Best Buy Bait & Switch tactics, Charging for unneccessary services, Lying about services! Henderson Nevada

I've also seen this happen. I went into a very busy Bestbuy store, and was waiting for half an hour to get some information on a laptop that was advertised for $399. In that half hour, I saw many people purchase laptops, and I witnessed many of them pay $40 for this optimised service. Many of them were unsuspecting customers and didn't know they were getting ripped off. By the time they realise, it's too late. They definitely don't store 10% optimised computers. Nearly all of their inventory is optimised. I was there on two occassions and both times, I saw this scam happening. There's nothing wrong with charging $40 for optimising people's computers, but it should be added to the prices on the ads. Instead, they hide that fee from customers til the very end, and the only place you will see it is on the receipt, after you've paid for it. It's a very dodgy scam, and Bestbuy needs to be stopped. I hope more people find out about it and speak out against it. I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureaux.

I've also seen this happen. I went into a very busy Bestbuy store, and was waiting for half an hour to get some information on a laptop that was advertised for $399. In that half hour, I saw many people purchase laptops, and I witnessed many of them pay $40 for this optimised service. Many of them were unsuspecting customers and didn't know they were getting ripped off. By the time they realise, it's too late. They definitely don't store 10% optimised computers. Nearly all of their inventory is optimised. I was there on two occassions and both times, I saw this scam happening. There's nothing wrong with charging $40 for optimising people's computers, but it should be added to the prices on the ads. Instead, they hide that fee from customers til the very end, and the only place you will see it is on the receipt, after you've paid for it. It's a very dodgy scam, and Bestbuy needs to be stopped. I hope more people find out about it and speak out against it. I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureaux.

I've also seen this happen. I went into a very busy Bestbuy store, and was waiting for half an hour to get some information on a laptop that was advertised for $399. In that half hour, I saw many people purchase laptops, and I witnessed many of them pay $40 for this optimised service. Many of them were unsuspecting customers and didn't know they were getting ripped off. By the time they realise, it's too late. They definitely don't store 10% optimised computers. Nearly all of their inventory is optimised. I was there on two occassions and both times, I saw this scam happening. There's nothing wrong with charging $40 for optimising people's computers, but it should be added to the prices on the ads. Instead, they hide that fee from customers til the very end, and the only place you will see it is on the receipt, after you've paid for it. It's a very dodgy scam, and Bestbuy needs to be stopped. I hope more people find out about it and speak out against it. I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureaux.

You didn't get the ticket for the cheap computer because they were limited in number. Locally I saw 5 people standing in line at noon on thanksgiving. You had to be in line early to get the deals.

If you don't like the deal don't buy it. It's that simple.

As for doubling the speed. That is unlikely but removing all the preinstalled crap does increase performance. When I buy a prebuilt machine I spend about 5 hours fixing stuff like that. If you don't know what you are doing the $169 service may be worth it for you.

usually it is 10% of the quantity of one laptop that gets "pre-optimized" or gets "pre-Standard Security and Performance". Both of these services are great for some customers and for others unnecessary. the optimization will save you a lot of time, and if you feel its worth paying $40 and having the Geek Squad do all that work for you then ok cool, if not don't buy it.

the optimization will at most increase the speed that the computer runs at by 30%

there are about 5 different computer models (HP,Toshiba, and Dells) that already come with 12-15 months of security software, we of COURSE do not try to sell you additional software on those models.

if almost all of the computers in stock were pre-optimized that is the fault of the supervisor at that store who thought it was a good idea to do that, and at the store that i work at if that happened to a particular model we would offer the service to the customer, if they declined it we would give them 50% off of the services, if they still didnt want them, then we would give the services away for free.


Cables are extremely overpriced at our stores, but we make very little money on the computers and that is how we make our money, with cables and services.

usually it is 10% of the quantity of one laptop that gets "pre-optimized" or gets "pre-Standard Security and Performance". Both of these services are great for some customers and for others unnecessary. the optimization will save you a lot of time, and if you feel its worth paying $40 and having the Geek Squad do all that work for you then ok cool, if not don't buy it.

the optimization will at most increase the speed that the computer runs at by 30%

there are about 5 different computer models (HP,Toshiba, and Dells) that already come with 12-15 months of security software, we of COURSE do not try to sell you additional software on those models.

if almost all of the computers in stock were pre-optimized that is the fault of the supervisor at that store who thought it was a good idea to do that, and at the store that i work at if that happened to a particular model we would offer the service to the customer, if they declined it we would give them 50% off of the services, if they still didnt want them, then we would give the services away for free.


Cables are extremely overpriced at our stores, but we make very little money on the computers and that is how we make our money, with cables and services.

usually it is 10% of the quantity of one laptop that gets "pre-optimized" or gets "pre-Standard Security and Performance". Both of these services are great for some customers and for others unnecessary. the optimization will save you a lot of time, and if you feel its worth paying $40 and having the Geek Squad do all that work for you then ok cool, if not don't buy it.

the optimization will at most increase the speed that the computer runs at by 30%

there are about 5 different computer models (HP,Toshiba, and Dells) that already come with 12-15 months of security software, we of COURSE do not try to sell you additional software on those models.

if almost all of the computers in stock were pre-optimized that is the fault of the supervisor at that store who thought it was a good idea to do that, and at the store that i work at if that happened to a particular model we would offer the service to the customer, if they declined it we would give them 50% off of the services, if they still didnt want them, then we would give the services away for free.


Cables are extremely overpriced at our stores, but we make very little money on the computers and that is how we make our money, with cables and services.

...Sophia. Windows Vista does not come with any built-in anti-virus software. It comes with a program called Windows Defender which helps protect your PC from ad-ware, mal-ware and pop-ups but NOT viruses. Windows Defender is also available as a free download on Microsoft's site for XP users. Any one who runs Windows Vista needs a third party anti-virus program such as Norton, NOD32, McAffee, etc.

Most laptops and PC's come with anti-virus software already installed BUT it is only a 30 to 60 day trial. You must activate and pay a fee after that period of time to keep the anti-virus software up to date.

Thank you for your response. You seem to be the few reasonable people that represent Best Buy. Your writing style is eloquent and you do seem to know your products and services.

Unfortunately, I also think that the Best Buy corporation has brainwashed you into their cult the same way they do with many other employees.

Maybe Best Buy beat the legal system by having the minimum amount of untampered computers advertised in stock. There's really no way for the consumer to know, especially when practically every one of several DOZEN remaining computers were preconfigured, and NONE of the computers mentioned were the so called 'doorbusters'.

Similarly, the Best Buy employees touting such services are either grossly uninformed or total liars! They were claiming their optimization DOUBLES the computer speed. It doesn't. The supervisor admitted it.

The employees were claiming that the computers don't come with ANY anti virus software. They do! Windows Vista has an anti virus program built in, as well as a firewall. Some of the computers include other antivirus software, including the Dell computers featured the same brand of virus program that this store was selling as an add on!

These kind of tactics are the same scams that mail order companies like the notorious "Broadway Photo" (New York) employ in their scams, which is to advertise an item at an extremely low price, but only sell the units at an inflated price by charging extra for parts that are already included in the box, add highly price service charges for unneccessary items, and GOUGE the customers OUTRAGEOUS PRICES for cables and accessories to go along with it (case in point - Dynex brand USB printer cable at BB= $30, Belkin USB printer cable at Frys= $6.00)...

... and if the customer doesn't get all those extra things, they don't get the product!

Thank you for your response. You seem to be the few reasonable people that represent Best Buy. Your writing style is eloquent and you do seem to know your products and services.

Unfortunately, I also think that the Best Buy corporation has brainwashed you into their cult the same way they do with many other employees.

Maybe Best Buy beat the legal system by having the minimum amount of untampered computers advertised in stock. There's really no way for the consumer to know, especially when practically every one of several DOZEN remaining computers were preconfigured, and NONE of the computers mentioned were the so called 'doorbusters'.

Similarly, the Best Buy employees touting such services are either grossly uninformed or total liars! They were claiming their optimization DOUBLES the computer speed. It doesn't. The supervisor admitted it.

The employees were claiming that the computers don't come with ANY anti virus software. They do! Windows Vista has an anti virus program built in, as well as a firewall. Some of the computers include other antivirus software, including the Dell computers featured the same brand of virus program that this store was selling as an add on!

These kind of tactics are the same scams that mail order companies like the notorious "Broadway Photo" (New York) employ in their scams, which is to advertise an item at an extremely low price, but only sell the units at an inflated price by charging extra for parts that are already included in the box, add highly price service charges for unneccessary items, and GOUGE the customers OUTRAGEOUS PRICES for cables and accessories to go along with it (case in point - Dynex brand USB printer cable at BB= $30, Belkin USB printer cable at Frys= $6.00)...

... and if the customer doesn't get all those extra things, they don't get the product!

Thank you for your response. You seem to be the few reasonable people that represent Best Buy. Your writing style is eloquent and you do seem to know your products and services.

Unfortunately, I also think that the Best Buy corporation has brainwashed you into their cult the same way they do with many other employees.

Maybe Best Buy beat the legal system by having the minimum amount of untampered computers advertised in stock. There's really no way for the consumer to know, especially when practically every one of several DOZEN remaining computers were preconfigured, and NONE of the computers mentioned were the so called 'doorbusters'.

Similarly, the Best Buy employees touting such services are either grossly uninformed or total liars! They were claiming their optimization DOUBLES the computer speed. It doesn't. The supervisor admitted it.

The employees were claiming that the computers don't come with ANY anti virus software. They do! Windows Vista has an anti virus program built in, as well as a firewall. Some of the computers include other antivirus software, including the Dell computers featured the same brand of virus program that this store was selling as an add on!

These kind of tactics are the same scams that mail order companies like the notorious "Broadway Photo" (New York) employ in their scams, which is to advertise an item at an extremely low price, but only sell the units at an inflated price by charging extra for parts that are already included in the box, add highly price service charges for unneccessary items, and GOUGE the customers OUTRAGEOUS PRICES for cables and accessories to go along with it (case in point - Dynex brand USB printer cable at BB= $30, Belkin USB printer cable at Frys= $6.00)...

... and if the customer doesn't get all those extra things, they don't get the product!

Thank you for your response. You seem to be the few reasonable people that represent Best Buy. Your writing style is eloquent and you do seem to know your products and services.

Unfortunately, I also think that the Best Buy corporation has brainwashed you into their cult the same way they do with many other employees.

Maybe Best Buy beat the legal system by having the minimum amount of untampered computers advertised in stock. There's really no way for the consumer to know, especially when practically every one of several DOZEN remaining computers were preconfigured, and NONE of the computers mentioned were the so called 'doorbusters'.

Similarly, the Best Buy employees touting such services are either grossly uninformed or total liars! They were claiming their optimization DOUBLES the computer speed. It doesn't. The supervisor admitted it.

The employees were claiming that the computers don't come with ANY anti virus software. They do! Windows Vista has an anti virus program built in, as well as a firewall. Some of the computers include other antivirus software, including the Dell computers featured the same brand of virus program that this store was selling as an add on!

These kind of tactics are the same scams that mail order companies like the notorious "Broadway Photo" (New York) employ in their scams, which is to advertise an item at an extremely low price, but only sell the units at an inflated price by charging extra for parts that are already included in the box, add highly price service charges for unneccessary items, and GOUGE the customers OUTRAGEOUS PRICES for cables and accessories to go along with it (case in point - Dynex brand USB printer cable at BB= $30, Belkin USB printer cable at Frys= $6.00)...

... and if the customer doesn't get all those extra things, they don't get the product!

You didn't get up early enough to get a ticket for one of the super cheap computers that didn't have the optimization on it. This was no rip off. A certain quantity of the advertised computers had the optimization already completed because it would be a mess if they waited until black friday to start optimizing computers. Imagine how pissed you would be if you wanted a Geek Squad service completed, but, because of the number of other people who also wanted a service on their computer, you would have to wait a week before you could take your computer home. Next year, perhaps you should wake up earlier.

Wow. That's a bit high for a Geek Squad Optimization. I'll say it now and I'll say it again, the optimizations ARE helpful. They really are, especially with manufacturer-laden startup programs that wreck your processing power. However, an Optimization is $39.99. Best Buy only has a *few* of those units optimized, but I assure you those selling tactics are not condoned or approved by Corporate.

What that employee may have failed to tell you is that $169 MAY include an SSP, or "Standard Security and Performance" package, which, depending on the consumer, is a very beneficial package that ensure the best Antivirus/Antispyware software is installed and updated and compatible with your new computer. It typically includes a one-year subscription to TrendMicro Antivirus and Webroot Spysweeper. This retails currently at $129, and with an added Optimization at $39.99, you get your $169.

It seems high, but Geek Squad labor is considered "knowledge": This is you would be paying for, the "knowledge." But I always say if a customer feels comfortable doing an install themself, then the Geek Squad will be there if they run into trouble. Do it on your own, more power to you, and I mean that.

I apologize about the confusion; it sounds as if it was pretty swamped in there. And I do agree that many computer shoppers may have no need for the Geek Squad services. Not everyone will need them. There will always be computer users who seem to attract viruses like a magnet and need the Geek Squad's help. And that's okay. Not everyone wants to learn about computers (or many IT professionals or computer techs would be out of the job!). That's where the Geek Squad can restore functionality to many computers.

I apologize if that store left that flavor in your mouth. The best people to ask in that case really are Geek Squad Agents. They *know* the package costs and what they entail. You would think the people in Computers would, but many aren't too familiar with all the packages we offer, or don't have a good idea of what the Geek Squad can do for you.

if the Doorbuster ad says best buy has a PC avail for say $300 "min of 20 instock" and lets say the store recieves 60 laptops... 20 units will be held at the $300 price.. the rest of the PC's will recieve some type of Geek Squad service.. (60units - 20 for the ad =40 left 15 of these usually recieve an optimization add $30 , the remaining 25 antivirus/security add $150 to the price) Unfortunately this is LEGAL as the ad says the store only has to offer 20 at the doorbuster price.. if you don't want the added service... you can't buy the PC once the 20 are gone.

regarding the Optimization service..

there are 2 types of optimization's that Geek Squad offers.. a complete optimization, means applying all windows updates, removing all trial software, (MS Office, norton, AOL google toolbar, etc) going into Windows startup and stopping many optional services ... finally there are 200 windows registry changes made to the PC through an automated script.. they do things like make the windows menu's come up faster, increase TCP Window size for faster internet etc.. all these changes were offically reviewed by Microsoft PSS (product support services)
the actual preformance increase varies by can be between 10% - 40%

a quick optimization service
applies only critical windows update, about 50 registry changes, and major trails removed..

the PC you purchase on Black Friday, probably recieved a quick optimization because it's completely automated process and when a store employee needs to setup 300 PC's on the tuesday before thanksgiving..

although Best Buy hands out tickets in-line BEFORE store opening, to avoid crazy customers rushing the doors and killing people (something you will probably see wal-mart do in the near future for legal reasons) they are also "planting the seeds" for service plans, batteries, and other things to add margin.. so by the time you checkout, you've heard the speech about 30 times.. if you complain or do ANYTHING but smile on black friday.. the Police will be called & you'll be escorted out of the store... there are just too many people & zero tolerance on that day.. everyone's afraid of a potential riot etc.

the last technique to increase store margin, is to have 2 seperate lines inside the store.. one for someone wanting a "doorbuster" deal without any services, and a seperate line for people wanting to buy the "pre-configured PC's" or a "complex sale" which usually includes a TV being sold with a service plan, or In-home installation or delivery.. the excuse is to keep the lines moving for people who want to "get in & out" and offer a seprate line for complex transaction that usually take more time per customer.. - the reality is that there are less people in the 2nd line.. so

if you give the store some profit margin.. you'll get processed faster and out of the store quicker.. if you want to be cheap.. go ahead and wait 3-4hours in line..

Fry's got into trouble both with King5 TV in Seattle and here on Ripoffreport because by literally walking up to customer's waiting inline and telling them if they paid $200 they could move to the front of the line.. Best Buy is alot smarter about this..

you can read the report here
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/286/RipOff0286476.htm

Almost all new computers are coming with a bunch of either unneeded or useless add-on software that may run on boot. So removing those from the boot menu may speed up the computer.

And.....by default Microsoft's Vista only uses 1 CPU core to boot. I myself didn't know about this until a few weeks ago and fixed it (I'm using a dual core CPU).


Notwithstanding the above, I do think that it's unfair what they were doing to customers. I think even Circuit City was doing something like that. A big reason I don't buy computers from them.

I fee sorry for computer users who get suckered by the Best Buy sales people.
You cannot double a computer's CPU speed. Of course one computer may have a faster processing CPU chip but with 1GB of RAM while another computer can have a slower processing CPU chip but with 2GB of RAM.

Brand new unused laptops should not have any adware, spyware, or viruses.