Best Buy Co., Inc. ripoff consumer fraud ripoff Culver City California

Richard Schulze
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
P.O. Box 9312
Minneapolis, MN 55440-9312

Dear Mr. Schulze,

I have just come from a very unpleasant shopping experience at The Best Buy #179 located in Culver City, California. I went into the store this evening to purchase a Linksys Wireless Broadband Router Model # BEFW11S4.

I was pleased to discover that there were multiple rebates being offered ($10.00 Instant Best Buy Rebate & $10.00 Mail-In Linksys Rebate) and even more pleased to discover there was an “open item” marked down an additional $5.00. The label on the product indicated that the price within the last 30 days was $69.00 and as a result of being an “open item” the price was adjusted to $64.99 (effective date 7/18/03).

This information indicated to me that considering the markdown from $69.99 to 64.99 and the $10.00 Best Buy Instant Rebate, I would be expected to pay a purchase price of $54.99 plus tax. When I prepared to purchase the item, the cashier indicated to me that the $10.00 Best Buy Instant Rebate was not calculated in the total purchase price.

The cashier then called for a price check, after five minutes and no response the cashier called again for a price check. After waiting several more minutes Mr. Earl Gibson, General Manager appeared. I explained to him that the register was not calculating the $10.00 Best Buy Instant Rebate.

At that time Mr. Gibson scanned the item and reiterated the purchase price previously quoted to me by the cashier. I then explained that it didn't make sense that I would end up paying $5.00 more for an “open item” than for a brand new unopened item. Mr. Gibson then became very rude with me and stated that “I'm going to tell you how it's going to be and you decide what you want to do.”
I purchased the item, paying $64.99 plus tax of $5.36, totaling $70.35.

I have been a Best Buy customer for several years and over that time I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. As a consumer, I have never been treated with such disrespect as I experienced on this occasion. As a result, I feel compelled to take the time to inform you of my very unpleasant experience in your store.

Sincerely,

Greg
Venice, California
U.S.A.