Best Buy hasn’t exactly been playing fair cricket when it comes to distributing iPad 2s to customers. First, Best Buy admitted they were holding back iPad 2s, supposedly for an “upcoming promotion” but rumored to actually be to manipulate their sales quota numbers. Strike one.
Now we’ve got strike two. A reader writing to Crunchgear says a Best Buy manager effectively blackmailed him into buying a $109 rip-off Best Buy protection plan before he would sell him an iPad 2.
The justifiably outraged Best Buy customer wrote:
I was at Best But yesterday while my girlfriend was buying a new pc and asked if they had any iPad 2 in stock and I was told no. As I strolled around I looked up and noticed at least 40
In an overhead lock up area so I inquired about them. I was told by an associate that they were all sold. Two minutes later a manager walks over and says the only way I could have one is if I puchased a 109 dollar Best Buy protection plan.I said that doesn’t seem right. He then told to try and find one somewhere else they can do what they want.
To be fair, another Best Buy manager confirmed that this was not official Best Buy policy. At the end of the day, this seems like a pretty clear case of a rogue Best Buy manager trying to manipulate his store’s numbers. Even so, though, how long is Apple going to let these bozos extort and disappoint would-be iPad 2 owners?
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
213 responses to “Best Buy Extorts Would-Be iPad 2 Owner Into Buying Rip-Off Protection Plan”
I don’t understand why anyone would buy new Apple products from anyone but Apple, it’s not like it’s going to be cheaper.
Location, location, location.
I buy Apple stuff at Best Buy for rewards zone points and if you are a silver rewards zone member, 45 days return policy. Apple has 2 weeks, right?
Just goes to show that Best buy is NEVER the best buy. I stopped buying from them a long time ago because they are only interested in scamming people out of their money. (i.e. cheapest monitor cable you can buy from them is 30 bucks – THIRTY BUCKS for a cable you can find anywhere for 2-3 dollars). They rip off people who dont know better.
Various Best Buy stores have been doing this kind of crap for ages. They give you the big speech and then, after you say no to the plan, suddenly they have none of whatever in stock.
But then you go online and place an order for in store pick up at that store and suddenly they just got some
Not everyone has an Apple store nearby or a safe way to receive a shipped order
Of course, you could always “say” you are going to buy the extended warranty, obtain your product, then carry it to the front register and when the checkout clerk asks if you are buying the warranty, you say, “No f**in’ way.” Or words to that effect.
By that time you’ve got the product in hand, and they’ve got no signed warranty form.
Same thing happened to me at Radio Shack. They wouldn’t sell me the iPad without purchasing an Apple Care plan. After calling the corporate office they finally let me buy them. This was not a corporate policy but a similar rogue manager who tried to make extra sales.
Best way to get them is to agree to buy the Protection Plan all the way up to the cashier and then cancel it as she is ringing in the sale. Should solve the problem.
Fry’s Electronics has also attempted similar tactics with all Apple products for years. My wife purchased a Macbook at Fry’s, (famous for their “manager-signed label” open box products, sold as new), and was told that you also had to purchase their warranty, because it was an open box item.
Also, when purchasing new Apple items, they automatically add on their own warranty to the purchase price, unless you catch them and have it removed.
Yeah when i brought my macbook pro one of the idiots told me that I should get the Best Buy warranty because I would have to pay for the apple warranty. Thats why i usually dont solicit their help in the store
Apparently Best Buy has not quite grasped “the vision”. “Steve’s way, or the Highway!” The pimple-faced punks at Best Buy will soon be standing in job lines.
A friend of mine bought 2 iPads on launch day, one for himself and one for his wife, both with Best Buy ripoff warranty. He tried to return the warranty the next day and he was told that if he wanted to retur the warranty, he would need to return the ipads as well,, he was also told that he would not be able to re-purchase the returned ipads as they would not be in store inventory….sounds like a scam to me.
Sadly, this is pretty standard. they make the money on the rip-off insurance not the product sales. The “extended warranty” in any electronics store is always a scam and has been known to be such for years now. Manufacturers warranties like AppleCare are also (statistically) not worth it, but at least they aren’t a complete scam. Apple will in fact fix the computer if you have AppleCare, most extended warranties don’t actually apply when you bring the product back and don’t cover the repair when they do. Bottom line is that if you bought an extended warranty at the store, you basically got taken.
Best Buy has the worst staff on the planet. They should have gone Circuit City way long time ago. They tried to sell me some obscure case with negative reviews on their site for my iPad 2. Ended up opting for Cloak 2 case http://bit.ly/e8MOAs
Until a couple years ago I didn’t have an Apple Store nearby either. Also, not trying to be rude but if you don’t have a safe place to have a order shipped maybe you should look into moving or you could just have all shipments require a signature for drop-off and then pick them up at the Post Office/UPS/FedEx place if you aren’t at home.
Internet, internet, internet.
That’s cool. I’ve just never shopped at Best Buy enough to know about their rewards zone points. I do as much of my shopping online as I can, because I hate shopping. I’m not sure about the 2 weeks with Apple. From a personal standpoint if you buy an Apple product I’m not sure why you would want to return it. The Apple warranty is great though and they will replace equipment in a heartbeat.
But with internet you have to wait for the delivery. If the item is in stock, it is in your hot little mitts immediately.
Ok, best buy pulled a crooked stunt but the buyer was certifiably stupid for buying the $109 rip-off. As the old saying goes “there’s a sucker born every day”.
Trouble is that you aren’t always going to the front. At many stores they have major items sold on the floor (so that the seller is the ringer and gets proper credit for the sale).
Yep. They would say that if you return it with a broken seal then it can’t be resold. If it was unopened they would say that it is promised to the next person on the wait list and you’ll have to go and have your name added and wait your turn.
both of which are bobo moves that could be worked around if they wanted to.
Guess you don’t live in LA where few to no affordable apartments have an office much less one that will sign for your stuff. Where there are few Fed Ex shops you can use as a drop. And pretty much no Post Office that will take a 60 Inch tv on your behalf.
Shipping: Not available
Store Pickup: Not Available
IN STORE ONLY
True, but I would rather order it online and wait, then actually go shopping at a real store. I hate shopping.
Worest Buy sucks, however the boxes on the cart are first gen iPads. ???
You’re right, there isn’t enough money in the world to get me to live in that area or any area like it either. I live in a small “city” in the southeastern part of the States and I can’t wait for the day I can leave it and live in the country where my nearest neighbor is about a mile away.
I had a problem with Best buy when trying to buy the Ipad 2 after waiting in line for 2 hours and finally getting the ipad I wanted they told me that I MUST activate a payment plan with AT&T before i could leave wit the device….. I said no and they wouldn’t get me a wifi version so I waited and left empty handed………. Best buy = head up butt!!!!!
I have yet to see that on the Apple website.
I gave up shopping at Best Buy about 5 years ago when they ripped me off. I was sold a Best Buy Replacement Plan with my steam cleaner and when I went back to get a replacement because my steam clear broke I was told that the plan did not cover that one thing I had experienced.
For Apple products I got to Apple. There is a huge difference in purchasing from a place where the store staff is not fighting for commissions. I also always get AppleCare for my apple products. Luckily never had to use them but the ROI is worth it.
I lived on alemeda and 3rd street in lil Tokyo… So I know what he means…. But there are apple stores in LA…. I’m sure u know that… However u have a high chance of getting mugged getting back to the parking structure
I ordered my Ipad 2 online from Apple. It took a few weeks to get but considering it was free shipping and I got a free engraving on it, it was definitely worth it. No Best Buy dudes to mess with. No running around from store to store. Just sit back, relax and enjoy when it arrived. :)
I have trouble imagining voluntarily living in a place like that. I would have to move the first chance I got, even if it meant taking a pay cut.
you know, best buy employees are not on commission right?
Let’s say for example you were stupid enough to buy the plan; All you have to do is return it. Jesus.
Your a moron for not buying a warranty that covers cracking the glass.
Buy through apple I bought my iPad 2 through best buy and had to send it back to apple due to backlight bleeding. Apple called me and told me I’d have to wait a month for a black ipad 2 (even though the support person told me not to wait sending it in they have tons just for these problems) and now i’m being told if I want a white one I can have it now so I said yes I want my iPad asap so white or black who cares but apple is sending it to me directly from SHENZHEN, China and it is now in Lantau Island, HK that thing must have come right off the assembly line. So apple is working hard to get me “a device” back it may not be black but oh well a case will cover that. Well anyway best buy called me 3 days ago and told me my pre-order ipad 2 was in and I said No, I already bought that 3 weeks ago when you called and she said I picked up the wrong one and they must still have my pre-order and I was pissed I said NO, I went straight to customer service and seen my pre-order paper on my ipad 2 and that is the one I got if you idiots took my paper and put it back in a stack of pre-orders waiting to be picked up that is not my fault so don’t bring it back on me like I did something wrong. Stupid people! One time I called best buy geek squad to fix a stuck disc in my iMac and the tech said is an iMac the laptop… I never took it their if they cant tell the difference between a iMac and a Macbook I don’t want them inside my machine.
Best Buy is becoming the Circuit City of electronics.
@Noemail
You wrote, “Your a moron for not buying a warranty that covers cracking the glass.”
First, go back to English class and try to learn the difference between a possessive and a contraction. Your:You’re.
Second, “moron”? Really?
But it is nice to know that you guys at Best Buy are now implementing a new marketing plan for your overpriced, extended warranties.
No wonder Best Buy is so highly regarded in the consumer realm.
100% this is true. Best buy always cares about numbers and percentages. They probably wanted to get their warranty numbers up so they refused to sell any iPad 2’s without it. Disgusting
They are when it comes to warranty selling
asd
Not that I think Best buy had anything to do with the backlight bleeding I am just saying Best Buy has this whole iPad 2 thing ass backwards.
you DO know that engraving makes the warranty void?
Both the ipads were new and sealed. he just realized their warranty sucked and he was getting ripped off. He returned both ipads and the warranty….Best Buy sucks.
This issue sounds a lot like the extended warranty and undercoat of yester-year that car salesman attempted to increase their sales margin. Just avoid BB and find another retailer that can supply Apple’s products. I know that I used to drive to cities near and far to find other car dealers who were easier to deal with. As far as Apple products, Mac Connection online is my retailer of choice.
As a former Best Buy employee, I can tell you 100% without a doubt, no employee of Best Buy is on any type of commission. They are however encouraged to sell the warranties as it’s almost pure profit for Best Buy, which helps get the store numbers up
I bought a SquareTrade warranty for my iPad 2. I got 3 yrs for $107, and it’s covered if I drop it or soak it. Seemed worth it to me, and I don’t usually buy warranties. I can see myself (or my kids) breaking this thing in the next 3 yrs, so maybe it will protect my $750 investment.
It does not. That’s a myth. You just can’t return it for your money back within 30 days, as you can with one that’s not engraved.
I am not saying this story isn’t true, but it’s just an allegation. It’s not proven or substantiated. Given the massive number of rumors that end up being bunk, you’d think a Mac site would know that an email doesn’t equal reality.
You can just as easily get mugged outside of a best buy. So that’s a bit moot.
And yes I know that there are Apple stores in LA. I also know that unlike Best Buy they are refusing to do a wait list or give out any information even the night before claiming they don’t know if they will have ipads so the choice is order online or go there every freaking morning on a whim.
which is part of what is making folks so desperate that the Best Buy stores can get away with this crap
People are making themselves desperate, an iPad is an “I want” device not an “I need” device. So ordering it online and waiting shouldn’t be a big deal. Buying one is definitely not worth getting mugged over.
That’s because it is not from Apple.
According to my sources, Apple dropped the whole availability thing because of too many issues with folks being pissed off about it not giving numbers (for security reasons) and then showing up and someone just got the last whatever. Or there was a line etc.
Unfortunately Podunk Arkansas, or wherever it is that you live, isn’t the home of the film industry. And seeing as that is my chosen career I don’t have a lot of choices.
Or should I just change jobs as well.
First off, I’d say buying consumer electronics of any sort is never an “investment”, it’s an expense, plain and simple. Second, I don’t see the logic of paying roughly 20% of the purchase price of a product to buy an extended warranty. That said, it’s your money, of course.
That’s true, but from whom do you want substantiation? Best Buy?
Look, if CoM doesn’t post a story like this (which, rumor though it may be, is not entirely unbelievable given the players involved), then companies like Best Buy have absolutely no incentive to NOT engage in behavior like this. Unfounded rumor-mongering should be reigned in, but consumer watchdogging is actually far more important in order to keep all of us from being screwed over.
Really, the correct course of action is for CoM to attempt to verify the story to the best of their ability. If later the story appears to be false, print that, but in the mean time, they’ve got a role to play as watch dogs for consumers.
Yeah, Enoch… way off. i had an iPod engraved by Apple. It died one day after the warranty expired. They *still* gave me a new one (the new one wasn’t engraved, of course). The point is, the warranty was still valid, and the genius bar folks were gracious enough that I got an extra free day on the warranty.
Well, for me where I live and raise my family is more important than what I do. So I would say yes…but that’s me. You always have a choice, you choose to stay in LA.
On a side note Arkansas is south-central not southeastern :P
I won’t ever buy from Best Buy again, because they are such a disreputable store. I was involved in a credit situation whereby they stole several hundred dollars from me – blackmailed me over my credit rating. Stay away.
yep that’sounds about right.
I worked for BestBuy (somewhere in the Bay Area) for almost 6months and had to quit because I couldn’t stand the company culture… or lack thereof. Customer service was disgusting. I actually told my friends NEVER to go to my store. I thought about becoming an ASM or floor lead to “shake” things up but when I went to a regional store seminar about the Black Tie Protection Plan (warranty) I realized to truly “shake” things up meant taking the seat as CEO.
Employees at that BestBuy store was encouraged to lie to customers. Several ASM dropped computers in the back when ‘tough’ costumers refused to purchase the BlackTieProtection warranty, and it was common practice to refuse to sell computers/lie if we couldn’t attach them to lesser, more easily manipulated customers.
I’d rather work for Starbucks (which I did – 4weeks prior to working for BB) then work for that BestBuy again.
Apple needs to put Best Buy to rest!
Well said, Mark. And I agree with your comment entirely. This is an important story to post, and I also agree you would probably get nothing but spokesman bunk from Best Buy.
I would be happy with something as simple as the word “allegedly” in the headline. That’s giving the readers more accurate information, and it’s less libelous as well.
After giving up on buying my iPad2 at an Apple store (because of the organized packs of resellers), I got mine at Target. Got Apple Care with it — no problem, no drama. Just had the salesperson give it to me when he took the iPad out of the case.
That’s rediculous. I used to work for The Wiz back in the day right when Best Buy just started, all the sales associates at the Wiz were on commission and we wouldn’t even pull stuff like this. We had to push warranties and add-ons but they were never a requirement to purchase any type of product.
On another note, I own Repair Sharks LLC. an iPod, iPhone, and Xbox 360 Repair center. We have done iPad 1 repairs and will be looking to pick up on the iPad 2 repairs in the upcomming months. If anyone ever needs a hand look us up.
They tried the same crap with me here in Colorado Springs, but they told me I had to buy the AppleCare Plan AND at least 1 accessory, like the smart cover. I ended up getting an iPad from a relatively “unknown” Apple affiliate later that day instead. FU Radio Shack!
I had a story almost like that with AT&T. They did not want to let me get an iPhone4 for the upgrade price. They originally charged me over $300, when I called the girl on it she popped an attitude and said we don’t sell them that cheap. I pulled up the ATT website which happened to have the iphone 4 on the front page stating $199. She “talked to her manager” and he said he would drop the price to $199 if I bought applecare for $40.
I smiled and said sure thing, she smiled and rang me up and said have a good day. I just stood there after she handed me the receipt when she finally said” that’s all you can go now”. I replied “Well I need to return a product I recently purchased from you.” Her smile disappeared as I handed her back the Applecare box and the receipt asking for a refund.
This is business as usual at Best Buy. Apple should stop giving third party vendors access to their products including remote areas. They just bring down the brand. Can’t wait to see Best Buy close their doors forever on this kind of practice.
Yea, got my girlfriend engraved iPad, messed up about a week after the 30 days were over and the benevolent Genius’s still repaired it. Nowhere on Apple’s stie does it say anything about engraving voiding warranties.
illiterate, crass, and insulting… you must work for BestBuy. I would know; I swam in your cesspool for six months.
BestBuy rewards program is one reason. It might not be much, but it’s incrementally more than Apple will offer you (which is nothing). In my case I used gift cards I had earned from the program previously.
Secondly, Apple stores are just as shady. Telling people they had ran out the first evening, yet miraculously having 20 to sell to people who waited in line first thing in the morning the next day (without having taken any additional deliveries in the time being) equals a big fat lie. Apple knows that lines in front of stores = free advertising and extra media attention. I don’t agree with that.
To those Fan boys and girls who got up at the crack of butt and waited in line for hours at a time: You were essentially working for Apple — just not getting paid to do so.
Actually, it’s more like 14% of the price (3G 32GB). For an extra $107, I feel more comfortable using it beside the pool, at the beach and letting other people handle it. For me, that’s a big difference in how much use this iPad will get over the next three years. That is an investment in getting more out of what I already paid for.
Best Buy sux. What do you expect
BestBuy has bunches of shits working there. They are low-life asses. I hate their attitude.
They do the same at AT&T when you try to purchase an iPhone or an iPad. They trick you into an extended protection plan saying that the warranty will expire in three months when in fact the only thing that expires in three months itās just phone support. Some associates at AT&T refuse to sell you an idevice if you donāt buy them the apple care extended warranty. Some one should get this out there, you know report these people to some government agency.
I bought my ipad on launch day from best buy, they asked if i wanted the warranty, I said no, and they rung it up and i bought it… it depends on who the person ringing you up is.
Best Buy obviously sucks. Why in the hell is anyone shopping there? Go to an Apple Store. If you don’t live by one go to Amazon.com. You give those blue bastards your money and you deserve how you get treated.
I can’t bring myself to buy a large purchase Apple product from Best Buy, and I definitely won’t touch their warranties with the a ten foot pole. I had a bad experience with them over a car stereo amp, that broke three times, and although the warranty clearly stated that after the third time you get a new one, they refused.
Just take a look at who works at Best Buy these days. Mostly teens with bright colored hair, body piercing everywhere, neck tattoos, and people who look like they are auditioning for reality tv.
Anyone who reads any type of tech websites or blogs has more training and information than the average Best Buy worker.
Buy from Apple and deal with them directly.
Reserved a 16GB 3G iPad2 in Milpitas CA BBY on the 2nd day of the release (3/12) morning, I still haven’t get my order. I was told I am the #2 on the list when I made the order for the model, and now they say they never have received any 3G model. BS!!
I ordered one on April 10th and it will be shipped on May 2nd and with 2 day shipping, I receive it by May 4th. Deal directly with Apple!!! You don’t need a Best Buy warranty, I got a 2 year AppleCare warranty for $79 bucks!
Fuck BestBuy, they don’t even help “CERTAIN” people that come into the stores!
I don’t know, I think I will treat it like I do my car…parking in remote locations, etc. I’ve only got one door ding from an idiot at work. Just take care of it!!!
And we see where CC is now!!! I might buy a cable from BB, but that’s it!
Best Buy is hoarding the iPad 2s and trying to get customers to buy unnecessary protection plans. But Best Buy is not the only place where you can get iPad 2. You can purchase your iPad 2 on my website without any problem. You can even get a free iPad 2 on my website if you follow certain conditions.
Got my ipad2 at best buy on release day. U wait in line at apple vs best buy. I was at bb 3 hrs early and was 3rd in line. I bet apple stores weren’t like that.
A manager told me I could buy a stereo system for a certain price only if I bought protection service at a Best Buy in Northville, Michigan. I simply walked out, and have never bought anything from Best Buy ever since.
fu** you jethrojay.
my bestbuy job supports me and my family. Is it the BEST job in the world? no. But are you going to pay my bills? no. You can go fu** yourself.
I would love to see you say that to me in person. GO fu** yourself
Is bestbuy the best place to work? no. Are you going to pay my bills? no. I like my job and i NEVER force anything on anyone. I could care less if they bought protection plans.
I would love to see you say that to my face “Best Buy has the worst staff on the planet”. I guarantee you would only say it once.
Best Buy employee’s are renowned to be the dumbest on earth.
Sad thing is, Best Buy punks don’t know just how stupid they really are! If I followed their recommendations, I’d have a blown home entertainment system in my motorhome (he wanted me to wire the powered speaker outputs on my dash entertainment system to the line-level inputs of a surround-sound receiver (saw no problem with that, even after the best buy installer who happened to be in the store tried to set him straight), a crappy stereo system in my car, I’d be using Monster HDMI cables, and I’d be paying double or more for everything else too.
I like to shout or be mad now…
Its been more than a month when I gave my $200 in best buy for pre-order of 2 pcs. ipad 2 ( ipad 2 black 16bg and ipad 2 white 32gb) in 2 different best buy location.
It was March 11, when i paid that amount in 2 best buy storeS & until now they never called me if they receive any ipad 2 ( about my order ).
To add to the insult, in my city thereS 15 or more walmart & they are selling ipad 2 in first come per serve basis per store (most often time they have 1-3 stock) EVERYDAY – ALL OF THEIR STORES… thats why you just need to be early in going to walmart or call them between 9:30-10:00am everyday and they will have it.
I just found out from my friend who is the store manager in walmart – I didnt bother to ask him about that before as I know best buy has always more stock of ipad 2 than any stores in the USA.
This is the first time in my life that I pre order for APPLE product from Best Buy and its horrible & unexpected.
Not only me is pissed of, because many times i visit best buy to ask about my pre-order, you will see 2-5 people asking about their orders & you will hear them yakking & saying some words you cant swallow. It is more than one month now since we pre-order but until now we didn’t receive anything & when we called this morning, all stores in the city – 8 stores – doesn’t have one and nothing in transit (delivery). CALL ANY BEST BUY STORES IN YOUR STATE, THEY DON’T HAVE ONE…
I think APPLE should stop to sell their products in Best Buy – just give it to TARGET & WALMART as they will sell it right away when they have one in stock and they have more people coming everyday in their store (more buyers).
If ever i can punch anybody from best buy that doing this mess, i will haunt him/her down.
This is too much & its not acceptable anymore.
Please tell APPLE to stop making business with best buy & theres more known brick & mortar store that have nationwide stores too.
Im so mad & angry now to them – BEST BUY…
STOP FOOLING US – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…
I like to shout or be mad now…
Its been more than a month when I gave my $200 in best buy for pre-order of 2 pcs. ipad 2 ( ipad 2 black 16bg and ipad 2 white 32gb) in 2 different best buy location.
It was March 11, when i paid that amount in 2 best buy storeS & until now they never called me if they receive any ipad 2 ( about my order ).
To add to the insult, in my city thereS 15 or more walmart & they are selling ipad 2 in first come per serve basis per store (most often time they have 1-3 stock) EVERYDAY – ALL OF THEIR STORES… thats why you just need to be early in going to walmart or call them between 9:30-10:00am everyday and they will have it.
I just found out from my friend who is the store manager in walmart – I didnt bother to ask him about that before as I know best buy has always more stock of ipad 2 than any stores in the USA.
This is the first time in my life that I pre order for APPLE product from Best Buy and its horrible & unexpected.
Not only me is pissed of, because many times i visit best buy to ask about my pre-order, you will see 2-5 people asking about their orders & you will hear them yakking & saying some words you cant swallow. It is more than one month now since we pre-order but until now we didn’t receive anything & when we called this morning, all stores in the city – 8 stores – doesn’t have one and nothing in transit (delivery). CALL ANY BEST BUY STORES IN YOUR STATE, THEY DON’T HAVE ONE…
I think APPLE should stop to sell their products in Best Buy – just give it to TARGET & WALMART as they will sell it right away when they have one in stock and they have more people coming everyday in their store (more buyers).
If ever i can punch anybody from best buy that doing this mess, i will haunt him/her down.
This is too much & its not acceptable anymore.
Please tell APPLE to stop making business with best buy & theres more known brick & mortar store that have nationwide stores too.
Im so mad & angry now to them – BEST BUY…
STOP FOOLING US – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…
…and you live in a motorhome…so I guess the real question is, do you still call it a “home entertainment system” when your having it installed in the bedroom of a doublewide that you share with your mom? Life can truly be a mystery sometimes.
Yeah that’s right, I own a motor home which has been to Alaska twice and 3 times across America, and when I travel I like to take my surround sound system with me! Now the only reason I would ever walk into a Best Buy is so I can see and hear what I’m about to buy online for much less. And I never, NEVER ask best buy guys for advice because most of these best buy kids couldn’t get an order straight at burger king… and they think they know?
Hey, they take a look at me and think “hey, it’s a 55 year old old guy who I can swindle out of some cash” (because that what a couple of them tried to do). I don’t tell them that I have 45 years of experience designing electronics (I started designing electronics in the 2nd grade… back when guys and tech nerds had REAL hobbies… not just playing all day in front of mommy’s computer in your under-pants like apparently so many orange-haired best buy know-it-all’s did). And that is why I have a coach parked next to my home.
Now I don’t know you, and I know you can’t paint all best buy employee’s with one broad brush, but on average, you guys could not qualify for jobs at the Apple store.
In support of this statement, I was recently told by a Best Buy employee that the iPad 2 supports Flash now, and Flash apps.
Really? Because I’m pretty sure that would be huge news.
there are no regions at Best Buy.
I meant region as is in from the same area (East Bay vs. South Bay). Don’t know what you call those multi store meetings…
Are you kidding me?! A cable is the LAST thing I’d EVER buy at BestBuy. It their highest margin item BY FAR. Like, on the order of 800%+ markup. Go have a look at Monoprice.com.
i definitely think Best Buy employees, and other retail locations are lying about inventory and holding the ipad2 stock for friends, ect. when scanned inventory reports keep coming in that stores have inventory, then you call or stop over and they have none its a red flag to me that some shady stuff is going on at the retail stores….
Just to let you know Best Buy doesn’t activate any payment plans with AT&T.
Just to let you know Best Buy doesn’t activate any payment plans with AT&T.
Hahahahaha. I laughed every single time I read about one of the commenters speak on the greatness of AppleCare. It’s God awful. They don’t cover simple things like battery replacements, dents, scratches, dust, humidity or power surges. The latter because it is an “act of God.” I bought my Macbook pro at Best Buy, enlisted in the Black Tie Protection after reading it through….funny how everything AppleCare doesn’t cover…Best Buy does! I’ll invest the 20% in to my insurance policy in case anything DOES happen to the notebook, i.e. I drop it, friend drops it, power surge, dead battery, something spills on it – It will either be repaired, or “junked out” like my last PC I purchased at my local Best Buy, where they gave me a comparable computer, same name brand, with all the similar specs that my old computer had minus the graphics card I installed, which they gave back to me. I’m not going to stop shopping at a store that has done alright by me since it was built in the mall nearest my house, just because a bunch of you have had horrible managers you have dealt with, or are morons yourselves.
LONG LIVE THE YELLOW TAG!
I don’t think the Best Buy incident was random. A buddy and I went into the best buy in West Hollywood to each buy a new 64gig 3g iPad 2. While everything was fine with us, the poor guy in front of us had to endure an obnoxious sales person trying to sell him the special warranty from best buy to protect his iPad. Both my friend and I were just waiting for the guy to talk like that to us. A hard sell is one thing, basically insulting a guy because he doesn’t want their extended warranty is another. Best Buy either trains their salesperson to be hard, or doesn’t train them at all. Either way, it makes me want to avoid Best Buy altogether.
The customer missed an opportunity to teach the manager a lesson by stating the scam and walking out. Now the manager’s shady strategy is reinforced for other customers to have to deal with and this customer will always have buyers remorse for that item.
you guys are all pretty much idiots…Ā becauseĀ if you had any sense what so ever you would just go to a damn apple storeĀ
Apple Ipad2 Wifi + 3G is a great phone. I bought one 1 month ago at http://www.garytelecoms.com and will like to sell it.Ā
If anyone is interested, pm me at Ā [email protected]