BestBuy Maryland retail stores and BestBuy website Bait and switch retailing , Internet

BestBuy is engaged in bait-and-switch sales tactics.

 I've tried twice in the past week to purchase laptop computers from BestBuy's retail stores in Maryland and from the BestBuy website without success. BestBuy newspaper advertisements show sale priced computers (Toshiba R945 & Dell L15R-2106SLV) but, outside of the display machine in their retail stores, the sale items aren't stocked - or even listed on their website.

 When I called several of the stores to find the Toshiba, the store representatives each said they only had the display item, the laptop was discontinued, and their stores wouldn't be getting any more.

I went to the Columbia, Maryland store and tried out the Dell L15R-2106SLC machine and, at the sale price of $599, I decided to buy it. The salesman, Cliff, told me they didn't have any and he couldn't order one. He gave me the SKU number and told me I could order it on the BestBuy website and pick it up at the store. I can't order the Dell at the store? That seemed strange.

At home, I couldn't find the machine on BestBuy's website. I called the Columbia store to ensure I'd understood the salesman correctly. The saleslady couldn't find the Dell machine on the BestBuy website, either, and wouldn't explain why their store is displaying a Dell laptop that they don't intent to sell. She said they might get more on the next truck(?) She tried steering me toward a Dell L15R-2108SLV, which was $9 less with 1/2 the storage capacity, less RAM, etc. No sale.

My conclusion? BestBuy is engaging in bait-and-switch sales tactics by advertising items they never intend to sell, then pointing its customers toward a similarly priced items of lesser value. Sales tactics like this won't win BestBuy repeat business or a loyal clientele. Don't do business with BestBuy.