Best Buy Co., Inc. Best Buy Failure to Honor Return Policy Richfield, Minnesota

here we have a buyer, and a seller. The seller has danced around issues that the buyer feels should be answered.

i would get intouch with the BBB in your area, maybe they can help.

 

I do not know if you have read Bestbuys Price Match Guarantee..but I don't believe it applies in your case. Not to say BestBuy has not had issues with the price match policy..because they have...but the terms are clearly stated. As far as them refunding any government issued coupons..you have to be reasonable..since not only do they not issue them anymore...but even if they returned it...it would be useless since they have ALL expired some time ago. As well they clearly state the item to be price matched must be of the same make and model. I understand your confusion and frustration..but in this case BestBuy did not appear to violate any part of their price match policies. Here is the terms from BestBuys ...for both online and in store purchases..

BestBuy.com Price Match Guarantee

We
will refund 100% of the difference if a price on BestBuy.com is reduced
within 30 days of the shipping, pickup or special delivery date (14
days for desktop computers, notebooks, monitors, camcorders, digital
cameras and radar detectors, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 7/27/08
through 10/04/08). You may receive the lower price only by calling
1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289). We will honor the lower price only if
it is displayed on our Web site when you notify us. Exclusions apply.
For full details, see our * online price guarantee

in our Help section. * So I looked for the online price match policy info since you stated you found the other DTV converter box online...

At this time, the BestBuy.com Price Match Guarantee does not cover the prices listed by other online or store retailers .

BestBuy Retail Store Price Match Guarantee

Two more great reasons to buy with confidence.

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.

* So, you can see they only price match from other local retail competitors..and it must be of the same brand and model.  I posted the rest of the agreement as well for items already purchased...

Already bought? We'll refund you the price difference from our own sale
price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor's sale price,
during the return and exchange period on your product.

Best Buy Puerto Rico Stores have their own store price
guarantee. Also see our BestBuy.com Price Matching/Price Guarantee
policy.

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

* Exclusions apply . For full details, see our store price guarantee .
Price matching policy may vary between stores. See store for complete
details.

Price Matching BestBuy.com Purchases with Our Stores

Our price matching policy also ensures you pay the lowest price for a
product available at both BestBuy.com and Best Buy stores. (Best Buy
stores in Puerto Rico do not price match BestBuy.com prices.) Price
adjustments can be made both before and after purchase, according to
these conditions:

Exclusions:
The Price Match Guarantee does not apply to our or our competitors'
free offers, limited-quantity items, items for sale November 28th &
29th, 2008, open-box items, clearance items, Outlet Center items,
mail-in offers, financing, bundle offers or pricing errors.

Pre-purchase conditions:

Price match must occur between two products with the same model number. Item must be in stock at a store near you, as listed in our Store Locator , for price matching purposes. Clearance and open-box items are not eligible for price
matching. Nor are special offers or promotions (such as mail-in
incentives and gift-with-purchase offers), or services such as
installation. We will refund 100% of the price difference, including tax. Online price matching must be completed by calling 1-888-BEST BUY (237-8289) — we cannot process these requests in our stores or via e-mail.

Post-purchase conditions:

Price match can be requested either by the person to whom the product was shipped or billed.

Price match must occur between two products with the same model number .

Item must be in stock at a store near you , as listed in our Store Locator , for price matching purposes. Clearance, Outlet Center and open-box items are not eligible
for price matching. Nor are special offers or promotions (such as
mail-in incentives and gift-with-purchase offers), or services such as
installation. We will refund 100% of the price difference (including tax) if an
item purchased at BestBuy.com is advertised at a lower price at any of
the customer's closest Best Buy stores within 30 days of original order
date (must be within 14 days for desktop and notebook computers,
projectors, monitors, camcorders, digital cameras and radar detectors;
60 days on HDTVs purchased from 7/27/08 through 10/04/08). BestBuy.com price matching must be completed by calling 1-888-BEST BUY
(237-8289) — we cannot process these requests in our stores or via e-mail.

You are not technically entitled to the coupon money back.  Since you never actually gave BB $40 of your own money, they do not have to give it back. The coupon was a government hand out that has ended.  Nobody else who now needs a converter box can get them so everyone must now pay full price. Almost every retailer these days will give you your money back minus any coupons applied.  So if an item is $20 and you give them a coupon for $5, then return the item they will only give you $15 back.  The buying and selling of merchandise using coupons to get more cash back is, while not necessarily illegal in most areas, unethical.  Why should an establishment give you back money you never gave them.  This is not necessarily your intent but businesses must have blanket rules to protect themselves from such activity.

I can understand if you are exchanging a defective item for an identical one, the store doing a one-for-one swap and not charging you a higher price because you used a coupon previously.  But if someone returns an item purchased with a coupon, they are not entitled to the value of the coupon. 

Just my 2 cents and in no way am I implying that you have any nefarious intent.  It is a confusing subject that many folks don't understand.

You stated...

here we have a buyer, and a seller. The seller has danced around issues that the buyer feels should be answered.

Apparently you never worked in retail. The seller was very straight forward..and offered a refund as per the policy...to the letter.

The government cards are not valid anymore..so even if BestBuy was to be able to have the government send the card back..it is expired and not worth the postage stamp.

So in this case..what has BestBuy done wrong or to dance around? The Poster is just upset that after a cheaper different brand box was found "somewhere on line" after the purchase of the box from BestBuy..which only cost the "Buyer" $16.04 out of pocket anyhow...why would BestBuy be responsible to return a government card that is not only invalid..but could not be used even if it was returned. The Buyer owns a 56 dollar box and 40 dollars of it was paid buy the taxpayers..I would be very happy with that deal.

Now if the customer can find the same model part number box for less..BestBuy would match or beat the price as per their policy. They will not match on-line prices as who knows what it is or where it's from when you order online. It could be a refurb, used, or break in 5 minutes..."On-line" does not have overhead like a BestBuy retail store..so there is NO way any retail store can or would ever guarantee to price match from "somewhere on line" and expect to stay in business.