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Best Buy Complaint - Black Friday Fraud! - HP Laptop w/Intel Celeron Processor/Model G60-507DX
HP Laptop w/Intel Celeron Processor/Model G60-507DX - Complaint
We received inappropriate and likely illegal treatment at the Simi Valley store and by the Corporate office phone line. A group of us loyal customers, stood in line in front of the Simi Valley store on Wed. November 25, 2009, until Black Friday, November 27, 2009, in hopes of purchasing their advertised laptop for sale in the amount of $197. We were amongst the first 10 people in line who were guaranteed a laptop. We were advised the store had 40 more laptops on a first come first serve basis. On their website, it stated this was a ticketed item and only guaranteed a certain amount of customers to receive this item.
Come 3 am, when the employees were handing out tickets, we were advised that they were not handing out tickets for this item. One of the employees said the reason was because consumers have until 9 am, once receiving their ticket, to come and pick up the item. This allows them to receive their ticket at 3 am and go to another competitor store and do their shopping there before 9 am. By not ticketing this item, it prevents them from leaving the store, therefore, they will shop and spend more in the store.
We were advised that at 4:40 am, they were allowing the first 10 people in the store so they can be guaranteed their laptop, followed by increments of small groups every few minutes. Upon entering the store, we had asked the manager where could we find the $197 laptops. We were advised and directed by an employee to follow the red balloons and stand in line within the red tape. At 5 am, the cashiers would open and then we would be brought out our laptops. This way the first 10 would get their laptops guaranteed.
Little by little, people were flooding in and grabbing items, while we all just watched and waited for 5 am. At 5 am, we were called up to the register 1 by 1. I was the 3rd person who was to get a laptop and my group followed, along with the other families we got to know by spending two nights out in the cold, camping out in front of the store. When I got to the register I was told that they were all out of the laptops. Of course this caused pandemonium amongst all of us who sat out there since Wed, to be guaranteed a laptop! The management team was so unprofessional and advised us that it was our fault we did not receive the laptop and no one told us to sit out there since Wed. Of course this did not sit lightly with everyone.
The employees kept advising that they only guaranteed the first 10 people and the rest was at a first come first serve basis. We kept trying to tell them we WERE the first 10 people and had been sitting out there since Wed to guarantee our spot. The employees were not listening to us and were very rude and condescending, even one manager, Jason, jumped up on a stool and started yelling at us telling us to get out of the store. It even got to the point where they called the police on us.
Now, while sitting outside the store since Wed. afternoon, we got to know the police in the area. They had patrolled by and kept an eye on us, for our safety. They even would come by and have friendly conversations with us about our shopping spree, family, sports, etc. They knew we WERE the first in line. When the employees told the police of the situation, they just shook their heads at the employees and advised us that we had ourselves a civil action case and suggested we take the company to court. The police knew that some of us missed Thanksgiving dinner with our families to guarantee we got a laptop, as a Xmas gift for our children. We can not get that quality time back. Needless to say, the police were on our side and therefore, they just left the store.
A teenage boy who was standing in the line behind us for 2 days, happened to be in the area where they had the laptops and saw people who were at the end of the line outside, grabbing the laptops. He was lucky enough to grab one. He came over to where we were and heard the commotion. He knew we were outside the store for several days, he handed the laptop to a lady who was one of the first 10 people. He knew she should have received a laptop. This teenage boy knew Best Buy was wrong and that this lady should be getting this laptop, not him. For a complete stranger, let alone a teenager, to recognize that Best Buy was in the wrong, was just very upsetting and shows how their company has lost compassion for the American consumers!
When this lady went to purchase the $197 laptop she was promised was the price from Best Buy's advertisement and what was tagged right on the side of the laptop as $197, the employee tried to charge her $297. Again, we all were upset because this was not the price the advertisement announced. The employee advised us that they had optimized ALL the laptops, which is $100 extra, and if she wanted to purchase the laptop and walk out with it that day, she would have to pay $100 extra.
WHAT???!!??? Where in their advertisement did it say, "$197 laptop, $100 optimized - out the door $297". This is plain and simple FALSE ADVERTISEMENT!!! This was a scam by Best Buy!! Again, we were trying to argue this amount with the employees, which got us NO WHERE!
We were again told several times that it was not the company's issues and if we had a problem to take it up with their corporate office. When asked for the number, The store manager, Adelyn, rudely stated the number out loud and told us to leave. I had asked her to write the number down as well as her name. She rolled her eyes at me and wrote the number and her name on a card. She wrote her name so sloppy that we could not even read her name. She again told us she was not going to do anything and to leave the store. Of course we were very upset and appalled at the treatment we received from a well known store like Best Buy. We were treated like criminals and forced to leave the store.
We sat outside the store, trying to get a hold of the corporate office and were hung up on. We called back, and were advised it was not their issue, we had to handle it with the store. We even asked them what was the purpose of their corporate office, if they do not handle situations like this. We were even accused of being liars. After all this repetitive abuse, we decided to take matters one step further. We NEEDED someone to listen to us.
The family behind us, knew of a corporate attorney. She got on the phone with him and he advised us we had a class action case against Best Buy since there were several families involved in this matter and we had a store full of witnesses. Which by the way, these witnesses were pretty upset as well at the treatment we received and how this whole situation was handled that they provided us their contact numbers so they can be a witness if we needed them to be. The attorney advised he would take the case and file a class action suit against the company on ALL of our behalves.
We wanted to try to give Best Buy a chance to settle this without going that far. We were not looking to cause trouble, we just simply wanted to resolve this issue and receive an apology for the treatment we received. Again, we tried to call corporate. I spoke to a Shirley. Shirley had called the store to try to get their side of the story. She stated the manager of the store's name was Adelyn. She stated that Adelyn advised her that I had gone to another department to get another item, therefore I lost my place in line. Adelyn also advised Shirley that they only guaranteed the first 10 in line. Shirley got back on the line with me and told me what she was told by Adelyn. Now, this was very upsetting that Best Buy would hire a manager who would lie and try to turn things around like this. This not only makes her look very bad, but this is also a reflection on the company, especially with Adelyn being the store manager.
First of all, Adelyn did not know who was calling and complaining. There was a group of us who were there, we were all upset and we all got on our cell phones to complain to corporate. There is no way she would have known who was on the phone since she never once asked our names to identify us. The only way she would know I went to another department to get something else is if ALL 10 of us who were let in first, went to another department first together to get something else. Which of course was NOT the case! Shirley then advised me that it now turns into Adelyn's story against mine. I had advised Shirley that I know for a fact that I was not the only one calling in and complaining and the others would have the same story as I did. Shirley told me that no one had called in and there are no complaints against this store. Which again was a lie because I was standing next to someone who just got off the phone with corporate with their complaint and there were several others right next to me on their cell phones with corporate as well. I advised Shirley it was not my story against Adelyn's. I told her I know you guys have cameras in your store and if she wanted the truth to pull the video tapes, which will show we went up to the manager and we were directed to stand in a line within the red tape behind the cashiers. I advised Shirley that we had contacted an attorney, as well as the media, and I was calling to give their company a chance to try to resolve this matter before we were to meet with the media that morning. I was then advised by Shirley to do what I feel like we needed to do because there was nothing she could do to help me.
We met with Fox Channel 11 news, in front of the store, a half an hour later. We all expressed our concerns and complained about the customer service and treatment we were provided. We also expressed our concerns on the company's false advertisement. This was fraud, a scam! The news interviewed the store manager, Adelyn, who stated unfortunately they did not have any more laptops to provide us, but in exchange, they would provide each of us with a $200 gift card and a discount on another item in the store. The representative from Fox news approached us and advised us of the offer from the store manager and then left.
When the group (the 8 of us) approached Adelyn to accept her offer, she then told us that she was not giving us each a gift card, she was just going to give one gift card in the amount of $200. This was ABSURD!! AGAIN, we were lied to by their employee, a manager at that!! We, of course argued again with Adelyn and advised her that we did not just stay 3 days and 2 nights in front of their store just for a $200 gift card for the 8 of us. We each were purchasing a laptop. All 8 of us did not stand in line just to purchase 1 laptop!
After a while of complaining to Adelyn, she told us this was all she was going to do for us and we were not going to get anything more out of her. Adelyn advised us to deal with corporate. She stated that by us complaining to corporate, they can do more for us then what she could. Adelyn finally said she would just give two $200 gift cards to two of us and the rest could buy something else at a discount and then work it out with corporate to get something from them.
I was very upset and to the point where I refused to purchase another item from Best Buy! Regardless of how good the deal was, I was NOT going to contribute another penny to a company who has NO respect for their faithful and loyal customers! Therefore, I was NOT going to purchase anything else for a discount. This whole thing has been a scam to rip off the American Consumers!!
We called corporate again and advised once more of the whole situation, and were told there was nothing they can do and it should have been handled in the store with the manager. Corporate even got Adelyn on the other line so they can hear from Adelyn what she wanted them to do for us. Adelyn stated that she did not know why we were calling and she already gave us a discount and gift card. We reminded Adelyn that she was the one who told us to work something out with corporate because she could not give us all the $200 gift card. Adelyn denied ever telling us that. We kept advising her of the whole conversation that took place in the store to refresh her memory and reminded her that she told us to deal directly with corporate to get this issue resolved.
We have gotten nowhere with the corporate office and with the Simi Valley store management. We wrote a letter to the CEO of Best Buy and are hoping they provide us the $200 gift card and discount for another computer, that their manager had promised us on TV. We are still pending the results of this letter. I am so disappointed with Best Buy and I am hoping the CEO can restore my faith in this company. If not, I will boycott Best Buy every chance I get!
Come 3 am, when the employees were handing out tickets, we were advised that they were not handing out tickets for this item. One of the employees said the reason was because consumers have until 9 am, once receiving their ticket, to come and pick up the item. This allows them to receive their ticket at 3 am and go to another competitor store and do their shopping there before 9 am. By not ticketing this item, it prevents them from leaving the store, therefore, they will shop and spend more in the store.
We were advised that at 4:40 am, they were allowing the first 10 people in the store so they can be guaranteed their laptop, followed by increments of small groups every few minutes. Upon entering the store, we had asked the manager where could we find the $197 laptops. We were advised and directed by an employee to follow the red balloons and stand in line within the red tape. At 5 am, the cashiers would open and then we would be brought out our laptops. This way the first 10 would get their laptops guaranteed.
Little by little, people were flooding in and grabbing items, while we all just watched and waited for 5 am. At 5 am, we were called up to the register 1 by 1. I was the 3rd person who was to get a laptop and my group followed, along with the other families we got to know by spending two nights out in the cold, camping out in front of the store. When I got to the register I was told that they were all out of the laptops. Of course this caused pandemonium amongst all of us who sat out there since Wed, to be guaranteed a laptop! The management team was so unprofessional and advised us that it was our fault we did not receive the laptop and no one told us to sit out there since Wed. Of course this did not sit lightly with everyone.
The employees kept advising that they only guaranteed the first 10 people and the rest was at a first come first serve basis. We kept trying to tell them we WERE the first 10 people and had been sitting out there since Wed to guarantee our spot. The employees were not listening to us and were very rude and condescending, even one manager, Jason, jumped up on a stool and started yelling at us telling us to get out of the store. It even got to the point where they called the police on us.
Now, while sitting outside the store since Wed. afternoon, we got to know the police in the area. They had patrolled by and kept an eye on us, for our safety. They even would come by and have friendly conversations with us about our shopping spree, family, sports, etc. They knew we WERE the first in line. When the employees told the police of the situation, they just shook their heads at the employees and advised us that we had ourselves a civil action case and suggested we take the company to court. The police knew that some of us missed Thanksgiving dinner with our families to guarantee we got a laptop, as a Xmas gift for our children. We can not get that quality time back. Needless to say, the police were on our side and therefore, they just left the store.
A teenage boy who was standing in the line behind us for 2 days, happened to be in the area where they had the laptops and saw people who were at the end of the line outside, grabbing the laptops. He was lucky enough to grab one. He came over to where we were and heard the commotion. He knew we were outside the store for several days, he handed the laptop to a lady who was one of the first 10 people. He knew she should have received a laptop. This teenage boy knew Best Buy was wrong and that this lady should be getting this laptop, not him. For a complete stranger, let alone a teenager, to recognize that Best Buy was in the wrong, was just very upsetting and shows how their company has lost compassion for the American consumers!
When this lady went to purchase the $197 laptop she was promised was the price from Best Buy's advertisement and what was tagged right on the side of the laptop as $197, the employee tried to charge her $297. Again, we all were upset because this was not the price the advertisement announced. The employee advised us that they had optimized ALL the laptops, which is $100 extra, and if she wanted to purchase the laptop and walk out with it that day, she would have to pay $100 extra.
WHAT???!!??? Where in their advertisement did it say, "$197 laptop, $100 optimized - out the door $297". This is plain and simple FALSE ADVERTISEMENT!!! This was a scam by Best Buy!! Again, we were trying to argue this amount with the employees, which got us NO WHERE!
We were again told several times that it was not the company's issues and if we had a problem to take it up with their corporate office. When asked for the number, The store manager, Adelyn, rudely stated the number out loud and told us to leave. I had asked her to write the number down as well as her name. She rolled her eyes at me and wrote the number and her name on a card. She wrote her name so sloppy that we could not even read her name. She again told us she was not going to do anything and to leave the store. Of course we were very upset and appalled at the treatment we received from a well known store like Best Buy. We were treated like criminals and forced to leave the store.
We sat outside the store, trying to get a hold of the corporate office and were hung up on. We called back, and were advised it was not their issue, we had to handle it with the store. We even asked them what was the purpose of their corporate office, if they do not handle situations like this. We were even accused of being liars. After all this repetitive abuse, we decided to take matters one step further. We NEEDED someone to listen to us.
The family behind us, knew of a corporate attorney. She got on the phone with him and he advised us we had a class action case against Best Buy since there were several families involved in this matter and we had a store full of witnesses. Which by the way, these witnesses were pretty upset as well at the treatment we received and how this whole situation was handled that they provided us their contact numbers so they can be a witness if we needed them to be. The attorney advised he would take the case and file a class action suit against the company on ALL of our behalves.
We wanted to try to give Best Buy a chance to settle this without going that far. We were not looking to cause trouble, we just simply wanted to resolve this issue and receive an apology for the treatment we received. Again, we tried to call corporate. I spoke to a Shirley. Shirley had called the store to try to get their side of the story. She stated the manager of the store's name was Adelyn. She stated that Adelyn advised her that I had gone to another department to get another item, therefore I lost my place in line. Adelyn also advised Shirley that they only guaranteed the first 10 in line. Shirley got back on the line with me and told me what she was told by Adelyn. Now, this was very upsetting that Best Buy would hire a manager who would lie and try to turn things around like this. This not only makes her look very bad, but this is also a reflection on the company, especially with Adelyn being the store manager.
First of all, Adelyn did not know who was calling and complaining. There was a group of us who were there, we were all upset and we all got on our cell phones to complain to corporate. There is no way she would have known who was on the phone since she never once asked our names to identify us. The only way she would know I went to another department to get something else is if ALL 10 of us who were let in first, went to another department first together to get something else. Which of course was NOT the case! Shirley then advised me that it now turns into Adelyn's story against mine. I had advised Shirley that I know for a fact that I was not the only one calling in and complaining and the others would have the same story as I did. Shirley told me that no one had called in and there are no complaints against this store. Which again was a lie because I was standing next to someone who just got off the phone with corporate with their complaint and there were several others right next to me on their cell phones with corporate as well. I advised Shirley it was not my story against Adelyn's. I told her I know you guys have cameras in your store and if she wanted the truth to pull the video tapes, which will show we went up to the manager and we were directed to stand in a line within the red tape behind the cashiers. I advised Shirley that we had contacted an attorney, as well as the media, and I was calling to give their company a chance to try to resolve this matter before we were to meet with the media that morning. I was then advised by Shirley to do what I feel like we needed to do because there was nothing she could do to help me.
We met with Fox Channel 11 news, in front of the store, a half an hour later. We all expressed our concerns and complained about the customer service and treatment we were provided. We also expressed our concerns on the company's false advertisement. This was fraud, a scam! The news interviewed the store manager, Adelyn, who stated unfortunately they did not have any more laptops to provide us, but in exchange, they would provide each of us with a $200 gift card and a discount on another item in the store. The representative from Fox news approached us and advised us of the offer from the store manager and then left.
When the group (the 8 of us) approached Adelyn to accept her offer, she then told us that she was not giving us each a gift card, she was just going to give one gift card in the amount of $200. This was ABSURD!! AGAIN, we were lied to by their employee, a manager at that!! We, of course argued again with Adelyn and advised her that we did not just stay 3 days and 2 nights in front of their store just for a $200 gift card for the 8 of us. We each were purchasing a laptop. All 8 of us did not stand in line just to purchase 1 laptop!
After a while of complaining to Adelyn, she told us this was all she was going to do for us and we were not going to get anything more out of her. Adelyn advised us to deal with corporate. She stated that by us complaining to corporate, they can do more for us then what she could. Adelyn finally said she would just give two $200 gift cards to two of us and the rest could buy something else at a discount and then work it out with corporate to get something from them.
I was very upset and to the point where I refused to purchase another item from Best Buy! Regardless of how good the deal was, I was NOT going to contribute another penny to a company who has NO respect for their faithful and loyal customers! Therefore, I was NOT going to purchase anything else for a discount. This whole thing has been a scam to rip off the American Consumers!!
We called corporate again and advised once more of the whole situation, and were told there was nothing they can do and it should have been handled in the store with the manager. Corporate even got Adelyn on the other line so they can hear from Adelyn what she wanted them to do for us. Adelyn stated that she did not know why we were calling and she already gave us a discount and gift card. We reminded Adelyn that she was the one who told us to work something out with corporate because she could not give us all the $200 gift card. Adelyn denied ever telling us that. We kept advising her of the whole conversation that took place in the store to refresh her memory and reminded her that she told us to deal directly with corporate to get this issue resolved.
We have gotten nowhere with the corporate office and with the Simi Valley store management. We wrote a letter to the CEO of Best Buy and are hoping they provide us the $200 gift card and discount for another computer, that their manager had promised us on TV. We are still pending the results of this letter. I am so disappointed with Best Buy and I am hoping the CEO can restore my faith in this company. If not, I will boycott Best Buy every chance I get!
Comments:
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-12-01:
Did the people in front of your buy more than one laptop or were they 'supposed' to be limited one per customer?
Posted by PepperElf on 2009-12-01:
i'd recommend going with the lawsuit you spoke of then
Posted by Disappointed in Simi Valley on 2009-12-02:
No they did not purchase more than one laptop, there was a limit of one per customer.
Yes, I think it might go that route. I am waiting to hear back from the executives of Best Buy.
Yes, I think it might go that route. I am waiting to hear back from the executives of Best Buy.
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-12-02:
I cant imagine myself sitting outside a store for two days for a 200$ laptop, That’s extreme.It would have to be a pretty sweet laptop.
If what you say is true it does seem like they cheated you guys who were in the front.
If what you say is true it does seem like they cheated you guys who were in the front.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-12-02:
Normally, I can pick out what a customer did wrong and advise how to avoid issues in the future. But, if this situation happened the way you claim, I would file the suit.
Make sure you have witnesses and I hope it works out for you. telling ya'll to go to the waiting area only to be told they were all gone is just plain wrong.
Good luck. I can't stand Best Buy anyway and would never spend any money there. They talk to you like you are stupid. Money talks and BS walks. My money is BS as it walked right out the door.
Make sure you have witnesses and I hope it works out for you. telling ya'll to go to the waiting area only to be told they were all gone is just plain wrong.
Good luck. I can't stand Best Buy anyway and would never spend any money there. They talk to you like you are stupid. Money talks and BS walks. My money is BS as it walked right out the door.
Posted by clutzycook on 2009-12-02:
Now that's what I call a legit Black Friday gripe!
Posted by Alain on 2009-12-02:
Looks like a job for a Judge.
Posted by sherdy on 2009-12-02:
I buy from HH Gregg and Office Max. BB is horrid, and this just proves it. Is it possible that the employees dove on those laptops, them and their families? To the OP, was all of this worth saving $100? I am not being smart or nasty. I was just wondering. I have never camped outside in a line like that, never will. I get there when the store opens and hope for the best. I'd rather pay the money that have the headache you now have, with respect.
Oh, and that teenaged boy's momma is raising him right.
Oh, and that teenaged boy's momma is raising him right.
Posted by MRM on 2009-12-02:
On a Black Friday, I avoid popular items such as laptops and HDTV as they would be sold out or at least having trouble finding them. On a Black Friday, I bought items that are in abundance such as a mp3 player or digital frame.
Posted by MRM on 2009-12-02:
Now there are still good sales on laptops before and after Black Friday, granted, they are $50 more, but they are still cheap. No need to worry about getting that one and only laptop on Black Friday. Its not the end of the world ya know.
Posted by yoke on 2009-12-02:
I am suprised that BB allowed you to camp out for 2 days in front for their store. Most of what they did was wrong, but the one thing that you can not blame them for is ruining your Thanksgiving. You did that all on your own when you opted to camp out at BB and not spend it with your family.
I would like to hear BB's side of the story.
I would like to hear BB's side of the story.
Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2009-12-02:
If the local TV station has the manager on camera saying she was going to give each of you a $200 gift card then I would call them back and let them know what happened.
It would be a good follow up story for them. They can show the manager her earlier statement and then ask her why she didn't follow thru.
It would be a good follow up story for them. They can show the manager her earlier statement and then ask her why she didn't follow thru.
Posted by Principissa on 2009-12-02:
I agree with Hugh. If it's on camera she's screwed herself. I'm pretty sure corporate won't be too happy that she lied like that.
Posted by spiderman2 on 2009-12-02:
I'm sure the OP has a very valid complaint here, but I think this just highlights what is wrong with this country. Companies that will rip you off when you follow the rules and people who will wait in line for days, missing meaningful events with their families to get "stuff." I think as a country, we seen to have the wrong priorities in life.
Posted by MRM on 2009-12-02:
Spiderman, you are on point when people's priorities are not straight. There will be alot of laptops that will be on sale after Black Friday. Black Friday is just a gimmick to get you into their store.
Posted by goduke on 2009-12-02:
All together now..."It's the most wonderful time of the year...."
Posted by Slimjim on 2009-12-02:
Not only would I buzz a complaint off to the FTC but you should file a suit, along with everyone else hosed in that line. Store have got to start being held more accountable for screwing people over due to disorganization with their staff and procedures on Black Friday sales.
Posted by MaggieMcT on 2009-12-02:
You missed Thanksgiving dinner with your family to buy a laptop?!?!
Posted by JR in Orlando on 2009-12-02:
This is the problem with the absurd system of giving out tickets to items on sale. They should simply throw the doors open and let those who get them, buy them. Otherwise, people think they are entitled to the items simply because they showed up early. Here the store told them they were not giving out tickets, yet this poster thought they were entitled to the item because they showed up first. Obviously the laptops were out on display because the teenager got one. But instead of grabbing one, the poster's sense of entitlement leave him standing without one.
The store told you they were not going to give out tickets on this item, you should have rushed in and got one. Your mistake.
The store told you they were not going to give out tickets on this item, you should have rushed in and got one. Your mistake.
Posted by redmx3racer on 2009-12-02:
Must have been a special laptop to wait outside for 2 days and miss a holiday with the family.
I'm looking to get a cheap laptop myself, all I need is something basic that I can use to surf the net and use Itunes with. I've found one that will suit my needs for under $300. Saving $100, even if it is for a slightly better brand, is not worth the hassle the OP went through in my opinion.
I'm looking to get a cheap laptop myself, all I need is something basic that I can use to surf the net and use Itunes with. I've found one that will suit my needs for under $300. Saving $100, even if it is for a slightly better brand, is not worth the hassle the OP went through in my opinion.
Posted by goduke on 2009-12-02:
The problem with a lawsuit is that it's going to be very hard to prove the alleged guarantee that the 1st ten folks in line outside the door and not just the first 10 folks who got them. I'm sure the employee's version of those conversations are going to be very different. You'll also have to hope that Fox kept that footage (not sure if it ever aired) so you can prove what was said on the camera.
I'm not suggesting that the facts as stated by the OP are doctored or false. But in a lawsuit, you have to actually prove the facts, not just state the facts. At the end of the day, you may have to decide whether or not the hassle fo the lawsuit it worth it. That's a personal choice.
You can also go the route of the Attorney General's Office. You could try the BBB, but that's probably not going to get much juice. It's also not really an FTC issue, although you could try it just to make some noise.
I'm not suggesting that the facts as stated by the OP are doctored or false. But in a lawsuit, you have to actually prove the facts, not just state the facts. At the end of the day, you may have to decide whether or not the hassle fo the lawsuit it worth it. That's a personal choice.
You can also go the route of the Attorney General's Office. You could try the BBB, but that's probably not going to get much juice. It's also not really an FTC issue, although you could try it just to make some noise.
Posted by lobo65 on 2009-12-02:
Definitely sounds like a legitimate complaint. I would pursue it further as well. There's no way I would wait that long in line for anything, but if I did, I would be just as mad as you were.
Posted by andbran on 2009-12-02:
honestly i would rather spend thanksgiving with my family instead of camping out for any item. when have we placed material items over family? i agree that we need to repriorise.
Posted by MRM on 2009-12-02:
Remember this next year when Thanksgiving Day arrives… you only have once in a year to spend time with the whole family, while the laptop will be there every other day, and the price will be a bargain when you get them.
Posted by bcd on 2009-12-02:
Adding $100 to the price is clearly a case of false advertising.
The employees probably bought the laptops for themselves and the manager lied to cover for them. Maybe she bought one too.
The employees probably bought the laptops for themselves and the manager lied to cover for them. Maybe she bought one too.
Posted by goduke on 2009-12-02:
The story is in several of the local newspapers. No one disputes that the laptops were all sold to customers. The dispute seems to be which customers should have been allowed to purchase them.
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-12-02:
I don't see why Best Buy couldn't have just bumped the claim time up from 9am to 6am. It would have negated this whole problem. Tickets would have been given to the OP and her posse of people waiting for 2 days, and the store would know they wouldn't have had time to leave and go elsewhere before returning to buy the laptop. Seems like that very simple change would have made all the difference!
Posted by ChuhBaca on 2009-12-02:
I don't like Best Buy either. In general I try to avoid them, but I haven't been personally wronged by them. It's all the stories I hear about them.
I hope we hear a follow up on how this goes. Definitely contact the news again as a follow up, and maybe contact other media as well. In the end, I think the biggest blow you can strike for all of us consumers is to go through with the civil suit.
I hope we hear a follow up on how this goes. Definitely contact the news again as a follow up, and maybe contact other media as well. In the end, I think the biggest blow you can strike for all of us consumers is to go through with the civil suit.
Posted by Sulsuknjrk on 2009-12-06:
Blew off family for a stinking laptop? and a $200 lap top that's normally $300? Obessed with internet ? had to have your generic little laptop.. You sound very selfish. I wouldn't give you a gift card either. You camped out in front of best buy for 2 days? I would of had you arrested.
Posted by QContinuum178 on 2009-12-15:
I was under the impression that standard operating procedure at Best Buy is to offer tickets for Black Friday doorbusters in order to prevent situations like this.
Further, I'm concerned that the laptop the young man found and gave up to a woman ahead of him in line was going to be charged $297 instead of $197. If this was the correct laptop, does this mean that the customers who were able to buy it were charged the higher price? Are there any complaints from those customers?
This whole incident appears to have been mishandled from the start. I would suggest finding out if the Fox affiliate has footage of the offer of the gift card.
But, regardless of how cheap the laptop was, I would never have given up Thanksgiving with my family for it.
Further, I'm concerned that the laptop the young man found and gave up to a woman ahead of him in line was going to be charged $297 instead of $197. If this was the correct laptop, does this mean that the customers who were able to buy it were charged the higher price? Are there any complaints from those customers?
This whole incident appears to have been mishandled from the start. I would suggest finding out if the Fox affiliate has footage of the offer of the gift card.
But, regardless of how cheap the laptop was, I would never have given up Thanksgiving with my family for it.
Posted by iknowbby on 2009-12-27:
the laptop you are talking about was a 2 day sale. BBY does not give out tickets for the 2 day items. the HP that you claim was $179 was $599 or $699 depending on the processor/RAM. there was a $179 HP netbook YES but not a doorbuster. the employees told you that you and the other people at the start of the line would be aloud first dibs on the door buster NOT the 2-day sale. when you asked for the "DOORBUSTER" laptop they sent you to CS where the doorbuster laptops were, BUT the laptop you wanted wasnt there because it was a 2 day item. you must have sat around for quite some time while 40 of them were picked up off the floor PLUS you had a 20 minute head start. i think you are not telling the whole truth.
as far the the $100 bucks in services...they have the right to do that, they do it every year. the store is selling items under cost and loosing money on every item that goes out the door, its business. if you didn't want to pay the extra money they can find someone that will.
YOU, OP, are the problem with the world today. YOU did not read and comprehend what the ad said and blamed best buy then attempted to start a riot. and all of this is over $100...pity.
if you try to bring this to trial the lawyers best buy sends are going to crush you. you facts are all out of whack and i believe you are not telling the whole truth and hiding some key facts. i also believe that not lawyer would take this case as is. that poor lawyer is going to fight a HUGE company over a $179 laptop.
as far the the $100 bucks in services...they have the right to do that, they do it every year. the store is selling items under cost and loosing money on every item that goes out the door, its business. if you didn't want to pay the extra money they can find someone that will.
YOU, OP, are the problem with the world today. YOU did not read and comprehend what the ad said and blamed best buy then attempted to start a riot. and all of this is over $100...pity.
if you try to bring this to trial the lawyers best buy sends are going to crush you. you facts are all out of whack and i believe you are not telling the whole truth and hiding some key facts. i also believe that not lawyer would take this case as is. that poor lawyer is going to fight a HUGE company over a $179 laptop.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-12-28:
Iknow, thanks for the clarification.
Posted by mica10 on 2010-01-01:
I don't think we know enough about your puchase. What was the regular purchase price for the laptop? If you take the amount of hours you spent camped out at BB divided by the savings, think about whether that was truly worth your time. Granted, I am quite sure their customer service was less than stellar and I hope you and the others can recover.
Posted by LCDLBA on 2010-01-02:
If it is exactly as you stated and you have all of those folks to back it up, I would go with the lawsuit. False Advertising is serious and depending on where you live you may have tort law on your side as well. (Basically you can sue them for wronging you and the time you spent on this situation). I don't shop at Best Buy because we have a Wal-mart next door to it. I would give Best Buy the option of giving you the computer at the $197 price now or having an attorney contact them. Hopefully you still have the circular ad that they placed so you can show them what was stated on the ad.
Posted by LCDLBA on 2010-01-02:
iknowbby, sounds like you work for Best Buy and are trying to scare this person away from a lawsuit. For all parties involved, keep in mind this web page is JUST as admissible in court as anything else. If this person IS telling the truth and have all of these people and police officers on her side to tell the story, Best Buy will probably be in for a LARGE pay-out to this person. If it is all as it was stated in the complaint, Best Buy needs to admit they screwed it up and offer up a computer to her for the price listed. If Best Buy DID print terms and he/she missed them...he/she just needs to say so. If Best Buy was using shady/not-understandable advertising complainant need to handle that through local law and with an attorney.
Posted by PepperElf on 2010-01-02:
better yet since it's after christmas, is this still an issue?
isn't there an after-christmas sale or something like that?
isn't there an after-christmas sale or something like that?
Posted by LadyScot on 2010-01-03:
LCD, from what Iknwo is explaining, the OP is MISTAKEN and confused. Who would better know, a customer or an employee?
Posted by DaveyC on 2010-01-05:
Sounds to me like the OP didn't read the fine print and then went ballistic when she didn't get what she wanted. I would love to see the CCTV of the antics that no doubt went on during the interactions with the store manager. (and the dude on the stool!) :)
Besides, the OP really got what she wanted right? Not really the computer, but the bragging rights that she stayed out for 48hrs to get it. That's why she skipped TG dinner with family.
I'm not a huge fan of BB, but I agree with IKNOWBBY, it seems like there might be a few details omitted here.
Besides, the OP really got what she wanted right? Not really the computer, but the bragging rights that she stayed out for 48hrs to get it. That's why she skipped TG dinner with family.
I'm not a huge fan of BB, but I agree with IKNOWBBY, it seems like there might be a few details omitted here.
Posted by zapata on 2010-01-31:
Hello, I had been in best buy black friday 08 and got a desktop at an ok price but thankfully i avoided black friday 09 because i had a bad feeling about it. a friend who had camped with me during BF08 went on 09 and had an awful experience im guessing something similar to what you went trough. I think the best think you can do to get back at them is to look for more people got a bad experience like you did and start a boycott! hopefully you got the information of the people that shared your nightmare that day. my e-mail is aqui-toy@hotmail.com. if you ever start something. let me know.
Posted by zapata on 2010-01-31:
One more thing i also think employees DO BUY stuff for THEMSELVES
in 08 I was aking this employee for a specific coupon which i knew he had in his hand because I saw it as he was scrolling trough them and he pretended that he had completely no idea of what coupon i was asking for. it was extremely obvious that he did not want to give me the coupon. it was after 2 more guys told him that they saw the coupon in his hands that he actually gave it to me.
in 08 I was aking this employee for a specific coupon which i knew he had in his hand because I saw it as he was scrolling trough them and he pretended that he had completely no idea of what coupon i was asking for. it was extremely obvious that he did not want to give me the coupon. it was after 2 more guys told him that they saw the coupon in his hands that he actually gave it to me.
Posted by PepperElf on 2010-01-31:
so how'd the lawsuit turn out?
Posted by LadyScot on 2010-01-31:
Zapata, yes employees do probably buy for themselves. I did. I work at ally and waited in line with everyone else for almost 5 hours AFTER working 8 hours on BF for a laptop. AND I got two.
Posted by A. Faubion on 2011-12-30:
This entire complaint and comment section has been surprisingly educational.At first I became shocked and disturbed that so many seemed to be interested in turning on the victim like those who do to a rape victim who wears low-cut or revealing clothes. Does the OP deserve this "rape" from BB because she doesn't share your obsessive views about family traditions created by none other than retailers in the first place? Does the choice to camp out in front of the store to guarantee her the first in line opportunity to spend money the way she or he wants somehow make her a criminal? The store was likely thrilled with the free advertising and notice the campers surely brought to their scandalous store.I suggest those who doubt the claims of this complaint take a look at the many hundreds of complaints and the recent class action suits filed by two different states.BB has a terrible reputation for deceitful,tactics practices,misleading or outright lying to customers to get a sale,failing to disclose hidden costs and/or limits on warranties and in store extended warranties,price switching,false advertising,not honoring price matching promises or return policies.
But never mind all that this person deserves all the unfair,illegal,rude and obnoxious treatment that BB and their gang of thieves,liars and bullies hand out because she had her priorities for turkey dinner with her family screwed up. But wasn't she missing out on it for her families sake to provide them with something they needed our wished for? Who are we to decide for her what is more important for her family? Perhaps it is her way of giving thanks to her (or his?) family on Thanksgiving for pitys sake.
The point is that it is really not our business to judge her on her family values here. One cannot make a call like that from one example of behavior anyway. However that being said,the lesson demonstrated here is obvious and I for one appreciate the education.First let me say I think the complaint had good information and attention to important details I was impressed with how well organized and specific it was.Then the comments made me realize the importance of leaving emotion out of the argument.
The secret to making a strong case then
But never mind all that this person deserves all the unfair,illegal,rude and obnoxious treatment that BB and their gang of thieves,liars and bullies hand out because she had her priorities for turkey dinner with her family screwed up. But wasn't she missing out on it for her families sake to provide them with something they needed our wished for? Who are we to decide for her what is more important for her family? Perhaps it is her way of giving thanks to her (or his?) family on Thanksgiving for pitys sake.
The point is that it is really not our business to judge her on her family values here. One cannot make a call like that from one example of behavior anyway. However that being said,the lesson demonstrated here is obvious and I for one appreciate the education.First let me say I think the complaint had good information and attention to important details I was impressed with how well organized and specific it was.Then the comments made me realize the importance of leaving emotion out of the argument.
The secret to making a strong case then
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