or buy a dvd player and the DVD of the first movie that you saw together. Get some candles and snuggle up at home. Be creative.

Of course, I don't have this problem. My GF is a gaming otaku. I bought her a Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) and a Tatakon (Taiko Drum Controller) for the PS2 for Christmas.

I still have never failed to knock her socks off in three years of gift giving. BTW, I do actually get her some girly gift every other gift-giving occassion.
I've got an MP3 player and she doesn't want to use it, even though I've offered.

We have 3 DVD players and barely use them. We have kids, so we barely have time for movies outside of Disney and the like.

About the only games she likes are Chainz and similar games that cost like $10.

There is nothing at BB that costs more than $20 that she would be interested in. Which is fine with me, to be honest.

[Loren]

no i would like to shove a red hot poker in your eye but thank you anyway, it would have been nice to at least get something in the mail telling me i have to buy something or that it was cancelled. Haven't been back since and don't plan to either.

there needs to be some sort of support group for what Best Buy makes us feel :(

[Loren]

There is nothing at BB that costs more than $20 that she would be interested in. Which is fine with me, to be honest.

what about a new NICE printer orrr a dig camera photo printing combo? video camera? speakers for around the house(something I got as a gift from there :D )?? or just buy gifts and be prepared for everyone's upcoming birthdays and next Christmas :rolleyes:

[Ksyrup]

Got it. Got it. Got it.

That's the "problem" (nice problem to have) with no longer being in college and actually having a career - we buy everything we really want when we want it, and typically don't want/need any big ticket items (or at least, space them out every few years).

I'd like to get a new car (still have my '99 626), but I'm hoping to run it into the ground before I upgrade.

[lurker]

Someboyd needs to pay more attention...

Why does only Boyd need to pay attention?

:p

[JeeberD]

Somebody needs to pay better attention to their typing... :o

Heh, and I almost did the same thing again.

[gkb]

Here's my Best Buy experience...I'll try to be concise.

I went in to return a modem I had received as a gift. I already had one and this one was still in the box and plastic. I did not have a gift receipt. I went to the return desk and was helped by a high school aged young man.

Me: "I'd like to return this please."
Employee: "Do you have a receipt?"
Me: "Nope, it was gift and they didn't get me a gift receipt."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "But it hasn't been opened and was purchased here. And I mean, not just from a Best Buy, from this Best Buy specifically."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "Can I speak to a manager please?"
Kid: "No."
Me: "No?"
Punk Kid: "There isn't a manager here."
Me: "..."
Me: "There isn't one manager in this entire store?"
Punk Kid: "Nope."
Me: "..."
Soon-to-be-pummeled Punk Kid: "They're all at lunch."
Me: "It's 7pm."
Punk Kid: "Dinner then."

At this point I left, because I knew I was about to blow a gasket and go over the counter and tear this kid apart. I got the impression that he was really enjoying himself and seemed to me to be quite smug about the whole thing. Now I understand that they probably couldn't have taken the modem back, but I at least wanted to plead my case to a manager just to be sure.

That happened several years ago actually, but man I remember being really pissed. I still shop there btw...I love the place.

[sterlingice]

what about a new NICE printer orrr a dig camera photo printing combo? video camera? speakers for around the house(something I got as a gift from there :D )?? or just buy gifts and be prepared for everyone's upcoming birthdays and next Christmas :rolleyes:
That's perfect because then you'd be able to post every time someone said "pix pls, thx". http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

SI

[Joe]

That happened several years ago actually, but man I remember being really pissed. I still shop there btw...I love the place.

So they piss you off, fuck you over, and act smug about it... and you love them for it?

[rkmsuf]

I was thinking the same thing. Simple solution to all this. Don't go to f-ing Best Buy.

[RPI-Fan]

Here's my Best Buy experience...I'll try to be concise.

I went in to return a modem I had received as a gift. I already had one and this one was still in the box and plastic. I did not have a gift receipt. I went to the return desk and was helped by a high school aged young man.

Me: "I'd like to return this please."
Employee: "Do you have a receipt?"
Me: "Nope, it was gift and they didn't get me a gift receipt."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "But it hasn't been opened and was purchased here. And I mean, not just from a Best Buy, from this Best Buy specifically."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "Can I speak to a manager please?"
Kid: "No."
Me: "No?"
Punk Kid: "There isn't a manager here."
Me: "..."
Me: "There isn't one manager in this entire store?"
Punk Kid: "Nope."
Me: "..."
Soon-to-be-pummeled Punk Kid: "They're all at lunch."
Me: "It's 7pm."
Punk Kid: "Dinner then."

At this point I left, because I knew I was about to blow a gasket and go over the counter and tear this kid apart. I got the impression that he was really enjoying himself and seemed to me to be quite smug about the whole thing. Now I understand that they probably couldn't have taken the modem back, but I at least wanted to plead my case to a manager just to be sure.

That happened several years ago actually, but man I remember being really pissed. I still shop there btw...I love the place.

Haha, I work at a sports store selling shoes, and I just don't see how someone can get away with acting that way. I feel like I'm about to get pounded when I tell someone we don't have their size in a shoe.

[SunDancer]

Here's my Best Buy experience...I'll try to be concise.

I went in to return a modem I had received as a gift. I already had one and this one was still in the box and plastic. I did not have a gift receipt. I went to the return desk and was helped by a high school aged young man.

Me: "I'd like to return this please."
Employee: "Do you have a receipt?"
Me: "Nope, it was gift and they didn't get me a gift receipt."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "But it hasn't been opened and was purchased here. And I mean, not just from a Best Buy, from this Best Buy specifically."
Employee: "We can't take it back."
Me: "Can I speak to a manager please?"
Kid: "No."
Me: "No?"
Punk Kid: "There isn't a manager here."
Me: "..."
Me: "There isn't one manager in this entire store?"
Punk Kid: "Nope."
Me: "..."
Soon-to-be-pummeled Punk Kid: "They're all at lunch."
Me: "It's 7pm."
Punk Kid: "Dinner then."

At this point I left, because I knew I was about to blow a gasket and go over the counter and tear this kid apart. I got the impression that he was really enjoying himself and seemed to me to be quite smug about the whole thing. Now I understand that they probably couldn't have taken the modem back, but I at least wanted to plead my case to a manager just to be sure.

That happened several years ago actually, but man I remember being really pissed. I still shop there btw...I love the place.

I would of just stood their and said, "I'll wait until they return", and stand in front of him the whole time.

[gkb]

So they piss you off, fuck you over, and act smug about it... and you love them for it?

I know it doesn't make any sense...obviously the answer is to just not shop there anymore and I did that for awhile, but I really do like Best Buy. I get most of my computer software and DVDs there. Like I said, it happened a few years ago...maybe I should have written a letter. :)

[finkenst]

i'm so glad that best buy moved their store here..

they used to be in perfect "impulse buy" locaiton across from the grocery store. Now they moved to the end of a chain of large stores (target, petsmart, cub foods, lowes) that i don't regularly shop at