Worst Buy

Ever try to return something at Best Buy? Awful just awful.

Don't forget CompUSA too...

Online killed big box electronic stores

Online stores/sites have killed the brick/mortar businesses in general.

Kinda hard for any electronic retail store to compete with the likes of Amazon.com, TigerDirect.com, Newegg.com or Buy.com. I always find electronics/software cheaper on these sites than places like Best Buy.

This is thing though if they made their prices a bit more competitive and here is the kicker they have the ability to put a live person i nfront of yo uto help you but do they no they probably have some of the worst customer service ever.

The funny thing about Best Buy is people go there to test out items they're thinking of buying and then go online and buy them.

Personally I've had some pretty bad experiences with Best Buy including one that left me without a computer for a month and a half. Of course I bought a TV over Christmas break and returned two before I found the one I liked, and they made it pretty easy to do the exchange.

As for Crutchfield, I think Pwned is right. Their superior customer service is a big part of the reason they're still a powerhouse. It's kind of weird balance though, on one hand they tend to charge a bit more for stuff like TV's and speakers, on the other hand they also sell stuff like head units and amps at retail prices then include key equipment like amp kits and harnesses for free. Also free shipping is nice.

Either way, on simple plug and play electronics price is the biggest issue, with more complicated items customer service and support is key. Best Buy's biggest asset right now is the fact that you can walk into any local store and get what you're looking for the same day. However they're also getting beat by online e-tailers on both fronts (price and/or customer service).

Also Target and Wal-Mart are starting to catch up to Best Buy in terms of selection for retail electronics so that also plays a factor in Best Buy's recent struggles.

This story though reminds me of something I read a little while back.
Red Tape - A lost laptop, a $54 million lawsuit: part 2 (http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/02/15/6345904-a-lost-laptop-a-54-million-lawsuit-part-2)

The funny thing about Best Buy is people go there to test out items they're thinking of buying and then go online and buy them.

Personally I've had some pretty bad experiences with Best Buy including one that left me without a computer for a month and a half. Of course I bought a TV over Christmas break and returned two before I found the one I liked, and they made it pretty easy to do the exchange.

As for Crutchfield, I think Pwned is right. Their superior customer service is a big part of the reason they're still a powerhouse. It's kind of weird balance though, on one hand they tend to charge a bit more for stuff like TV's and speakers, on the other hand they also sell stuff like head units and amps at retail prices then include key equipment like amp kits and harnesses for free. Also free shipping is nice.

Either way, on simple plug and play electronics price is the biggest issue, with more complicated items customer service and support is key. Best Buy's biggest asset right now is the fact that you can walk into any local store and get what you're looking for the same day. However they're also getting beat by online e-tailers on both fronts (price and/or customer service).

Also Target and Wal-Mart are starting to catch up to Best Buy in terms of selection for retail electronics so that also plays a factor in Best Buy's recent struggles.

This story though reminds me of something I read a little while back.
Red Tape - A lost laptop, a $54 million lawsuit: part 2 (http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/02/15/6345904-a-lost-laptop-a-54-million-lawsuit-part-2)

Don't forget about Sears...been around forever for a reason.

Ever try to return something at Best Buy? Awful just awful.

Yep. I tried to return a video game there once, and they only said I could return it for an opened copy of the same game, instead of a refund. And it was the day after I bought it for 20 bucks. I was pissed off. I took it to Gamestop and they offered me 2 dollars for it. Sigh. I just took it back home and gave it to a friend instead.

Yep. I tried to return a video game there once, and they only said I could return it for an opened copy of the same game, instead of a refund. And it was the day after I bought it for 20 bucks. I was pissed off. I took it to Gamestop and they offered me 2 dollars for it. Sigh. I just took it back home and gave it to a friend instead.they told me that before, i took the unopened one, went to another best buy, and got a full refund. a hassle, but worth $50 to me

edit* misread, they did not say opened copy to me

i said the game did not work properly

they told me that before, i took the unopened one, went to another best buy, and got a full refund. a hassle, but worth $50 to me

edit* misread, they did not say opened copy to me

i said the game did not work properly

Yeah the one I returned was opened, and she said it could only be returned for another copy that they actually opened in front of me. This is to prevent customers for taking an unopened copy back to another store and getting their full money back.

Yeah the one I returned was opened, and she said it could only be returned for another copy that they actually opened in front of me. This is to prevent customers for taking an unopened copy back to another store and getting their full money back.

That is pretty true for most stores. No one will give you a refund for a open new game.

My problem with their returns is the line is always a mile and they have like one person working the return register.

Maybe someone in retail can explain to me how returns work...does it hurt the store or the vendor? Target and Wal Mart don't seem to give a crap if you return something as long as it is in their grace period. Other stores like best buy pitch a fit about returns or make it very diffcult.

Yeah the one I returned was opened, and she said it could only be returned for another copy that they actually opened in front of me. This is to prevent customers for taking an unopened copy back to another store and getting their full money back.i've been scamming for years and have never heard that, smarter on their part.

my personal favorite is to swap a broken controller with a used controller, or get two used controllers for one at gamestop. i justify this to myself. i buy a used one of the same color, go home, make sure it works, then take my broken controller back and tell them it didn't work. i get my money back = 1 completely free used controller or i get another used controller = 2 used controllers for the price of 1.