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Report: #315784

Complaint Review: Best Buy - Beaverton Oregon

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  • Reported By: Beaverton Oregon
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  • Best Buy 3055 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard, Beaverton OR 97005. Beaverton, Oregon U.S.A.

Best Buy BestBuy Cheats AGAIN on Their Price Match Policy, Considers a Competitor Located 3 Miles Away a NON-LOCAL Store And Therefore Refuses to Honor Its Price Match Policy Beaverton Oregon

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: best buy price match policies - what you should have done

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: best buy price match policies - what you should have done

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: best buy price match policies - what you should have done

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My father purchased a digital camera from Best Buy for $249.99, a week later, we were at the Office Depot next door on Cedar Hills Blvd and saw that Office Depot was selling it for $159.99. It was a $110.00 price difference. I told my dad to not worry because Best Buy has a price guarantee policy and we would be able to get a 110% refund of the price difference.

This wasn't the case. We went to Best Buy with our camera and receipt a few days later (we were still within the 14 day return limit) on March 7 at 11am and the customer service representative called Office Depot and told us that because the Office Depot next door was out of stock of the particular model, the price they have posted at their store is invalid and so they won't refund us the difference.

We were stunned. So we called another Office Depot three miles away (3.5 miles to be exact) and found that they had inventory of the same camera, and with the same price, $159.99. We asked the customer service rep at Best Buy if she would honor this given that it is less than five miles away and has a Best Buy store across the street from it as well. She said no, because she did not consider it local.

My father and I were flabbergasted. It was underhanded enough that they didn't honor their price guarantee policy because the store next door was out of stock, but when we demonstrated that an Office Depot located just 4 miles away also had the same prices and had stock of the camera, they also refuse to honor it still because it was not next door to them.

None of this makes sense to us because Best Buy's return policy is country-wide and so whether the store is 10 miles or 100 miles away is a moot point.

My father and I, worried that we might surpass the 14 day return policy, returned the camera, paid the $40 restocking fee (15% of the purchase price), and drove to an Office Depot and bought the same camera there.

Best Buy promises its consumers that they will price match their products with their competitors. But they overpriced our camera by $110 and refused to honor their guarantee. On top of this, we paid a $40 restocking fee to return the camera, which would have been fine with us had the circumstances been different; we had no option but to return the camera because we were afraid the option to do so would run out if we dispute over this. If we did not return the camera, we would have been cheated by Best Buy for a product sold for elsewhere for $110 less, more than a 40% difference.

Tina
Beaverton, Oregon
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/07/2008 04:29 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/best-buy/beaverton-oregon-97005/best-buy-bestbuy-cheats-again-on-their-price-match-policy-considers-a-competitor-located-315784. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#3 UPDATE EX-employee responds

best buy price match policies - what you should have done

AUTHOR: Kristy - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, March 09, 2008

first I think it's important to realize in these slow economic times for retail stores.. Managers do NOT want to price match anything if they can possible help it. and will look for any excuse not to but I want to go into the details for others reading this..

basically in this case Best Buy.. feels that Office Depot was attempting to commit a Scam not Best Buy..... Office Depot ran a sales advertisment for a camera that was below normal wholesale cost as a "loss leader" and knew the item would sell out very quickly.. (and probably had a limited supply) to get customers in the front doors where the odds are they would have purchased other items as well..

Did the Office Depot store offer to substitute another camera for the same sales price? did they offer to give a raincheck to purchase the item at the sale price when they came back in stock after the sale had ended? if the answer from Office Depot was "NO" rainchecks, no substitutions and if you demanded to know why they wouldn't do this.. and they replied "we have limited quantites so no rain check" - Best Buy's price match -does NOT apply (see below for details)

it's fairly universal that the other retailer MUST have the item actually "in stock" for any price match policy.. if you think this is unfair.. I'm willing to give the same camera away to everyone reading this for $50.. until 3/10/08 problem is I'm out of stock and wont be getting any more until June 2008.. no rainchecks. multiply any number by Zero.. and it's Zero..

sometimes retailers get into local compedititve wars.. they price shop each other (at my old store we had a circuit city employee arrested for photographing store displays and the police seized the film. - he was on company time doing research) I simply went into a local Fry's store to shop (on my day off to buy something Best Buy didn't sell) and the manager saw me (at that time, not now) recognized that I worked at best buy and asked me to leave.. when I refused.. he called the Police and I explained I was on my own personal time.. just shopping.. the response was.. it's private property, they can refuse service to anyone don't leave it's tresspassing... competitive wars with retailers are crazy in some markets.

2nd issue most stores wont "price match, an already price matched..price to avoid a bidding war " (the item sells for $100 a retailerA, retailerB has it for $95 you go back to retailerA for 110% of the differance price match.. then try to go back to retailerB to match that lower price)

what is a local market?

you mentioned that BestBuy #1 (where you purchased the item) wouldn't price match an existnig Office Depot just 5 miles away.. that ironically had another Best Buy (store#2) across the street to it.. Absolutely Correct

What Could you have done in this situation?

Best Buy doesn't compete with Itself.. the office depot 5 miles away doesn't compete with store#1 ... it competes with store#2 now Since Best Buy does have a universal return policy (you buy a camera in New york, fly to LAX the next day and it doesn't work you return it to a local best buy... you don't fly 3000 miles back to NY) you could have returned the camera to BestBuy#2 and asked them to price match the office depot next door... (the store manager would have probably tried to say.. you need to go back to the original store as he doesn't want to take the profit hit.. But the LAX to NY example ends that argument and returns can happen at any store) if the local store manager refused in this case you would get the corporate office involved and they would have approved it..

This is way too complicated.. as a customer ... I don't have time for this

I Absolutely Agree... that's why Price matching policies are a complete waste of time.. Price Match policies exist... to put customers at ease... no need to shop around.. just buy everything you need here... don't have any Money? no problem we have 0% interest for xx number of months.. to be fair to Best Buy... YES they will price match if it's $5 or $20 cheaper but when you start going into $100 or $300 differnace your going to fall into one of the exclusions.. if you think Best Buy's price matching policy is harsh... Fry's electronics is alot worse..

from My Experience working at Best Buy.. the attitute is basically "what can we get away with?" and they bend the rules ... it's not just a local store thing.. it's a corporate atittute.. then they get in trouble for it (sued , attorney general, or negative press) then they become very ethical company in that one specific area... instead of just doing the right thing from the very beginning..

Many Examples...

1) Geek Squad.. using unlicensed software from a small company called SysInternals.. the VP of Best Buy legal (according to the attorney for Sysinternals court papers filed) Best Buy legal never even returned his phone calls or written letters, from his office to discuss the issue before filing.. so they filed in federal court.. still no response to them (only to the court).. Then one day Best Buy Legal dept gets a surprise letter from Microsoft saying.. we just Aquired Sysinternal inc... so I guess, by default Microsoft is now suing Best Buy..

RESULT: case gets settled out of court.. NOW Geek Squad absolutely uses only licensed software.. it's zero tolerance firing offense it's doesn't matter if your a store GM, District Manager, Regional VP, etc. it's right from the CEO's office.

2) Customers never getting mail in rebates on Computers they purchased:
you buy a PC bundle.. printer, PC & LCD.. with say a $300 rebate.. a week later your printer doesn't work.. you exchange it for the exact same one.. 2months later.. no $300 rebate... because you returned the item & broke the bundle. the system showed a return and not smart enough to see the exchange and it's all outsourced to some rebate processing center

RESULT: Attorney General of various states gets involved. Best Buy does away with "mail-in" rebates. they do lose the 60day "slush fund" with you money until the rebates are processed (or you forget to file the rebate forms) but it's too much hassle.. now instant rebates.

3) Best buy's instore website shows differn't prices then the one avail on the internet.. most employees had no idea the differance exists.. so if you entered a store saying "I saw it cheaper on your website then in the store can you price match" the employee would bring up the page.. and sure enough.. Customer was wrong..

RESULT: Attorney General investigates and now Instore website clearly states it's instore -vs- the actual internet and prices could be differn

4) Geek squad agents (mostly male) (June 2005) get caught by a local consumerist website (using screen logging programs) either viewing (or copying photos of college girls) onto thier own USB drives for thier personal use. RESULT: corporate crackdown ... a followup investigation by KNBC in (peeping techs 01/2008) showed techs at all other companies (except best buy/geek squad) viewed or copied customer files.. when geek squad tech was interviewed.. he said anytime he sees photo's of attractive girls on a customer PC... he assumes it's a setup by the customer or a corporate sting operation..

in closing here is Best Buy offical Price Matching Policy...

Best Buy - Store Price Guarantee (offical policy)

Two more great reasons to buy with confidence at Best Buy.
If you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower advertised price offered by a local retail competitor on the same available brand and model, let us know and we'll match that price on the spot.

Already bought? If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08).

Either way, simply bring in proof of price while that lower price is in effect.

Policy may vary between stores. Best Buy Puerto Rico Stores have their own store price guarantee. See store for complete details. Also see our BestBuy.com Price Matching/Price Guarantee policy.

Exclusions:
The Best Buy Price Guarantee does not apply to our or our competitors' free offers, limited-quantity items, open-box items, clearance and Outlet Center items, mail-in incentives, financing or bundle offers. The policy does not apply to typographical errors or a competitor's price that results from a price match.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is considered a local retail competitor?
A retail store located in the same market area as your local Best Buy store.

What is considered "proof" of price?

If you have already purchased the item, the best way to show proof of price is to bring in your original Best Buy receipt, plus the competitor's current ad. We reserve the right to call the competitor's store to verify the lower price and availability of the item.

How do you handle a price match if the Best Buy price includes a promotional offer such as a free gift card or rebate?

The Best Buy net purchase price is calculated by deducting the value of all instant and mail-in discounts such as rebates, free offers and promotional gift cards. Existing rebates and free offers associated with a product purchased at Best Buy will not apply if a price match is executed.

How do you handle a price match if the competitor's price includes a rebate, gift card or other promotional offer?

The competitor's net purchase price is calculated by deducting instant discounts taken at the register such as instant rebates. Mail-in rebates and other deferred savings are not deducted from the competitor's purchase price.

What if the competitor does not have the item in stock or has limited quantities of the product?

Sometimes a retailer will advertise a very low price for a product but have only limited quantities in stock. If the item is out of stock or the competitor has limited quantities of an item, it is not eligible for price matching. Likewise, if Best Buy has a product that is advertised as being limited in quantity it will not be eligible for price matching.

Are Best Buy services eligible for price matching?

Due to the differences in services being performed, Best Buy does not match competitors' service prices. This includes, but is not limited to, services such as delivery, installation and computer services.

What does it mean not to match a competitor's price that results in a price match?
Best Buy will not price match to a local competitor's price that has already been reduced by a price match.

Can I have my price match request processed over the phone or online?

We are currently not able to process your request over the phone or online. However, if you have questions regarding the policy, call our Customer Care Center anytime at 1-888-BestBuy or visit BestBuy.com.

What if I find a lower price at another Best Buy store or on BestBuy.com?

If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08). Simply bring in your original Best Buy receipt to the customer service counter while that lower price is still in effect. Clearance and Outlet Center items, open-box items or Web-exclusive offers advertised on BestBuy.com are not eligible for price matching.

What is a "Web-exclusive offer?"
It is a product or a price that is only offered to online buyers.

Does Best Buy match prices of Internet retailers?

If you made your purchase in a Best Buy store, and you find an Internet retailer with a local retail store honoring its own online prices, we'll match their price, plus 10% of the difference. Internet-only retailers are exempt from our price matching program, as well as Web-exclusive offers. Eligible items must be the same brand and model, and currently in stock at the competitor's store. For purchases made online at BestBuy.com, please refer to the Online Price Guarantee on BestBuy.com.

* Select Categories include desktop computers, notebooks, projectors, monitors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors and video games purchased as used.

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#2 UPDATE EX-employee responds

best buy price match policies - what you should have done

AUTHOR: Kristy - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, March 09, 2008

first I think it's important to realize in these slow economic times for retail stores.. Managers do NOT want to price match anything if they can possible help it. and will look for any excuse not to but I want to go into the details for others reading this..

basically in this case Best Buy.. feels that Office Depot was attempting to commit a Scam not Best Buy..... Office Depot ran a sales advertisment for a camera that was below normal wholesale cost as a "loss leader" and knew the item would sell out very quickly.. (and probably had a limited supply) to get customers in the front doors where the odds are they would have purchased other items as well..

Did the Office Depot store offer to substitute another camera for the same sales price? did they offer to give a raincheck to purchase the item at the sale price when they came back in stock after the sale had ended? if the answer from Office Depot was "NO" rainchecks, no substitutions and if you demanded to know why they wouldn't do this.. and they replied "we have limited quantites so no rain check" - Best Buy's price match -does NOT apply (see below for details)

it's fairly universal that the other retailer MUST have the item actually "in stock" for any price match policy.. if you think this is unfair.. I'm willing to give the same camera away to everyone reading this for $50.. until 3/10/08 problem is I'm out of stock and wont be getting any more until June 2008.. no rainchecks. multiply any number by Zero.. and it's Zero..

sometimes retailers get into local compedititve wars.. they price shop each other (at my old store we had a circuit city employee arrested for photographing store displays and the police seized the film. - he was on company time doing research) I simply went into a local Fry's store to shop (on my day off to buy something Best Buy didn't sell) and the manager saw me (at that time, not now) recognized that I worked at best buy and asked me to leave.. when I refused.. he called the Police and I explained I was on my own personal time.. just shopping.. the response was.. it's private property, they can refuse service to anyone don't leave it's tresspassing... competitive wars with retailers are crazy in some markets.

2nd issue most stores wont "price match, an already price matched..price to avoid a bidding war " (the item sells for $100 a retailerA, retailerB has it for $95 you go back to retailerA for 110% of the differance price match.. then try to go back to retailerB to match that lower price)

what is a local market?

you mentioned that BestBuy #1 (where you purchased the item) wouldn't price match an existnig Office Depot just 5 miles away.. that ironically had another Best Buy (store#2) across the street to it.. Absolutely Correct

What Could you have done in this situation?

Best Buy doesn't compete with Itself.. the office depot 5 miles away doesn't compete with store#1 ... it competes with store#2 now Since Best Buy does have a universal return policy (you buy a camera in New york, fly to LAX the next day and it doesn't work you return it to a local best buy... you don't fly 3000 miles back to NY) you could have returned the camera to BestBuy#2 and asked them to price match the office depot next door... (the store manager would have probably tried to say.. you need to go back to the original store as he doesn't want to take the profit hit.. But the LAX to NY example ends that argument and returns can happen at any store) if the local store manager refused in this case you would get the corporate office involved and they would have approved it..

This is way too complicated.. as a customer ... I don't have time for this

I Absolutely Agree... that's why Price matching policies are a complete waste of time.. Price Match policies exist... to put customers at ease... no need to shop around.. just buy everything you need here... don't have any Money? no problem we have 0% interest for xx number of months.. to be fair to Best Buy... YES they will price match if it's $5 or $20 cheaper but when you start going into $100 or $300 differnace your going to fall into one of the exclusions.. if you think Best Buy's price matching policy is harsh... Fry's electronics is alot worse..

from My Experience working at Best Buy.. the attitute is basically "what can we get away with?" and they bend the rules ... it's not just a local store thing.. it's a corporate atittute.. then they get in trouble for it (sued , attorney general, or negative press) then they become very ethical company in that one specific area... instead of just doing the right thing from the very beginning..

Many Examples...

1) Geek Squad.. using unlicensed software from a small company called SysInternals.. the VP of Best Buy legal (according to the attorney for Sysinternals court papers filed) Best Buy legal never even returned his phone calls or written letters, from his office to discuss the issue before filing.. so they filed in federal court.. still no response to them (only to the court).. Then one day Best Buy Legal dept gets a surprise letter from Microsoft saying.. we just Aquired Sysinternal inc... so I guess, by default Microsoft is now suing Best Buy..

RESULT: case gets settled out of court.. NOW Geek Squad absolutely uses only licensed software.. it's zero tolerance firing offense it's doesn't matter if your a store GM, District Manager, Regional VP, etc. it's right from the CEO's office.

2) Customers never getting mail in rebates on Computers they purchased:
you buy a PC bundle.. printer, PC & LCD.. with say a $300 rebate.. a week later your printer doesn't work.. you exchange it for the exact same one.. 2months later.. no $300 rebate... because you returned the item & broke the bundle. the system showed a return and not smart enough to see the exchange and it's all outsourced to some rebate processing center

RESULT: Attorney General of various states gets involved. Best Buy does away with "mail-in" rebates. they do lose the 60day "slush fund" with you money until the rebates are processed (or you forget to file the rebate forms) but it's too much hassle.. now instant rebates.

3) Best buy's instore website shows differn't prices then the one avail on the internet.. most employees had no idea the differance exists.. so if you entered a store saying "I saw it cheaper on your website then in the store can you price match" the employee would bring up the page.. and sure enough.. Customer was wrong..

RESULT: Attorney General investigates and now Instore website clearly states it's instore -vs- the actual internet and prices could be differn

4) Geek squad agents (mostly male) (June 2005) get caught by a local consumerist website (using screen logging programs) either viewing (or copying photos of college girls) onto thier own USB drives for thier personal use. RESULT: corporate crackdown ... a followup investigation by KNBC in (peeping techs 01/2008) showed techs at all other companies (except best buy/geek squad) viewed or copied customer files.. when geek squad tech was interviewed.. he said anytime he sees photo's of attractive girls on a customer PC... he assumes it's a setup by the customer or a corporate sting operation..

in closing here is Best Buy offical Price Matching Policy...

Best Buy - Store Price Guarantee (offical policy)

Two more great reasons to buy with confidence at Best Buy.
If you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower advertised price offered by a local retail competitor on the same available brand and model, let us know and we'll match that price on the spot.

Already bought? If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08).

Either way, simply bring in proof of price while that lower price is in effect.

Policy may vary between stores. Best Buy Puerto Rico Stores have their own store price guarantee. See store for complete details. Also see our BestBuy.com Price Matching/Price Guarantee policy.

Exclusions:
The Best Buy Price Guarantee does not apply to our or our competitors' free offers, limited-quantity items, open-box items, clearance and Outlet Center items, mail-in incentives, financing or bundle offers. The policy does not apply to typographical errors or a competitor's price that results from a price match.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is considered a local retail competitor?
A retail store located in the same market area as your local Best Buy store.

What is considered "proof" of price?

If you have already purchased the item, the best way to show proof of price is to bring in your original Best Buy receipt, plus the competitor's current ad. We reserve the right to call the competitor's store to verify the lower price and availability of the item.

How do you handle a price match if the Best Buy price includes a promotional offer such as a free gift card or rebate?

The Best Buy net purchase price is calculated by deducting the value of all instant and mail-in discounts such as rebates, free offers and promotional gift cards. Existing rebates and free offers associated with a product purchased at Best Buy will not apply if a price match is executed.

How do you handle a price match if the competitor's price includes a rebate, gift card or other promotional offer?

The competitor's net purchase price is calculated by deducting instant discounts taken at the register such as instant rebates. Mail-in rebates and other deferred savings are not deducted from the competitor's purchase price.

What if the competitor does not have the item in stock or has limited quantities of the product?

Sometimes a retailer will advertise a very low price for a product but have only limited quantities in stock. If the item is out of stock or the competitor has limited quantities of an item, it is not eligible for price matching. Likewise, if Best Buy has a product that is advertised as being limited in quantity it will not be eligible for price matching.

Are Best Buy services eligible for price matching?

Due to the differences in services being performed, Best Buy does not match competitors' service prices. This includes, but is not limited to, services such as delivery, installation and computer services.

What does it mean not to match a competitor's price that results in a price match?
Best Buy will not price match to a local competitor's price that has already been reduced by a price match.

Can I have my price match request processed over the phone or online?

We are currently not able to process your request over the phone or online. However, if you have questions regarding the policy, call our Customer Care Center anytime at 1-888-BestBuy or visit BestBuy.com.

What if I find a lower price at another Best Buy store or on BestBuy.com?

If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08). Simply bring in your original Best Buy receipt to the customer service counter while that lower price is still in effect. Clearance and Outlet Center items, open-box items or Web-exclusive offers advertised on BestBuy.com are not eligible for price matching.

What is a "Web-exclusive offer?"
It is a product or a price that is only offered to online buyers.

Does Best Buy match prices of Internet retailers?

If you made your purchase in a Best Buy store, and you find an Internet retailer with a local retail store honoring its own online prices, we'll match their price, plus 10% of the difference. Internet-only retailers are exempt from our price matching program, as well as Web-exclusive offers. Eligible items must be the same brand and model, and currently in stock at the competitor's store. For purchases made online at BestBuy.com, please refer to the Online Price Guarantee on BestBuy.com.

* Select Categories include desktop computers, notebooks, projectors, monitors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors and video games purchased as used.

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#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds

best buy price match policies - what you should have done

AUTHOR: Kristy - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, March 09, 2008

first I think it's important to realize in these slow economic times for retail stores.. Managers do NOT want to price match anything if they can possible help it. and will look for any excuse not to but I want to go into the details for others reading this..

basically in this case Best Buy.. feels that Office Depot was attempting to commit a Scam not Best Buy..... Office Depot ran a sales advertisment for a camera that was below normal wholesale cost as a "loss leader" and knew the item would sell out very quickly.. (and probably had a limited supply) to get customers in the front doors where the odds are they would have purchased other items as well..

Did the Office Depot store offer to substitute another camera for the same sales price? did they offer to give a raincheck to purchase the item at the sale price when they came back in stock after the sale had ended? if the answer from Office Depot was "NO" rainchecks, no substitutions and if you demanded to know why they wouldn't do this.. and they replied "we have limited quantites so no rain check" - Best Buy's price match -does NOT apply (see below for details)

it's fairly universal that the other retailer MUST have the item actually "in stock" for any price match policy.. if you think this is unfair.. I'm willing to give the same camera away to everyone reading this for $50.. until 3/10/08 problem is I'm out of stock and wont be getting any more until June 2008.. no rainchecks. multiply any number by Zero.. and it's Zero..

sometimes retailers get into local compedititve wars.. they price shop each other (at my old store we had a circuit city employee arrested for photographing store displays and the police seized the film. - he was on company time doing research) I simply went into a local Fry's store to shop (on my day off to buy something Best Buy didn't sell) and the manager saw me (at that time, not now) recognized that I worked at best buy and asked me to leave.. when I refused.. he called the Police and I explained I was on my own personal time.. just shopping.. the response was.. it's private property, they can refuse service to anyone don't leave it's tresspassing... competitive wars with retailers are crazy in some markets.

2nd issue most stores wont "price match, an already price matched..price to avoid a bidding war " (the item sells for $100 a retailerA, retailerB has it for $95 you go back to retailerA for 110% of the differance price match.. then try to go back to retailerB to match that lower price)

what is a local market?

you mentioned that BestBuy #1 (where you purchased the item) wouldn't price match an existnig Office Depot just 5 miles away.. that ironically had another Best Buy (store#2) across the street to it.. Absolutely Correct

What Could you have done in this situation?

Best Buy doesn't compete with Itself.. the office depot 5 miles away doesn't compete with store#1 ... it competes with store#2 now Since Best Buy does have a universal return policy (you buy a camera in New york, fly to LAX the next day and it doesn't work you return it to a local best buy... you don't fly 3000 miles back to NY) you could have returned the camera to BestBuy#2 and asked them to price match the office depot next door... (the store manager would have probably tried to say.. you need to go back to the original store as he doesn't want to take the profit hit.. But the LAX to NY example ends that argument and returns can happen at any store) if the local store manager refused in this case you would get the corporate office involved and they would have approved it..

This is way too complicated.. as a customer ... I don't have time for this

I Absolutely Agree... that's why Price matching policies are a complete waste of time.. Price Match policies exist... to put customers at ease... no need to shop around.. just buy everything you need here... don't have any Money? no problem we have 0% interest for xx number of months.. to be fair to Best Buy... YES they will price match if it's $5 or $20 cheaper but when you start going into $100 or $300 differnace your going to fall into one of the exclusions.. if you think Best Buy's price matching policy is harsh... Fry's electronics is alot worse..

from My Experience working at Best Buy.. the attitute is basically "what can we get away with?" and they bend the rules ... it's not just a local store thing.. it's a corporate atittute.. then they get in trouble for it (sued , attorney general, or negative press) then they become very ethical company in that one specific area... instead of just doing the right thing from the very beginning..

Many Examples...

1) Geek Squad.. using unlicensed software from a small company called SysInternals.. the VP of Best Buy legal (according to the attorney for Sysinternals court papers filed) Best Buy legal never even returned his phone calls or written letters, from his office to discuss the issue before filing.. so they filed in federal court.. still no response to them (only to the court).. Then one day Best Buy Legal dept gets a surprise letter from Microsoft saying.. we just Aquired Sysinternal inc... so I guess, by default Microsoft is now suing Best Buy..

RESULT: case gets settled out of court.. NOW Geek Squad absolutely uses only licensed software.. it's zero tolerance firing offense it's doesn't matter if your a store GM, District Manager, Regional VP, etc. it's right from the CEO's office.

2) Customers never getting mail in rebates on Computers they purchased:
you buy a PC bundle.. printer, PC & LCD.. with say a $300 rebate.. a week later your printer doesn't work.. you exchange it for the exact same one.. 2months later.. no $300 rebate... because you returned the item & broke the bundle. the system showed a return and not smart enough to see the exchange and it's all outsourced to some rebate processing center

RESULT: Attorney General of various states gets involved. Best Buy does away with "mail-in" rebates. they do lose the 60day "slush fund" with you money until the rebates are processed (or you forget to file the rebate forms) but it's too much hassle.. now instant rebates.

3) Best buy's instore website shows differn't prices then the one avail on the internet.. most employees had no idea the differance exists.. so if you entered a store saying "I saw it cheaper on your website then in the store can you price match" the employee would bring up the page.. and sure enough.. Customer was wrong..

RESULT: Attorney General investigates and now Instore website clearly states it's instore -vs- the actual internet and prices could be differn

4) Geek squad agents (mostly male) (June 2005) get caught by a local consumerist website (using screen logging programs) either viewing (or copying photos of college girls) onto thier own USB drives for thier personal use. RESULT: corporate crackdown ... a followup investigation by KNBC in (peeping techs 01/2008) showed techs at all other companies (except best buy/geek squad) viewed or copied customer files.. when geek squad tech was interviewed.. he said anytime he sees photo's of attractive girls on a customer PC... he assumes it's a setup by the customer or a corporate sting operation..

in closing here is Best Buy offical Price Matching Policy...

Best Buy - Store Price Guarantee (offical policy)

Two more great reasons to buy with confidence at Best Buy.
If you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower advertised price offered by a local retail competitor on the same available brand and model, let us know and we'll match that price on the spot.

Already bought? If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08).

Either way, simply bring in proof of price while that lower price is in effect.

Policy may vary between stores. Best Buy Puerto Rico Stores have their own store price guarantee. See store for complete details. Also see our BestBuy.com Price Matching/Price Guarantee policy.

Exclusions:
The Best Buy Price Guarantee does not apply to our or our competitors' free offers, limited-quantity items, open-box items, clearance and Outlet Center items, mail-in incentives, financing or bundle offers. The policy does not apply to typographical errors or a competitor's price that results from a price match.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is considered a local retail competitor?
A retail store located in the same market area as your local Best Buy store.

What is considered "proof" of price?

If you have already purchased the item, the best way to show proof of price is to bring in your original Best Buy receipt, plus the competitor's current ad. We reserve the right to call the competitor's store to verify the lower price and availability of the item.

How do you handle a price match if the Best Buy price includes a promotional offer such as a free gift card or rebate?

The Best Buy net purchase price is calculated by deducting the value of all instant and mail-in discounts such as rebates, free offers and promotional gift cards. Existing rebates and free offers associated with a product purchased at Best Buy will not apply if a price match is executed.

How do you handle a price match if the competitor's price includes a rebate, gift card or other promotional offer?

The competitor's net purchase price is calculated by deducting instant discounts taken at the register such as instant rebates. Mail-in rebates and other deferred savings are not deducted from the competitor's purchase price.

What if the competitor does not have the item in stock or has limited quantities of the product?

Sometimes a retailer will advertise a very low price for a product but have only limited quantities in stock. If the item is out of stock or the competitor has limited quantities of an item, it is not eligible for price matching. Likewise, if Best Buy has a product that is advertised as being limited in quantity it will not be eligible for price matching.

Are Best Buy services eligible for price matching?

Due to the differences in services being performed, Best Buy does not match competitors' service prices. This includes, but is not limited to, services such as delivery, installation and computer services.

What does it mean not to match a competitor's price that results in a price match?
Best Buy will not price match to a local competitor's price that has already been reduced by a price match.

Can I have my price match request processed over the phone or online?

We are currently not able to process your request over the phone or online. However, if you have questions regarding the policy, call our Customer Care Center anytime at 1-888-BestBuy or visit BestBuy.com.

What if I find a lower price at another Best Buy store or on BestBuy.com?

If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we'll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08, 90 days on HDTVs purchased from 1/13/08 through 3/1/08). Simply bring in your original Best Buy receipt to the customer service counter while that lower price is still in effect. Clearance and Outlet Center items, open-box items or Web-exclusive offers advertised on BestBuy.com are not eligible for price matching.

What is a "Web-exclusive offer?"
It is a product or a price that is only offered to online buyers.

Does Best Buy match prices of Internet retailers?

If you made your purchase in a Best Buy store, and you find an Internet retailer with a local retail store honoring its own online prices, we'll match their price, plus 10% of the difference. Internet-only retailers are exempt from our price matching program, as well as Web-exclusive offers. Eligible items must be the same brand and model, and currently in stock at the competitor's store. For purchases made online at BestBuy.com, please refer to the Online Price Guarantee on BestBuy.com.

* Select Categories include desktop computers, notebooks, projectors, monitors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors and video games purchased as used.

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