WARNING - many of you likely don't know that Best Buy charges restocking fees. This means that it costs YOU money to return an item for a refund. This can be substantial on a big ticket price item - you PAY to end up with NOTHING!!

Best Buy's policies (same in US and Canada) http://www.bestbuy.com/olsp...77044087&id=cat12098

------------------

3.4L S/C 87 GT www.fierosound.com
2002/2003/2004 World of Wheels Winner &
Multiple IASCA Stereo Award Winner
My SD4 Indy www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/096075.html

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-17-2008).]

I ran into that at Micro Center a few years ago. I bought a new complete computer system that wouldnt work/load all my other hardware...even my Internet Card. I took it back next day and they charged me $200 'restocking fee'.

I've never been charged a restocking fee at Best buy. Is this something new? I've returned a printer, Directv dish with receiver and a laptop no fees. I also exchanged a few items over the years with no fees.

Huh. I always thought they gave you 14 days to return it or something... Maybe they changed it recently.

quote Restocking fee A restocking fee of 15% will be charged on opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS navigation and in-car video systems unless defective or prohibited by law. A restocking fee of 25% will be charged on Special Order Products, including appliances unless defective or prohibited by law.

It looks to be on specific items only and if they're not defective.

quote From Best Buy's Website Restocking fee A restocking fee of 15% will be charged on opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS navigation and in-car video systems unless defective or prohibited by law. A restocking fee of 25% will be charged on Special Order Products, including appliances unless defective or prohibited by law.

This has been the case for at least 10 years.

The reasoning behind this is the dirtballs that abuse the return policy...

Oops! My computer died. I'll just buy a laptop, get the paper/project done and then return it while I wait for my old computer to be fixed.

Damn! I forgot to bring the digital camera for our vacation. Just buy one for the vacation and return it.

I forgot the radar detector at home. Just buy one at Best Buy and return it after the trip.

I thought I'd like the washer and dryer customized hot pink instead of white. I don't. I'll return it.


------------------

So, Best Buy can't sell these commonly abused return item as new because of the dirtballs doing this stuff, they need to recoup the money.

When I moonlighted in computer sales and as a tech I made this restocking fee policy clear to everyone I sold a laptop to.

I agree it maybe comes as a surprise and shock if you hadn't noticed it when buying, which kind of stinks. Eventually in out best buy locations they put up huge billboards on the walls to try and make sure people knew those things when buying. not sure if yours did but if not they definitely should.

there's two sides to it, I mean, it only applies if something was opened and returned for one, and for two, well, they *are* losing equity so to speak when someone does return something of that nature as an opened product...

quote Originally posted by aceman: The reasoning behind this is the dirtballs that abuse the return policy...

Agreed. Basically, the only time I will return something is for an exchange if it's defective. BUT there could be a time when you could be bit in the butt if you're not aware of this policy - even if you've done nothing "wrong".

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-18-2008).]

Target has the same policy on electronics.

Jim

Some people do this especially for super bowl sunday. They go out and get the BIGGEST TV they can the return it after the game.

Yea I work at Best Buy and not once have I ever heard any one complain about a restocking fee in the store so this is kind of news to me.

------------------

Their policy on returning a high-ticket item paid for in cash also blows. Anything >$250 that was paid for in cash will require a reimbursement check to be mailed from the corporate office approximately a week later.

The restocking fees have been around for years, and the whole 250+ cash does blow, but if they returned cash back on cash paid items they may not have the money in the store to give for the return.

Tonight, I had a serious run-in with Best Buy and the outcome wasn't good at all. I bought a Samsung Blue-Ray player and it doesn't want to play my Blue Ray disc so I took it back-- 2 yrs later. Don't fret. I had a service contract (which btw doesn't mean crap!). Oh yeah, as apart of the offer- I received 5- free Blue Ray movies (I'll get to that story in a moment).

I was cool at first, until they informed me that my Blue-Ray need software updates at $35 buck or so. So, why not (I said), I have a service contract. The "Geek-squad" servicemen said it was my responsibility to up date the system in order to play Blue Ray disc. Before I move forward there's something I must include.

I bought the Samsung as a unit (42" Flat TV, theater system, & Blue Ray player), but upon buying it- the TV was defective, so I bought it back and they replaced it. Secondly, my theater system to get it too work cause me to go back to Best Buy on several occasions. So, when the Blue Ray player wouldn't play on if the free gift that were blue ray- I gave yup and said, "I'll go back later on." Well, later on became 2-yrs. Therefore, I wasn't in the mood to hear back talk about my Blue Ray player from them!

Little did I know- you need software updates in order to view Blue Ray disc. Anyway, I found that odd that my once new Blue Ray unit needed software updates once I stepped outside Best Buys doors. Hmm, maybe for newer Blue Ray disc, but IMO not for existing disc.

Holy ancient thread, batman!

I dunno, I think it's kinda neat that hardware devices can take firmware updates instead of just becoming obsolete and therefore completely worthless.

quote Originally posted by GS Jon: I dunno, I think it's kinda neat that hardware devices can take firmware updates instead of just becoming obsolete and therefore completely worthless.

True, but I think that's what separates the local dealership from the Big Box.

I've updated BluRay players for my customers, and when they ask, "how much?" I tell them to put a couple of bucks in to the Special Olympics can (The owner of the Co. organizes Power Lifting for SO).

Many players now hook up to the 'net, or have WiFI built in, so they will update themselves, but, as they add features to the discs, the machines can be updated to take advantage of them.

As to restocking - would you buy a TV or a washing machine - at the same price as a new one - if it has been in someone's house for a week? The restocking fee gets applied to the machine so that it can be sold at a lower price without the dealer losing his shirt.

I just got a Blu-Ray player. The first thing I did when I took it out of the box was update the firmware - for free.
It took less than 5 minutes. All Blu-Ray players recommend firmware updates when first purchased.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I just got a Blu-Ray player. The first thing I did when I took it out of the box was update the firmware - for free. It took less than 5 minutes. All Blu-Ray players recommend firmware updates when first purchased.

I looooooooooooooove USB ports on my new electronics!
Gives me a sense of empowerment, baby!

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I just got a Blu-Ray player. The first thing I did when I took it out of the box was update the firmware - for free. It took less than 5 minutes. All Blu-Ray players recommend firmware updates when first purchased.

I bought both a new TV and Blu-ray back in April, and when I plugged them into the network during the setup, they both did updates (funny with the TV since the manufactured date was April and I bought it at the end of April). Anyways, I have noticed that the Blu-ray player seems to update itself every few months (not anywhere as much as a Microsoft product)

This is O/T, but blu-ray is so far from being standardized it's not even funny... You shouldn't have to update anything. I never updated any DVD player or VCR and got along just fine.............

this is also one of the side effects of the fact the Best Buy does NOT actually sell anything
they are a showroom for the vendors
the vendors set the prices. Best Buy just collects for them.

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: I bought both a new TV and Blu-ray back in April, and when I plugged them into the network during the setup, they both did updates (funny with the TV since the manufactured date was April and I bought it at the end of April). Anyways, I have noticed that the Blu-ray player seems to update itself every few months (not anywhere as much as a Microsoft product)

Did Best Buy try to charge you for it?

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Did Best Buy try to charge you for it?

I think you're missing the point....

A) Does the service plan state that Best Buy would update the firmware of the product if needed fr free? (Would Best Buy do all your Windows updates for free under a service plan? No.)

B) I'm sure if you looked on the web, you would find how to update the firmware of the bluray player from the convenience of your home.

You're getting bent out of shape because the service plan does not address firmware updates to your liking and advantage.

quote Originally posted by aceman: You're getting bent out of shape because the service plan does not address firmware updates to your liking and advantage.

Actually, I asked them during my visit regarding this situation. I asked if any one of the BlueRay players upon purchase needs updat prior to playing "current" BlueRay disc. The answer was no. It only applies to newer BlueRay disc with special features therefore a upgrade would be needed (this makes perfect sense to me). I asked another question; what if a person doesn't have access to the internet prior to buying a BlueRay (this applies to me cause I don't have access to the internet at one of my locations). I didn't get a response from the manager. I also asked, "why wasn't I informed about this prior to purchasing my BlueRay?"

Anyway, long story short is: they use to update them, but I missed the boat or waited too long. My beef; update it now that I'm here in the store and then let me update it in the future. Since the manager was rude and shouted at me-- that made me upset and therefore I'm calling her superiors.

When I go shopping, I look for signs of a returned item before I buy it. If it looks like it was returned or even opened, I won't buy it. If it is the last item, I ask a store employee if they have more in the back.

The reason is simple, I refuse to pay full price for anything that is used. I have pointed this out to many retailers who only had used items left on their shelf and then walked out of their store. I am sure that I'm not the only one that feels this way. That is one reason why there is a restocking fee.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: When I go shopping, I look for signs of a returned item before I buy it. If it looks like it was returned or even opened, I won't buy it.

Twice I have purchased items that were unopened, A bicycle for my cousin that was supposed to be his first bicycle. I opened the box, to put it together, and it was covered in stickers from McDonald's, and the wheels were dirty. The box had what looked like the original tape over everything, and I didn't see any "double tape" I took it back and got another, that I opened in the store to make sure it was new.

The other was a VCR that was taped up as well, I went to put a tape in it and their was already one stuck inside. It was really stuck too, I never got it out. I took it back and the service desk just taped the box up, and put it in the electronics cart, I was only able to trade it for another of the same item because it was electronics. I am sure they sold it again.

Both items looked like they had never been sold from the outside, and yet they got me.

Brad

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: This is O/T, but blu-ray is so far from being standardized it's not even funny... You shouldn't have to update anything. I never updated any DVD player or VCR and got along just fine.............

Well, I have to update my Blu-ray player's firmware, because it also plays Netflix, Youtube, Pandora Internet Radio and etc... all by wi-fi.

I dislike Best Buy. I don't know why. I guess I find their service sucks and prices are too high.

I buy my electronics from Sam's Club or Amazon. Sam's has a no questions asks return policy without restocking fees. Although I haven't turned anything back because everything has come out right from the box, plus their prices are so much cheaper than not so Best Buy.

For instance, just yesterday I needed a micro-SD card for the spouses mobile phone. I went to Best Buy first because I had a $10 gift card. 4g Micro-SD was $29.95. I go to Wal-Mart and the exact same one (brand and 4G in all) was $14.88.

If I want to get a really nice TV, I go to Ultimate Electronics, where the prices are better than Best Buy and they have better brands, than the LG/Samsung stuff that Best Buy pimps out.

In my living room, I have the Mitsubishi unisen TV with built-in 16 speaker dolby digital surround sound. You can't get that at Best Buy.

[This message has been edited by Wichita (edited 01-30-2010).]

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Did Best Buy try to charge you for it?

...maybe I wasn't clear, but I didn't buy my stuff from Best Buy (I actually bought it wholesale, know people).

Just saying that as soon as I plugged my equipment into at home and connected it up to the internet, they indicated that there was an update available and asked if I wanted to upgrade. The systems did it all all their own, they downloaded the new firmware, installed and rebooted.

quote Originally posted by Wichita: In my living room, I have the Mitsubishi unisen TV with built-in 16 speaker dolby digital surround sound. You can't get that at Best Buy.

Mitsubishi - The best TV on the planet.
If you got the cash.

quote Originally posted by Wichita: In my living room, I have the Mitsubishi unisen TV with built-in 16 speaker dolby digital surround sound. You can't get that at Best Buy.

We had those at Circuit City...amazing TV.

Update: Doing battle with Best Buy's mean manager!

The trunks: wore my, "going to battle shirt."


The ring:


Round2: A draw. I went by to pick-up my BluRay and Best Buy lost the player! I arrived at 16:44HR and finally left the store at 18:21HR. There was a supervisor meeting and I couldn't wait to blow-up if my BluRay wasn't fixed. To my surprise Best Buy replaced my old system with a newer model (opened box.. that could mean anything, right?) so I decided to pay for additional coverage for 2-yrs @ $34 bucks. You never know with open boxed items. Oh yeah, the instruction wasn't in the box.

The up side is: newer, smaller, and maybe no need for current internet update. Downside is; a bad taste in my mouth from my first experience with Best Buy, but with time- maybe the after taste will go away.

Here's the newer unit;


the aftermath; Cypress Hill's; insane in the brain.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 03-05-2010).]

So does this one work?

quote Originally posted by avengador1: So does this one work?

Hehe. I'll find out next week, but my expectations of them aren't too high and ranking with is pretty much like, The Good Guys and USA Comp stores. They barely redeemed themselves by default = by replacing my BluRay with a newer one and I'm sure round 3 is just around the corner.