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BestBuy
| As all of you, I am disgusted by Rogers' plans re the iPhone (I have signed the petition and will boycott for change), but I think sometimes we forget they are not the only ones screwing us. BestBuy is just as bad in gouging customers.
I have been in the market for a HDTV for a while now. I have done my research and found the TV that met my needs and price point. I waited and waited as the Canadian dollar maintained near parity with the US for prices of consumer goods in Canada to come in line with our neighbours.
The initial argument of retailers was the higher cost of inventory they had on hand that meant they could not match prices.... A valid argument in the short-term. But, anyone who understands economics knows that in the long-run prices should adjust (after the effect of stickiness is removed).
Why, a year after parity, are we STILL paying higher prices???
The TV I found at Bestbuy (Samsung LN46A650) sells for ~$2499 here. The identical TV is available in the US (with free shipping) for ~$1700!! That is an $800 difference!!! And when asked to pricematch I was told they "won't"... Not that they can't. The sales person's response was that the store manager has the right to do it, but "chooses not to"!!
So much for buying locally. I would love to shop locally and support locally. But I think, even with the higher cost of gas, it is worth it to make the trek over the border as thousands of others have done.
Canadians need to stand up and shout if we ever want things to change here.
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Comments |
You are 100% correct Neal. Here is another example, last weekend in Bestbuy (US), the compaq laptop with intel T2370 processor was priced 399$. A toshiba laptop similar configuration was also priced 399$. But similar laptops are priced at 599$ in Canadian Bestbuy. (only difference is higher RAM, which costs 60$).
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| Poor Taste?
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Another example of this problem would be (sorry if they've already been mentioned elsewhere) Rack Attack, where identical products (Yakima Skybox 16) is priced 35% higher than in Bellingham ($650 vs $419 at rei.com). And yes, I'll be crossing the border for that savings. |
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BEST BUY, MY FOOT Best Buy has some bad policies....
Normally, I would not share this with others, however, since this could happen to you or your friends , I decided to share it. If you purchase something from, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, JC Penny, Sears etc. and you return the item with the receipt they will give you your money back if you paid cash, or credit your account if paid by plastic.
Well, I purchased a GPS for my car, a Tom Tom XL.S from 'Best Buy'. They have a policy that it must be returned within 14 days for a refund!
So after 4 days I returned it in the original box with all the items in the box, with paper work and cords all wrapped in the plastic. Just as I received it, including the receipt..I explained to the lady at the return desk I did not like the way it could not find store names. The lady at the refund desk said, there is a 15% restock fee, for items returned. I said no one told me that. I said how much would that be. She said it goes by the price of the item. It will be $45.00 Dollars for you. I said, all your going to do is walk over and place it back on the shelf then charge me $45.00 of my money for restocking? She said that's the store policy. I said if more people were aware of it they would not buy anything here! If I bought a $2000.00 computer or TV and returned it I would be charged $300.00 dollars restock fee? She said yes, 15%.
I said OK, just give me my money minus the restock fee.
She said, since the item is over $200.00 dollars, she can't give me my money back!!!
Corporate has to and they will mail you a check in 7 to ten days.!! I said 'WHAT?!'
It's my money!! I paid in cash! I want to buy a different brand..Now I have to wait 7 to 10 days. She said well, our policy is on the back of your receipt.
I said, do you read the front or back of your receipt? She said well, the front! I said so do I, I want to talk to the Manager!.
So the manager comes over, I explained everything to him, and he said, well, sir they should have told you about the policy when you got the item. I said, No one, has ever told me about the check refund or restock fee, whenever I bought items from computers to TVs from Best Buy. The only thing they ever discussed was the worthless extended warranty program. He said Well, I can give you corporate phone number.
I called corporate. The guy said, well, I'm not supposed to do this but I can give you a 45.00 dollar gift card and you can use it at Best Buy. I told him if I bought something and returned it, you would charge me a restock fee on the item and then send me a check for the remaining 3 dollars. You can keep your gift card, I'm never shopping in Best Buy ever again, and if I would have been smart, I would have charged the whole thing on my credit card! Then I would have canceled the transaction.
I would have gotten all my money back including your stupid fees! He didn't say a word!
I informed him that I was going to e-mail my friends and give them a heads up on this stores policy, as they don't tell you about all the little caveats.
So please pass this on. It may save your friends from having a bad experience of shopping at Best Buy
It's true! read it for yourself!!
Best Buys return policy |
| Poor Taste?
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I'm a bit suspicious of your story. I've never had a problem returning anything. The following text is from Best Buy Canada's website:
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with a product you have purchased, we will gladly give you a full refund (except for certain items described below) or exchange if you return it to any Best Buy store within 30 days after you receive it (14 days for computers, monitors, printers, notebook computers, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, portable DVD players and air conditioners) in its original condition (including all packaging, accessories and manuals). For your convenience, we also accept returns by mail: please call 1-866-237-8289 to find out how to make a return by mail. Your electronic invoice is required for both in-store and mail returns. In the event that a returned order has any packaging, manuals, accessories, blank warranty cards or other items missing, the return may be refused, or we may deduct the value of any of the missing items. Shipping charges are non-refundable; however, we will refund your original shipping cost if you are returning an item because of an error on our part, or we have determined that the product is defective. Due to copyright laws, computer and game console software, music CDs, DVDs and videos in opened packages may only be exchanged for the same item. |
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Not to mention we spell it cheque in Canada, not "check". |
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Interesting, my dad told me about this, but no where in the store here in Winnipeg had this listed. I read the "rules" that were above customer service, no mention of a restocking fee. I even purchased an xbox360 and returned it (unopened, mind you) and I did not have any problems at all.
I'm not the biggest fan of BB or FS for that matter, but I've yet to run into this..
I do however agree with the pricing.. but apparently I was explained (from LEGO of all places) that it's due to our side and the costs of importing. I do find that hard to believe with free-trade and all.. but..
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