I am so mad at Best Buy,I will never shop there again!?

Question

I bought a digital camera, Panasonic, at Best Buy 6 months ago. Last week it started showing lines across the pictures. I took it back an hour ago and they will only return it to Panasonic for repairs that I will have to pay for. I did not purchase an extended warranty.
5 years ago I purchased a sattelite tv from them. The saleslady promised that we would get local channels. We later found out after signing a 2 year contract that we could not get local channels. Has anyone else had problems with Best Buy? Is it worth paying $100.00 to repair a $200.00 camera?

This camera has not been dropped or abused in any way. I had read in a consumers guide not to buy warranties so I guess I was misinformed again.

Answer 1

You're not alone. Go read http://www.bestbuysux.org

Answer 2

Aahh Damn, Why Did I Read This Question!?!? L.O.L I Just Took Back A Digital Camera To Them (Best Buy) Last Monday As A Matter Of Fact. BUT, I've Had The Camera For About 2 And Half 3 Years. I DID Get The 4 Year Extended Warranty For 50 Bux More. And Mines Is A Sony Cybershot 5.1 Megapixel. Homeboy At The Store Said That I DIDN'T Have To Pay Nothing To Ship It Off, And It Will Be Back In 5 To 7 Days, And With That Warranty, If It Keeps Jacking Up, I Keep Taking It Back, FOR FREE, And On The 4th Time I Go Up There With A Problem With My Camera, I Get A WHOLE NEW ONE FRESH OUT THE BOX!!!! If They Don't Have The Same Model Number Camera, I Get To Pick A Whole NEW Different One!!! Sounds Too Good To Be True, But You Only Had Yours About 6 Months, Mines Is OLD!! So My Guess Is, Get The Warranty. But That's Just Me. That's My Word!!!

Answer 3

If it's a high dollar item, and you think you'll be using it for longer than the manufacturer's warranty, it's usually not a bad idea to get an extended warranty.

For your situation though, I think you did the right thing not getting the extended warranty through Best Buy. However, you can't blame Best Buy for not taking it back, you have to understand that their return policy on electronics is (I believe) 14 days. It's either 14 or 30 days, but six months is far too long to expect them to take a hit on it.

This is why manufacturers offer a limited warranty. If you've only had it for six months, and you still have the receipt, I don't see the problem. With almost any camera, you have at least a one year warranty through the manufacturer. You shouldn't have any trouble calling the manufacturer and getting a Return Authorization number for a repair or replacement. You'll be without your camera for a few weeks, yes, but it certainly beats paying another $200 for another camera, right?

I work at a retailer, so if you've got any other questions about how it works, or anything like that, send me an e-mail or an IM.

Answer 4

I never get the extended warranties either, but electronics don't last forever. I don't think it's reasonable to expect the retailer to take the camera back or pay for repairs after it's been in your care for six months. For all they know, you soaked it in a bucket of bleach or threw it down the stairs.

As for the local channels, please tell me you READ the two year contract before signing it? Never believe what you've told when it comes to things like that. Get it in writing!

These problems don't sound like they're Best Buy problems. I think you'd be in the same situation regardless of where you made the purchases.

And no, I wouldn't pay $100 to have a $200 camera repaired. I'd just buy a new one.

Answer 5

I used to work for a camera store...and honestly if its a lumix repair it...but try www.consumerist.com they might be able to help you with your situation


also...look for an authorized repair center...they should have a camera shop that can do inhouse repairs...if not look at panasonics site and find out about repairs through them...

also if its 6months old it should still be under panasonics warrenty what you discribed is a dead sensor or dying...its a manufaturers defect

Answer 6

i used to work for a call center that dealt with best buy selling the clients computer system. those salespeople would tell the customers everything just to sell that computer which left the poor misinformed customer out in the cold when dealing with the store they bought it at.
i too have sworn off that store.

Answer 7

id rather pay an extra 100 and get a new camera

Answer 8

No!

And you should never have to deal with retailers like that. Try the site below and watch the online movie. If you have any questions, please contact me.