More Best Buy Shenanigans

I checked my order with bestbuy.com early this morning, Oct 11th, only to find that it had gone from In Progress to Backordered. I was put out to say the least. I checked and they said that there were going to be G11's available in the Arrowhead Best Buy (Greater Phoenix AZ). I called customer service and asked if I could switch my order from delivery to pick up. Julia said that it would be no problem, easy as pie....Oh wait, none of the stores in my area were SHARING with bestbuy.com. I was then advised that if I wanted to wait, they would be able to ship my G11 out some time after Nov 1st. I kindly asked her to cancel my order.

I set out for the Arrowhead Best Buy knowing that they had the camera in stock, thank you Julia. I patiently waited for the doors to open and when they finally did, I was the first person up to the cameras. "G11, please". I was then bluntly informed by the sales associate that Best Buy was not going to be carrying the G11 because it did not fit with their customers because it was too complicated and they had learned this lesson with the G10. I remained clam and advised him that I was told by customer service that they had the camera in stock. He said that was not so. I asked him to check any way and lo and behold there was a G11 hiding under the counter. He did apologize. I hot footed it to the register and gave them the 10% off coupon and left the store without further incident. I think that without the coupon and half the cost in gift cards I would have gone elsewhere.

Now the shooting begins.

Competence and knowledge are not stocked at Best Buy...but you got the camera you wanted.

I bought a G11 from BestBuy in San Jose today. Other BestBuys on the peninsula (SF Bay Area) didn't have them. They held it for me and I drove over and picked it up. Also used the 10% coupon mentioned in this forum. Thank you to the person who posted that!! I wouldn't buy from Best Buy regularly - they have a 15% restocking fee if you want to return the item. Both B&H and Amazon are terrific about taking returns with no hassle or charges. In this case though, I wanted to make sure I had the camera in hand before I leave for a trip in a few weeks and the demand backlog was enough of a concern that I didn't want to wait.
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scn

I really don't understand why anyone bothers to rant about problems with Bestbuy. The stories about the S90 remind me of all the people that used to rant about CompUSA problems. Why would any of us expect sales policies to be the same from one store to another at a mass retailer like Bestbuy, or for employees at different stores to handle matters the same way? In one store you deal with an experienced manager or salesperson who knows no one cares if he or she sells a camera before Oct. 11. In another you deal with a newer manager who doesn't want to rock the boat, because he has no experience, and he follows the edict from the top to the letter. Why berate the store that refused to sell early? That manager probably didn't know any better, and he was just trying to do his or her job properly so as not to jeopardize it. Just go to another store or wait. They don't pay their employees enough to expect really good customer service, like I usually get at Costco (and, I'm sure some have had bad experiences there!) or Norstrom's.

When I hear people saying they want everyone to stop buying at Bestbuy, or any other store, I wonder what is their problem? There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go
Good luck to all!

MIke G.

Bought my G11 yesterday from Best Buy, Panama City, FL. They had 4 in stock and I high-tailed it down there and used the 10% coupon as well. LOVE the camera so far. Loved the G-2 and have waited for this upgrade for a long time.
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DianeR
http://www.pbase.com/ramseyd

I can not believe somebody can say such a nonsense but on the other hand I should not be surprised, people do that all the time. This one should be so obvious that explanation why is unneccessary.

Mike G. said:

There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go

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So incompetence of the employees should be in your opinion accepted and burden is on customer to find a way to hand over the money to them? What a nonsense. As long as there are people that do not have respect for themselves and are willing to waste time and money wandering around to get what they should be courted for bars of employee quality and customer service will continue getting lowered. Will you feel same if you are brought into ER for a heart attack and nurses and doctors there are fumbling around? Will you let it go and move onto another ER until you find better one so you can avoid stress so you don't get heart attack?

ZoranC said:

So incompetence of the employees should be in your opinion accepted and burden is on customer to find a way to hand over the money to them? What a nonsense. As long as there are people that do not have respect for themselves and are willing to waste time and money wandering around to get what they should be courted for bars of employee quality and customer service will continue getting lowered. Will you feel same if you are brought into ER for a heart attack and nurses and doctors there are fumbling around? Will you let it go and move onto another ER until you find better one so you can avoid stress so you don't get heart attack?

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like Mike G. says, let it go man!

ZoranC said:

Mike G. said:

There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go

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Mike G.

Thanks for your reply, but it really had nothing to do with my post or my experience. This had to do with the overall debacle regarding the availability and delivery of specifically the G11 at Best Buy. I quite like Best Buy most of the time.

sneakerpimp said:

ZoranC wrote:
...
like Mike G. says, let it go man!

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You are free to do with yourself what you want to do, what others will do is none of your business nor is your business telling them what you think they should do.

On Friday, having seen posts of those who did get G11's at their BB's and those who were told to come back on Sunday (10/11), I called my local store.

I was told they had 7 in stock but could not/would not sell them until 10/11. I asked if I could come in and pay for one and pick it up on Sunday, etc., and was firmly told that no one under any circumstances would be allowed to buy one before 10/11.

On Saturday, my wife and I were near the store, and I was curious if they still had 7 or were letting their policies slip. My wife went in, and came back with our shiny new G11. No mention was made of 10/11. To their credit(?), they still had 7 when she came in (6 when she left).

Thanks for letting me know about the coupon!
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GLamb

Mike G. said:

I really don't understand why anyone bothers to rant about problems with Bestbuy. The stories about the S90 remind me of all the people that used to rant about CompUSA problems. Why would any of us expect sales policies to be the same from one store to another at a mass retailer like Bestbuy, or for employees at different stores to handle matters the same way? In one store you deal with an experienced manager or salesperson who knows no one cares if he or she sells a camera before Oct. 11. In another you deal with a newer manager who doesn't want to rock the boat, because he has no experience, and he follows the edict from the top to the letter. Why berate the store that refused to sell early? That manager probably didn't know any better, and he was just trying to do his or her job properly so as not to jeopardize it. Just go to another store or wait. They don't pay their employees enough to expect really good customer service, like I usually get at Costco (and, I'm sure some have had bad experiences there!) or Norstrom's.

When I hear people saying they want everyone to stop buying at Bestbuy, or any other store, I wonder what is their problem? There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go
Good luck to all!

MIke G.

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So we should all just expect and excuse incompetence? This isn't the DMV or post office. I can choose where I spend my money and I appreciate all the feedback I can get. You mentioned those "that used to rant about CompUSA"... Well, what happened to CompUSA?

Fran

Mike G. wrote:

....There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go

Mike G.75791 said:

Good luck to all!

MIke G.

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One of the more cogent and coherent responses I've read in a long time.

fsmith said:

Well, what happened to CompUSA?

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Ciustomers did let go

Karl R. Josker said:

....There are no perfect retailers, and no perfect salespersons or managers. Just move on to another store and let it go! Stress, is a huge cause of heart attacks! Let it go

Karl R. Josker said:

Good luck to all!

MIke G.

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One of the more cogent and coherent responses I've read in a long time.

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I am sure you would be just as full of praise about it and let it go if you took your car in for a break job and later found out it is your brakes that are letting go at worst possible moment.

ZoranC said:

sneakerpimp said:

ZoranC wrote:
...
like Mike G. says, let it go man!

Click to expand...

You are free to do with yourself what you want to do, what others will do is none of your business nor is your business telling them what you think they should do.

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On the contrary, posting on a public forum is inviting comments on your actions. Don't want comments on what you have done? --Don't put your actions on a public forum. Simple as that.

fsmith said:

So we should all just expect and excuse incompetence?

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Yet people are seeking out incompetent employees who are ignorant of the sales embargo and incompetent enough to apply a non-applicable coupon to their purchase. If all Best Buy employees were fully competent and knowledgeable no sales would have been made prior to the 11th and no copies of coupons that state "no copies" and apply only to "cameras and camcorder accessories" would have been accepted for S90s and G11s.

ZoranC wrote:

... I am sure you would be just as full of praise about it and let it go if you took your car in for a break job and later found out it is your brakes that are letting go at worst possible moment.

Perhaps the worst attempt at an analogy I've ever heard.

I finally read the Best Buy Coupon. No way does it say it can be used on straight out camera purchases. Keep you heads low, be humble and happy when they accept it...like I was!