Best Buy Ripped Me Off? What do I do?

Question

BestBuy owes me $127.79 and I can prove they owe me the money, what can I do?

I purchased a service plan for my laptop. My laptop needed a new battery. They can’t get the correct battery. Following BestBuy’s instructions I bought a new battery directly from HP, and faxed in the appropriate information to them for reimbursement. I was told I would have a check with in three weeks.

We are going on week 6 now, and every time I call they tell me they don't know if that department got my fax, or even if it is being worked on. I'm told the reimbursement department is separate and they do not take phone calls, and I can not talk to them.

-I have documentation for everything, I have when I called, and what I was told, but I don’t have all the names of who I spoke to.
-I am still in possession of their incorrect replacement, and will not send their battery back until I have a check.

Well I got the name of the guy who actually issues these reimbursements, then I was able to get his email address. I sent him an email explaining if I did not get a response from him immediatly, I was going to send my packet of information and his name to both consumer relations, and investor relations. Then if I still didn't recieve a response, I was going to the BBB, local news station, and finally small claims.

I now have a check in my hand. Only took 6 weeks of me hounding them, and finally threatening to take legal action for something they promised would be no problem.

Answer 1

Have you tried going to the general manager of the store?
If that dont work, go to the distraict manager of the store.
Then go to the regional manager
finally they have a consumer complaints department at their corporate headquarters .. I do believe its one of the prompts at 888 best-buy.

Argue your case enough, someone will help you,.
If nothing happens in a timely manner contact the better business bureau, describe the happenings, as its clearly stated in their service plan -- then go back to the G.M and let them know you contacted the BBB, and ask him for his managers number.

Dont deal with the supervisors or the department managers, go to the top...they are most flexible.

FYI -- Best buy reps always say you have to buy their service plans because manufacterer doesnt protect against electrical surges. thats their selling point.

Well, yes they do. Battery and against surges for 1 year.
Best buy knows this, but they still disparage the manufacturers warranty because it gives best buy big profit margin item.

FYI -- ever walk out of best buy and they want to check your receipt -- technically they cant do that. Its suggested, but they cant make you look into your bag.

Once you pay for it its yours, even the high dollar value items like computers and lap tops.
If they detain you, and dont let you leav and threaten to callpolice -- let them -- thats illegal detainment and they know it. They can be sued for it.
But they get away with it because customers allow it

Answer 2

What I would do is make a copy of all of your information, along with a nice letter explaining your problem, what you have gone through, and what they have done to inconvenience you. I would send this certified mail (someone has to sign for it) directly to where you need to (there must be an address to mail the information), putting it attention to the reimbursement department. I would then type another letter to their corporate center, making sure a copy of the letter goes to the store where you bought the computer and service plan, and making sure it is seen by the district manager. It sounds like a lot of work, but I will guarantee you, since they are in the wrong, they will do everything possible to rectify the situation asap to your satisfaction. If it is not resolved within a month, I would then send them the information that you have done, along with the request of the refund of your service plan that you paid extra for, as well as inform them that you will be reporting them to the better business bureau and taking your business elsewhere. The last thing they will want (in this retail economy) is to lose a customer that has purchased a laptop from them, and possibly much more from them. And next time, go with Dell - they are awesome, and I love my laptop as well as the service I have received from them. . .

Answer 3

Seriously, You don't need to know anything about cars to know that "no radio, a crack in the windshield, the two front leather seats are torn up, the passenger window does not work, and it came with 177,XXX miles. Also, the body has a bit of rust on it and the paint is pretty bad. Oh, and it was salvaged." isn't a good thing. The ONLY thing you listed that was positive is the car runs. But for how long, that's the real question. Plus the car is 20 years old. Did you get ripped off? That depends on how long the engine and transmission last. If the car lasts more than 6 months consider yourself extremely lucky.

Answer 4

hold the battery. this will make the issue come back when taxes are done. two contact thier corprate office and don't worry about weteher or not you are talking to the right person. No matter who is on the phone make them hear it.

Corparations like to play a game called "pass the Buck", see they just keep saying it' s someone else fault till you get pissed and go away. I have defeated this many times. true it involved lying, annoying people and do what ever I could to get to that next highest chain in the ladder but , trust me when you reach the top and piss off that board member it all rolls downhill! :).

Oh and with the call centers themselves honey relly gets more flies! I talked to center supervisor and she liked me so much she gave me a free vaction even though I was calling on behalf of my buddy.so with them try it ,it might work.

Answer 5

Generally, all you have to do is threaten to call the Better Business Bureau and they decide to do the right thing. If that doesn't work, then really file a complaint with the BBB. You can look them up and do everything online. Good luck! I find it's practically a full-time job making sure my bills are correct, rebates are honored, etc. It's so frustrating!

Answer 6

Instead of calling or emailing, gather up all information, documentation and everything concerning the matter and go directly to the Best Buy where you purchased the item. Tell them you want to speak to the store manager...don't let them put you off - if you must, demand to see him/her...

Explain the problem and advise the manager you are not leaving until he has solved the problem for you.....then stay there until they do.... Don't be nasty, don't cause a scene, just be firm and no nonsense......

Answer 7

Good luck with that one. Best Buy's Geek Squad actually stole software off a company that my guy worked for. We even went as far as investigating. They were sued when it was proven and Best Buy lost...at lot.

And, if they are telling you the reinbursement department is separate and you can't call them, is a lie. There is a way to contact anyone, even Yahoo, which I had to do once. It just takes research.

I would go to where you purchased it and speak directly to the highest manager there and you aren't leaving until you do.

Answer 8

Keep asking to talk to the next guy up. If he blocks you, call back and immediately ask for the respondant's supervisor.

Someone will be able to get you the phone number you need.

Alot of companies have financial transaction issues because they keep outsourcing their financial support apparatus to other companies. Sounds like what you got here.

Answer 9

From my experience, they make it so hard to go out of their way to satisfy the customer, keep at it, and you will get results.
Happened with a laptop rebate deal they offered me, bottom line, they tried to lie and it took almost 4 months to get my resolve, but I got it. Don't give up.

And yes reflex is absolutely correct, threaten BBB, and they ALWAYS buckle.

Answer 10

I suggest you contact your local newspapers and news stations, If you live in a small town contact the new stations of the nearest large city. If you can get one of them to make your story public you will get your rebate like that *finger snap*. They will want to avoid as much bad publicity as possible.

I also suggest when you talk to people on the phone try to stay relaxed. The person who answers the phone has zero power to fix the problem but she can connect you to her supervisor, if you lose your temper with her she's going to want to get rid of you and she wouldn't want to get in trouble for wasting her supervisor's time. Just try to stay as calm as you can and don't yell at anyone, it's harder to deny someone who is nice to you.