Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[mdemop]

I really love rest buy and I choose to go out of my way (I live is WI and come to MN Best Buy) for the great selection, service and overall good customer service. However this has always bugged me. But again I still and will always love you Best Buy! 

Note: I like many other people just choose to comply with the request and show their receipt and I know the reasons why they do so but I saw a employee at a store get very upset when a customer said "No Thank You" when they asked to see their receipt even though they clearly just came from the checkout lines. It would of been nice for them to show it and save the hassle but the law is still the law.

The courts have upheld many times over that stores can not require inspection of merchandise or receipts unless the customer has a contract that states this policy. (Such as a Wholesale Club Membership).
I find it very annoying and offensive that stores think they can requires this unlawful act. Which is in essence a detainment and search unless the customer may opt-out at the REQUEST. Best Buy can REQUEST your receipt and if the customer wish to comply, great! However Best Buy should and can do three things:

1. Get rid of receipt checkers all together.
2. At checkout have receipt check policy show up on the payment pad that the customer must "agree" to (Just like Reward Zone or Black Tie protection plans). This would create a binding contract to make the receipt check lawful.
3. Post a sign or notice of the possible receipt / search. This will not make it legal is all states but some.

I also posted this on IdeaX you may voite for it if you wish: http://bestbuyideax.com/ideas/11007

[Balbanes]

I'm pretty sure my store has a sign that says we reserve the right to check all bags upon exiting the store... I haven't looked for it in a while, but I'm pretty sure it's already there.

[mdemop]

@Balbanes  Really? Hmm I know I did look yesterday maybe I messed it or its in all stores. Will have to pay close attention next time. However the policy accept on the payment pad at  point of sale still is the most ideal solution. Thanks!

[cr_client]

I don't mind showing my bag if I come from the Customer Service counter with an in-store pickup, as I'm not going through the register line to leave. And, obviously, with very large items, it's a good idea to have the receipt checked when a customer leaves, because there ARE people out there who have the stones to pick up a TV and try to walk out of the store with it as if they paid for it. But if a customer is witnessed paying for items at the register, and doesn't set off the alarm when exiting, I don't see why they should be asked for their receipt.

Thing is, in most stores, some of the registers are hidden from the view of the security desk, so it's easier to just stop everyone and check.

If there weren't dishonest people in the world, it wouldn't be an issue. I've been in some BBY locations where EVERY video game is behind the counter or locked up, and they only have the empty plastic shells on the floor with paper in them for the games. Other stores, they have expensive items within 20 feet of the entrance, without any extra tagging or packaging on them. Every store is different in this regard, as well as with receipt checking.

[cr_client]

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mdemop wrote:

@Balbanes  Really? Hmm I know I did look yesterday maybe I messed it or its in all stores. Will have to pay close attention next time. However the policy accept on the payment pad at  point of sale still is the most ideal solution. Thanks!

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You might be surprised at a) the number of people who still pay with cash, and b) the number of people who pay cash that refuse to touch a payment pad, give out their ZIP code, etc.  I can see the payment pad notification causing additional problems above and beyond the current situation, personally.

[mdemop]

@Cr_client I understand the reason and I has save countless dollars and kept prices low. But does that change the fact that it is still a request and can't be a requirement to the customer without a contract (verbal, written or posted notice) \?

[Nokia]

I don't think asking at the POS would go over well with a lot of consumer advocacy groups. It'd just cause more problems.

I don't see any real problem with it. Of course, you'll have the occasional overzealous LP person, but those usually get sacked pretty quickly, because they're a walking lawsuit.

I stop just because I know how hard their jobs are. I'm not going to make them harder just because I want to make some asinine point about personal liberties that only I'll know about.

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mdemop wrote:

Note: I like many other people just choose to comply with the request and show their receipt and I know the reasons why they do so but I saw a employee at a store get very upset when a customer said "No Thank You" when they asked to see their receipt even though they clearly just came from the checkout lines. It would of been nice for them to show it and save the hassle but the law is still the law.

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And what did you think of this person? Probably "What a jerk." Same thing I think. That person is probably like that all the time.

[mdemop]

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Nokia wrote: And what did you think of this person? Probably "What a jerk." Same thing I think. That person is probably like that all the time.

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@Nokia,

That may be true and that is why most people honor Best buy's request. But do you think Best Buy is above the LAW? Its how Best Buy chooses to respond to a denial on the   receipt checkers REQUEST that is the point. On Best Buy Ideax my idea is the most popular idea. The Current "Current: What's a better alternative to our checking receipts at the door?" has over 20 different ideas in it. Consumer Reports has written 2 different posts on this topic related to Best Buy Idea in the past week. This is as Joashua Kahn of Best Buy IdeaX states "an issue that's important to certain customers of ours; the practice of checking receipts at the door." Therefore something should be done whether it be prior notice, change store layout or other legal methods.

Best Buy IdeaX Current

My First Best Buy IdeaX Idea

You are correct be polite and not be a jerk but we all need to follow the law, don't you agree?

Thanks!